Is gorilla trekking in Uganda worth it? Apart from having well-known safari parks for wildlife tours in a game drive, like the Murchison Falls National Park, Kidepo Valley National Park, and Queen Elizabeth National Park, to name a few, Uganda has become well-known as the best safari destination in Africa to go gorilla trekking, prompting many individuals who have never been there to wonder whether the experience is truly worthwhile. With numerous well-known national parks for this adventure, including Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga National Park, Uganda is currently without a doubt the top safari location in Africa for gorilla trekking safari tour.
Is Uganda’s gorilla trekking worthwhile? In a nutshell, yes, gorilla trekking in Uganda is absolutely worth the money, time, effort, and safari experience. In fact, in our opinion, it’s the world’s most thrilling wildlife encounter. Most tourists who have already traveled to Uganda for gorilla trekking safari tours will agree with me that the experience of coming face to face with these gentle giants is very worthwhile for all of the effort, money, and time you put into organizing, planning, and traveling for this experience in Uganda.
Why is it worthwhile to go gorilla trekking in Uganda? You are undoubtedly asking yourself this question now that you are aware that the experience is worthwhile. In this post, we’ll explore and concentrate on the primary reasons why seeing mountain gorillas in Uganda is worthwhile and more fun than anywhere else on the planet.
A Uganda gorilla trekking safari permit is a little more expensive compared to other wildlife safaris such as game drives or big fives safari in Tanzania’s Serengeti national park or Kenya’s Maasai mara national reserve. You can join the very small number of individuals who are fortunate enough to witness these incredible animals in the wild by paying this and spending an hour in the company of mountain gorillas in the wild. Although the treks can take up to 6 hours until contact is made, they are well worth it and unlike anything you have ever done before, so be prepared to put in some effort.
Why is it worthwhile to go gorilla trekking in Uganda? Here are the top 5 Reasons of why Gorilla Trekking in Uganda is Worth It
- The experience is exciting
The majority of animals often fall into one of two groups: those that flee from people and those that will bite people who are unlucky enough to be in the wrong place at the wrong moment. However, gorillas are generally peaceful animals and would only attack people if they were seriously threatened. You will be able to enjoy the uncommon experience of viewing a powerful, wild animal from a close distance in perfect safety as long as you adhere to the body-language and distance rules provided to you by the park guides.
- You are directly supporting conservation efforts
The endangered mountain gorilla is most at risk from habitat destruction due to the expansion of densely populated areas on the periphery of national parks and people’s desire to profit from logging and agriculture. However, the principal source of funding for their ongoing conservation is the revenue from gorilla trekking.
- It’s cheaper than Rwanda
To protect the health and wellbeing of the gorillas, there are many rules and limitations in place, which is why the permits are so expensive and the number of visitors is so small. Permits in Uganda are still considerably less expensive at $700 than those in Rwanda, where they cost $1,500 year-round. There isn’t much of a distinction between the two because the gorillas and the landscape are essentially the same. Given the abundance of other incredible things to do in Uganda, we therefore heartily recommend undertaking the walk there.
- The scenery is spectacular
A day of gorilla trekking entails several hours of strenuous travel in mountainous terrain with low humidity and thick forest. The difficulties of trekking here, though, are part of what make it such a rewarding trip, provided you have a base level of fitness.
Additionally, it’s worth coming for the breathtaking environment as well as the opportunity to observe gorillas. There are numerous vantage spots where you may enjoy stunning views of the heavily forested, rolling mountains. These mountains are frequently cloaked in clouds, which only serves to enhance their beauty and mystique.
- Stunning Bwindi’s flora and fauna
In the mountains of southwest Uganda, there are other more wildlife besides mountain gorillas. There are also blue monkeys, L’Hoest’s monkeys (on the lower slopes), grey-cheeked mangabey, and golden monkeys, which hang precariously from the trees of the bamboo forest regions. There are bushbuck, many duiker species, and a wide variety of bird species, including green bulls and Equatorial akalat. Elephants exist as well, albeit they are infrequently seen.
