Reasons why Gorilla trekking is worth it in Uganda : Gorilla trekking in Uganda is seen as the most exciting and adventurous activity that attracts large numbers of tourists from all part of the world to Uganda because it richly blessed with mountain gorillas that people come to track in their natural habitats. Tourists interested in trekking mountain Gorillas can only do so in countries like Uganda, Rwanda and the Republic of Congo and currently these are the three countries where you can see the mountain gorillas in the whole world.
Tourists who would love to adventure in gorillas should come to Africa to see to sight see the gorillas in their natural habitats. However, the trekkers should be aware that there are different gorilla species and these include; the Eastern gorillas and the western gorilla species. The western gorilla species involve the cross-river gorillas and the western lowland gorillas. More so, the eastern gorilla species also have two subspecies such as the mountain gorilla and the eastern lowland gorilla but among these species, it is the mountain gorillas that are famous and commonly trekked.
Where to go for Gorilla Trekking.
Tourists who travel to Uganda the pearl of Africa to trek the mountain gorillas can best do so from Bwindi Impenetrable National park or Mgahinga Gorilla National park. Alternatively, they can also go for trekking in Virunga National Park in Congo, Volcanoes National Park located in Rwanda, and these are the only places that are best for trekking mountain gorillas in the wild.
Why is Gorilla trekking worth it in Uganda?
Mountain Gorilla.
Gorilla trekking activity is considered among the best activities that tourists can involve in while on their safari in Uganda. They can trek mountain Gorillas in Bwindi National park, which has 18 habituated gorilla groups, but tourists should note that only 15 among these groups are only available for trekking while the others are purposely meant for research. Trekkers can also visit Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, which currently has two habituated gorilla groups available for visitors to trek.
During gorilla trekking, tourists track the mountain gorillas and this takes them about 4 to 8 hours, but after they have tracked them, they are being given one hour to spend with and interact with the gorillas and during this period of time, tourists get to learn about the behaviours and characters and way of lifestyle of the gorillas for example; they watch how they eat and feed their babies. Tourists are always put in groups with a maximum number of eight people depending on which gorilla group/ family they are going to trek and they always accompanied with well-experienced and trained park guides or rangers in order to ensure that both the trekkers and animals are safe.
Gorilla trekking permit is cheaper than the one in Rwanda.
Tourists who will travel to Uganda for gorilla trekking will be able to purchase their Gorilla trekking permits at a cost of 700 USD while those who go Rwanda will get their gorilla trekking permits at a fee of 150 USD in Rwanda. There is slightly a small difference the prices of these two countries where Rwanda is abit costly compared to the price of the permits in Uganda hence this recommends Uganda as the best place for trekking because there are amazing things to do and explore in the beautiful natures within the country. More so, the advantage about this fee is that it covers other expenses such as the park ranger and guide fees, park entrance fees, park warden fees, concession fees and the government taxes that tourists will not need to pay. However, tourists need to be aware that the gorilla trekking permit does not cover costs like; accommodation fees, transportations, meals, visa fees, flight ticket and other expenses.
Wildlife.
Tourists who travel to Uganda to go trek mountain gorillas from Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National park can also get an opportunity to see other species like; the golden monkeys which are always relaxing up in the trees of the Bamboo forests, L’hoest monkeys, blue monkeys, grey-cheeked mangabeys, bushbucks, duikers, elephants, and bird species that bird lovers can sight see like; green bulls, and equatorial akalat and many others, Reasons why Gorilla trekking is worth it in Uganda
Gorilla habituation.
Most of the gorillas available to be trekked are always habituated which means that these gorillas are already familiar to humans and there become friendly, and comfortable while in the presence of the trekkers as this makes it easy for the trekkers to interact well with the mountain gorillas after tracking them in their natural habitats. However, tourists are advised to keep a distance of 7 meters between them and the gorillas and not to pull up any sign of a threat to the gorillas. They are also advised to avoid having a direct eye contact with the mountain gorillas especially the silver back. Therefore, it is noticed that the longer time people spend with the gorillas, the more these mountain gorillas get used and comfortable being in the presence of humans and this makes it easy for tourists to trek the habituated gorilla groups or families. In addition, this habituation process takes about 1 to 3 years and successfully get the mountain gorillas habituated.
Gorilla trekking activities usually offer great chances to tourists to involve in hiking mountains and take guided nature walks through forests while tracking the foot prints of the gorillas, left overs of the gorilla food and their nests that they were making in the before and all this is done with aim of helping them to locate the gorilla groups or families. However all this requires tourists to be physically and mentally fit.
In conclusion, gorilla trekking activity is such an amazing activity that is worth your money because one-hour tourists get to spend amidst the gorillas while interacting with them gives people a memorable and amazing experience.
Therefore, Contact our trusted tour operators for any inquiries regarding gorilla trekking in Uganda and Book with our travels and tour companies such as Achieve Global Safaris and Explore Tours Rwanda for the best offers and a perfect tour packages on your Gorilla trekking Safari in Uganda the Pearl of Africa.
