While on Uganda safari with itinerary including gorillas, it is a must for visitors to know dos and don’ts of gorilla trekking. Uganda has been blessed with endangered mountain gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable national park and Mgahinga national park. these two national parks are located in south western part of Uganda neighboring volcanoes national park in Rwanda and Virunga national park in Congo which are also homes of mountain gorillas.
About Bwindi impenetrable national park.
Bwindi impenetrable national park is located in southwestern part of Uganda commonly known as a home of endangered mountain gorillas. The park is a UNESCO heritage site which inhabits gorillas in four sectors that is Buhoma, Nkuringo, Ruhija and Rushaga. Bwindi inhabits about 405 gorilla individuals with 24 gorilla families. As visitors search for gorillas, they will spot various bird species like doherty’s bushstrike, Rwenzori nightjar, blackbilled turaco, black bee eater, montane oriole, handsome francoline, and many more.
The park can be accessed by either road transport and air transport. By road transport, visitors may travel using either private and public vehicles from Kampala. It takes about 9 hous to reach the park from Kampala using Masaka- Mbarara route. Although it looks to be a long journey, it is worthy it due to beautiful sceneries spotted along the way like Equator, lake Mburo national park and many more. However, visitors may enter Uganda from Rwanda which takes about 5-6 hours.
By air transport, visitors may fly from kajjassi or Entebbe International airport to Kisoro airstrip where visitors will have few drives to the park. while from Uganda, the flight takes about 1hour and 15 minutes.
About mgahinga national park.
Mgahinga national park is located in southwestern part of Uganda and lies in Virunga conservation area which includes Virunga national park in congo and volcano national park in Rwanda. Mgahinga park is the smallest park covering 33.9sqkm above the sea level. The park is blessed with unique types of primates include golden monkeys, endangered mountain gorillas, red tailed monkeys, mammals like forest elephants, forest buffalos, giant forest fogs, bush bucks, pig bucks, and 180 bird species like Rwenzori turaco, regal sunbird, dusky crimsonwig, and many more.
The park is a home of one gorilla family called Nyakagezi making a total of 25 gorilla families with those of Bwindi impenetrable national park.
Before Gorilla trekking.
- Visitors are first briefed about dos and don’ts of gorilla trekking.
- Visitors always wash their hands and sanitize before going in for tracking.
- Guides brief visitors about not dropping rubbish in the forest during the search of gorillas.
- They are advised to lower their voices while in search of gorillas
- Visitors are limited to 8 individuals for normal tracking however 4 individuals are accepted for gorilla habituation.
- Children below 15 years of age are not allowed to track gorillas.
When visitors are with gorillas?
- While visitors are with gorillas, they are advised to keep 7meter distance from endangered mountain gorillas.
- Visitors are advised to stay in the same group while they are with gorillas.
- Cameras are allowed but without flash lights as they are taking gorillas
- Do not smoke, drink and eat when they are with gorillas.
- Visitors are given one hour to be with gorillas whereas visitors of gorilla habituation are given fours to be with gorillas.
How much is a gorilla permit in Uganda?
While on exploring Uganda, visitors always choose gorilla tracking or habituation as a highlight of the safari. Gorilla permit for foreign non resident pays $800 per person, $500 for rest in Africa, 300,000 UGX for East Africans. However, for Gorilla habituation, foreign non residents pay $1500 per person, East Africans pay 750,000 UGX per person, foreign residents pay $1000 and these visitors are given more time to be with gorillas for about 4 hours unlike for normal tracking who are given one-hour visit.
What to pack for gorilla trekking?
- Comfortable hiking boots
- Cameras
- Rain coat
- Water &snacks.
- Hiking sticks
- Long trousers and long t-shirts
What is the best time for gorilla trekking?
Although Bwindi and mgahinga national park can be visited annually, there is always the best season to visit the parks. Dry season is always the best time for most visitors and the season is described as the busiest season. Dy season months include June to August and December to February. Visitors are advised to book accommodation and buy permits in time to avoid the inconveniences.
However, by wet season, visitors can also visit parks and the season is described as low season and here visitors can access accommodation of their choice because lodges are not so booked and permits are easy to access although visitors are advised to book in time. Months of wet season include March to May and September to November.
About mgahinga national park.
