Category: Things To See

Affordable Gorilla Photo Tours in Uganda & Congo

When you think of gorilla trekking in Uganda and Congo you think expensive, right? But did you know that you could trek Uganda’s mountain gorillas and Congo at an affordable price? Trekking gorillas in Uganda is done in the Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and the Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. The price of mountain gorilla permits in Uganda is reduced to US$450 during the low season – (April, May & November every year) compared to US$600 in peak season the rest of the year.

More you can after trekking in Uganda cross to DRC Congo via Cyanika to Goma border for the affordable Congo gorilla trek & Nyiragongo Hike and here the gorilla permit is more cheap at $ 400 USD peak season and $ 200 USD low season and then the Nyiragongo trek cost $ 300 USD per person inclusive of overnight stay in the Nyiragongo shelters at the Summit.

DRC Congo is now much loved to visited due to the high level of security in the region compared to the previous days and staying at Mikeno Lodge is so much amazing as you are offered to see the Senkwekwe gorilla orphanage center and you can too listen to the chimpanzees in the Tango forest that is situated near the lodge. Also if you choose to stay at Bukima point you can get unexpected view of the gorillas at the surrounding environs of the camp.

Trekking in the low season provides travelers with a closer interaction with the gorillas. Fewer people in the parks mean that there is no congestion. Because of this, the number of people allocated to each gorilla family is reduced from eight down to a lower number, giving trekkers a more personal interaction with the gorillas.

Besides the discounted gorilla permit prices, the cost of services in lodges and hotels during the low season are also reduced due to the low occupancy rates. This means that travelers receive high-quality services at a reduced price, which is not always the case in the high season. The same also goes for air tickets as they are also offered at a low rate.

To trek into the rain forest and sit with a family of wild mountain gorillas, to look into the eyes of a huge silver back at close range, watch babies cling to their mothers, laugh at youngsters playing in the trees, is a life-enhancing experience for a wildlife lover. To capture amazing photographs of such encounters lets you relive these rare moments in enduring images. Our Expedition Leader is both a primate naturalist and accomplished photographer whose expertise on both fronts helps you go home with photos you could only dream of beforehand. Your visit with endangered mountain gorillas and other primates in their natural habitat in Uganda and Congo may also be a life-changing experience for these species, as ecotourism is the main hope for protecting their future.

Four separate gorilla tracking expeditions, two each in Uganda and Congo maximize photo opportunities with the last of the world’s endangered mountain gorillas. While gorillas are our focus, no nature photographer should come to Africa without a chance to capture images of its iconic big wildlife such as elephants, zebra, giraffe, lions and more.

 

Uganda Safari Trail: Best Safari Animals In Uganda

Uganda is the most popular safari destination in East Africa and on top of being the “pearl of Africa”, it is said to be where the true safari began. The country was ranked as Africa’s favorite tourism destination of 2012 by Lonely Planet and it was also ranked as among the top 20 global tourism destinations in the year 2013 by National Geographic. All the recognition of the country’s tourism has attracted attention from very many countries in the world and has led to an increase in the number of visitors. Uganda offers safaris as well as in the beautiful Kenya, Tanzania, and Rwanda. In these countries, a tourist is exposed to an array of animals, the most popular six being listed below;

While on your Uganda safari, you will be driven by Uganda Safari Packages experienced drivers who are well versed with the area and also trained guides who will answer all questions plus providing security while in the bush.

The mighty lion is the first animal to see while on a safari. Lions are the most feared animals in the jungle and are strong predators that prefer to hunt at dusk or dawn. This hunting is mainly done by the females as the males stay resting waiting to feast. The secret behind the lions found in Uganda in the Ishasha sector of Queen Elizabeth National park is that they do climb trees. Leave along other lions in the world tree climbing lions can only be found in two countries Uganda and Tanzania so you will expect to see such unique animals left in the world. Apart from Queen Elizabeth National Park, there are other national parks to see the lion which are Murchison Falls and Kidepo Valley National Parks. Note tree climbing lions in Uganda can only be seen in Queen Elizabeth national park.

Other animals that are common in Uganda are the Mountain gorillas and chimpanzees. These gorillas are basically herbivorous and Uganda is the best destination for both chimp and gorilla tracking in East Africa. Gorillas in Uganda are mainly found in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga. When planning for a gorilla safari, Uganda is one of the best choices that you can make. These rare primates are well habituated and are easily seen on a Gorilla tracking trip. Before a visitor is allowed to track gorillas in Uganda, he/she is required to purchase a gorilla permit. These gorilla permits are issued by Uganda Wildlife Authority at their offices found in Kamwokya, a Kampala suburb. It’s advisable that to book gorilla permits in advance to avoid inconveniences. During peak season, acquiring a gorilla permit in Uganda becomes so competitive and this is a result of the high number of trekkers that come to the country. Gorillas are also found in Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

The black and white Rhinos are one of the animals that greatly attract tourists in Uganda. These Rhinos feed basically on leaves from trees and bushes. The life span of a protected rhino is 35 to 45 years. A female rhino is one of the most caring mothers when it gives birth. This is because after giving birth, she stays close to her calf for 2 to 4 years forming a close relationship during this time.

Buffalos have a reputation of being dangerous when disturbed but these ox-like animals are also beautiful to watch when grazing in the grasslands. They have strong horns and often congregate near water whenever they are done with feeding in the Grasslands.

An elephant is another animal that will keep your safari exciting due to its gigantic structure. Its lifespan is 60 to 70 years and it lives more than the rhinos. Elephants move in herds and it is always advisable to keep a distance to avoid accidents. The best places to see this great wild animal are Queen Elizabeth, Murchison Falls, and Kidepo Valley National Parks.

Leopards are another cat animals that one would not want to miss on a safari. These cat animals live solitary lives and they only come together during mating season. They are also predators and are extremely powerful.

However, there are many other interesting animals in Uganda to be found on a Safari and these can be seen on your once you visit this Pearl of Africa.