Where to see giraffes and gorillas in Uganda and Rwanda.
Where in Uganda and Rwanda can one view giraffes and gorillas? Among the many sought-after to view wild creatures are mountain gorillas from Uganda and Rwanda. Only in Uganda’s Mgahinga National Park and Bwindi Impenetrable National Park can one find them. Mountain gorillas only find home in Rwanda Volcanoes National Park. Mountain gorillas’ eating behavior makes them exclusively fit for the Virunga region.
The wildlife parks of Uganda or Rwanda have Rothschild giraffes. As long as food exists, they may also be moved to other parks. They fit the new surroundings where they are recovering really well.
Giraffes found at Murchison Falls National Park, Kidepo Valley National Park, restored to Lake Mburo National Park in Uganda enjoy there Just a few meters from Entebbe International Airport, one may find them at the Uganda Wildlife Education center.
One may find Rwanda giraffes at Akagera National Park. The Rwanda genocide of 1994 and poaching had an impact on this national park. After the genocide, its territory was invaded, and most of the wild animals there killed for wild meat until all gone. Rwanda aims to restore the splendor of Akagera National park animals.
How To Plan Giraffe Safaris and Gorilla Trekking in Uganda or Rwanda
Uganda safaris Murchison Falls National Park and Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Drive to Murchison Falls National Park first day
Your ranger guide will fetch you from your night accommodation early in the morning and travel to Murchison Falls National Park. About five or six hours make up the trip. From Kampala, around 300km; from Entebbe Airport Murchison Falls National park, about 340km.
You go north on Gulu road, via Bwaise, then over the well-known Luwero triangle.
Great landforms, enjoy the breathtaking view of River Kafu right beside the road, and do much more. After black Rhinos were eradicated in 1980s Uganda political upheavals, you might make an optional detour at the Ziiwa Rhino sanctuary where they are being restored. About 150 miles along this path, the refuge offers a haven where Rhino observation is certain.
Enter the park and take advantage of a wildlife drive to see giraffes, herds of elephants, buffaloes, water bucks bush bucks and more.
Check in and unwind in your accommodation.
Second Day Game Drive and Launch Trip in Murchison Falls National Park
Get ready early for the Northern banks of River Nile wildlife drive. Game drives at Murchison Falls National Park find their best place in the Buligi region. Driving via the picturesque Buligi region west of Paraa to the delta point may take three hours.
While nocturnal return to there day hideouts, you may notice early risers emerge from there night hideouts when you do morning game drives. You could find high up Rothschild giraffes, herds of cape buffaloes, Jackson’s hartebeests, oribi, lions, leopards and more.
If you are an ornithologist, you might see birds such Mottled Swift Apus aequatorialis, Ringed plover Charadrius Hiaticula, Lesser Grey Shrike Lanius Minor, Gull-billed Tern Sterna, Ringed plower Charadrius Hiaticula, Shikra Accipiter Badius and more.
The highlight of all the wildlife presentations in Murchison Falls National Park is a Launch Trip to Murchison Falls. You may be able to see riverine species like giraffes that migrate to the banks in order to satisfy thirst along the journey. Look for serried crocodiles at the crocodile restaurant; schools of hippos and so much more. Many birds grace the coast, so be alert for their presence.
The water turbulence changes as Murchison falls come into view; a foaming appearance floats on top of the water and you hear thunderous roars from the tumbling River Nile water. At last the falls show themselves, fierce Victoria Nile waters rushing around a little curve to explode and create a deafening boom.
Photographs are great; either choose a hike to the top of the falls or return to your accommodation. This exhilarating experience lets you see River Nile over a bed of rocks before it descends the valley.
Retrace your steps to your accommodation for relaxation.
Third Day Drive to Bwindi Forest National Park
From Murchison Falls National Park to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, this is a quite lengthy trip. You might choose to fly in to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park or break with stops at Queen Elizabeth National Park or Kibale national Park.
Take in the scenery you pass as well as Uganda Oil City along the road.
Check into your lodge at late evening period of the day.
Day 4 Gorilla Trekking in National Park Bwindi Impenetrable
Bring your gorilla treking equipment to the briefing place after breakfast. One of the prerequisites for gorilla trekking is a mask or hand sanitizer, hence never forget either. To see a certain gorilla family, you will be split into groups maximum of eight members.
Should you need a porter, hire one and follow the ranger guide’s directions during the briefing. The ranger guide moves at the slowest speed among the trekkers. This helps to guarantee that nobody disappears into the woods.
Look for additional forest creatures include black and white colobus, red-tailed monkeys, grey-cheeked mangabey, pottos monkeys, L’hoest, olive baboons and more.
Sharp birders might find over 100 species of Albertine endemics, including those on the IUCN red list, here. Among the birds you could come across are African Hill Babbler, Archer’s Robin-chat, Red-throated Alethe, Shelley’s Crimmsonwing, Mountain Masked and chestnut-throated Apalises, Rwenzori Batis and unusual Weaver.
Day five the departure day
Return to the road to meet up with your home bound aircraft after savoring the giraffes and mountain gorillas in the forest.
