Uganda is blessed among the three countries in the whole world to host the remaining endangered mountain gorillas, and gorilla trekking is known as the most popular tourist activity in the country. Many tourists who have got chance to track the mountain gorillas in Uganda can’t compare this magical experience with any other tourist attraction one can think of! Indeed Uganda is the best place to go for gorilla tracking in Africa. The trek involves moving deep into the forest to meet these giant apes.
Uganda is known as the highly populated country for these apes, it house about 500 individuals out of about 1050 mountain gorillas that left in the world and its regarded as the best gorilla safari destination in the world. Mountain Gorillas in Uganda are tracked in the tropical rain forests of Bwindi Forest National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park in south western Uganda. Both parks are open to tourists and can be reached in a drive of about 8-9 hours from Kampala or Entebbe of Uganda.
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Most adventure enthusiasts to Uganda prefer tracking the gorillas in Bwindi impenetrable national park than in Mgahinga national park. This is due to that there are more permits readily available for tourists who would like to see the great apes in their natural home. Bwindi is a large ancient rain forest and the 127 miles forest hosts about 480 mountain gorillas that live in different families. Currently there are 17 habituated gorilla families that can be visited by tourists and two groups are reserved for research purpose. Each gorilla family, only eight members with gorilla permits are allowed to track and the gorillas are fully available in Bwindi. This means that about 136 people can visit the endangered gorillas every day in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest.
Mgahinga Gorilla National Park
Mgahinga Gorilla National Park has only one gorilla family known as Nyakagezi gorilla group, the leader of this group likes traveling, the group always cross boarders to neighboring countries of Rwanda and DRC in search for new adventure, so before booking tracking in this family, you are advised to confirm through your travel company or tour operator the group availability before booking your gorilla permit. Many gorilla safaris can be arranged in Uganda including 3 days gorilla safari, 5 days gorilla trekking tour, 5 days gorilla safari packages, and many other combined gorilla and wildlife safaris. There are many tour operators who can arrange for you a full gorilla safari package at a very friendly price including transportation and accommodation on a full board basis.
Gorilla Trekking Etiquette
Our guides are knowledgeable on the field, Uganda Gorilla permits costs US$700 in the high season and US$400 during the low season and due to high demand for gorilla permits, you are recommended to secure your gorilla permit earlier before your tracking dates as they are sold on first come first served basis, booking should be done atleast 2-5 months prior to your safari to avoid disappointments.
Owning a gorilla permit is a guarantee for tracking, but sighting is not a guarantee, however chances of sighting is 97% and above. Trekking begins very early in the morning after reporting at the park headquarters to receive short briefings from the park wardens about the dos and don’ts while with these animals after, escort the ranger guide deep in to the tropical rain forest to begin gorilla tracking activities which probably the most done tourist activity in the forest. Tracking time is unpredictable it can go from 1-8 hours as meeting them depends on where they spent their last night from. Before a glimpse encounter to these endangered apes you will be entertained by the forest dwellers like baboons, chimpanzee among others.
Bwindi impenetrable national park is the only park in the world where chimps and gorillas co-exist in the same environment, bird species are also superb among others. Ounce gorillas are met you strictly allowed only one hour while studying their behaviors as well taking photography. Come we take through the wild, book with us a Uganda gorilla safari at a low price
