Preparing for Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Preparing for Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park: How best can one plan a gorilla trekking safari in Bwindi impenetrable national park? If you are planning to have an adventurous safari to trek gorillas in Uganda’s favorite Bwindi impenetrable national park, be rest assured of enjoying this safari as you encounter with these endangered primates in their natural habitat.
Well, let’s get you started as you plan your gorilla trekking safari to Bwindi impenetrable national park such that you get well prepared at the end of the day enjoy your thrilling adventure with gorillas.
First and foremost, you could be wondering what Bwindi impenetrable national park is, where it is located, the cost of gorilla trekking permit, the visa, the best time to trek gorillas, other things to see in the park, where to stay and many more.
Well, Bwindi impenetrable national park is situated far in the south western part of Uganda with in Kanungu district. The park is famous for harboring the largest population of endangered mountain gorillas with more than a half of the population thrilling in Bwindi forest. The rest of population is distributed in Mgahinga gorilla national park, Virunga national park and Volcanoes national park.
When to Visit Bwindi Impenetrable National Park for Gorilla trekking,
You could be asking yourself about the best time to visit Bwindi impenetrable forest for gorilla trekking and Uganda at large. Well, this is related to climatic conditions in Uganda. Uganda thrills with the best climate that includes 2 seasons that is dry season and wet season. While planning your gorilla trekking safari, look at temperature variations and most especially the rain patterns since the best season to enjoy the trek is during the dry months when the park trails are dry thus easy to walk through as you search for the habituated mountain gorillas in their natural habitats. However, the dry months are usually termed as peak season when Uganda welcomes several tourists thus expect some lodges to be fully booked and permits sold out therefore in case you are planning a gorilla trekking safari in dry season, ensure that you book your permits and accommodations as early as possible at least a 6months to 1 year ahead of your safari while Preparing for Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.
What is required?
Valid passport: Well, after knowing the best time to visit Bwindi impenetrable national park for Gorilla trekking, the next step is to ensure that you have valid travel documents that are at least 6 months to expiry. Yes, ensure that your passport is at least 6 months to expiry otherwise, you won’t be allowed to enter into Uganda. Make some photocopies of your passport for in case you misplace or lose your originals, it’s easier to process your documents with the photocopies.
Yellow fever book: Well after ensuring that your passport is okay, the next necessary document will be to take a yellow fever shot and obtain your yellow fever book which is as a well a must have before being allowed into Uganda.
Visas: You may choose to buy a Visa in advance at any Uganda Embassy or else obtain it upon landing into Uganda. It’s thus crucial to always check with the embassies to know legibility of Visa before embarking on a Uganda safari to trek endangered mountain gorillas.
Personal items: IT’s allowed to enter into Uganda with some personal equipment like Cameras, Binoculars, musical instruments and many other. Pets may as well be allowed as long as they have health certificates though these pets aren’t allowed in the park during gorilla trekking. Other items that aren’t allowed in Uganda re fire arms unless one has obtained a certificate from Uganda police allowing the importation of fire arms into the country. However, fire arms are as well never allowed inside the park during gorilla trekking in Bwindi impenetrable national park
Security and Safety during Gorilla trekking in Bwindi impenetrable national park,
While planning a Gorilla trekking safari in Bwindi impenetrable national park, ensure that your safety and security are considered. If necessary, you may note down all your personal information, back account details, emergency contact numbers and any other information that is necessary and can be used in case of an emergency. Keep the note book with all that information in your luggage bag or any accessible bag. Apart from that, just know that security is a guarantee. Uganda has always been a safe and secure destination to visit at any given period of time.
Travelling with children for Gorilla trekking in Bwindi impenetrable national park,
Yes, no one will top you from travelling with your children. Ugandans are welcoming and lovely people, expect your children to find friends on a safari to trek gorillas. The only challenge is that children below the age of 15 years aren’t allowed to participate in Gorilla trekking in Bwindi impenetrable national park but the good news is the park usually provide some children activities to keep them busy while their parents and elder trek gorillas. Some accommodations provide family room with children beds. The parks also offer relatively low entrance fees for children so while planning a gorilla trekking in Bwindi impenetrable national park, be aware that your children below age of 15 won’t be allowed to participate in the adventure but wouldn’t as well get bored as something is always prepared for them at a cheaper cost.
Eats and drinks while on a gorilla trekking safari in Bwindi impenetrable national park,
Uganda has a variety of food thus if you don’t mind about tasting new foods then Uganda is the best way to go. You may enjoy cheap meals almost in all hotels around the country. Be sure to find matooke, rice, posho, chapatti and chicken, meat and fish stew. There are other hotels that prepare a mixture of both western and Indian cuisine plus vegetables, fruits and many more. While in Bwindi impenetrable national park, you need to ensure that you tell the hotel management the kind of meals you need to eat while at their stay during gorilla trekking thus schedule your packing list while Preparing for Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.
The drinks range hot chai, coffee, mineral water, fruit juices, sodas like Coca-Cola, Fanta, and Pepsi plus lots of locally and international brewed alcohol in bars and clubs around the country. Even at your lodge, you could find a bar where to get such drinks and prices are always relatively cheaper.
Healthy tips,
Remember to sleep under treated mosquito nets while in Uganda as the country has lots of mosquitos. You may as well decide to use mosquito repellant to keep yourself away from mosquito bites while on a Uganda gorilla trekking safari in Bwindi impenetrable national park.
About Currency used in Uganda during Gorilla trekking in Bwindi impenetrable national park,
While planning your gorilla trekking safari, know that in Uganda the currency used is known as Ugandan shillings though as sometime, dollars, Euros and pounds can be used. However, it’s better to exchange the money to be used while on your safari into Ugandan shillings for easy traction making especially with in deep parts of the country where foreign currency like dollars may not be used. The denominations of Ugandan currency range from coins of 100, 200, and 500. While papers include; 1000, 2000, 5000, 10,000, 20,000 and 50,000.
Conclusion,
Do not forget that a gorilla trekking permit in Uganda to spend an hour with endangered mountain gorillas costs $700 for foreign nonresidents, $600 for foreign residents and Ugandan shillings 250,000 for Ugandans and East African community member states. These permits are either obtained from Uganda wildlife Authority headquarters directly or through a trusted tour operator like Achieve Global Safaris.
