Uganda has only one sub species of gorillas- the mountain gorilla species a member of the eastern gorilla (gorilla beringei). The notion of mountain gorillas has always raised a series of questions in the minds of many travelers. It is because of this that in this article I intend to answer the most frequently asked questions about the gentle giants found in the pearl of Africa Uganda.
Answered:
Where can I find gorillas in Uganda?
Uganda has only two prime gorilla destinations located in the south western part of the country. The leading call it popular gorilla destination in Uganda is Bwindi impenetrable national park situated in Kanungu district. Bwindi impenetrable national park is home to about 400 mountain gorillas, almost half of the world’s total population of mountain gorilla species distributed in four sectors around the park. Similarly, Bwindi impenetrable national park is a habitat to 18 gorilla families which can be tracked by visitors to the park.
Selecting a place to track goes beyond choosing a gorilla safari destination of your dreams. Knowing which location is ideal for tracking should be your point of focus although quite challenging if a visitor is not well versed with the places. Therefore, it involves having the willingness to move out of your comfort zone by taking on the journey through long or short trails respectively. In Uganda, once a visitor decides to take on the adventure to track the giant apes in Bwindi, he or she is assigned a location of any of the four sectors Buhoma sector, Nkuringo sector, Ruhija sector and Rushaga sector.
Each sector has a number of gorilla families and visitor’s choice to track any of these families depends on the sectors of Bwindi impenetrable national park as well as one’s strength. The northern part of Bwindi offers less strenuous treks compared to the southern part which has increased hiking difficulties due to the terrain.
Mgahinga gorilla national park is the second place where one would see the endangered mountain gorillas in Uganda. This smallest national park is found in south western Uganda in Kisoro district and lies along the border region of Uganda, Rwanda and Democratic Republic of Congo. The park sits on 33.7 square kilometers and is a habitat to about 50 mountain gorillas not to mention one gorilla family Nyakagyezi which can be tracked.
What is gorilla trekking?
Gorilla trekking is an activity of moving into the misty jungles of rain forests in the quest to find mountain gorillas. Gorilla trekking involves walking long or short distances by a visitor while searching for a particular gorilla habituated family. In Uganda, gorilla trekking lasts from about 30 minutes to several hours walks depending on the movement of a gorilla group intended to be tracked by visitors. Once a gorilla family of interest is sighted, visitors are allowed a maximum of one-hour ultimate gorilla experience in the midst of the giant apes. Gorilla trekking is an activity experienced at only Mgahinga gorilla national park and Bwindi impenetrable national park. Uganda has a total of 19 habituated mountain gorilla groups lying in the fore mentioned national parks ready to be trekked by visitors to the pearl of Africa.
How many people are allowed to trek a gorilla group?
Only a maximum of eight trackers are allowed to trek per gorilla group per day. This number restricted to only visitors who are free to have around one-to-two porters each. This minimizes behaviour disturbances with the gorillas are they move freely in their habitat.
What is gorilla habituation?
Gorilla habituation is the process of familiarizing mountain gorilla to human presence. This process habituation is done by primatologists who go to the natural habitat of the gorillas and observe these gentle giants as they do their daily routine. Gorilla habituation usually runs for about 2-3 years depending on the size of the gorilla group and the ability of the mountain gorillas to adapt to human presence with expressing negative behavioral changes. It is an activity enjoyed in only one travel destination in East Africa- Bwindi impenetrable national park.
Visitors interested in experiencing gorilla habituation are allowed a maximum of four hours to observe the giant apes as they nest, copulate, feed among others. It is an activity where the number of guests is restricted to only four individuals with each having purchased a gorilla habituation permit at 1500 USD currently in Uganda allowing him or her to engage in the activity.
When should you book a gorilla permit OR a gorilla habituation pass/ permit in Uganda?
First of all, A gorilla permit/ A gorilla pass is a document authorizing some one to trek Gorillas. It is advisable for a visitor to book a gorilla permit in advance to arrival at least six months before day one intends to trek gorillas. This is recommended so as to avoid last minute panic or even missing out of the once in a lifetime adventure because permits get sold very fast since the cost of a gorilla permit in Uganda is very affordable amidst high demand.
Why go for gorilla trekking in Uganda?
The answer as to why you should go for gorilla trekking in Uganda depends on several factors with top of the list being the ability of one enjoying a once in a life time safari. Seeing more than half of the world’s rare mountain gorillas is undoubtedly an exceptional experience.
