The difference between gorilla trekking in Uganda and Rwanda.
Only after you do the trip in both Uganda and Rwanda will you be able to really appreciate the variations between Gorilla trekking in both nations. Meeting the mountain gorillas anywhere is a unique experience that has left many searching for more. Others go ahead and schedule another gorilla trekking day or gorilla habituation to spend extra hours among the mountain gorillas.
One method to appreciate while helping to finance their protection is via gorilla trekking. The situation of the mountain gorillas was terrible in the past; numbers to around 300 as of the 1980s census conducted by American biologist Dian Fossey.
Every nation, including Uganda and Rwanda, has unique qualities, and various trekkers rely on them to discover the differences between the two in terms of gorilla trekking.
Variations in the distance to cover on the way to the Gorilla Trekking sites
About 530km, or eight to nine hours, separates the travel from Entebbe airport or Kampala city to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Particularly, the Kigezi highlands you pass over, this journey is picturesque; the Equator and other breathtaking scenery abound along the road.
About three hours of twisting roads that bend at the foot of the hills drive from Kigali Airport to Volcanoes National Park. Rwanda has a thousand hills clothed in rich green foliage all year round.
Airlines are another choice available to cut the journey duration to Mgahinga National park and Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. From Entebbe Airport or Kajjansi airstrip, daily domestic flights go to either Kihihi Airstrip or Kisoro Airstrip. These flights run for around 1 and a half hours. To go to your location, you must pay for a car that might run one and a half to two hours.
Additionally is possible to book Rwanda charter flights from Kigali Airport to an airfield near Volcanoes National Park. Arriving here takes less than an hour, therefore cutting the travel time to other locations. Given the roughly six hours it takes from Kigali Airport to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
The price of gorilla hiking permits
Whereas the Uganda gorilla trekking permit costs $800 per person, the Rwanda gorilla trekking permit costs $1500 per person.
Since permission is only a maximum of 8 permits per gorilla family per day, whether you are trekking gorillas in Uganda or Rwanda, you must book it ahead of time. Only paying customers have the opportunity to guarantee their gorilla permits using first come first served basis.
To prevent last-minute worry in getting your gorilla trekking permit, you must book it at least 90 days before the date of travel. Although the gorilla licenses are much sought after, only eight permits are available for each gorilla family.
The ways of transportation to reach the sites of gorilla treks
As was already said, road or domestic daily flights or charters are the two ways one may reach the mountain gorillas.
Should you want to drive, Uganda has the longest journey times—between eight and nine hours—to reach Bwindi Impenetrable National Park or Mgahinga National Park. The rural Ugandan roads are dirtier and uneven.
From Kigali Airport to Volcanoes National Park, the journey duration is around three hours, and Rwanda’s roads are more pleasant.
You particularly require a 4×4 wheel vehicle for both safaris to Rwanda or Uganda to utilize on the slick roads when it rains.
Daily flights to Kihihi or Kisoro Airstrip near Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga National Park have been planned for Uganda. Their daily operations fall morning and the afternoon. Also, there are chances to catch charter planes.
Count of mountain gorilla families at the sites
There are now around 13 gorilla families in Rwanda, including those from Sabyinyo, Susa, Hirwa, Amahoro, and other families. Currently accessible for tourist observation are around 19 Uganda gorilla families. In Uganda, you have higher possibilities than in Rwanda to locate gorilla permit availability.
But sometimes the Nyakagezi family, who live in Mgahinga National Park, would go into Rwanda. This made reserving gorilla permits difficult, and they were sold based on mountain gorilla availability. These mountain gorillas have been residing consistently in Uganda for late long.
Possibilities of Including Other Activities in Gorilla Trekking
In Uganda, there are more possibilities to incorporate additional things to gorilla trekking than in Rwanda. Options for adding chimpanzee trekking sites, wildlife drives, various water sports like white water rafting, launch excursions, spot fishing, cultural tours, and others are great in Uganda.
Rwanda’s choices for additional activities include only game drives in Akagera National Park, chimpanzee trekking in Nyungwe National Park, birdwatching in Rwanda, and a boat excursion on Lake Ihema.
About half of all mountain gorillas worldwide are found in Uganda. This allows you to hope to find mountain gorillas in Uganda’s bush. Since Rwanda tourism depends on one of the most selling foreign currencies, Rwanda gorillas are also quite well preserved.
Make sure you can locate the mountain gorillas in the bush, whether you are hiking with them in Uganda or Rwanda. These are less mobile primates walking on knuckles. Though their whereabouts are uncertain, sometimes following the paths where the mountain gorillas were last seen is advisable.
