There is no doubt Uganda would not be listed in the top 52 countries to visit in 2020. Uganda as a country has much more to offer than sentiments, the New York times had this to say describing the pearl of Africa as a top 5 African country listed as a must visit in 2020 .“But Uganda, described by some as the Pearl of Africa, with its own rich wildlife, is set to become more accessible, thanks to the resurrection last summer of the country’s national carrier, Uganda Airlines. Uganda is one of the world’s primate capitals, with 15 species (four of which are endangered) and the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park, a renowned mountain gorilla sanctuary. The UNESCO World Heritage Site, in southwestern Uganda, is home to roughly half the world’s mountain gorillas. The park’s gorilla-trekking safaris limit contact to eight visitors per gorilla group per day, and proceeds from their trekking permits go toward conservation efforts and protecting the animals from poachers. The dense forest mountain park, which ranges in elevation from 1,161m (3,810 ft.) to 2,707m (8,880 ft.), also features a scenic waterfall trail framed by ancient ferns and wild orchids, and is a birder’s paradise, with 350 species of forest birds”
Other Countries Listed by New York Times;
The other top listed countries listed together with the pearl of Africa include;
- Washington
- The British Virgin Islands
- Rurrenabaque, Bolivia
- Greenland
- Kimberley Region, Australia
- Paso Robles, California is widely loved by wine lovers
- Sicily
- Salzburg, Austria.
- Richmond
- China
- Lesotho
- Colorado Springs
- Egypt ,among others
About gorilla trekking
Gorilla trekking is the sole main activity while on a Uganda safari, in other ward a safari in Uganda without a visit to Bwindi forest national park and Mgahinga gorilla national park is considered incomplete. The two named national park in south western Uganda are home to the endangered mountain gorillas. Bwindi forest national park has 19 gorilla families both habituated and semi-habituated open for gorilla tourism, they open for gorilla tracking at a cost of usd 700 and usd 1500 for gorilla habituation experience, whereas Mgahinga gorilla national park has two gorilla families for tracking as well it is home to endangered rare golden monkeys to supplement the gorilla safari. Gorilla families in Uganda include Nyakagyezi, Hirwa, Nshogi, Bweza, Katwe, Oruzongo, Busingye, Bitukura, Mishaya, Mubare, Habinyanja, Rushegura, Nkuringo among others at different tracking sectors; Buhoma,Nkuringo,Rushaga,Ruhija and two gorilla families in Mgahinga.
A group of 8 individuals are allowed to visit a gorilla family per day for a maximum of 1 hour, early booking of Gorilla permits is recommended not to miss out on this adventurous life time experience. Booking can be done directly with Uganda wild life authority or with a trusted tour operator.
Besides Primates, Uganda has open Savannah parks for game drives and viewing, these parks include Queen Elizabeth National park, Lake Mburo National Park, Kidepo national park and Murchison Falls National park. Complete your gorilla safari with a game drive to spot the big game including Rhinos, in Zziwa rhino sanctuary, lions, elephants, Buffaloes, Leopards among other mammal species in the wild.
