Nyakagezi gorilla family is the only habituated gorilla family found in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, presenting a rare primate safari experience in Africa. While there are many numbers of habituated gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, there is only one gorilla family that lives in Mgahinga. Only eight permits are issued each day for trekking this family, making early booking absolutely essential. This guide explains exactly how to secure your permit for an unforgettable encounter with the Nyakagezi gorillas.
Nyakagezi Family of Gorillas.
Nyakagezi family stands out as being different from other gorilla families found in Uganda. This is because the dominant male of this family, named Silverback Mark, succeeded his father Bugingo as the dominant one. Remarkably, even though he has been demoted to a lower rank, Bugingo still remains within this family. Silverbacks within this family include Mafia and Rukundo as well as other females and juveniles, making their social dynamics interesting to observe.
The family was named after the Nyakagezi area within the park, where it historically lived before becoming more settled. In the past, the gorillas were noted to be nomadic, constantly moving from one country to another in search of food. Nevertheless, they are currently settled in Mgahinga, giving tourists a chance to visit them at any time of the year. This stability means that the trekking experience is more predictable, with shorter search times compared to more mobile families.
Permit Costs for the Nyakagezi Family.
Gorilla trekking permits for Mgahinga are grouped according to your nationality.
Foreign Non-Residents: $800 per person.
Foreign Residents (living in Uganda): $700 per person.
African Citizens (non-EAC): $500 per person.
East African Citizens: 300,000 UGX per person.
The permit fee includes park entry for the day of your trek, the services of professional ranger guides, and one magical hour with the Nyakagezi family once they are located. It does not cover accommodation, transport, meals, or guides/ porter tips. If you compare Uganda’s Mgahinga National Park with its neighbor, Rwanda, where gorilla permits cost $1,500 per person, Mgahinga National Park represents superb value.
How to Get Your Mgahinga Gorilla Permit.
Permits can be acquired in two main ways by dealing directly with the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA), or via a licensed tour operator.
Booking With the Assistance of a Tour Operator (Preferred).
Most travelers coming from abroad would find that booking their permits with the assistance of a licensed tour operator works best. Foreigners who are not residents in Uganda have no way to book gorilla permits from the Uganda Wildlife Authority directly and have to go through a licensed tour operator in Uganda. This tour operator will take care of the whole process by verifying the availability of permits on the Uganda Wildlife Authority system.
Tour operators like African Vacation Safaris will have easy access to the permit database maintained by the UWA, and they will be able to acquire permits easily. There are numerous tour operators that have been organizing gorilla safaris for many years and will offer you tips on when to visit.
Booking Directly with Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA).
Travelers who are eligible to apply include Ugandans as well as foreigners residing in the country who have residency permits within Uganda. Direct booking can be done using the services of UWA. This requires one to call at the UWA head offices at Kampala or the offices in Kisoro town, verify availability, complete a booking form, and pay for the same. However, booking services via UWA have been known to take a long time due to slow service delivery and the limited availability of online booking services to the public.
When to Book Nyakagezi Gorilla Family.
The requirement to observe the Nyakagezi family of gorillas is quite high especially during the high seasons. The number of permits allocated for tracking the family of gorillas is only eight per day with demand being more than supply many months in advance. If you intend on visiting during the dry season from June to September and December to February, then booking well in advance is essential. The rainy months of April, May, and November offer easier permit availability, but early booking is still recommended.
What Happens on Trekking Day.
On the morning of your trek, you must arrive at the Ntebeko, the Visitor Center, which serves as the administrative office of the park, is visited before the 7:00 AM briefing. Rangers will ask you for your permit verification and place you in a trekking group with a maximum of eight persons. The trek could last for one to six hours, depending on the location of the Nyakagezi gorillas.
When the gorillas are located, you spend one unforgettable hour observing the family in their natural habitat. After the trek, you return to the park headquarters and receive a certificate commemorating your experience. Many travelers also choose to add a Batwa cultural experience in the evening to learn about the indigenous people who lived in the forest before the park was established.
Important Considerations.
Because Mgahinga has only one habituated gorilla family, the Nyakagezi group occasionally crosses into neighboring Rwanda or the Democratic Republic of Congo. If this happens and you cannot trek on your scheduled day, UWA provides a full refund. This is an important factor to consider when planning your itinerary.
If you book your permits early, choose a reputable operator like African Vacation Safaris, and prepare for the rigorous nature of the hike, then meeting the Nyakagezi family gorillas will certainly be the highpoint of your African safari experience. The exclusivity of only having eight trackers a day to meet this unique group of gorillas makes it one of the best African gorilla experiences you’ll have.
