One of the top things to do that one should not miss in Africa is gorilla trekking, an opportunity to come up close and personal with the endangered gorillas. This rare kind of safari is taken in a few locations in Uganda, Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Coming face to face with mountain gorillas in their natural homes is the ultimate wildlife experience that one should not miss in Africa. You will meet the gorillas deep in the tropical rain forest with no bars and no windows between you and the apes. This adventure is a humbling experience and you will become humble guest in the gorilla world where they live and roam freely.
Gorilla Tracking can be rated as a moderate active adventure involving hours of hike through dense vegetation looking for a particular family that you are assigned by the authorities managing the gorilla parks. Nothing can quite prepare you for this rare but amazing moment when you come upon a gorilla family in the wild. The families are composed of silverback gorilla – head of the family, black backs, female gorillas and juveniles. Upon having the first glimpse of the gorillas, you will be amazed with how they live and you will wonder about the relationship between us and these close cousins of ours! You can find the juvenile jumping off and on within tree branches, toddlers clinging to the back of its mother or breast feeding while the giant silverback keeping very high security for its family – just like a human family setting! Though the gorillas are large creatures that will create the shiver of fear and raise your adrenaline, they are very peaceful if not provoked.
Gorilla trekking is one of life’s great experiences and a gorilla safari is an adventure that should not to be missed when traveling through East Africa. There are several safari companies that offer specialized trips to the gorillas in Uganda, Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Locations for Gorilla Trekking
UGANDA
- Bwindi Impenetrable forest is thick but worth visit – the forest has tall trees, tree climbing plants, fruity plants among others. Bwindi Forest has four Gorilla sections namely Nkuringo trail, Rushaga trail, Buhoma trail and Ruhija section. Therefore, tourists have a wide range of choices.
- Mgahinga Forest is another protected area in Uganda that hosts the mountai gorillas. Located in South Western Uganda along the borders of Congo and Rwanda, Mgahinga is very safe for gorilla tourism and tourists track the only one habitauted gorilla group that live within the park, the Nyakagezi Gorilla group. Please note that the Nyakagezi Gorilla family in Mgahinga forest tends to make seasonal migration to Rwanda, Congo and back – thus it’s trekking is unpredictable.
This is not common in Bwindi Impenetrable forest.
Bwindi Impenetrable forest protects more than ten habituated Gorilla groups/ families unlike Mgahinga forest with only one group – Nyakagezi.
Bwindi National Park is larger than Mgahinga Forest – offers large space for many attractions. The park offers a lot to tourists – many birds are found, waterfalls, tall trees among others.
Clients have choice of choosing their best Gorilla Lodges – many Lodge are found in and around Bwindi Impenetrable Forest enable clients to choose their best Lodges for meals and overnights.
Bwindi Impenetrable forest is easily accessed from Kampala than Mgahinga Forest – the nearness makes a comparative advantage between the two Gorilla parks.
For tourists wanting to trek more than once, Bwindi Impenetrable is the best choice – it have more than ten habituated gorilla group.
Bwindi Impenetrable forest is famous than Mgahinga Forest National Park. As far as Uganda Gorilla trekking is concerned, Bwindi Forest is highly recommended compared to Mgahinga Forest.
From Bwindi impenetrable Forest National park, clients can easily connect to Queen Elizabeth National Park to see the tree climbing lions, elephants, buffalos, waterbucks, primates, crocodiles among others. Queen Elizabeth is the second largest National Park in Uganda with a variety of wildlife.
Bwindi impenetrable Forest receives more visitors than Mgahinga forest – here friendship is created through socialization.
Bwindi Impenetrable forest National Park employs more Ugandans and foreigners thus of great importance than Mgahinga Forest National Park.
Mgahinga Forest is located in high altitude than Bwindi Impenetrable Forest – therefore, tracking Gorillas in Mgahinga forest need high level of fitness and much energy.
Bwindi Impenetrable forest is Uganda’s number one park to fetch a lot of foreign exchange to the country. Currently, each Gorilla permit is sold at US$ 600 and yet Bwindi forest sells more permits hence widening the government tax base.
Tropical rain forests of Bwindi National Park generate convectional rainfall which moderates the temperatures of the surrounding areas and the country at large.
Bwindi impenetrable forest provides a lot to see like birds, plants, primates, and water falls among others.