Nicholas, Uganda is a virgin tourist destination, located in East Africa with a diverse landscape, which comprises Mountains, Lakes, Rivers, Savanna plain lands. Winston Churchill was spot on confirming and popularizing Uganda as a Pearl of Africa after he visited the country in 1907 due to her natural beauty characterized by a snow-capped mountains, flesh water bodies, rolling hills, Rivers, variety of animals and birds well protected in various National parks, different cultural Setups.
Africa Tours Adventure will arrange you a tailor-made safari to explore the entire country’s beauty right from the airport on arrival until you depart the country depending on how many days you will have spared for your holiday.
From the time you land and Entebbe international airport, you will be ushered into Uganda’s beauty ranging from hospitable people, good weather which is neither cold nor hot, ever green lunch vegetation, Lake Victoria, which is Africa’s largest lake and the world’s largest tropical lake, the fresh food served in the restaurants, variety of accommodations from budget to high-end hotels. The nightlife in Kampala, Uganda’s capital, which is enhanced by good security will spice up your stay in the capital. Uganda as a home to Half of the world’s remaining mountain gorillas also has several primates species including chimpanzees, golden monkeys, Colobus monkeys as well as other game including the African Big Five.
Our professional and passionate tour guides shall take you for wildlife game viewing in the savanna National parks, chimpanzee tracking, gorilla tracking, Nicholas, cultural tours, nature walks, Hiking tours among others.
With over 5 years experience in the travel industry, we shall help you tailor your itinerary to suite your needs, time and budget while ensuring you do not miss out on any major attraction you must see on your Uganda Safari.
Should you need to extend your travel to neighboring countries, we shall extend your tour to the Eastern Democratic republic of Congo, Rwanda, Burundi, Kenya, and Tanzania.
We welcome you to explore the “Pearl of Africa”!
2 days Rwanda gorilla tour.
A two days Rwanda gorilla tour will start and end in Kigali, seeing gorillas in Volcanoes National park in Rwanda, which is a two hours drive from Kigali capital.
A three days Uganda gorilla tour will start and end in Kampala-Uganda tracking gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National park, home to half of the world’s remaining mountain gorillas. This can as well start and end in Kigali Rwanda.
3 days Rwanda Gorilla Tour.
A three days Rwanda gorilla tour will start and end in Kigali-Rwanda, tracking gorillas in Volcanoes National park in Rwanda as well as Golden monkeys. You will also have a Kigali city tour to visit the genocide memorial among others.
4 days Wildlife tour.
A four days wildlife tour will take you to two parks; Bwindi Impenetrable Forest national park to see the gorillas and Queen Elizabeth national park for game drive, boat cruise, and chimpanzee tracking. The tour will start and end in Kampala-Uganda.
5 days Rwanda-Uganda gorilla tour.
A five days tour will start in Kigali and take you to Queen Elizabeth National park for chimpanzee tracking, boat cruise and game drive, and then to Volcanoes national park for gorilla tracking and golden monkey tracking ending in Kigali.
7 days Uganda Gorilla Safari.
A seven days Uganda gorilla safari will start and end in Kampala with a visit to Kibale Forest National park for chimpanzee tracking, Queen Elizabeth National park, and Lake Mburo National Park for a game drive and boat cruise as well as Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National park for gorilla tracking.
10 days Best of Uganda.
A ten days best of Uganda will start and end in Kampala with a visit to Murchison Falls national park, Nicholas, Kibale Forest national park, Queen Elizabeth National park, Bwindi Impenetrable Forest national park, Mgahinga national park as well as Lake Mburo National park where you will explore Uganda’s wildlife.
3 days Nyiragongo Hike.
A three days Nyiragongo Hiking tour will start and end in Kigali Rwanda crossing over to Democratic republic of Congo to hike one of Africa’s active Volcano, Nicholas, with an overnight at the top of the volcano.
4 days double gorilla tour.
A four days double gorilla tour will take you to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National park to see the gorillas and then see the gorillas in Volcanoes national park for the second time as well as the golden monkeys. The tour starts and ends in Kigali-Rwanda.
Guide to gorilla tours in Africa.
Gorillas are a primate specie which live in East and Central Africa. The gorillas have divided in three subspecies; the lowland Gorillas, the Western Gorillas, and the Mountain gorillas.
Gorillas share 98% DNA with human beings making them our closest cousins and resemble human largely in the way they behave including sexual encounters!
The lowland gorillas live in Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo south of Lake Kivu and are protected under Kahuzi Biega National park.
On the other hand, the Mountain Gorillas are endemic to Montane areas and hence the name mountain gorillas. Half of the Mountain Gorillas live in Virunga Mountain Ranges which is covers Rwanda, Uganda and Democratic Republic of Congo. These are protected under Volcanoes National park in Rwanda, Nicholas, Virunga national park in DR Congo, and Mgahinga National park in Uganda.
