Does Uganda have mountain gorillas?
About half of the world’s mountain gorillas are found in Uganda Mountain gorillas found in Uganda’s two national parks—Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga National Park—are Mountain gorillas are found only in three nations worldwide: D.R. Congo, Uganda, and Rwanda.
The main attraction of Uganda is gorilla trekking, hence seeing them is a luxury given the constraints around them. Among the most sought-after animals in Uganda, mountain gorillas need a gorilla permit before any visitor may see them. The gorilla permit-selling and controlling authority is Uganda Wildlife Authority.
Beginning in the 1990s with the Mubare gorilla family being the first to be habituated and opened in 1993, gorilla treks in Uganda Later habitation was by the other three gorilla families: Nkuringo, Rushegura, and Habinyanja. The rest is history.
A gorilla trekking permit is what?
A card issued by the Uganda Wildlife Authority, the gorilla permit lets a visitor join a maximum of seven other visitors in search of a fully habituated gorilla family. The age restriction for gorilla trekking safaris in Uganda is fifteen years and above. Gorilla hiking licenses offered daily per gorilla family are only eight for purposes of gorilla conservation.
This is so because of the nature of the gorilla trekking adventure—where the timing of finding the mountain gorillas is still in development. Volcanoes you may have to climb to reach the mountain gorillas make up even the topography of the gorilla trekking locations.
Uganda now has 19 completely habituated gorilla families available for visitors.
What is gorilla habituation?
Gorilla habituation in Uganda is being driven by a wild gorilla family used to human contact without changing their character. One may take part in a gorilla habituation safari in Uganda.
Where in Uganda may one go gorilla trekking?
Bwindi Impenetrable National Parks
Gorilla trekking in Uganda finds one of its habitats in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. This park is located southwest in Uganda. Thanks to its age of more than 30000 years, Bwindi’s impenetrable national park is among the richest woods in Africa.
The great expanse of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park determines where the mountain gorilla families dwell. Sadly, in the past, the Buhoma government struggled to keep an eye on the whole Bwindi forest and operations.
The impenetrable national park of Bwindi consists of four administrative areas:
The Buhoma area
The Ruhijah region in the east Nkuringo and Rushaga site in the southern Bwindi forest
Mostly to catch up with the early morning briefing that day, the distance one needs to go early morning from one place to another is somewhat considerable.
Mngahinga National Park
Though the smallest national park in Uganda, Mgahinga National Park has at least one gorilla family known as Nyakagezi. Unfortunately, this gorilla family had a history of straying into Rwanda, hence its gorilla permits were sold on the spot based upon availability. This gorilla family is now continuously residing in Uganda, and its gorilla permits are booked ahead of time.
You must advance arrange a Mgahinga gorilla permit as only a maximum of 8 visitors are permitted to view this gorilla family daily. Mgahinga national park still looks virgin, nevertheless, and if you want to take advantage of the unspoiled gorilla trekking experience, this is the best option even if it gets less people.
How to purchase Uganda Gorilla Trekking Permits
You must choose a date and gorilla permit count for Uganda gorilla treking.
The gorilla permits might be bought straight from Uganda Wildlife Authority or via a tour operator such as Katland Safaris. Our safari consultant must verify availability from the Uganda Wildlife Authority database when you inquire from us. We operate under Uganda Wildlife Authority certification.
If at all possible, we advise our customers to get their gorilla permits right away. Although there is a great demand for gorilla permits, just one family everyday is granted one. First come, first served basis is used during reserve of the gorilla permits.
As shown on the passport, you must submit certain personal information such date of birth, nationality, and complete name. These specifics serve record-keeping needs and guide marketing plans for Uganda gorilla trip activities.
When should I get Uganda Gorilla Permits?
Uganda gorilla trekking permits should be bought at least six months to a year ahead. This is so due to the great demand for these licenses, particularly in the busy seasons: June to September and December to January.
Last-minute gorilla permit purchases, particularly during the busiest season, might throw off the whole safari schedule as you must know in which region you are to be assigned. Before you may pre-book lodging in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, you have to know where your gorilla permit is reserved.
Are Uganda Gorilla Trekking Permits bought in installments?
Indeed, Uganda lets you pay for gorilla permit payments as long as you remember to top up ninety days before the day of gorilla trekking. One may get Uganda gorilla permits for thirty percent of the whole cost or seventy percent.
Purchasing the permit at least 90 days before the trip allows you to pay for gorilla treking in installments. You have to keep in mind either forfeit the paid percentage or top up 90 days before the trip.
Could I get refunded for a Uganda Gorilla Permit?
If you do not notify the situation before the gorilla trekking day, a no-show on that day receives no return. Only until the day it is booked is the gorilla permission card valid.
Following a refund procedure, the Uganda Wildlife Authority handles cases when a gorilla permit is returned. But the process you go through to receive this reimbursement calls for your patience as well.
