A closer meeting with the critically endangered mountain gorillas in the jungle is remarkably a life changing experience, which happens once in a lifetime. Gorilla trekking is a day-to-day activity, which attract the highest population of travelers into the tropical rain forests of Uganda, Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo who come to be part of the lifetime gorilla safari. However, though the experience is reviewed as extra ordinary in all gorilla destinations, an encounter with mountain gorillas in the impenetrable tropical rain forests of Uganda is an exceptional experience you should not miss out. A gorilla tour to Uganda guarantees you an opportunity to interact with the world’s highest population of mountain gorillas in the tropical rain forests on Bwindi and Mgahinga. More still, Uganda offers much more than seeing gorillas and below are the detailed reasons why you should consider Uganda as a best gorilla trekking destination:
Highest population of mountain gorillas
It’s interesting that roughly 480 mountain gorillas which is half of the world’s total population reside in Uganda. Gorilla trekking in Uganda is done in impenetrable forest national park and Mgahinga gorilla national park both in southwestern Uganda in kabale and kisoro districts respectively. 13 gorilla families have been habituated for trekking 12 of which live in Bwindi and 1 called Nyakagyezi family lives in Mgahinga gorilla national park. The gorilla groups in Bwindi are split in four sectors of the national park, which are Buhoma, Ruhija, Rushaga and Nkuringo. Gorilla families open for trekking include Mubare, Habinyanja family and Rushegura family in Buhoma sector, Oruzogo family, Bitukura family, Kyaguliro family in Ruhija sector, Nshongi family, Mishaya family, Kahungye family, Busingye family and Bweza family in Rushaga sector. Nkuringo sector has one habituated gorilla family called Nkuringo family. Gorilla families are allocated based on the traveler’s fitness since some are found near while others move to the higher altitudes hence difficult to trek for the unfit. on the low altitudes while other move and then Nkuringo family in Nkuringo sector of the national park. Each gorilla family is a allocated to a group of eight people for an interaction of one hour.
Gorilla habituation experience
Besides gorilla trekking, Uganda offers travelers extended time in the gorilla habituation experience which is not done else where in the whole world. Done only in Rushaga sector of Bwindi impenetrable forest national park, gorilla habituation is an exceptional experience travelers should not miss out. The activity is the training process in wild gorillas are tamed and trained to get familiar to the presence of people lasting for 2-3 years. Travelers spend ample time (four hours) with wild gorillas together with armed rangers, gorilla doctors and researchers. Unlike in gorilla trekking, the number of travelers to take part in the habituation experience is limited to four people instead of eight but their rules and regulations are similar to those in gorilla trekking. Presently, two gorilla families of Bushaho and Bikyingi are undergoing habituation process both inn Rushaga sector of Bwindi. However, gorilla habituation is quite expensive costing 1500usd for a single gorilla permit but the experience is worth the payment.
The availability of permits at a low cost
The highest population of gorilla families in Uganda guarantee travelers availability of gorilla permits even for late bookings. Everyday, the Uganda wildlife authority issues out roughly 104 gorilla permits hence allowing more travelers to see and interact with these endangered species. Interestingly, a gorilla permit in Uganda costs 600usd, which is relatively cheaper compared to 1500usd in the neighboring Rwanda. Till 30th November 2017, Uganda also offers discounted gorilla permits at 450usd, which has been and is still an added advantage for budget travelers. A gorilla trekking permit allow travelers to spend an hour with mountain gorillas observing and enjoying their human like characters. Permits can be purchased direct from the Uganda wildlife authority a government body responsible for tourism and conservation in Uganda or through any trusted tour operator who offer gorilla packages to Bwindi and Mgahinga. The cheap gorilla permits in Uganda is an added advantage for budget travelers.
Peace and security
The Uganda tourism police in gorilla national parks assure travelers of their safety plus their properties on their gorilla safaris to Uganda. This police patrol across these national park and the adjacent communities to ensure there is no insecurity in the place at all. Similarly, Bwindi impenetrable forest national park and Mgahinga gorilla national park are very safe places while the community people adjacent to the parks are loving, kind and hospitable to stay and interact with.
Pre-trekking experience
Gorilla national parks in Uganda (Bwindi and Mgahinga) are a whole day drive from Entebbe international airport. On the way to see mountain gorillas, travelers are blessed with beautiful sceneries, hospitable people and various attractions before meeting mountain gorillas. Travelers normally have a stop over at the Uganda equator and the Igongo cultural center for information about the Ankole culture. If you have enough time, you will branch off to lake Mburo national park in Mbarara rewarding you with great views of wildlife such as Zebras, Uganda kobs and Buffalos among others. This pre-trekking experience makes Uganda a best destination for gorilla trekking.
Conclusively therefore, Uganda is the best place for gorilla trekking. Travel deep into he tropical rain forests of Bwindi impenetrable forest national park and Mgahinga gorilla national park for a memorable experience.