Are you an adventure enthusiast with a deep love for wildlife safaris? Uganda wildlife safari is a real dream of an experience that combines the thrill of exploration with the awe of encountering the rarest creatures on Earth. The Ultimate Uganda Gorilla Trekking Safari is tailor-made for you to delve into the exhilarating thrill of wildlife encounters. This is a guide to take you on a virtual journey, helping you to plan a detailed journey of your unforgettable encounter with the endangered mountain gorillas of Uganda.
Why Uganda gorilla safari
There are three major destinations for mountain gorilla trekking in the whole world; Uganda, Rwanda, and the democratic republic of Congo, Uganda being the best. Almost half of the remaining mountain gorillas in the whole world harbor in the thick forests of Bwindi impenetrable national park. Bwindi’s impenetrable national park has over 1000 mountain gorillas living in about 21 gorilla families within the thickets of the rain forest. The terrain of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest is one of the major facilitating factors for the flourishing of the mountain gorilla species in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.
With Uganda gorilla safari, you are assured of a 100% chance to find your gorilla family in less than five hours. The gorilla trekking permits for Uganda cost 400$, plus the availability of gorillas all year through makes Uganda the best destination for gorilla trekking safari. The high demand for gorilla trekking permits in Uganda makes them really scarce in the peak seasons of tourism in Uganda. However, a tour operator can book for you prior to your visit in order to secure a gorilla trekking permit in time.
You can find two gorilla families in mgahinga national park; nyakagezi and hirwa. You can also find 8 mountain gorilla families in Virunga national park in congo; Kabirizi, bageni, wapuwa, rugenda, lulengo, nyakamwe,munyaga and humba.
Uganda gorilla trekking tips
Before you embark on your Uganda gorilla trekking safari, here are some of the gorilla trekking tips you must know prior to the journey to the pearl of Africa.
Understand Uganda gorillas: Understanding the Uganda gorillas is the first tip before the Uganda gorilla trekking safari. it is good to have enough knowledge about the mountain gorilla, as this will make you informed and eager to meet the magnificent primates of Bwindi’s impenetrable national park. the mountain gorillas are one of the many primate species in Uganda, their calm behavior is the derivative of the term commonly used by bloggers as gentle giants.
Gorillas are highly intelligent creatures and have proven to share 98% of their DNA with humans, which makes them almost cousins to the human race. Regardless of the gorilla’s gentle behavior, they still remain wild animals which need to be respected and feared, therefore, you will have to follow all the rules and regulations before embarking on the gorilla trekking safari, for safety and a better experience.
Obtaining Gorilla Permits: getting your Uganda gorilla trekking permit is the first step in planning your Uganda gorilla safari. the Uganda mountain gorilla trekking permits are issued by the Uganda Wildlife Authority [UWA]. You can book online for your necessary gorilla trekking permit which will cost 700$ per person. However, the gorilla trekking permits are a way to regulate the number of visitors to the gorilla habitats, for conservation purposes and great customer experience. For this reason, the gorilla trekking Permits are limited in supply and this also makes them really scarce.
So, it’s crucial to book well for your gorilla trekking in advance to beat the competition and also secure a great encounter with the mountain gorillas. You can book online or let Tahfeez tours and Travel Company secure you a Uganda gorilla trekking permit to Bwindi impenetrable national park before time.
Choosing the Right Safari Package: there are several safari packages for Uganda gorilla trekking safaris to fit perfectly in your budget and to cater to all your desires. You can choose a budget gorilla trekking safari trip, a mid-range gorilla trekking safari, or a luxury; the safari package pricing is greatly determined by the accommodation transport charge and the other activities embedded within. to note; for the gorilla trekking permits, the cost is constant per person. To come up with the best choice for a Uganda gorilla safari package, it’s good to search and compare different packages, accommodation options, and other guided tours. Here are some of our Uganda gorilla trekking packages;
Packing for Your Safari:
A well-packed travel bag can significantly improve your Uganda gorilla trip safari experience. The terrain of Bwindi impenetrable forest is rugged with undulating hills, thickets, rough rocky trails, and bushes. Therefore, for safety reasons, it’s good to include sturdy hiking boots, light long-sleeved shirts, long trousers, hats, rain jackets, insect repellants, sunscreens, a camera for photography, and a water bottle. Especially, if you are booking for a Uganda budget gorilla trekking safari, you should take caution during the rainy season and pack the right attire for the season’s rains.