Note
Having an open mind during the game drive helps one to find the wild creatures known as Rothschild giraffes, which cannot be controlled or orchestrated for human presence.
The mountain gorillas are accustomed to be in the company of human for only one hour so fully use this time to see and capture as many pictures as you like to retain memories of gorilla trekking. You have to savor every minute with the gorillas as this is once-in- a lifetime journey.
To see the mountain gorillas, you must pay park admission fees to Murchison Falls National Park and get a Uganda gorilla treking permit. Park entry is per individual and only lasts twenty-four hours.
Day one drive to Volcanues National Park Rwanda the Mountain Gorilla and Giraffe Safari
Your driving guide will travel to Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda from the Kigali Airport or Hotel. Enjoy the journey over undulating hills of the nation with a thousand hills.\
Along the trip, appreciate the fresh wind and the alp like highlands; keep an eye on the rich green cover on the hills.
Among the lodging you could choose for a gorilla trip in Rwanda are Sabyinyo Silverback lodge, Mountain Gorilla View Lodge, Kinigi Guest House, Hotel La Palme, and others.
Day 2 Trekking in Volcanoes National Park Rwanda
Taking your gorilla trekking equipment, travel to ORTPN for a briefing. Remember to bring your facemask, proof of vaccination against COVID-19, or negative results obtained 72 hours before the trip.
Groups of maximum eight visitors will be formed from you following the ranger guide on a specific gorilla family hike. He or she moves at the slowest trekkers’ speed. Keep in mind that you should arrange for a porter should you want assistance throughout the journey.
Ask the ranger guide to dig a hole around thirty-centimeter depth in case you want to make a lengthy call. Cover everything thoroughly beyond recognition so the primates cannot exhume it.
Look out for others including olive baboons, L’hoest, Black and White Colobus, vervet monkeys, red-tailed monkeys, Olive Baboons, Blue Monkeys and more.
Among the species that keen birders may spot are Shelley’s crimson wings, Dusky crimson wings, and Rwenzori turacos.
When you at last discovered the mountain gorillas, avoid surrounding them; instead, step approximately eight meters away. Usually startled by unfamiliar noises in their presence, take pictures using flash less sound proof cameras.
They have been accustomed to be in human company for just that one priceless hour, so you have one hour with them.
Retreat slowly away from them then go back to your lodge to unwind.
Day three drive to Akagera National Park in Rwanda
Rising for breakfast, your driver guide gets you from your lodging to go to Akagera National park. Take in Rwanda’s breathtaking sights along the road.
Arriving at the park open-minded, the Giraffes are being rehabilitated to live in the park, thus population is still low.
Look for more species like zebras, waterbucks, buck bucks, cape buffaloes, rhinos, Uganda Kobs, elephants and others.
Look around your lodge and unwind.
Day four game drive in Akagera National Park
Get ready for breakfast then go game driving into Akagera National Park. Look for other species too like warthogs, waterbucks, bushbucks, impalas, Uganda kobs, herds of Cape Buffaloes, elephants to name but a few while you hunt for the giraffes.
Many birds also enjoy the freebies of Akagera National Park so keen birders you may have opportunity to see species like Barred long tailed cuckoo, Dohert’s and Lagden’s Bush-shrikes, Archer’s Robin-chat, Red-throated Alethe, African fish eagles.
Boat trips on Lake Ihema provide you time to unwind and take advantage of the pleasant lake air. Look for the many creatures that like eating from the lake banks as well as the variety of lakefront birds.
After appreciating the park’s animals and attractions, go back home.
Day five departure for Kigali Airport
Having loved your Africa safari tour to see the mountain gorillas in Volcanoes National park Rwanda and Giraffes in Lake Akagera, pack your stuff to catch up with your aircraft back home. If you have some time, you might arrange an optional Kigali city trip including the visit to the genocide monument for Rwanda.
Guidelines for gorilla trekking in Uganda and Rwanda
If you have a communicative illness like flu, coughing, coronal virus Ebola, or another, avoid visiting the mountain gorillas. Human infections may afflict these primates.
Never undertake gorilla treking in the Park without a ranger guide.
The foliage provides food for the mountain gorillas, hence avoid spitting on it.
Once you find the mountain gorillas, keep about eight meters away from them. This is meant to stop you from transferring any infection to the gorillas and from acquiring it from them.
Littering the forest is against policy as it changes the feeding ground’s character for mountain gorillas.
Surrounding the mountain gorillas is forbidden as it causes ambushing of them.
Flash photography is not allowed; the camera has to be sound proof.
Eat and smoke nowhere near the mountain gorillas; they could be compelled to seize it from you. These wild creatures have to get their own food and rely not on human support.
Never spit on plants as you can spread an infectious germ to the gorillas. It’s also unclean as other hikers might find repulsion.
When with the mountain go-rillas, they avoid noise as it terrifies them. The silverback is constantly on alert, hence he could notify the family to hide in case he and they get irritated.
Once you find the mountain gorillas, just one hour is permitted; hence, make very good use of it and get as many pictures as you like for memories of your magnificent primate trip.
After that one hour of gorilla trekking, retreat gently.
During gorilla trekking and briefing, make sure you do as advised by the ranger guide.
Get in touch to get more information.
