Best Way to See Mountain Gorillas in Uganda
Best Way to See Mountain Gorillas in Uganda: Primate safaris, especially gorilla trekking, provide visitors with the chance to see mountain gorillas in their natural habitats. In Uganda, gorilla trekking safaris are always conducted in the two gorilla locations, Mgahinga Gorilla National Park and Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, which are both in Uganda’s southwest. One must be physically and mentally healthy and adventurous to see these endangered mountain gorillas.
It is recommended that travellers who want to have a successful gorilla trekking safari use licensed tour operators like Nakra Safaris, who create itineraries that are tailored to the client’s time and budget. These all-inclusive gorilla trekking tours start with processing and obtaining your gorilla permit and include transportation and lodging that range from budget-friendly to luxurious. Visitors occasionally choose to make their reservations, albeit this can be somewhat expensive.
What is the best way to see mountain gorillas in Uganda?
Through these gorilla trekking experiences, tourists may get up close and personal with mountain gorillas in their natural habitats. They always start at Entebbe International Airport and travel to the two exciting gorilla locations of Mgahinga Gorilla National Park and Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in the southwest of the country.
With both gorilla parks next to each other and providing incredible gorilla trekking experiences, visitors can choose between the two based on accessibility and experience. However, in certain crucial ways, the parks tend to be parallel. Though only 33.9 square kilometres in size, Mgahinga Gorilla Park offers a more spectacular and less difficult trek with a great chance to track mountain gorillas and the endangered golden monkeys. It also offers hiking experiences on the Virunga volcanoes, including the picturesque Mount Sabinyo, which offers stunning and expansive views of Lake Mutanda and the Virunga Massif.
However, the different trekking sectors of Buhoma, Ruhija, Rushaga, and Nkuringo, all of which offer outstanding gorilla trekking experiences with distinctive accommodation options ranging from affordable to luxurious, make Bwindi Impenetrable National Park distinctive in terms of variety and experience. Furthermore, spanning approximately 327 km along the border with the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is larger than Mgahinga Gorilla Park and is a portion of the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. The park’s gorilla habituation, which only occurs in the southern Rushaga region, is what makes it notable. It provides a distinctive and varied jungle trekking experience in addition to a number of other park activities, including birdwatching, cultural interactions, and chimpanzee tracking.
The ideal option for travellers who want to spend more time with mountain gorillas is the gorilla habituation experience, which gives them enough time, roughly four hours, to spend with the primates. To find a semi-habituated gorilla family, a group of primatologists, environmentalists, rangers, and trackers will accompany you into the lush jungle during the habituation process. Since these gentle giants rely on foliage for their survival, including fruits, tree bark, and leaves, you will be able to observe their behaviors as well as other activities like caring for them, climbing, playing, and feeding. This 4-hour spectacular trip is ideal for getting pictures and videos of mountain gorillas.
Other Gorilla Trekking Destinations
Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park
In Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda is one of the few countries in the world that provides outstanding mountain gorilla safaris. Although it is the only park in the nation with mountain gorillas, it offers great gorilla trekking experiences for $1500, nearly twice as much as in Uganda.
Virunga National Park in the Democratic Republic of Congo
This is the third country that provides trekking excursions for mountain gorillas in Virunga National Park. Though those with a strong will often take the chance and endure the dangerous, verdant jungles of Congo, accessing the country can be challenging due to political unrest and civil wars. Compared to Uganda, their gorilla trekking is a little less expensive.
What to pack during gorilla trekking tours
In order to ensure a good gorilla trekking trip, travelers should always think of a few must-have items for their bucket list. They contain, among other things, long-sleeved shirts and pants, a waterproof jacket, trekking and waterproof shoes, a drinking water bottle, snacks that will give you more energy, a waterproof bag, a camera, additional batteries, a poncho, a sweater, and light clothing.
