Uganda is a wonderland in all faculties from the strong King Kong that standard the invulnerable timberland of Bwindi to chimpanzees that are our nearest cousins. Gorilla trekking in Uganda is such an exciting primate experience that any guest on Uganda safari shouldn’t pass up a great opportunity. However gorilla traveling is an exceptionally charming movement, plan well your excursion through Wild Uganda Safaris a neighborhood visit organization with hands on mastery to design this once in a blue moon insight. Before you leave on this extraordinary experience, you should be good to go and that is the reason the tips gave underneath will direct you fittingly as you plan your visit to the gorillas in Uganda, the Pearl of Africa.
Also read: The Best Time to Visit Uganda for Tourist
Where to go for gorilla trekking in Uganda
With less than 1004 mountain gorillas that actually exist on earth today, Uganda is a home to half of this load of gigantic animals making it one of the lone three nations on the planet where mountain gorilla trekking is directed. Gorilla trekking in Uganda is done in two public parks. The are 18 gorilla families that have been acclimated and right now set for the travel industry purposes, 17 of which are followed in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and just 1 is found in Mgahinga National Park.
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
This heavenly verdant wrap across the precarious edges of the Albertine Rift Valley is home to almost 50% of the total populace of the mountain gorillas. This old rainforest is one of only a handful few timberlands in Africa to have prospered all through the last Ice Age. The public park has 90 vertebrate species, including 11 primates, of which the high contrast colobus, with its dazzling streaming white tail, is unmistakable.
In Bwindi National Park, gorilla traveling begins from anybody of its 4 significant trekking locales;
- Ruhija area in the east which involves gorilla families like Mukiza, Oruzogo, Bitukura, Kyaguliro;
- Buhoma district in the north and comprises of gorilla bunches like Habinyanja, Katwe, Mubare and Rushegura;
- Nkuringo region in the southern part has gatherings like Christmas, Nkuringo and Bushaho
- RushagaRegion which has acclimated families, for example, Kutu, Bikingi, Mishaya, Busingye, Kahungye, Rwigi, Bweza, Nshongi and Mucunguzi gorilla bunch.
The Mgahinga Gorilla National Park
Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is set in the outrageous southwestern side of the country around 8-10 hours’ drive from Entebbe or Kampala. The Park covers the northern inclines of the three northernmost Virunga Volcanoes: Mt. Muhavura (4,127 m), Mt. Gahinga (3,474 m), and Mt. Sabinyo (3,645 m).
The Park is around 10 km south of Kisoro and is lined toward the south by the Republic of Rwanda and toward the west by the Democratic Republic of Congo. . In this park, sightseers can join a multi day gorilla visit in Mgahinga any season. Inside Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, the Nyakagezi gorilla bunch is the solitary acclimated gorilla family set for guests to travel.
Best an ideal opportunity to go for gorilla trekking in Uganda
Gorilla traveling in Uganda should be possible any season. Uganda encounters two huge seasons; the dry and wet season. Guests meaning to travel mountain gorillas should place as a main priority that gorilla following is an escalated experience that can require the entire day. The aide drives you through the gorilla’s reality, clarifying parts of their biology and conduct en route.
The dry season is the best an ideal opportunity for gorilla traveling in Uganda when the ground is dry. It begins in June, July, August, September and December, January, February. During the dry season, the territory is kept drier and makes it simpler for adventurers to climb through thick vegetation and steep slants to look for mountain gorillas dissimilar to during the wet/blustery season when there is a lot of precipitation which makes the ground sloppy and tricky.
The wet season is likewise considered as low season and starts in March, April, May and October, November. The benefit with trekking mountain gorillas during the wet or blustery season is that there is a lot of rummage for these extraordinary chimps to rely upon and guests can require less hours since they don’t move to additional distances to look for what to benefit from throughout the day.
Acquire your gorilla grant adequately early
Given the popularity for gorilla grants, you are encouraged to get your gorilla trekking grant somewhere around a half year before you set out for your genuine trip most particularly in case you are hoping to taking a gorilla safari during the pinnacle a long time of June – September. In Uganda, gorilla grants cost $600 per individual for unfamiliar non-occupants, $500 for unfamiliar inhabitants and UGX 250000 for East African inhabitants. You can get one through a dependable, solid ground visit administrator in Uganda or through reservation office at the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA). On the off chance that you wish to leave on gorilla adjustment experience, you need $1500 to help you secure license which gets you the entire day and 4 hours of supernatural experience with mountain gorillas.
Pack appropriately but light
When packing for gorilla trekking in Uganda, consider essential items first. What shouldn’t miss out in your packing list are; waterproof hiking boots, waterproof day pack, insect repellents, rain jacket/poncho, camera with no flash light and should be good to help you capture clear pictures, binoculars, long sleeved shirt/t-shirt, trousers, sweaters, sun glasses, hat, bottled water, energy giving snacks, first aid kit and many others. While planning a 7 day Uganda gorilla safari, the above guide comes in handy as you will be viewing lots of other wildlife.
Physical fitness
A trek to see mountain gorillas requires you to be physically well and most importantly, maintain your physical fitness before embarking on actual trek. A gorilla trek in Uganda can last you about 2-6 hours and it involves hiking through the dense vegetation and steep slopes while in search for mountain gorillas.
Please be in the know that mountain gorillas live in high elevation and because of this; you need adequate drinking water and some energy giving snacks as energy boosters and do not forget hiking stick to help you while on hike. Walking sticks can be got at the park headquarters or safari lodge. Besides, hiring a porter is not bad if you do have heavy luggage. They can help carry luggage and let you enjoy your adventure. Porters are around at the park headquarters and can be hired at $10-$20.
Dressing code
When considering what to wear during gorilla trek, it is better if you have environmentally friendly clothes. Avoid shouting colors and most importantly, have long sleeved shirts or t-shirts, trousers, rain jacket-to protect you in case it rains.
Pay keen attention during briefing
Before embarking on actual trek, you will be briefed on the set rules and regulations that you have to observe while on gorilla trek. They include among others;
- Keep a distance of about 7 meters away from gorillas at all times. Mountain gorillas share about 98 percent of their DNA with humans making them our closest relatives and also to be very susceptible to human infectious diseases.
- Stand still in case the gorilla charges and avoid direct eye contact with gorillas.
- Do not use flashlight camera and in case your camera has, please turn it off before you begin taking photos of these creatures.
- Only persons above 15 years are allowed to trek gorillas.
- Only one hour is given to you to have magical encounter with gorillas.
- Do not go to trek mountain gorillas if you are sick-please cover your mouth in case you are coughing and nose when sneezing.
- Leave the habitat the way you found-in case you wish to help yourself please burry human wastes at 30 centimeters deep.
Cost
In Uganda, gorilla permits cost $600 per person-for foreign non-residents, $500 for foreign residents and UGX 250000 for East African residents. You can secure one through a trustworthy, reliable ground tour operator in Uganda or through reservation office at the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA).
Conclusion
With the above tips, we wish you a memorable visit to see gorillas in Uganda, the Pearl of Africa, a country with lots of captivating experiences. It is important to put these tips in mind during the time of planning your next trip so that you can enjoy a truly African Experience not to be found anywhere else in the world! To spice your Uganda safari adventure, there are lot of other interesting attractions to include in your itinerary including traditional game viewing safaris in savanna national parks, chimpanzee tracking, mountaineering, bird watching, sport fishing and simply viewing the rich scenic beauty of Uganda.