Uganda Gorilla Safaris in May With Discounted Gorilla Trekking Offers

Uganda gorilla safaris in May still offer an incredible opportunity for you to plan and book a successful the best budget gorilla trekking tours. Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga are all year-round gorilla trekking destinations, meaning even in May, it is possible to arrange gorilla safaris for you to take part in the search and later enjoy up close with mountain gorillas in the wild. Visit Uganda for gorilla safaris and discover the magic of tracking mountain gorillas in May, a low/off-month of the year.

May usually concludes the longest wet or rainy season, as per the travel calendar of Uganda. May is associated with heavy rains, but the enormous benefits are available, including easy access to gorilla permits, discounted offers from accommodation, and generally travel on a more budget-friendly tour.

Why Uganda Gorilla Safaris in May

Easy access to gorilla permits

Gorilla permits are easier to obtain during the low/off-months like May. May falls in the longest low season, a season when Bwindi and Mgahinga all register fewer guests who come to track gorilla. As a result, gorilla permit availability tends to be higher compared to planning a tour to visit gorillas in the peak months of the year (June-September). The competition to secure a gorilla trekking slot in May is low compared to booking a gorilla tour in June.

Overall, about 200 gorilla permits are open for booking in Uganda alone and offer wide opportunities for primate adventure seekers to embark on gorilla trekking. Booking a permit in Uganda as per the 2024/2026 rates is possible at USD 800 per person for foreign non-residents, foreign residents USD 700, and Ugandans, together with the rest of the East African citizens, can secure a permit at UGX 300,000.

Affordable accommodation (enjoy discounted offers)

Visiting Uganda for gorilla safaris in May allows you to secure a place to stay in Bwindi or Mgahinga at a relatively lower rate. The upmarket or standard gorilla safari lodges offer shoulder/off season rates on their accommodation, thus saving you the higher cost if you travel during the peak/high season.

Discounted offers on transportation

Getting to and from Bwindi and Mgahinga is possible, but only when you have a means. Hiring a car is a suitable option to connect to your dream destination. Luckily, a rental car in Uganda can be secured in May at a relatively lower rate compared to June, when the demand is slightly higher.

Shorter time to trace mountain gorillas

Unlike the peak dry season that is characterized by scarcity of forage, abundant food supply is often recorded in Bwindi and Mgahinga during the off-season/months as May. The heavy rainfall that comes in May supports a high rate of plant growth in the gorilla habitats. Due to the availability of more food for gorillas, these apes can spend most of their time around visitor reach from the briefing center, compared to the dry season when they tend to move long distances.

Support gorilla conservation (promote responsible tourism)

Success in gorilla conservation efforts can be achieved when there is continuity, and efforts like these must be supported. Embarking on gorilla safaris in May helps park authorities to generate revenues that they can use to facilitate several of the projects intended to support conservation efforts to protect gorilla habitat and their lives.

Gorilla trekking free from crowds

If crowds are often not your thing, then you have a reason to visit Uganda to see mountain gorillas in May. All Uganda gorilla safari destination begin recording a drop down in visitor turn up during the off months like May. This is of great advantage to you who are interested in tracking gorillas without interferences from crowds.

Top Places to See Gorillas in Uganda

The only places to visit to enjoy a close interaction with the Uganda mountain gorillas in their natural setting include Mgahinga and Bwindi. Mgahinga is sitting in the Kisoro District, extreme southwestern Uganda, and is the country’s smallest Park. Mgahinga is a magical place of its own, also most popular as the only place where gold meets silver.

Mgahinga National Park lies in the Virunga Volcanoes at an elevation range of 2227 to 4127m. The Park features the Muhabura, Gahinga, and Sabyinyo volcanoes plus other attractions including the shinning golden monkeys.

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is perched in the extreme Southwestern end, Kanungu District and sits in a 331 sq. km. Bwindi features the following gorilla sectors –Nkuringo, Rushaga, Buhoma, and Ruhija. The Park is dominated by about 24 fully habituated gorilla group families, including the Mucunguzi group, Katwe, Mishaya, Rwigyi, Christmas, Kutu, and many other gorilla groups that are open for trekking.

When it comes to temperatures, Bwindi and Mgahinga, being tropical rainforest dominated regions, the weather conditions are slightly different from arid destinations. Bwindi can have an average temperature rise during the day at 20-25 degrees Celsius, and at night, the average temperatures can decline to 10-15 degrees Celsius. While Mgahinga can have a record of 8-17 degrees Celsius.

What to expect in May gorilla trekking safaris in Uganda

Visiting Uganda in May for gorilla trekking equally takes you on a guided walk through the lush natural forest, as is the case with January or December. Your day starts with a briefing on gorilla trekking rules and you are allocated a gorilla group to visit. The ranger guide can be present and he or she is to lead you through the magnificent forest of Bwindi or Mgahinga to find mountain gorillas.

Hire porters in case of heavy luggage or if your fitness levels aren’t favorable. A porter can be hired at USD 15-20, and he or she can help in carrying luggage. The actual visit to see gorillas starts at around 8:00 am and may take 2-6 hours depending on the nature of the habitat, visitor speed of walking, and other unique factors that can cause delays.

An hour is dedicated to you, primarily to watch gorillas at a close range and observe all unique features while taking photos.

How fit should you be to track gorillas in May

A moderate level of fitness is essential for a successful gorilla trek in Uganda. Gorillas in Uganda live in the high altitudes, and getting there needs a certain level of fitness. You can conduct early preparation to acquaint yourself with the challenging terrains. This can prepare you for the journey you are to take to see mountain gorillas.

How to plan Uganda gorilla safaris in May

Flawless Adventure Planners Ltd offers all-year-round gorilla safaris. Even if you plan to travel in May to track gorillas in Bwindi or Mgahinga in Southwestern Uganda, we can organize a lifetime trip to make your dream come true.

Possible gorilla safaris to book in May

Book our 2 Days Bwindi gorilla tracking tour from Kigali via Katuna, the only short Uganda safari for you to enjoy the best gorilla trekking and experience the lush Bwindi Impenetrable Forest Park on a budget. Explore More with Us.

3 Days Uganda gorilla safari offers the best of the gorilla trekking experience in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Embarking on this short gorilla safari in Uganda is a lifetime opportunity to meet the massive mountain gorillas right in their natural habitat: Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, where 459 of the world’s 1063 of these large apes all live. Explore More with Us.

Enjoy both the ultimate gorilla trekking and mountain gorilla habituation experience on this unique 4-day Uganda and Rwanda Gorilla Safari to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Volcanoes National Park. Explore More with Us.