How to choose a gorilla trekking safari in Uganda.
Are you planning for a Uganda gorilla trek, we have got you covered? As you read through this blog, you will know what to expect, the convenient time to trek, costs as well as how to choose a suitable safari company to arrange your gorilla trekking safari to Africa. The impenetrable forest of Bwindi national park is enthralling and it brings up sights of green hills and mountains as well as low lying mists, the reverberate of mysterious wild species off in the distant. While in Bwindi Forest, you will be charmed to have a view of the rarest giant family of the great apes (the gorilla families) in the world.
Bwindi impenetrable forest national park plus Mgahinga gorilla national park are the only national parks of Uganda’s famously known for the rarest gorilla tracking activity, a tour in Africa without visiting mountain gorilla of Uganda is incomplete. Therefore, you should not miss out to do gorilla trekking in Uganda because of the following;
Uganda has had its share of problems in the past, but the country is currently on the road to recovery. It is more stable, there are fewer threats of violence, and resurgences in tourism has greatly contributed to the country’s infrastructure.
One of the biggest draws to Uganda is the remote area home to the country’s rare mountain gorilla families. While gorilla safaris in Uganda aren’t the cheapest or easiest trips to take, they are well worth the time and expense.
What you should expect on a Uganda gorilla safari.
While on a gorilla trekking safaris mountain gorillas are not inevitable to spot although tour companies are well equipped with highly experienced experts who know how to give you the best chance to have a sight of them.
Choosing a Uganda gorilla safari
Upon reaching the trekking day, the activity commences at an identified meeting point. While some gorilla treks commence directly from here as well as other meet up at a spot further away. Nevertheless, you won’t tell which your tour could be.
Tour group get together at the starting point for briefing and park rangers share with them about what to do and what to expect during the activity. They are split into small groups of 8 peoples.
Mountain gorillas are live in families and in different parts of the forest. The trekkers normally trek one of the popular gorilla families through the mountains. Each group is led by ranger guide who help to locate the families as well as an armed guard for security purposes.
It may take like 1-6 hours to meet a gorilla family but this depends on assigned gorilla family and the speed of trekkers. Mountain gorillas are mobile because the used to move deep into the forest searching for food.
Know more about mountain gorilla trekking in Uganda.
After meeting a gorilla family, you are given one hour to interact with mountain gorillas. While watching in distance of seven meters. you’re not even allowed to take any eat thing in front of gorillas and not accepted to feed any gorilla. Flash photography are avoided.
if the instructions put into place, you will be able to enjoy one hour observation and interaction with each other. If you are lucky enough on your day of trek, you might approach you under the watchful eye or your ranger guide.
After interacting with mountain gorillas, your ranger will take you back to the starting point or park offices for appreciation for contributing on protecting the few remaining mountain gorillas on earth. Then you can go for reserved lodge of to another activity.
Gorilla permit.
Everyone who are dreaming to visit Ugandan mountain gorillas must have a gorilla permit which allows he/she to access the part of the forest where gorilla families stay, and gorilla permit is issued for that forest and it is work for only one day. If you you’re interested in any group or gorilla trekking sector, ensure that you book in a group tour
Cost for gorilla permit in Uganda.
Uganda costs $700 for foreign nonresidents per person per trek, for foreign residents are $600 and 250,000 Ugandan shillings for East African citizens and during the high season, gorilla permits are used to sell on first come first serve while planning to see mountain gorillas of Uganda mostly in dry the season, you are advised to book your gorilla permit in advance. During the we season, there tourists and easy to secure gorilla permits. Though you may be disturbance by rain. Therefore, if you want to see mountain gorillas of Uganda, do not mind about the weather but focus on your interest because weather in Ugandan gorilla destinations is unprecatable .
How to access Bwindi Forest.
It about 9-10 hours to reach Bwindi impenetrable forest national park from the capital city Kampala and covers a distance of over 550 kilometers. You are advised to use 4×4 vehicles as pass through a dirty marram road. You may hire a car and drive by yourself or if you are not comfortable, book with Wild Epic Safaris and give you our driver guide for all your round trip.
