Why trek gorillas in Uganda? what makes Uganda the best destination for gorilla trekking, gorilla trekking in Uganda versus Rwanda, Is gorilla trekking in Uganda worth it? All these question and many more have been asked by travelers planning gorilla safaris in Africa. Are you wondering what makes Uganda the best gorilla tour destination? In this blog, Superfine Safaris limited gives you reasons why you should visit Uganda for gorilla trekking.
There are countless advantages of trekking gorillas in Uganda. The pearl of Africa Uganda is home to the endangered mountain gorillas along with Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo. one of the three countries to see mountain gorillas tog
Each day, hundreds of travelers check into Bwindi Forest and Mgahinga gorilla National Park to experience the lifetime gorilla trekking experience. Based on our past travelers’ excellent reviews about gorilla trekking in Uganda, The Pearl of Africa is undeniably the best place to trek gorillas.
Top Reasons to Trek Gorillas in Uganda
High number of mountain gorillas
Members of Bweza gorilla family
Uganda shelters half of the world’s total the highest population of mountain gorillas in the world. Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National park is home to over 500 gorillas habituated into 21 gorilla families. Gorilla trekking in Bwindi Forest is done in any one of the four sectors that make up this dense forest. In addition, Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. is home to Nyakagyezi gorilla family hence 8 gorilla permits available each day.
The high number of mountain gorilla families guarantee the availability of gorilla permits giving many travelers a chance to visit the endangered gorillas. Habituated gorilla families in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National park include:
- Rushegura family
- Habinyanja Family
- Nkruigno gamily
- Rwigi Family
- Kahungye Family
- Katwe Family
- Kyaguliro Family
- Mubare Family
- Oruzogo family
- Binkyingi family
- Bushaho family
- Christmas Family
- Busingye Family
Low-cost gorilla permits
Uganda offers the low-cost gorilla permits making it a best gorilla tour destination for low budget travelers. A single gorilla permit in Uganda costs $800 for Foreign non-residents, $700 for foreign residents, and UGX 300,000 for Uganda and East African residents. The cost of Uganda gorilla tours is therefore way cheaper compared to $1500 in neighboring Rwanda. Uganda is therefore the best gorilla safari destination for budget travelers. Gorilla permit booking in Uganda is recommended at least 6 months before the trekking date. Superfine Safaris Limited is your ultimate gorilla safari company to book your permits at saving you the hustles of private booking. Alternatively, you can book directly with the Uganda Wildlife Authority, the government body responsible for gorilla tourism and conservation in Uganda
Gorilla Habituation experience
In addition to gorilla trekking, Uganda is the center of the experimental mountain gorilla habituation experience. Here wild gorillas are trained to make them familiar with people. Gorilla habituation experience is a 2-3 years of training gorillas before they are opened for trekking. Habituation is, therefore, the first step that gorillas go through. Apparently, Bushaho and Bikyingi gorilla families are undergoing habituation experience and each family is visited by four people for four hours each day. A gorilla habituation permit costing $1500 is a must-have for every traveler going to take part in this memorable experience. African Apes Holidays help you book gorilla habituation permits as well as arranging the trip. A 1-day gorilla habituation experience starting and ending in Kigali Rwanda is worth doing.
Ease of Connecting from Kigali Rwanda
The ease of connecting from kigali to Bwindi/Mgahinga Gorilla parks has made Uganda gorilla safaris easy starting and ending in Kigali. The drive time from Kigali to Bwindi is roughly 5 hours hence the best option for short time travelers. A 2 day Uganda gorilla trek is a suitable package for you. If you have limited time, you can do a 1 Day Uganda gorilla trek which involves early pick up from Kigali, gorilla trekking in Bwindi Forest, and drop off at Kigali after gorilla trekking. A 1 Day Uganda gorilla tour starts at 3:30 am to cover up the 5 hours’ drive and catch up with the pre gorilla trekking experience in Uganda. Rushaga sector, south of Bwindi Forest is the best sector for Kigali to Bwindi gorilla trekking.
Gorilla trekking add-ons
Uganda has much more to offer in addition to gorilla trekking to make a complete Uganda safari package. The gorilla trekking add-ons in Uganda include golden monkey trekking, volcano climbing, Batwa community visits, bird watching, Forest/Nature walks, chimpanzee trekking and game viewing in the open savannah parks across the country. A combination of all these activities give you the most exciting and enjoyable Uganda safari on the same trip
Peace and security in Uganda
Uganda is the safest gorilla safari destination in Africa assuring travelers safety during gorilla trekking. Since the start of gorilla tourism in the early 1990s, Uganda has never registered any rebel attack in Bwindi Forest/Mgahinga which makes it the best destination to see gorillas. More so, Uganda tourism police and the armed park rangers are ever patrolling the national park to ensure the safety of gorillas and travelers.
people also ask
Are you guaranteed to see gorillas in Uganda?
YES, you are 99% guaranteed to see gorillas in Uganda. Uganda Wildlife Authority has out strategies that increases the chances of travelers to see gorillas in Bwindi Forest and Mgahinga Gorilla National parks. Gorilla trackers first hike into the forest to confirm the location of gorillas before travelers are sent for gorilla trekking. This guides rangers on which direction to follow hence avoiding back tracking. Also at the start of gorilla trekking day, travelers are allocated gorilla families depending on each one’s trekking abilities and fitness.
How difficult is gorilla trekking in Uganda?
Gorilla trekking in Uganda is undeniably strenuous but worth it. The endangered primates live uphill between 2500 to 3000 meters above sea level. This altitude requires a moderate physical fitness and stamina. You are advised to do some physical exercises such as walking and hiking to ensure fitness as you plan for your gorilla trekking adventure. Travelers with disabilities and hiking challenges are advised to inform their guides in advance. This helps in gorilla allocation where the physically challenged are given easy and medium to trek gorilla families.
How much does it cost to go gorilla trekking in Uganda?
Gorilla trekking in Uganda costs between $1000 to over $2500. This costs is determined by thigs like gorilla permits at $800, the type of accommodation, transport, driver guide, miscellaneous and other activities included in the gorilla trekking package. At superfine Safaris, all our travel packages are tailormade to suit every travelers budget, time and interests.
What is the biggest time to see gorillas in Uganda?
June to August and December to February is the best time to see gorillas in Uganda. This period is also known as peak/dry season normally characterized by less or rain rains which make it easy to trek through the Impenetrable Forest of Bwindi and Mgahinga Gorilla Parks. However, you can also trek gorillas in the low/wet season between March and April and September to November. This season is generally rainy which make it difficult to trek through the jungle forests searching for the gorillas.
In general, there are many reasons as to why you should trek mountain gorillas in Uganda. Contact us today, book a Uganda gorilla tour to Bwindi Forest/Mgahinga and enjoy the discounted gorilla permits in the Pearl of Africa
