5 reasons for visiting gorillas in Uganda. Looking to see the mountain gorillas in the wild and wondering where to go? Uganda is that one mountain gorilla destination to visit for an ultimate gorilla trekking safari experience.
Mountain gorillas are an endangered species that can only be found in 3 counties of Uganda, Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. All over the world, there are about 1000 mountain gorillas in four gorilla parks, that is Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda, Virunga National Park in the Congo, as well as both Mgahinga Gorilla National Park and Bwindi Impenetrable national Park in Uganda. While it is that you can see mountain gorillas in Uganda, Rwanda and The Congo, gorilla trekking in Uganda is the best choice; below are the 5 reasons for visiting gorillas in Uganda;
Uganda has the highest gorilla population
With a little over 1000 mountain gorillas recorded in the world, it is in Uganda that over half the gorilla population can be found. Gorillas in Uganda can be seen in 2 Uganda national parks, that is Mgahinga Gorilla National Park and Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Gorilla trekking in Uganda can be done in any park which both have habituated gorilla families that travelers can visit; it is in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park that there are more habituated gorilla groups, over 19 gorilla families each accepting 8 trekkers per gorilla group per day, an advantage that other countries do not enjoy.
Uganda gorilla permit is relatively cheaper
Gorilla trekking is a much sought after activity that many travelers look to enjoy and as such the gorilla permit is high to limit, in a way, the number of trekkers. Notwithstanding however, the Uganda gorilla permit is much cheaper at currently 700$ per permit compared to Rwanda’s gorilla permit at 1,500$ per permit alone! With the price of 1 gorilla permit in Rwanda is a probable full gorilla trip in Uganda. The relativity of the Uganda gorilla permit price is thius 1 of the 5 reasons for visiting gorillas in Uganda.
Uganda is Safe for Travel
For so many years Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park have been safe for visit. Many travelers visit Uganda as a country every single year for different purposes. Uganda is a safe country that can be visited all throughout the year. Both Mgahinga Gorilla National Park and Bwindi Impeneytrable National Park are safe for gorilla trekking, and with the presence of armed ranger guides, safety of the utmost importance and can be guaranteed while on your Uganda gorilla trekking adventure.
Gorilla Habituation Experience
Another reason for visiting gorillas in Uganda is that you have an opportunity of choosing a longer experience, gorilla habituation, which allows you up to 4 hours with the mountain gorillas asides the usual gorilla trek which allows only 1 hour with the gorillas upon encounter. Gorilla habituation is a process of making the wild mountain gorillas adapt to human presence, an exercise that take up to 3years; gorilla habituation is done by experienced rangers, gorilla experts over a long period of time. The gorilla families that travelers on a gorilla habituation experience encounter are almost-fully habituated and thus safe to visit by strangers, in the presence of the gorilla experts.
Other Primates!
Uganda is a primate destination that any traveler after primate safaris should look to visit, for a complete primate watch! In addition to the mountain gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, there are over 13primates that you can encounter not only in Bwindi or Mgahinga Gorilla National Parks, but also Kibale National Park, Budongo Forest, Kyambura Gorge of Queen Elizabeth National Park and beyond. Apart from mountain gorillas, chimpanzees, golden monkeys, blue monkeys, L’Hoest’s monkeys, grey-cheeked mangabey, patas monkeys, red-tailed monkeys and so much more can be seen.
The above are the 5 reasons for visiting gorillas in Uganda. While most travelers fear the long drive of about 9 hours to the park from Entebbe, note that there are domestic flights that you can take and thus fly to the park, in only about 45 minutes. Also, gorilla trekking in Uganda from Kigali is a common alternative given the shorter distance from Kigali to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, compared to the Entebbe to Bwindi distance.
Get in touch with a reputable tour operator to create an amazing gorilla trekking in Uganda safari for once in a lifetime experience.
