Gorilla Journeys to Uganda – Bwindi & Mgahinga Gorilla National Park
Uganda inhabits over half of the world’s remaining population of the mountain Gorillas in the world. Gorilla Journeys Limited gives you a chance to cheaply visit the mountain gorillas in their natural habitat of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest and Mgahinga Gorilla National Parks.
With those two gorilla safari destinations, Uganda is the best gorilla trekking destination in the world with the highest number of habituated gorilla groups. There are over 19 habituated gorilla groups in Bwindi and 1 gorilla group in Mgahinga Gorilla Park.
Getting to the Gorilla Destinations in Uganda
By Road
The 2 Uganda gorilla parks can be accessed by road from Kigali International airport through Katuna and Cyanika boarders. Such an amazing journey takes 3-4hours.
From Kampala / Entebbe Airport, the journey crosses the equator and takes about 9 hours.
By Air
Additionally, Mgahinga and Bwindi National Park can be accessed by air from Entebbe airport to Kihihi or Kisoro airstrips in just 60 minutes. We can book for you daily scheduled flights from as low as US$230 per person. This saves you from full day driving, but still, you will miss the pleasure of the road!
Gorilla Journeys To Rwanda – Volcanoes National Park
Volcanoes National Park Rwanda aka Parc National De Volcans – part of the magnificent Virunga Mountains and the best place for mountain gorilla tracking in the World. Being Africa’s oldest park, it offers extraordinary experience in the African wilderness. Gorilla trekking in Rwanda’s bamboo forests of Volcanoes National Park remains one of the most moving and life-changing experiences on our portfolio.
Joining the tour in search for these “Gentle Giants” in their natural habitat requires one to be moderately fit and not carrying any airborne diseases. Gorilla trekking starts early in the morning, following a substantial mountain busting breakfast at your lodge, and can take anything between 1 – 7 hours depending on the movements of the gorillas in the forest.
Accompanied by trained park guides, armed rangers and, should you wish, porters, you will – in accordance with park regulations – spend an hour in the company of the gorillas, take photos – not using a flashlight, record videos, enjoy them playing, feeding, juveniles swinging on trees and sometimes fighting. Imagine a huge silverback charging towards you..!! A Journey to the gorillas is a lifetime experience!
Accommodation in and around Volcanoes Gorilla Park varies from basic bed and breakfast to the luxurious lodges such as Sabyinyo Silverback, Bisate Lodge, Singita and Virunga Lodge among others. While on the trek in search for gorillas, you may have chances to experience the park’s many bird species, the rare forest buffalo, forest hog, the rare golden monkeys and spotted hyena. A very special journey!
Gorilla Tours To The Democratic Republic of Congo
DR Congo is the best untamed gorilla safari destination in Africa, with both Low-Land and the endangered mountain gorillas. The Eastern Low Land Gorillas in DR Congo are found in Kahuzi-Biega national park and the Mountain gorillas are found in the Magnificent Virunga National Park. With Gorilla Journeys Ltd, you can explore these gentle giants in their natural habitats found deep in the tropical rain forests of East and Central Africa. Email us to info@gorillajourneys.com for free quote and discounted tours in Congo and beyond.
Other things to Do on a Safari in Democratic Republic of Congo
Besides gorilla trekking tours, DR Congo offers a wide range to tourism activities and among these include;
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- Mountain Nyiragongo hiking
- Rwenzori Mountain climbing
- Chimpanzee trekking in Virunga National Park
- Relax at Tchegera Island
- Visit the orphaned gorillas at Senkwekwe
DR Congo Tour Destinations, Places to Visit on a Journey to DR Congo – Central Africa
- Kahuzi Biega National Park
- Virunga National park
- Upemba national park
- Lola ya Bonobo Sanctuary
- Odzala national park
- Salonga National Park
- kundelungu national park
- Zongo Falls
Tailor-Made Tours in Uganda
Besides gorilla trekking in Uganda, Congo and Rwanda, Gorilla Journeys Ltd takes you to other must-visit tour destinations depending on your interests, time and budget. Below are some of the must-visit places in Uganda for your tailor-made tour package;
- Murchison Falls National Park
This is the largest and oldest National park in Uganda with an area of 3,893 km2. The main tours here include game drives to search for Africa’s Big 5 and other animals, boat cruise, Chimpanzee tracking, birding, community tours, and nature walk among others.
- Queen Elizabeth National Park
This is the second largest national park in Uganda, popular for tree-climbing lions in the Ishasa sector, huge wildlife along the Kazinga channel and other parts of the park, chimps in Kyambura gorge, Maramagambo forest, Katwe salt lake, community tours, and birding among others.
- Kidepo National Park and Pian Upe game reserve
These are Uganda’s remotest and less visited tourist destinations, however, they are so beautiful and reward you with lifetime adventure experience!
- Mountain Rwenzori National Park
One of the famous UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Africa, with the highest peak Margherita at 5109m, making it the 3rd highest in Africa, next to Mount. Kenya and Kilimanjaro. The hike to this Margherita takes 6-8 days depending in your experience! Other peaks are; Mt. Speke (4890m), Mt. Baker (4843m), Mt. Emin (4798m), Mt. Gessi (4715m) and Mount Luigi di Savoia (4627m).
- Lake Mburo National Park
This is Uganda’s smallest savannah park, located 4 hours drive from Kampala. Tourists to Lake Mburo enjoy game drives, quad biking, horse-back riding, nature safari walk, canoe ride and birding among others.
Contact our team of experts to assist you tailor make your desired travel itinerary basing on your interests, time and budget.
Drive your Own Adventure
Apart from escorted Journeys to Uganda, Rwanda and Congo, we have an option of driving your self in one of our strong 4wd cars to see the gorillas and other Wildlife in East Africa. The fact that the roads to the gorilla parks are in terrible state especially in the rainy season, a 4×4 is highly recommended. You can hire 4×4 in Kampala from as low as US$40 per day. Other recommended cars for self drive safaris in Uganda include Toyota Prado, land cruiser hardtop, Land Cruiser Vx, GX and V8, minivans for groups and Nissan patrols among others.