Uganda the pearl of Africa is a unique haven for primates like gorillas and chimpanzees. Mountain Gorillas are close relatives of humans due to 98% DNA. Endangered mountain gorillas are located in bwindi impenetrable national park and maghinga national park. Bwindi impenetrable national park is a home of mountain gorillas in four sectors that is Nkuringo, Ruhija, Rushaga and Buhoma. The park Bwindi is a tropical forest which inhabits 24 gorilla families.
Mgahinga national park is a home of one gorilla family that is Nyakagezi. The park is also a tropical forest which not only inhabit gorillas but also other primates like red tailed monkeys, black and white colobus monkeys, golden monkey and many more. The park lies in virunga conservation area with other parks like volcano national park and virunga national park.
How to access bwindi and Mgahinga national parks?
Bwindi impenetrable national park can be accessed by either road or air transport. Visitors may be use private or public vehicles using masaka –Mbarara –kabale route which takes about 9 hours depending on which sector a visitor is heading too. However visitors may enter the park via Rwanda boarders taking about 6 hours. Although the journey takes long, it is worthy it due beautiful sceneries spotted along the way.
Despite the fact that mgahinga national park neighbours bwindi impenetrable national park. Visitors may also use same road routes using private or public vehicles.
However by air transport, visitors may fly from Entebbe International airport to kisoro airstrip which takes about an hour.
How much is a gorilla permit?
Uganda wildlife Authority is a government arm that issues permits for mountain gorillas. Each gorilla permit differ depending on where a visitors is coming from. Foreign non-residents visitors pays $800 per person, foreign resident visitors pay $700 per person, East African visitors pay 300,000 UGX per person, rest of Africa visitors pay $500 per person.
What to pack?
- cameras.
- Binoculars
- Long trousers and long t-shirts
- Water &snacks.
- Hiking sticks
- Comfortable hiking boots.
What are the rules and regulations of gorilla trekking?
Before gorilla trekking, it is a must for visitors to attend briefing at Uganda Wildlife Authority offices at the tracking location. Each sector has its own offices where briefing takes place.
- Visitors are advised to lower their voices when they are forest.
- Visitors are given hiking sticks to support them as they search for mountain gorillas in their habitants.
- Each gorilla family is visited by only 8 individuals.
- Children below 15 years of age are not allowed to trek gorillas.
- Visitors are advised to wear long trousers, long t-shirts, water &snacks, cameras, binoculars and many more.
- Visitors are briefed not to drop wastes in the forest to avoid gorillas from being injured.
- Visitors are advised to keep together when they are in the forest.
- Visitors are given only one hour visit to be with gorillas however visitors of gorilla habituation are given only four hours.
- Visitors are allowed to carry cameras but warned to remove flash lights.
Where to stay?
Four gorillas lodge.
Four gorilla lodge in Bwindi National Park Uganda offers perfect contemporary luxury while satisfying the human craving to become one with nature and our fellow apes. The lodge is comprised of 8 elegant and luxury en suite cottages that reflects African traditional building style with grass thatched roofs and natural materials of local woods. The rooms are self-contained with bathrooms, flushing toilets, toilet papers, showers with hot and cold waters, balcony, mosquito net, detergents, chairs, tables and many more.
The lodge facilitates well stocked bar with soft and hard drinks, laundry, restaurant where delicious meals are served and prepared by professional chefs, free wifi, free parking and many more.
Rushaga gorilla camp.
Rushaga gorilla camp is a mid-range lodge which is located at the edge of bwindi impenetrable national park. Rushaga Gorilla Camp is a 15-minute walk from the gorilla tracking starting point in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Uganda. It offers standard rooms which are all self-contained with chairs, tables, flushing toilets, showers, toilet paper, towels, detergents and many more. The gorilla camp facilitates tents, camping grounds, swimming pool, a restaurant where international meals are served and prepared by professional chefs, well stocked bar, spa, free wifi, free parking, laundry and hospitality of staff members.
Nkuringo Bwindi Gorilla lodge.
Nkuringo Bwindi Gorilla lodge is a luxurious lodge located at the edge of bwindi impenetrable national park. Staying in this lodge offers uniquely crafted cottages, each offering stunning views and serene comfort. From cozy Garden Cottages to expansive Forest Suites, every room ensures a memorable and peaceful retreat with comfortable chairs, tables, beds, towels, toilet papers,
Lake mulehe safari lodge
The lodge has 12 fully fledged cottages that are named after gorillas of the nearby Mgahinga National Park. Each cottage sits among an untapped wilderness with luxuriant views of the awe-inspiring sunrise and radiant sunset, and the soundtrack is the surf pounding the sand on lodge’s private beach. The lodge rooms are oriented with double, twins and singles which all are self-contained with flushing toilets, towels, detergents, showers, chairs, tables, mosquito nets, verandah, and many more.
The lodge facilitates well stocked bar, restaurant where delicious meals are serve and prepared by professional chefs, laundry, free wifi, free parking, and many more.