Domestic and charter flights in Uganda are arranged by Aerolink from Entebbe international Airport or Kajjansi Airfield to Kisoro and Kihihi airfields. You will need to use ground transport from the Airfield to your reserved. This help tourists with short time or those one who do not want to drive for long hours.
Accommodation and lodges.
The development of tourism in Uganda has influenced the constructions of many safari lodges and camps in all national parks including the Bwindi impenetrable forest national park. Accommodation facilities in and outside Bwindi Forest offers high quality services through friendly staff, en-suite bathrooms and beautiful views of the forest.
Lodges in Bwindi Forest offers rooms which are family friendly, due to many safari lodges and hotels, every tourist has a chance to book accommodations where he/she will get a night before 0r after gorilla trekking experience. Some the safari lodges around Bwindi impenetrable forest national park are
When to visit mountain gorillas of Uganda?
You can visit mountain gorillas of Uganda at any time you want but the most recommended time to go for trekking is during the high season that is from month of June-October and December-February. The disadvantage of trekking mountain gorillas in this season is that gorilla permits are on high demand and one needs to book his/her permit advance to avoid inconveniences
The months of March, April and May are known as the rainy season months. But many tour groups are traveling to see mountain gorillas f Bwindi. There are many gorilla permits available every day during this period, whereby you can even book your permit by yourself however you may be disturbed by rain. You also advised to carry a water proof rain jacket, hiking boots, long sleeved clothes and so on.
Trekking mountain gorillas of Rwanda or Uganda.
Do you ask yourself on where to do gorilla trekking from, Rwanda and Uganda have got you answered? The comparison of Uganda and Rwanda about gorilla trekking has never ended and the difference comes with price of gorilla trekking.
Rwanda has got high priced gorilla trekking permit and it goes up to USD 1500 per trek for each person. For the Uganda gorilla trek permit goes up to USD 700 per trek for each person. You will see Rwanda gorilla permit is expensive but at the end you will find the cost of your trip in all the 2 countries is the same.
If you want to visit the two countries, it is good if you make your first stop in Rwanda and later you take a car that will last for 2-3 hours to reach Volcanoes National Park and Ruhengeri. To cross the border to Uganda, it will take you four hours with the car drive to reach Mgahinga National Park and Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. The two countries will provide you a chance to see the mountain gorillas. Every trek you take has got experienced trekkers who will help you to spot the Mountain Gorillas Families. Most of these families stay in Uganda. Rwanda and Uganda provide you budget and luxury accommodation and around the National Park.
The best countries to do gorilla trekking.
If you want to go where adventure starts from, doing your safari in Uganda is the best place to go. Uganda has got the best places to do your safari because it offers amazing views and it has got the best National Parks and it has the various accommodations.
It is known as the best track and even during the period that is high thus you have personal feelings on the Uganda gorilla trip. You can also spend some time at Lake Victoria and is among the amazing natural sites. Most expeditions take place at Lake Victoria and will take place alongside Mgahinga Gorilla National Park and Bwindi Impenetrable Forest
Uganda as a tourism destination
Uganda is among the best places that is found in Africa where visitors desire to visit due to the amazing geography and history. Taking a tour in Uganda is wonderful and this enables you to understand the culture of the people of Uganda and trust me that you will be able to tell the amazing stories that you will encounter.
You should know that Ugandan gorilla trek is that cheap but you should know that passing your time and be with the world’s rarest primate species is something that is not regrettable.
This is the best chance for you to sight and spend time with the endangered mountain gorillas that are found in the mist and you be able to enjoy the amazing experience that a few individuals have been able to watch.
Reasons for booking with Wild Epic Safaris.
Traveling to a new place is so exciting and it is one of the greatest experiences one can ever encounter. You get a chance to encounter the food, culture, and natural resources of the area. Wild Epic Safaris is the best tour operator that can help you experience all the amazing cultures in Africa plus the authentic wildlife. Wild Epic Safaris can help you to save money and restless nights trying to look for where to go. We are experienced and well informed and passionate about what we do. Wild Epic Safaris is locally raised and has got a business license. We are quick to respond to any kind of questions from our clients. We have got the best tour packages and pricing. Our company can afford the group size that you would like to come along with.
