5 Reason You Need to See Gorillas in Uganda; First of all, mountain gorillas can only survive in the wild, the only way out to meet up with our closest cousins whom we share 98% DNA – is trekking into their native forests as the only chance to catch up with these unique gentle giants. Note that, one to approach Uganda’s mountain gorillas must have a trekking permit which is obtained directly at ‘’UWA’’ Uganda Wildlife Authority offices or by help of trustworthy tour operator like we Achieve Global Safaris we take our client as our first priority.
Gorilla trekking in Uganda goes at USD700 per person for foreign nonresident, USD600 for foreign resident and East African Citizen at UGX250,000 per person. Rwanda permits costs 1500USD per person – Gorilla trekking allows only 1 hour to spend with gorillas. If you want to spend more hours with mountain gorillas in their natural inhabitant -you can engage in ‘’ Gorilla Habituation Experience’’ goes at USD1500 per persons -allows you to spend 4hours with gorillas as you learn about their behaviors, feeding habit, play as well as taking memorable photography.
What a memorable once life time experience – sitting in silence on the cold ground of Ugandan forest for even more than 60 minutes while observing the life of these greatest creatures. Currently, there are fewer than 1100 critically endangered mountain gorillas in existence, and gorilla trekking provides a rewarding opportunity to watch the everyday interactions of these great giants ‘’mysterious primates.
Mountain gorillas only live in the dense vegetation of Uganda’s Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park, along the dormant Volcanic Virunga Mountain range that stretches across Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park, Uganda Mgahinga Gorilla National Park and Virunga National Park in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
In fact, an infant mountain gorilla brushes its face against an adult male in the grass of Uganda’s Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park.
In year 1981, environmentalists estimated that there were only 254 mountain gorillas left in the world but thanks back to intense international conservation efforts put in, which has lead to their increase in population. Since they can’t survive in captivity ,the only way to see them is by trekking up to their natural habitat; misty cloud forests that can reach altitudes of 14,763 feet.
Below are 5 reasons to make Uganda your base for this incredible journey;
You’ll be where half the world’s mountain Gorillas live;
There are two gorilla trekking places in Uganda; Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. Gorillas don’t pay mind to political borders and the populations across the Virunga are relatively fluid. Well, Uganda has hem, however, since Bwindi alone is home to world’s half remaining mountain gorillas.
Mountain gorillas live only in the dense forests on and around the Virunga mountains in Rwanda, Uganda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
More fact about Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park, also called ‘’The Place of Darkness’’ due to its dense canopy treetops, the forest is an ancient, montane and lowland forest spanning 128 square miles. More to that, Bwindi was named a UNESCO World Heritage site because of its incredible biodiversity and large number of endangered species that call it their home.
Mgahinga Gorilla National Park has 13 square miles of the larger Virunga habitat which extends across 168 square miles into Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo. This national park boosts with three of the eight major Virunga peaks named ;Mount Gahinga ,Mount Muhabura and Mount Sabyinyo.
You Can Fight Habitat Destruction by Supporting Community Enrichment
Habit destruction is the major threat to these mountain gorillas. Communities around the parks are heavily populated with the locals who use the land around the park boundaries for farming or logging.
And majority of tourists who come to see the mountain gorillas. Note; Trekkers are encouraged to seek out ways to give back to the communities they visit. The best option -is to hire a porter who can help you through river crossings and up steeps, muddy inclines. Others, trekkers choose to visit the community in support of buying their craft materials.
Then around Mgahinga, elders of the Batwa tribe lead visitors on a forest tour along the ‘’Batwa trail’’, explaining how their self-sufficient and forest dwelling tribes who traditionally used medicinal plants.
You’ll Find More Affordable Trekking Permits
Both gorilla homes – have got strict regulations in place to make sure the gorillas stay healthy and wild- starting with the ‘Gorilla Trekking Permit process. Daily viewing of each gorilla family is extremely limited, so visitors should apply well before their desired dates.
Uganda’s Gorilla permit availability vary depending on the season. If you are visiting in peak season which starts from Mid -June to September and December to February – we advise you to book your permit in advance to avoid disappointments. Uganda gorilla permits cost USD700 and Rwanda gorilla permits costs USD1500 per person per day.
Uganda’s Bwindi has wide number of habituated gorilla families to track over 23 of them and they are divided into four gorilla sectors; Buhoma, Rushaga, Nkuringo and Ruhija. Along the particular day of trekking, you will be led by park rangers in a group of eight who are allowed to observe the gorillas for one hour at a safe distance as they capture memorable vidoes and photography.
You Can Take on Challenging Terrain
In Uganda, Mountain gorillas live in the high altitude and the challenging terrain but gorilla trekking in Uganda remains rewarding. More so, it can be hard work to find the gorillas which requires navigating uphill and downhill through thick vegetations of vines, thorns and roots. The truth is that, the reward seems that much better after all of the hard work.
Other Primates Will Inevitably Cross Your Path
Uganda is truly a primate -lover’s dream. A visit to Mgahinga, you won’t only see mountain gorillas but also golden monkeys as another endangered species in the park.
Fact about, golden monkey live high up in bamboo forests. Tracking golden monkey is almost similar to tracking gorillas, but it’s not such challenging.
Further primitive home in Uganda; Bwindi is home to L’hoest monkeys, gray-cheeked mangabeys and blue monkeys. Then, Kibale Forest National Park capital home to chimpanzees, Patas monkey in Murchison Falls National Park and Blue monkeys and red -tailed monkeys roam around Queen Elizabeth National Park.
A traveler can choose to combine a primate safari in Uganda with a visit to Kenya’s Wildlife Safari in Masai Mara National Park for the great world’s migration wildebeest event or visit Lake Nakuru or Tsavo West National Park for Game drive adventures.
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