How can I reschedule Uganda Gorilla Permits?
Following the required policies allows you to postpone Uganda gorilla trekking permits. Still, follow the guidelines below while rescheuling the Uganda gorilla trekking passes.
You have to write to Uganda Wildlife Authority about the cause of your absence from the scheduled gorilla trekking. Attach documentation to backup your request to postpone your gorilla trekking permission.
Should your answer be favorable, our safari specialist will review availability from Uganda Wildlife Authority for the day you want to reschedule. Uganda has two options for rescheduling a gorilla permit, but the third time calls for a fee about 25% of the whole cost.
Should rescheduling call for discounted gorilla permits from Uganda Wildlife Authority, you must act within the time specified for such permits. You have to add up depending on the current gorilla permit price if you want to postpone to a time following the gorilla permit discount.
For what length is Gorilla Trekking Safari in Uganda?
Gorilla hiking in Uganda is still under debate given their unrestricted mobility in the environment. Living in a huge environment, mountain gorillas look for food. Starting from the base of gorilla trekking, finding the mountain gorillas might take two hours or three-quarters of the day.
Where their feeding ground is determines where one finds the mountain gorillas. Mountain gorillas move when food runs out, but spending some time in a specific feeding spot. One of the difficulties you may have in the jungle when gorilla trekking is following the gorilla way around.
Tracing where the surviving family members may have moved may take some time in case of a conflict among the mountain gorillas and family breaks.
Gorilla hiking requires considerable patience; success depends on some fitness as well.
How challenging is the Uganda gorilla trekking adventure?
Usually volcanic, the geology of the gorilla trekking region means that you will sometimes have to climb slopes and ridges to reach the mountain gorillas.
Following the paths leading to the mountain gorilla family you find after the briefing. That was evident the day before. Rarely do mountain gorillas eat far from their last point of reference.
Over many years, the vegetation of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga national park has been entwined. Sometimes you have to travel to where the mountain gorillas could spend the day by walking under creepers. Usually, the ranger guides make a path for you while gorilla trekking using machetes.
Using appropriate gorilla trekking gear—especially safari boots—helps you avoid sliding back on steep hills.
Is Uganda’s gorilla hiking safe?
The Uganda Wildlife Authority rangers are alert in preserving peace and harmony in Bwindi Impenetrable and Mgahinga national parks, hence gorilla trekking in Uganda is safe. Furthermore in place to maintain law and order both within and outside the Uganda gorilla travel routes are the other security agencies of Uganda.
You cannot appreciate the whole gorilla trekking experience without personal security. Sadly, only few of the people in this region are reliable, hence be very cautious with the individuals you interact with when gorilla trekking.
Never enter the forest by yourself as any action in Bwindi forest or Mgahinga forest calls for an accompanied ranger. While walking, be cautious even if some gorilla families are used to human presence; other forest residents are still wild.
Mountain gorillas live in their natural habitat and accept human presence without altering their character. Although it is advisable to keep a distance from the mountain gorillas, obey gorilla trekking policies since this procedure takes around two years or more.
The guidelines of gorilla trekking in Uganda
When you come among the mountain gorillas, keep your distance from touching. They still have wild qualities even if they are settled.
Searching for mountain gorillas, keep your voice quiet. Their simple fear of strange sounds in their surroundings might drive them into concealment.
About eight meters should separate you from the mountain gorillas as you track them. This lowers the likelihood of infecting the already fragile mountain gorillas with a virus.
Since the mountain gorillas eat the foliage, spitting on it is against policy. You might transmit bacteria that could cause a great death toll.
Because of the kind of habitat mountain gorillas live in, the age restriction for gorilla treking is 15 years and above.
Flash photography is not allowed while gorilla trekking since unknown light in the presence of the mountain gorillas might drive them into hiding.
If you develop a communicative illness like flu, cough, or coronavirus, volunteer to remain behind to help to prevent the significant mortality of the mountain gorillas.
When you find the mountain gorillas, keep in close proximity to prevent ambushed by your presence.
At least 300 meters from the mountain gorillas, when you want to eat or smoke, avoid situations wherein the gorillas might take food from you. Wild animals have to find their own food and rely not on human supply.
Once you find the mountain gorillas, only one hour is permitted. This is so because they are used to be in front of people especially for that purpose.
It is against policy to provoke the mountain gorillas as you could irritate the family and drive them into hiding.
What Should One Bring for Uganda’s Gorilla Trekking?
Firefox starts
An eye camera
A pair of binoculars.
a warmener or sweater; water proof backpack
Repellant for insects
Bug spray
Cleanliness Tools
gloves for gardens
Shoeback bag
bag for Duffel
Additional fully charged batteries
Safari long pants with a long-sleeved shirt
Additional garments
Travel adaptable tool and charger
fleece, ponchues, or sweaters
Rainproof gears
Flip heels
First aid station
Some actual cash
Travel paperwork
Journal or notepad