The other half live in Bwindi impenetrable Forest national park in Uganda with over 400 individuals still surviving.
For over the years, the gorillas were at a threat to near extinction due to human activity which included wars, forest encroachment, poaching among others. This led them to be listed as endangered specie.
Much effort was however put in conserving these endangered gentle giants and among the conservation efforts introduced was gorilla tracking.
Gorillas live in gorilla families headed by a silverback which is a dominant male in the gorilla family.
Gorillas are not a threat to human beings but to be able to interact with human beings, they have to be habituated so that they are used to human interaction.
Gorilla tracking involves entering the forest, hiking through thick forest and shrubs under guidance of the park guides and rangers who will clear the shrubs until you interface with the gorilla group.
Gorilla tracking has become a very popular tourist activity and tourists from all over the world come to Rwanda, Uganda and DR Congo to be able to see these gorillas.
This is a way conserving the gorillas as proceeds from the sale of gorilla tracking permits is shared with the neighboring local community as a used in sensitization of community about gorilla conservation.
To see the gorillas, Nicholas, you have to purchase a gorilla-tracking permit from the Park Authority which can be obtained through a local Tour Operator.
A maximum of 8 people are allowed to see a gorilla family per day and a maximum of one hour is allowed to stay in presence of the gorillas. This is aimed a conserving the gorillas as well as avoid the risk of transmitting human diseases to the gorillas since they can be affected through airborne diseases.
Gorilla tracking will start in the morning with briefing from the park headquarters about the dos and don’ts while with the gorillas, and gorilla tracking will take 1-7 hours depending on the movement of the gorillas in their natural wild.
Gorilla Tracking in Uganda.
There are more than 900 mountain gorillas left in the world and half of the remaining mountain gorillas live in Uganda protected in two National parks; Bwindi impenetrable forest national park and Mgahinga national parks located at the edge of the Albertine rift valley in remote areas of southwestern Uganda.
The ancient tropical forest of Bwindi occupies about 321 sq km and host about 450 mountain gorillas which puts Bwindi impenetrable Forest National Park at the top of other gorilla destinations if you want to see gorillas in their natural wilderness.
There are currently 17 family groups of gorillas that have been habituated for tracking in Uganda of which 16 of these are found in Bwindi Impenetrable National park alone while the other one group is in the nearby Mgahinga National park which form part of Virunga Mountain Ranges bordering Rwanda and DR Congo.
Besides the 17 habituated gorilla groups for gorilla tracking, there are other two more habituated for gorilla habituation experience where tourists will stay with the gorillas for four hours contrary to the maximum one hour allowed to stay with the gorillas on gorilla tracking adventure.
Bwindi impenetrable national park is divided in four sectors; Buhoma sector with three habituated families, Ruhija sector with 3 gorilla families, Rushaga sector with seven families and Nkuringo sector with 2 habituated gorilla family.
Can I see the gorillas?
It is possible to get close to rare mountain gorillas provided you have booked your gorilla permit which you should obtain in advance by contacting Uganda wildlife Authority or local tour operators in Uganda.
The gorillas are habituated for human interaction and will not pose any danger. With the guidance of the park rangers and guides, you will be able to penetrate the forest in search of these gentle giants, an exercise that will take 1-7 hours depending on their movement in their natural wild.
What else do you see besides the gorillas?
Besides gorillas, Bwindi impenetrable national park is rich in diversity of species of flora and fauna; it shelters 120 mammals, 350 species of birds, 220 butterfly species, more than 400 plants and several reptiles and amphibians.
On the other hand Mgahinga national park lies at high altitude volcanic mountains between 2,227 – 4,127 meters above sea level with a great diversity of wildlife and tourism activities like hiking, cultural tours to the Batwa, birding. There are mammals like forest buffalo, elephants, worth hogs, Albertine rift endemic birds as well as gorillas and the critically endangered golden monkeys which will be seen.
How do you get there?
Bwindi impenetrable Forest and Mgahinga National park can be accessed by road from Kampala or from Kigali Rwanda. The road journey from Kampala to Bwindi NP or Mgahinga national park takes 10 hours drive largely on a tarmac road, with a small section towards the national park not tarmacked.
Then, the road trip from Kigali takes 4 hours on a paved road.
The parks can also be accessed by flight from Entebbe to Kisoro airstrip for Mgahinga National park and Bwindi impenetrable Forest national park as well as flight to Kihiihi airstrip.
What do I need to see the gorillas?
Gorilla tracking is a way of conserving the mountain gorillas by contributing some money towards seeing the gorillas. Therefore, to be able to collect this money, there is a gorilla tracking permit that is sold by Uganda wildlife Authority.
A gorilla permit costs USD700 for foreign non resident, USD600 for East African Resident, 250000 UGX for East African Citizens.