Regarding the difficulty of gorilla trekking in Rwanda or Uganda
Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda has steeper terrain. Five of the six Virunga Volcanoes that define the southern extent of the Albertine Valley are found in this wooded park. Particularly during the times the mountain gorillas are reclining on the slopes or eating, it will be more demanding. Slippery slopes, too humid weather, and damp plants to grab on make the rainy seasons difficult.
Though volcanic activity damaged Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in Uganda, its terrain is hot and steep. It consists of slopes and valleys, fissured terrain, and twisted vegetation. To find the mountain gorillas, you do not always have to climb.
Whether you are hiking with gorillas in Rwanda or Uganda, the last impression you have before these gentle giants is unparalleled. You ignore all the huddles you could encounter throughout the gorilla trekking safari booking and search.
Their remarkable behavior, which is like that of people, makes you somehow relate to them. Their DNA is around 96% that of a human.
How Safe is gorilla trekking in Uganda and Rwanda?
The combined efforts of the security authorities of both Uganda and Rwanda make the gorilla trekking region secure. Priority for any nation is the safety of the mountain gorillas and humans.
Your own safety, if needed, will help you to succeed in savoring the ideal gorilla trekking opportunities.
Keep closer to your gorilla trekking party to avoid losing yourself in the jungle. The Google map does not yet cover this huge region. Not even telephone signals are present in certain areas of this old forest.
To avoid food illness, never purchase meals anywhere when gorilla trekking. Ask your driving guide where to locate restaurants both on the route to the gorilla trekking sites and later on.
The rule forbids provocation of the mountain gorillas, as this disturbs them. Make sure you follow the guidelines from the ranger guide and the laws of gorilla trekking presented at the briefing.
Large quantities of money should not be counted in public, as they could attract the wrong kind of people, even among the travelers.
Should you desire to withdraw money from the visa points, do not seek assistance from anybody else save the custodians of these points.
Bring pertinent baggage that you can keep an eye on during your African safari; the more bags you carry, the more confused you could become.
To help your body stay safe, pack appropriate gorilla trekking clothing like safari boots, long pants, and shirts, and bug repellent.
Ask for a porter in case you need one to provide you a boost should you be exhausted.
If you must use a credit card, avoid using it with someone you do not trust, as they could con you. Because of the involved method of obtaining money using credit cards, they are not a typical mode of money exchange.
The age limit for gorilla trekking in Rwanda and Uganda
Trekking gorillas in either Uganda or Rwanda has a 15-year age restriction based on many considerations.
The Virunga area’s terrain is volcanic with high hills. To negotiate the hills, you have to be somewhat fit. A youngster under the age of fifteen may not be in a position to climb should the family of mountain gorillas under the travel route find themselves on the hills.
It is unknown where the mountain gorillas live, hence some degree of patience is necessary. Young children less than fifteen years old might find it difficult to wait patiently. Finding the mountain gorillas takes two hours or around three-quarters of the day.
First glimpse at the mountain gorillas is terrifying, which may trigger some adrenaline, but this may be difficult for a youngster below the age of 15 years to remember to manage her anxieties.
It may be rather difficult to control noise production in the jungle when searching for the mountain gorilla,s as it is illegal. Children forget particularly if they spend a lot of time in the wild.
Children under the age of fifteen may attempt to provoke the mountain gorillas; it is against this behavior. Should the mountain gorillas see this, they can become wary of the invaders in their neighborhood and decide to take leave.
Young children grow fatigued quickly, but until the gorilla walk ends, they cannot turn around. The ranger moves at the slowing trekker’s speed, and should the youngster become fatigued, he or she might cause the whole party to stop. Long stretches in the outdoors might make the whole group of visitors bored.
What should one pack for gorilla trekking in Uganda and Rwanda?
Two garden gloves to guard your palms from thorns on plant stems, where you could land your hands with a strong grasp.
Safari boots enable you to walk better and shield your feet from rough wilderness conditions.
Foldable safari cap to cover your hair and prevent dripping water from tree branches.
Insect repellent to cover your body in should the forest be overrun with stinging insects.
When it is chilly, a pajama top is worn at night.
Warm clothing for early morning and late evening, as the morning and afternoon are rather chilly in this region.
When hungry, particularly during the trek’s break, nibble on snacks. Dump wraps in the forest, not here. It modifies its natural surroundings. Mountains, gorillas, and other forest dwellers eat from here.
A duffel bag you could carry yourself should you so require it.
At your lodge, toiletries fit for you will help you avoid any skin issues acquired.
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