Why are Budget Gorilla Safaris done in the Rainy Season?
Why are budget gorilla safaris done in the rainy season? Several travellers always ask this question as to why budget gorilla safaris are conducted during the rainy season in Uganda’s gorilla parks. Well, this article will guide you with some crucial factors that inspire budget travellers to utilise the wet season during gorilla trekking safaris.
Uganda is a remarkable destination famous for gorilla trekking and other adventure activities that draw visitors globally to come and explore the natural beauty and the magic behind these majestic mountain gorillas. A visit to these mountain gorillas calls for a certain fee depending on the visitor’s origin and resident status. The standard gorilla trekking experience costs $800 for non-foreign residents, $700 for foreign residents, and UGX 300,000 for citizens of East Africa.
Why Are Budget Gorilla Safaris Done in the Rainy Season?
Budget gorilla safaris can be conducted throughout the year, although some months are better than others. Unlike the dry season, the rainy season is the best time to have budget gorilla safaris in Uganda’s gorilla parks because during these months, lodges offer huge discounts in almost all the sectors of the park.
Moreover, the rainy season receives heavy rainfall, meaning there is no congestion since these gorilla parks get fewer crowds, which always gives room to the few visitors to fully explore the parks’ resources in terms of wildlife, particularly mountain gorillas, primates, and other mammals such as forest elephants, among others.
During the rainy season, transport costs may at times be slightly cheaper since there is no competition for vehicles compared to the dry season or the high peak season, where the competition is high due to high crowds, leading to higher prices.
During the rainy season or low season, safari guides are abundant, meaning it is easier to have knowledgeable and experienced guides since the choice of selection is always open, compared to the dry season, where there is a scarcity of guides due to overbooking.
During the rainy season, trekking distances are reduced since animals tend not to move long distances when searching for food. This means that trekkers will trek shorter distances when searching for mountain gorillas compared to the dry season, when these apes travel long distances searching for fresh food.
Moreover, why are budget gorilla safaris done in the rainy season? During the rainy season, which runs from March to May and October to November, there is torrential rainfall, which makes the roads connecting to the park muddy and slippery; the vegetation cover tends to be thick and tall, which obscures visibility for wildlife, especially primates such as gorillas and bird species.
However, budget travellers still have a chance to visit Mgahinga and Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in the dry season, which runs from June to September and December to February. In the dry season, these gorilla parks receive little rainfall, and trekking trails are dry with thin and trimmed vegetation, along with clear views of wildlife such as gorillas and other park animals. The roads connecting to the park are always dry, and this makes them easily accessible.
Local tour operators such as Nakra Safaris craft budget gorilla safaris in Uganda for travellers planning to trek mountain gorillas on a low budget. Most of the tour agencies organize this by booking ordinary gorilla trekking permits, budget accommodation, and cheaper or affordable means of transport.
Well, travelers can also book gorilla trekking safaris by themselves, but the best alternative is to book through a tour operator. Nakra Safaris is one of the tour operators that assist visitors on a budget to organize their gorilla trekking safaris. Here, what you need to do as a traveller is to email us with your travel dates, budget, and activities to engage in on your budget gorilla trekking safari. These specific dates will help us check for availability, and we will verify the trekking permits with the Uganda Wildlife Authority, the permit-issuing body.
Booking Gorilla Permits Directly from Uganda’s Wildlife Authority
Moreover, why are budget gorilla safaris done in the rainy season? Budget travellers can also book gorilla trekking permits directly from the issuing government body, the Uganda Wildlife Authority. This means that visitors can collect them from Uganda Wildlife offices on their way to the tracking destinations during their safari. In order to organize your booking with the Uganda Wildlife Authority, there is a need to first find out your travel dates, month, and year; after that, send your email to the reservation office for clarification. Don’t forget to send your travel details when sending an email, including the travel dates, month, and year. This will definitely help you to check and confirm the availability of the gorilla trekking permits. Once availability is confirmed, an email with banking details to send money will be sent to you. After you send the scanned copy as proof of payment, your permit will be set for booking.
Gorilla Trekking in Uganda
Trekking mountain gorillas in the misty jungle of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga National Park is a unique and sustainable wildlife adventure that offers visitors an opportunity to have a close encounter with mountain gorillas in their natural setting. Bwindi’s four sectors of Buhoma, Ruhija, Nkuringo, and Rushaga are all home to the endangered mountain gorillas, which is the reason for their popularity. Additionally, one semi-habituated gorilla family is set aside for gorilla habituation in the Rushaga Sector of Bwindi, and the 22 gorilla families are all open for gorilla trekking.
What to Pack for Budget Gorilla Trekking Safaris in Uganda?
Essential items to pack during your gorilla trekking tours include a pair of binoculars, insect repellent, energy-boosting snacks, waterproof shoes, long-sleeved shirts, a brimmed hat, a camera, extra batteries, gardening gloves, long cotton socks, long-sleeved pants, a face mask, hiking shoes, and a waterproof jacket, among others.
Where to Stay on a Budget Gorilla Trekking Safari in Uganda?
Considering the question as to why budget gorilla safaris are done in the rainy season? The park has several accommodation options for budget travelers in almost all sectors of the park, and these include Bwindi Backpackers Lodge, Gorilla Valley Lodge, Buhoma Community Rest Camp, Mutanda Eco Community Centre, Nshongi Camp, Gorilla Mist Camp, Ruhija Forest Camp, Ruhija Safari Lodge, Rushaga Gorilla Haven Lodge, Bwindi View Bandas, Ruhija Safari Lodge, Nshongi Campsite, Broadbill Forest Camp, and Ride 4 a Woman, among others.
