Gorilla Trekking: A Way To Watch The Endangered Primates In Their Own Habitat
Apart from being a famous wildlife safari destination, Uganda tops the gorilla trekking destinations in East Africa. It encompasses the snow-capped Rwenzori Mountains, Murchison Falls National Park, Lake Mburo National Park and immense Lake Victoria. Its diverse landscape and abundant wildlife include gorillas, chimpanzees as well as rare birds. Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is well-known for its mountain gorilla conservation efforts. Murchison Falls National Park, located in the northwest, is famous for its 43-meter-tall waterfall and fauna, including hippos!
How to see Gorillas in Africa
How to see or where you can see Gorillas in Africa is the question that comes to mind of most travellers. Gorillas can be found in Uganda, Rwanda, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. However, gorillas are primarily divided into mountain and lowland, with a few other sub-species in between. We recommend Uganda and Rwanda for mountain gorilla seeing, and the Republic of Congo for lowland gorilla viewing.
Lowland gorillas are often smaller with brownish-grey fur coats and a pronounced forehead ridge! Mountain gorillas are larger and have deeper black coats. Mountain gorillas are the rarest primates in the world, with only about 800 remaining in the African wilderness.
Where should you go for gorilla tour in Uganda?
Uganda has two national parks for gorilla safaris: Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. There are 18 gorilla groups or families in all! You can only track one of them per day.
Bwindi Impenetrable Forest is home to 17 gorilla groups, making it the best spot or park to watch gorillas in the wild. Uganda gorilla tours allow you the opportunity to see 90 mammal species. It will include 11 primates such as black and white colobus monkeys.
In the forest, you might witness monkeys, butterflies, animals, and other creatures. Accessing the forest can be difficult at times, and need a high fitness level. You will forget all when you see the endangered creature in their native place. You can take shots, but avoid using flash as it creates annoying situations for gorillas. The journey allows you to spend between 40 minutes to an hour with these gentle giants. We promise your time with gorillas will be a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
What will be the price for gorilla trekking & tours?
Of course, different gorilla tour operators will provide you with quotations. If you are concerned with the price of the tour then it will vary from $1200 to $1500 per person. Roughly the cheapest gorilla safari should have a price of about $1100 to $1200 depending on the number of people on the trip.
The super luxury gorilla trekking & tours should cost you between $ 4000 to $ 6000 per person. You may be wondering why a gorilla trekking safari is so costly! The gorilla trekking permit in Uganda (around $ 700) and the type of tour is the reason for such cost. However, it can get lowered if you book your Uganda gorilla tours during the low season! Here are few tips to cut cost.
- Do not travel alone.
- Stay in the best budget lodges.
- Choose Uganda over Rwanda.
- Avoid taking public transportation. Buses do not run on time.
- Avoid chartered flights.
How to choose a tour company
There are numerous gorilla tour operators found in Uganda. You should select the right one that makes your trip successful. It depends on various factors including price, availability of gorilla permits, online reviews and references on various websites.
You can take our advice as we are one of the leading gorilla trekking operators in Uganda! We provide numerous Uganda gorilla tours based on the client’s preference & budget. It may be one day or two days or three-day gorilla trekking & tours.
