HOW TO SEE UGANDA’S MOUNTAIN GORILLAS

WHEN TO GO

It’s possible to track mountain gorillas all year round. Permits for regular tracking, allowing an hour with the gorillas, cost US$600. Permits for the four-hour ‘Gorilla Habituation Experience’ cost US$1,500; it’s likely to continue in 2018.

TOUR OPERATORS

UK tour operators offering the Gorilla Habituation Experience are Steppes Travel ( www.steppestravel.co.uk) and Natural World Safaris ( www. naturalworldsafaris.com). Travel Local ( www.travellocal.com) offers gorilla encounters accompanied by Gorilla Doctors’ vet Fred Nizeyimana.

WHERE TO STAY

For access to the Gorilla Habituation Experience, stay in Nkuringo. There are two lodges here: Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge ( www.wildplacesafrica.com) and Nkuringo Bwindi Gorilla Lodge ( www.mountaingorillalodge.com). Upmarket lodges in Buhoma, near the Uganda Wildlife Authority, include Volcanoes Safaris Bwindi Lodge ( www.volcanoessafaris.com), Mahogany Springs ( www. mahoganysprings.com) and Sanctuary Gorilla Forest Camp (www.sanctuaryretreats.com).