Gorilla trekking in Uganda : Gorilla trekking in Uganda is marked as one of the top most activities for the most primate safaris in Uganda. Tourists who have their best interest in trekking mountain gorillas can do so in countries like; Uganda, Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Tourists travel from all over the world from different countries to have a chance to experience and track the endangered mountain gorilla species as this always creates a memorable, ultimate gorilla trekking in Uganda.
Best places to go for Gorilla Trekking in Uganda.
In Uganda the Pearl of Africa, Tourists can only find two best places where they can be able to track the endangered mountain Gorillas and these spots are; Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park which are both well located in the south western part of the country.
- Gorilla Trekking in Mgahinga National Park.
Mgahinga National Park is well known to be the smallest national park in the country, which covers a total surface area of 34 square kilometers and it is located in the Southwestern part of Uganda. This park also lies on the boarders of Uganda, Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo where gorillas are free to move and cross from one country to another. It is pointed out well by many people how it is easy to track gorillas in Mgahinga National park than in Bwindi National park because it is easy to locate and see gorillas in Mgahinga National Park in their natural habitat.
This Gorilla trekking activity involves hiking through the forest vegetation, identifying fresh gorilla droppings, with the big aim of locating gorillas in the park. There are other activities that visitors can do while in Mgahinga National Park and these include; Bird watching, Hiking and nature walks, Golden monkey tracking, cultural encounters, volcano climbing at Mount Sabyinyo, Mount Gahinga, Mount Muhabura and visitors can also get to visit Batwa Village communities within the park.
How to get to Mgahinga National Park.
Travelers can access Mgahinga National Park by use of air or road transport. This park is located in the southwestern region of Uganda, which is about 494 kilometers from Kampala the capital city of Uganda. This journey is an 8hours drive to the national park via the kabale-mbarara highway.
Air transport.
Visitors can also opt to use air transport where they will be able to fly from Kisoro to Entebbe International Airport. While in Kisoro, it is a 30 minutes’ drive from Kisoro town to Mgahinga National Park, which takes about 11 kilometers.
Where to stay when trekking Gorillas in Mgahinga Gorilla National park.
Tourists can book there accommodation facilities in the following lodging facilities during their stay according to ones preferences and these include; Mount Gahinga Lodge, Mount Muhabura climbers rest camp, Lake Mutanda Resort and Amajambere Lwacu community camp.
- Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.
Bwindi Impenetrable National park is situated in Kanungu district in the south western part of Uganda which covers an area of 321 square kilometers and it is also known as a UNESCO World Heritage site. Trekkers in Bwindi National Park should be aware that the park is a home of 400 gorilla animals, 348 bird species, 120 mammal species,220 butterfly species and 19 habituated Gorilla groups which can be tracked from four sectors and these include; Ruhija sector, Buhoma Sector, Rushaga Sector, and Nkuringo sector.
It is mentioned that each of these four sectors have a number of gorilla family groups which include; Buhoma sector has four habituated gorilla groups such as; Mubare, Rushegura, Katwe and Habinyanja gorilla groups. The Ruhija sector also has four habituated gorilla families which are easily tracked by tourists which are; Oruzogo, Bitukura, Kyaguriro, and Mukiza. In Rushaga sector in Bwindi, there are 8 habituated gorilla families and these include, Kahunge, Busingye, Bweza, Rwingi, Bikyingi, Mishaya and Mucugunzi. Lastly, Nkuringo sector which is found in the southern sector of Bwindi has three habituated gorilla families and these include; Bushaho, Rushegura and Christmas.
How to get to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.
Tourists planning to travel to Bwindi Impenetrable national park are able to use road or air transport.
Road Transport.
The journey to the national park headquarters in Buhoma takes about 8 and a half hours and 460 square kilometers from Kampala city.
Air transport.
Tourists can access Bwindi national park by use of air transport whereby they can opt to fly from Entebbe Airport to kihihi to Buhoma and this drives takes about one and a half hours along the way.
Accommodations facilities available for Trekkers in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.
There are number of accommodation facilities offered to travelers doing gorilla trekking in Bwindi national park and these lodging facilities are comfortable as they range in different classes for example from; budget, mid-range and luxury according to each individuals preferences. These facilities include; Lake Bunyonyi overland camp, Bwindi Gorilla camp, Nkuringo Gorilla camp, Gorilla Forest camp, Rushaga Gorilla camp and Mantana Camp.
How and Where to obtain a Gorilla Trekking Permit in Uganda.
To obtain a Gorilla permit in Uganda one needs to have a copy of their National identification or a copy of their passport and one needs to visit trusted tour operators or go directly to the Uganda Wildlife Authority to acquire their gorilla trekking permits.
Cost of a Gorilla Trekking Permit in Uganda.
A Gorilla trekking permit in Uganda costs 700 USD per person and the advantage that tourists in Uganda have is that these permits cover the entrance fees to the park, guide fees and their contribution towards the development of the neighboring communities of the parks.
Best time to go for Gorilla Trekking in Uganda.
The best time for gorilla trekking is between two dry seasons from June- September and December to February. During this time, it is easy for tourist to trek through the forest while locating gorilla groups. However, in Uganda, Gorilla trekking can be done at any time in the year.
What to wear when going for gorilla trekking in Uganda.
Tourists going for Gorilla Trekking in Uganda are advised to pack the following items along their way because at any circumstances, they will need to use them and they include; a pair of hiking boots, a cap/ hat, a raincoat, a water bottle mineral water in order to keep hydrated as you trek, sunscreen, snacks packed food to eat along the way when hungry, insect repellant and a camera.
Rules and Regulations of Gorilla Trekking in Uganda.
There are stated rules and regulations that all tourists doing gorilla trekking in Uganda should know observe and follow and these include the following;
- It is necessary for every tourist to acquire a gorilla trekking permit before visiting the national park.
- Gorilla trekking is for individuals who are 15 years and above.
- Every tourist should have a Ugandan or East African tourist Visa or a passport, which must be valid for at least 6 months.
- Tourists are allowed to interact with Gorillas for only one good hour.
- There is maximum of eight trekkers per group.
- Eating, drinking, or smoking in the presence of gorillas is prohibited.
- Limit unnecessary movements around the park.
- Tourists are advised to lower their voices when in or nearby the national park.
- Only tourists in good health conditions are advised to go for trekking in order to reduce the spread of diseases between tourists and gorillas.
- Tourists should maintain a safe distance of 7 meters between them and gorillas.
- Use of flashlights in cameras or phones while in the presence of gorillas is prohibited.
- Tourists who are allergic to bugs and mosquitoes are advised to carry along an insect repellent.
How to get to Uganda.
Tourists interested in travelling to Uganda for Gorilla Trekking can easily access the country by use of Air transport where they fly to Entebbe International Airport, which is the main entry point of the many in Uganda, and it is an 8-10hours drive from Entebbe Airport to Bwindi Impenetrable national park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. More so, Uganda can be easily accessed from Kigali in Rwanda through Kisoro district, which is located in Uganda via the cyanika border or by the use of Katuna boarder in Kabale district in Uganda.
Therefore, get in touch with our team of Achieve Global Safaris for more information and best offers about Gorilla Trekking Safaris in Uganda.