Gorilla trekking etiquette
Prior to your gorilla trekking in Uganda, it would be good if you got to know some of the rules for trekkers while in Bwindi impenetrable national park. Respecting the gorillas and their environment is crucial for their conservation and your safety. Below are some gorilla trekking dos and don’ts in Uganda:
Maintain a Safe Distance:
Stay at least 7 meters (about 23 feet) away from the gorillas. For conservation and safety reasons, this distance will aid in minimizing the risk of disease transmission between humans and gorillas. Provocative closeness to the gorillas like the silverback, might signal some other information leading to aggressive behavior.
No Direct Eye Contact:
Avoid direct eye contact when you see the mountain gorillas or any other wild animal in Bwindi impenetrable national park. for wild animals, like primates such as gorillas, direct eye contact can be perceived as a threat or aggression, so it’s good to caution that.
Speak in a Whisper:
Keep your voice low while trekking gorillas in Bwindi impenetrable national park or any other gorilla trekking destination. A noisy environment might make you spend more hours before finding a gorilla family. Therefore, a low voice or whisper contributes to a calm environment and prevents scaring away the gorillas.
No Flash Photography:
Do not use flash photography when taking photos in national parks. The sudden flashes of light can scare the gorillas. So before you begin your journey, make sure to pack a camera with no-flash settings or disable the flash setting on your mobile phone camera.
Limit Your Time:
The allocated time for all trekkers to enjoy the encounter with the Uganda gorillas is one hour. This time limit is stipulated for conservation purposes as minimized stress on the animals allows them to continue their natural activities without significant disturbance. This helps to avoid the change in their authentic behavior over time.
Do not eat or drink in the presence of gorillas because they can get aggressive in order to take your food. Also, human food can perhaps be harmful to the gorillas therefore it is important not to carry food while trekking mountain gorillas in Bwindi impenetrable national park
Follow the Guide’s Instructions:
Listen carefully to your tour guide’s instructions before and during the gorilla trekking activity.
In the morning, from the different lodges, all trekkers are briefed about the rules and regulations of the gorilla trekking activity at the Uganda Wildlife Authority headquarters in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. therefore, always trust your Guides as they are really experienced in gorilla behavior and will direct you on how to best put on perfect conduct during gorilla trekking in Bwindi impenetrable national park.
Stay in Your Group: Always stay with your group of trekkers while in Bwindi impenetrable national park. Wandering off and solo movements can be dangerous, as you can easily get lost in the forest, or even face fierce wild animals
Avoid Coughing or Sneezing: It is best If you are feeling unwell, to cancel your Uganda gorilla trekking. Gorillas and all wildlife in Bwindi impenetrable national park can be susceptible to human diseases to an extent for even a simple cold to be deadly. Therefore, to avoid all the repercussions, it is good not to trek for gorillas when feeling unwell.
Respect the Environment: – Do not leave any trash behind, as littering can be very dangerous for the conservation of the environment and also can cause death in case a gorilla eats dangerous litter.
Be Patient and Respectful: – Gorilla trekking is only enjoyable if you prioritize patience and calmness throughout the whole experience. Especially in cases when the gorilla family is hard to find, the trek can be challenging but with patience, all can be a memory to remember.
Keeping the safety measures and the gorilla trekking etiquette guidelines in mind, you ensure the safety of the flora and fauna in Uganda, plus adding a lot to your overall experience.
Other attractions
Without a doubt, the highlight of a Uganda gorilla trekking safari package is the exhilarating encounter with the majestic mountain gorillas of Bwindi impenetrable national park. however, Uganda has a lot of other attractions in several other destinations for you to explore including Queen Elizabeth National Park, the Rwenzori Mountains, the source of the Nile River at Jinja, lake Mburo National Park, mountain Elgon national park, and the Sipi falls, pian upe game reserve, Kibale national park and the chimpanzees, ziwa rhino sanctuary, to mention but a few. Uganda is the pearl of Africa and its diversity of wonders is embedded in the natural endowment of scenery, wildlife, people, and culture.