The fact that you will see half or more of the world’s remaining- rare mountain gorilla population is one of the major reasons why you should trek these primates in Bwindi impenetrable national park or Mgahinga gorilla national park. Mountain gorillas are rare species found only in Uganda, Rwanda and Democratic Republic of Congo. This means one stands a chance of being in proximity with these primates and learns about their life while on a magical mountain gorilla trip.
The once in a lifetime experience one gains when he/she takes on the adventure of trekking mountain gorillas in unforgettable. The experiences learnt about gorillas such as their feeding, copulating, nesting among others all make your mountain gorilla trip one of the most exciting wildlife experiences on earth not to mention a must try while in Uganda.
You are guaranteed a 99% chance of seeing mountain gorillas when you do mountain gorilla tracking in Uganda. This is because Uganda alone has half the world population of mountain gorillas not to mention the highest number of habituated mountain gorilla families ready to be trekked compared to other countries. You wouldn’t want to miss this spell-binding encounter with the gentle giants.
If it is from the question of affordability, then every visitor should trek gorillas in Uganda. This is because it is cheaper to track mountain gorillas in Uganda where a gorilla permit costs $600 currently compared to her neighbour Rwanda where a gorilla permit costs $1500. This implies that tracking gorillas in Uganda is somewhat more affordable for even visitors interested in having a magical gorilla experience while travelling on a tight budget.
While you trek mountain gorillas, it is inevitable for you not to explore the unique vegetation in the two national parks. From the dark impenetrable forest of Bwindi, you will get to appreciate the stunning views of beautiful bamboo trees alongside the lush tall ever green trees as well as scenic views of mountain ranges and the spectacular golden monkeys in Mgahinga gorilla national park.
Visitors who track mountain gorillas in Uganda are rewarded with an opportunity to see other wild animals and birds which they may view along the trekking sectors. These may include: Forest elephants, leopards, golden monkeys in Mgahinga and a variety of bird species including the regal sun bird, blue-headed sun bird, Rwenzori Batis, Rwenzori Turaco, Kivu ground thrush, Red-headed blue bill and many others.
When you track mountain gorillas, you at the same time minimize community destruction of the habitat. This is because you provide the locals with alternative means to make a living other than poaching. You can support the community through cultural tours of the locals living around the park, hiring porters among others.
How is gorilla trekking conducted in Uganda?
The memorable gorilla trekking experience in Uganda begins 8:30 am with guests being briefed about what is expected of them during the tracking experience. Later, visitors grouped into groups of eight where each group is assigned a park ranger. Thereafter, the groups embark on the journey to the tracking trails on a quest to find the rare mountain gorilla species. The trekking adventure takes 30 minutes to three hours depending on the movement of a gorilla family a visitor has planned to track. Once the gorilla family is sighted, visitors are the then allowed a one hour unforgettable moment with a gorilla group after which they head back to the park.
How can I book a gorilla habituation trip in Uganda?
Booking a gorilla habituation trip can be done by the client him/ her self from Uganda Wildlife Authority headquarters in Kampala(
Plot, 7 Kira Rd, Kampala) or seek assistance from the recommended Local tour operator to book permits on behalf of the clients. Currently, Gorilla habituation permit cost US$1500 and the client is allowed to stay with Gorillas for a maximum of four hours. Gorilla Habituation is done in Rushaga Sector and only four people are allowed to visit a group per day.
What is the difference between gorilla trekking and gorilla habituation?
Gorilla habituation is a process of familiarizing gorillas to the presence of humans. The gorillas are left to continue with their usual routines while being observed by humans at a distance of about 7 meters. During gorilla habituation, the visitors observe the gorillas as they leave their nests, copulating, feeding, and even nesting. On the other hand gorilla trekking is an activity of walking long and short distances while searching for a particular gorilla habituated family.
Gorilla trekking in Uganda is an activity lasts for a short time span about 30 minutes to several hours depending on the movement of the gorilla group. Gorilla habituation on the contrary is an activity which is conducted for about 2 years in preparation of a gorilla group for trekking.
Gorilla trekking and gorilla habituation differ in as far as the price of each activity is concerned. Gorilla trekking in Uganda costs 600 USD currently which will be increased effective July 2020 to 700 USD per head. It is important to remember that this cost of a gorilla permit allows a guest to trek only one gorilla family. Gorilla habituation however costs much more about 1500 USD currently per head. This cost of a gorilla habituation permit also allows a guest to visit only one gorilla group.
