Exploring Uganda is one of the best experiences one will ever have in the memories, Uganda is known for its uniqueness in being a great tourist destination for gorilla trekking tours compared to any other country around Africa. Gorilla watching safari can be done from these two national parks of Bwindi impenetrable and the Mgahinga national park and it involves following major trails in thick forests to the hills where these gentle primates spend their time night and day.
Gorilla permits costs USD 600 for trekkers and for habituates it costs USD 1500, the presence of mountain gorillas in Uganda gives a reason as to why too many visitors flock into the country to watch them. Visitors can acquire the permits through Nature Adventure Africa Safaris Limited a reliable tour company in Uganda. Uganda has got half of the world’s remaining endangered mountain gorillas and currently Uganda has got fifteen gorilla groups that are tracked with the Majority being found in Bwindi impenetrable national park.
All these two gorilla watching destinations are located in south western Uganda and it’s 8 hours drive from Kampala to Bwindi and it’s a 9-10hours drive from Kampala to Kisoro where Mgahinga national park is located. However, one may decide to use travel to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park by air from Entebbe Airport or Kajjansi Airstrip, Scheduled flights from Entebbe to either Kihihi or Kisoro take about 2 hours to get there.
Gorillas are ideal for watching throughout the year but the ideal time is from June to and December to February. Visitors for mountain gorillas trekking are encouraged to move with Walking gumboots, gloves, rain coats, long sleeved shirts and trousers, skin repellent in case of any infections and a thick trousers. The weather conditions within the parks is unpredictable since Bwindi is a tropical rain forest hence its bound to receive rain fall any time.
Trekkers are required to reach the park headquarters early in the morning for briefing and tracking starts at 8am and visitors are escorted by the park rangers one in front and the other one behind for emergency purposes. For those whose aim is to track and go, one hour is strictly allowed such that you admire, take photos, enjoy the mocks and plays of the juveniles and infant gorillas and also watch the characters of the giant silver back gorilla which is the head of the group.
For those who wish to watch and habituate the gorillas, a full day is given to them to enjoy the beauty of the park while experiencing the gorillas in their groups, visitors with flue and other diseases are not allowed to track these primates since they are too susceptible to human diseases. Gorilla’s shares almost 96% DNA genes with humans and therefore visitors are encouraged to surrender any disease before the day of tracking.
Gorilla watching safari in Uganda can take three to five days depending on what package visitors have opted for from Nature Adventure Africa Safaris Limited. These parks have got different accommodations including lodges from budget, high end and moderate. In Bwindi Safari lodges include Buhoma Lodge, Silver back Lodge, Mahogany Spring and Gorilla Forest Camp while in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, Amajambere Iwacu camp at Ntebeko, Mount Gahinga Safari Lodge, Bird Nest and Bunyonyi Overland Resort are the true areas of accommodation.