What Makes Uganda The Best Gorilla Trekking Destination in The World
Mountain gorilla trekking is ranked the major tourist activity in Uganda. The activity is famously done in western Uganda (8-9hrs drive) from Entebbe International Airport or Kampala capital city of Uganda. Alongside gorilla trekking, Uganda offers other tourist activities like chimpanzee trekking, Boat trips, Golden monkey trekking, game drives in Savannah parks, birding, and white water rafting among others. However, in this article, let us focus on the 15 major reasons why tourists should take a gorilla safari in Uganda;
Uganda has the majority of mountain Gorillas – almost half of the world’s remaining Mountain gorillas are found in Uganda. Other few can be sighted in Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park and DRC’s Virunga National Park. In that case, tourists are cautioned not to miss gorilla trekking in Uganda to be able to meet a variety.
Join the conservation campaign – Once you go gorilla trekking in Uganda, you have supported the conservation and preservation campaign of Mountain Gorillas and their habitats. A percentage of each gorilla permit sold is put into conservation. It’s important to protect gorillas and their habitat because they are highly endangered species yet we need to conserve them for Generations.
Baby Gorilla in Volcanoes National Park Rwanda
Employment opportunity – Revenue from gorilla trekking facilitates ranger guides, security personnel, and accommodation units among others. Gorilla trekking permits now cost US$700 each in Uganda’s Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga gorilla national Park. Additionally, local people make and sell art and crafts to tourists, others are employed in the agriculture sector and sell their products from hotels and lodges surrounding the gorilla parks in Uganda.
More Gorilla permits – Uganda offers more in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. Based on the recent census of mountain gorillas, results show that the total number of gorillas is now 1,063 gorilla individuals found in Uganda, Rwanda, and Congo however, almost half of the world’s remaining Mountain Gorillas are found in Uganda. Today, Uganda has a total of 20 habituated mountain Gorilla families ready for trekking. Mgahinga Gorilla National Park has 1 and Bwindi Impenetrable national park has 19 so, Uganda offers a total number of Gorilla permit 160 because each Gorilla group is trekked by a maximum of 8 people.
Affordable Gorilla permits – Uganda Gorilla permit currently cost US$700 compared to Rwanda’s at US$1500 each. In comparison, the cost of Rwanda Gorilla permit doubles the cost of Uganda’s Gorilla permit, so, the reason to trek Uganda Gorillas. Travelers on budget safari are advised to consider the cheaper option hence saving some money.
Challenging terrain – for travelers who want to taste their strength, Uganda is the option. Gorilla families in Nkuringo sector, Rushaga or Ruhija sectors to be able to take on a challenging gorilla hike. Gorilla trekking in Uganda requires a moderate level of physical fitness, but most healthy individuals should be more than up to the challenge. You will be walking at an altitude of 2500-3000 metres, meaning the air will be thinner and the demands on the lungs greater.
Other attractions in the park – Uganda Gorilla trekking enables you to kill two birds with one stone. While searching for gorillas in the forest, there are more chances of encountering other attractions like birds, forest mammals, insects, vegetation, waterfalls, and rivers among others.
Fresh air in a tropical forest – Bwindi Forest and Mgahinga forest are tropical forests and are famous for offering fresh air during gorilla trekking. While in the forest, relax your mind while breathing in fresh air from the trees and other tropical vegetation.
Friendship after interaction – each gorilla family is visited by a maximum of 8 people and each group is guided by two ranger guides to make ten people. The discussions during gorilla trekking may develop into friendships.
The prevailing peace in Uganda – tourists come to Uganda and return safely so, a reason for trekking Gorillas in Uganda. Since 1986, Uganda has never battled any other war apart from the terrorist threats that the Uganda Defense Force (UPDF) is still battling within the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). More so, the government of Uganda put in place the Tourism police unit to safeguard tourists in Uganda.
Two Gorilla parks – Uganda is famous for its two gorilla parks which conduct gorilla trekking on daily basis. Having two parks means that you can’t miss seeing gorillas while in Uganda. Bwindi Impenetrable National Park has 19 habituated gorilla groups with four Gorilla trekking Centres; Buhoma, Ruhija, Rushaga, and Nkuringo. Mgahinga Gorilla National Park has one Gorilla group called Nyakagezi.
More habituated Gorilla groups – Uganda offers 20 habituated gorilla families ready for trekking. 19 gorilla families in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and 1 gorilla family in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. In that case, it’s hard to miss seeing gorillas in Uganda.
Wildlife viewing safaris are also excellent – Besides gorilla trekking, you can visit the savanna park to see a variety of wild animals and birds among others. Savannah parks in Uganda include Queen Elizabeth National Park, Murchison Falls National Park, Lake Mburo National Park, Kidepo valley national Park and Semuliki National Park.
Many accommodation options – Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla national park are surrounded by Luxury, deluxe and Budget accommodations. Most popular accommodations in Bwindi include Mahogany spring Lodge, Nkuringo Bwindi Gorilla Lodge, Cloud’s Mountain Gorilla lodge, Ruhija Community Rest Camp, Buhoma Lodge, Sanctuary Retreat Gorilla Forest Lodge, Broad Bill Forest Camp, and Volcanoes Bwindi Lodge among others. In Mgahinga, there is Mount Gahinga Lodge, and so on.
Easy Transport – You can access Uganda gorilla parks by road or air. You can drive from Entebbe Airport to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park or Mgahinga Gorilla National Park (8-9hrs drive). From Kigali Airport, it’s a 3-4hrs drive by road. By air, you can fly from Entebbe Airport to Kihihi Airstrip or Kisoro Airstrip (2hrs flight).
Getting the Gorilla Parks
The mountain gorillas are found in the tropical rain jungles of Bwindi and Mgahinga national parks, and for this reason, rain is expected at any time. The roads to the gorilla parks are almost Impassable without a 4×4, especially during the wet season. For that case, whether you are taking an escorted, or self drive Uganda safari to see the gorillas, a 4×4 car is highly recommended.