Unlike gorilla trekking adventures whose permits are usually booked at Uganda wildlife Authority offices, gorilla habituation permits are usually booked at Bwindi impenetrable national from the park authorities. These organize gorilla habituation experience with prior booking to ensure a visitor
Uganda has only one national of the two gorilla destinations where visitors are rewarded a gorilla habituation experience. This is found in Bwindi impenetrable national park at Rushaga sector for Bikingi gorilla family and Bushaho gorilla family in Nkuringo sector. Gorilla trekking however is done in both Bwindi impenetrable national park and Mgahinga gorilla national park. In addition, there are more mountain gorilla groups to be trekked in Uganda that is 16 in Bwindi and 1 in Mgahinga compared to those for gorilla habituation experience which are limited to only 2 groups out of the 19 total gorilla families in the country.
While trekking the mountain gorillas, visitors are allowed a maximum of one hour before the gentle giants after which they are led through the trails back to the park. This is quite different from gorilla habituation in Uganda where visitors are allowed a maximum of three hours to watch the gorilla as they do their usual routines. Therefore, gorilla habituation experience offers guests longer time in the midst of the gorillas unlike gorilla trekking which limits the length of the experience to a shorter time span.
In conclusion, create unforgettable memories in Uganda by going for mountain gorilla trekking in the land adorned by Mother Nature with unique beauty especially the world’s most sought after wildlife and a must see for all wildlife lovers.
What is the minimum age of visitors allowed to go for gorilla trekking OR Gorilla Habituation?
Visitors must be 15 years and above for them to be allowed to go gorilla trekking in Uganda. This restriction is meant to prevent the spread of diseases especially chicken pox and mumps from gorillas to humans and vice versa. More so, young persons are restricted from insect bits, inability to manage the hustle of trekking Gorillas, they cant defend them selves in case of danger arising in the course of trekking gorillas among other reasons.
What are the chances of meeting gorillas in Uganda?
Visitors to Uganda are guaranteed a 99% chance of seeing mountain gorillas during mountain gorilla tracking. This is because Uganda alone has half the world population of mountain gorillas not to mention the highest number of habituated mountain gorilla families ready to be trekked compared to other countries. Therefore, want to miss this spell-binding encounter with the gentle giants.
Are there discounted offers for gorilla trekking in Uganda?
The answer to this question is both yes and no. The answer is ‘no’ if a visitor is interested in having a gorilla permit at a discounted offer. However, the answer is ‘yes’ if a visitor is interested in the less pricey accommodation services. Visitors can cut down their expenses in Uganda by choosing very affordable hotels and lodges especially safari camps which offer wilderness sites where a visitor can pitch a tent instead of booking luxurious lodging. Recommended offers for discounts include budget lodging services which a visitor may choose to take on other as well going to a safari camp.
Visitors are also encouraged to trek gorillas during the low seasons to enjoy a number of discounted offers. Although these months are usually wet, it is not a bad time to track the gorillas since there are more accommodation services at discounted prices not to mention more gorilla permits which are readily available. The difference here is with the time and nothing to do with the trekking experience what so ever.
What is the best time to trek gorillas?
It is undeniably true that the best time to trek mountain gorillas is during the dry seasons. In Uganda, the best time to trek mountain gorillas would be during the months of June to August and December to February. This is because during the fore mentioned months, the tracking trails are not very slippery and the gorillas are easy to spot unlike the rainy season where gorillas tend to take shelter in the forests and are quite hard to spot. Alternatively, the favourable seasons to go gorilla trekking for visitors traveling on a tight budget would be between March to April and October to November. These are considered as low season months because of the frequent rains experienced in the country. However, gorilla trekking in Uganda can be done throughout the year whether one travels during a low season month or peak season. All visitors get to experience a memorable gorilla safari.
What to park for a gorilla tour?
Mountain gorillas in Bwindi impenetrable national park live in a thick impenetrable forest while those in Mgahiga gorilla national park live in high elevations of Mount Gahinga. It is because of this thickness and terrain respectively that visitors need to prepare what to wear on this gorilla safari. The following list contains some of the vital items that you need to carry; hiking boots, long sleeved shirt and trousers, a hat, sun glasses, insect repellant, camera and many others. With the fore mentioned packing list, it is inevitable for you to have a wonderful gorilla safari.