Reasons to Trek Gorillas in Uganda. Why go on a gorilla hike in Uganda
Reasons to Trek Gorillas in Uganda
If you are interested in seeing mountain gorillas in their natural environment, Uganda is the ideal location for your expedition. Half of the world’s mountain gorillas call Uganda, Rwanda, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo home. These three nations are the only ones on Earth where mountain gorillas are found.
Hikers in search of gorillas in Uganda might visit one of two neighboring national parks in the country’s far southwest: Bwindi Forest National Park or Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. If you are planning a gorilla trek and are considering traveling from either Entebbe/Kampala or Kigali, Rwanda, you will find that these national parks are more conveniently located near Kigali (about 4-5 hours drive) than Entebbe/Kampala (about an 8-9-hour drive).
Why go on a gorilla hike in Uganda?
Gorilla trips in Uganda may be organized by Katland Safaris in a variety of price ranges, from cheap to premium. Entebbe/Kampala and Kigali, Rwanda, are the starting points for our gorilla trips. Please don’t hesitate to contact us via email if you have any specific tour requests; we are happy to tailor it to your interests, budget, and availability. Security and price are two of the most important factors to consider while planning a gorilla trip in Uganda.
Reasonable pricing
Budget, mid-range, and luxury vacation packages are all available to travelers. However, compared to other gorilla trekking destinations, Uganda is a lot more affordable for all types of travelers. This is because services are abundant, including food, transportation, and accommodation, which makes the cost of going there much lower.
Rwanda charges $1500 per person each trip, whereas Uganda charges just $800, making it the more affordable option when it comes to gorilla tracking permits.
What makes a gorilla safari in Uganda different from other countries
There isn’t much of a difference in the experiences you get at the conclusion of a trip with mountain gorillas in Rwanda, Uganda, or the Democratic Republic of the Congo. In Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, mountain gorillas inhabit the Virunga hills, where bamboo is the predominant vegetation type.
In Uganda, however, these primates can be found in two different ecosystems: the tropical rain forest of Bwindi Forest National Park and the Virunga hills of Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. No matter which nation you visit, you will have a 98% chance of seeing gorillas in their native habitat. Uganda, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Rwanda are all fantastic places to observe these big primates.
People tend to think that gorillas in Rwanda are easier to see than in Uganda due to the country’s unique flora. This is mostly due to perception and the fact that Rwanda receives more publicity and marketing than Uganda. Those who have been to Uganda to see the gorillas will have nothing but good things to say about Bwindi.
Unparalleled opportunities to track gorillas
One of the most well-organized tourist activities in Uganda is gorilla tracking, and you can be certain that you will be well-protected and accompanied by experienced professionals the whole way.
When you go on a gorilla trek in Uganda, you can also choose to spend four hours in proximity to the primates, thanks to the Gorilla Habituation Experience, which is unique to Bwindi Forest National Park, one of the national parks where gorilla tracking is allowed.
Reasons to Trek Gorillas in Uganda
You may combine your gorilla hike with other fascinating things to see in Uganda.
Visit Queen Elizabeth National Park for wildlife drives and a boat excursion on Kanzinga Channel if you wish to prolong your stay in Uganda. It would be a worthwhile addition to visit this. Among the greatest places in Uganda to see land and water animals is the Kazinga Canal. Enjoy the best of both worlds with a game drive and a boat ride down the channel.
Other great parks to visit include Queen Elizabeth National Park’s Ishasha Southern Sector, where you can see tree-climbing lions, Kibale Forest National Park, where you can track chimpanzees, Murchison Falls, and Kidepo Valley National Park, where you can see wildlife up close, and many more.
Guidelines for gorilla trekking
Follow these guidelines (as outlined in the Uganda Wildlife Authority’s printed brochure titled “Gorilla Rules”) if you’re a tourist interested in going gorilla trekking in Uganda.
Get ready for the gorilla hike by doing the following:
Please refrain from visiting the gorillas if you are sick with a cold or any other contagious disease. You should always see your doctor to ensure your health is suitable for the gorilla walk before traveling to the park, since this will be decided by the chief ranger, who has the authority to prohibit you from participating in the journey.
The gorilla trek sign-in process, where participants are asked to provide their original passports for verification, always confirms that the minimum age for tracking is 15 years.
On every hike, a park ranger will dig a hole for you to bury your human waste in according to the recommended depth of 30 cm (15 inches).
Restricting visitors to no more than eight per gorilla group helps keep the forest under control and minimizes behavioral disruptions experienced by mountain gorillas during encounters.
Journeying towards the gorillas:
Please maintain a modest volume. You could even see some reptiles if you’re really lucky, as well as a wide variety of birds and other wild creatures.
Please do not discard any trash in the park. It is recommended that you return all items to your backpack before entering the jungle.
There will be spots to rest and times to unwind along the route.
As you get near the mountain gorillas, your guides will warn you to brace yourself for an unforgettable experience.
Be careful while you’re among the gorillas:
To protect mountain gorillas from airborne infections, keep at least 7 meters (21 feet) away from them at all times.
No eating, drinking, or smoking allowed. Doing so can provoke the gorillas to charge at you and seize you.
Gorillas are able to get colds and coughs from people, so it’s best to cover your mouth and nose if you have to sneeze or cough near them.
You are only allowed one hour with each gorilla group each day. Remember not to use your flash while shooting photographs, and be careful to obey your ranger guide’s instructions.
Where to stay in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park for a gorilla hike in Uganda? There are cheap, mid-range, and luxury options.
A few affordable possibilities include the Rushaga Gorilla Havens Lodge, Trekkers Tavern Cottages, Ride 4 a lady, Buhoma Community Rest Camp, and Buhoma Camp Lodge, among others. Price per person per night may vary from ninety to one hundred dollars.
Some mid-range possibilities include Rushaga Gorilla Camp, Icumbi Lodge, Nkuringo Bwindi Gorilla Lodge, and Buhoma Havens Lodge. Fares may be as high as $300 per person per night, and thereafter Prices for these and other five-star accommodations start at $300–$400 per person per night. Some of these possibilities are Buhoma Lodge, Bwindi Lodge, Mahogany Springs, Engagi Lodge, Gorilla Sanctuary Camp, Four Gorillas Lodge, and more.
There is a wide spectrum of prices and quality of lodging in Mgahinga National Park. Kisoro Travelers INN is one inexpensive choice; rates there range from $90 to $100 per night. Lake Cahahfi Resort and Lake Mulehe Safari Lodge are two mid-range possibilities; rates there range from $100 to $300 per night. Prices for five-star hotels like Gahinga Lodge start at $300 to $400 per person per night.
The benefits of using Katland Safaris for gorilla trekking in Uganda.
If you are looking for a reliable safari business that offers trips to several East African countries, including Tanzania, Rwanda, Uganda, and the Congo, go no further than Katland Safaris. For almost a decade, we have been enthusiastically leading safaris.
For help planning your safari to visit mountain gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, just give us a call, and one of our safari planners would be happy to assist you. On both Safari Bookings and TripAdvisor, Katland Safaris is highly rated.
Reasons to Trek Gorillas in Uganda with Katland Safaris
