BWINDI GORILLA TREKKING IN THE HIGH SEASON (DRY SEASON)
Uganda’s strategic position along the equator makes it an all year round destination. The pearl of Africa has no season for totally the rain or just the sun, it’s always simply sweet weather for safaris in Uganda.
Being popularly known for its mountain gorillas, with almost three quarters of the total population of the mountain gorillas calling Bwindi impenetrable forest national park and Mgahinga national park homes. The remaining few dwelling in Rwanda’s Volcanoes national park and Virunga national park in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
With thousands of travelers hitting Uganda for the gorillas, several pieces have been published about the best season to trek the mighty apes in Uganda. And just like most of them, the dry season between June to mid-September and December to mid-February has been declared the best time.
Perhaps you are now wondering why trekking the gorillas is best in the dry season, yet it’s the very high season still where most tourists visit the country. Maybe you are this traveler who doesn’t want crowds, just go through gorilla trekking in Bwindi impenetrable forest national park during the high season.
Gorilla trekking involves walking into the thick forest, in the slippery trails on a rugged terrain. Trekkers usually walk through unclearly paved trails, having to pave their paths with a hand stick or their arms, all in the search of the mountain gorillas. On meeting them, spend one magical hour with the forest giants, watching them carry on their daily lives, jumping from tree branches to the other and taking several pictures as you want as long as the camera doesn’t have a flash. This is what happens on every gorilla trekking safari, whether it’s a high or low season.
The high season being in the dry season, there are low chances that your trekking experience will be interrupted by rainfall. Trekkers walk through the forest, searching for the mighty gorillas under a beautiful weather, having amazing views of the scenery, without hindrances of the fog or mist. Even trails are clearer and not slippery in the dry season. Trekkers are spared the burden of carrying heavy raincoats and all that, hence having the most thrilling gorilla trekking experience. Note that, its not guaranteed that it will not rain during the dry season, however, chances are low.
During the high season/ dry season, there are more chances for the trekkers to spot the endangered apes. The fact that it is always sunny, the gorillas feel freer to get out of their hibernations and wander around the forest in search of food and water. It becomes easier to spot out a gorilla family and still have more uninterrupted time with the apes, without worries of the rain.
Still the dry season furnishes opportunities of clearer views and photography. The clear skies and weather offer the best photography, capturing every moment with enough light. For picture lovers, trek the gorillas in the high season.
More to that, the fact that most tourists visit the gorillas during the high season, you will have company. You won’t have to enter into the forest with just the ranger guide and other three to four tourists. A whole group of eight people with join you, this feels safer, comfortable and funnier. This is something that won’t easily happen during the wet season. You might even find yourself trekking with just the ranger.
However, travelers that have trekked in the low season have also enjoyed the benefits, like the low hotel rates, gorilla permits are sold cheaper than in the high season, uncrowded trekking and all that. So whichever season travelers choose to visit the country, it’s still okay and can provide awesome experiences on a gorilla safari in Uganda.