Gorilla trekking permits can be purchased from Uganda Wildlife Authority or tour operators. Permits should be booked for in advance of 2-3 months because permits tend to get finished due to competition. Visitors should inquire about booking for specific families of gorillas to suit their level of fitness.
Ready to trek and see gorillas in the mist covered forests
The cool winds sweeping across the forest roaring like a storm and friendly locals will welcome you. Then have your overnight in home like lodge, camp or hotel for relaxation. You are advised to book and stay in accommodation near the trekking points because treks commence very in the morning at 7:00 am. The Uganda Wildlife Authority guide will take you through a briefing about the rules and regulations of seeing gorillas in their natural habitat.
Note, gorilla trekking is limited to 8 people who can see gorillas for one hour, eco tourism is a way of conserving gorillas and their habitats by regulating human contact. Remember gorillas have 95% of their DNA similar to that of humans hence very prone to contract human infectious gorillas such as human colds and coughs.
Rules to see gorillas are very strict and must never be compromised whatsoever. While with gorillas, a distance of 7 meters must be kept, sick visitors cannot be allowed to see gorillas, whenever you feel like coughing or sneezing, you must turn your head away from gorillas. Visitors are free to ask a guide about anything, all human waste must be buried 30 centimeters deep underground. Eating, smoking in front of gorillas is prohibited.
What to wear and expect on the day you want to encounter gorillas
Before you make your way into the forest, Visitors should be dressed and equipped in a full hiking gear which you must have obtained in advance to prepare for the muddy, slippery and steep slopes, tangled vegetation and wet conditions in a rainforest. Long pants, solid hiking boots, warm under wears, long sleeved shirts, rain courts, gloves to grip vegetation, hut, and insect repellants are recommended.
The guide will just tell you to pack enough meals and drinks since there are no shops in the forest plus your camera equipment all packed into your back pack. For visitors who can’t hike comfortably with their backpacks, porters can be hired at USD20 to carry or give you a push whenever you get tired in the forest.
You need to be averagely fit despite having chances of being allocated to gorilla families which can be easily reached and trekked. This should be pre arranged before the actual trekking date.
With a hiking stick your trek commences accompanied by armed rangers for security reasons. Although Uganda is politically stable, the forest has other fierce wild animals.
When to go gorilla trekking in Uganda
Gorilla trekking in Bwindi impenetrable Forest and Mgahinga national parks is done all year round and traveling in Uganda as well. Uganda has a tropical climate and most of the time is sunny with average annual temperatures ranging between 20-29 degrees Celsius. The best time to trek gorillas is during the dry season in December February and June – September but still the rainforest is wet and muddy rainfall should be expected at any time of the day. On the other hand the wet season begins in mid March –April and October –November.
Gorilla tracking in Rwanda.
Gorilla tracking in Rwanda is only done in Volcanoes National park, which form part of the Virunga Mountain ranges. Half of the mountain gorillas in Virunga mountain ranges live in Volcanoes National Park and are estimated to be more than 250 mountain gorillas living between 2,500 to 4,500 meters above sea level in the lush tropical montane forest and extensive tracts of bamboo forests in volcanoes national park in the northwest of the country. Vegetation in the park is more open due to bamboo allowing much light giving it a great deal for crystal clear photographs and less thick under growth make it easier to trek through.
There are 10 habituated gorilla groups in Volcanoes National park in Rwanda and these gorilla groups are classified in terms of low, medium and high level in terms of difficulty to track. This is because of the different locations where these gorilla families stay in the forest.
How to book permits for gorilla tracking
The gorilla tracking permit in Rwanda can be obtained from Rwanda development board which is the body mandated with sale of gorilla permits. Alternatively you can purchase the permit thorough the local tour operator which is more convenient in case you need to have the whole tour arranged.
Gorilla permits in Rwanda cost USD 1500 per permit for Foreign non residents.Eight visitors can see one group of gorillas per day which means a total of 80 permits are given out each single day which limits the number of tourists that track the gorillas per day and thus, creating high demand.
What you should pack and wear before tracking gorillas
Volcanoes is at high altitudes between 2, 5000 to 4, 5000 meters above sea level hence an element of hiking should be expected over steep slopes and ragged terrain on top of thorny bushes, stinging nettles, bees or wasps hence you are recommended to pack and wear the following:
Enough drinking water and packed meals which you can arrange with your lodge
Long sleeved pants, shirts, warm under wears to prevent coldness, gloves to grip vegetation as you slide on muddy trails, hut, insect repellents, rain jackets, and rain proof camera jackets, as well as camera equipment such as extra batteries, lenses and memory cards. Walking sticks are also good to support your hiking.
All these are packed into a light backpack; visitors can hire porters at a cost of 10 USD to carry the bag and sometimes to give them a push or hold your arm to while crossing trenches and rivers.
Visitors led by guides make their way into the forest accompanied by armed rangers. The dense canopies teeming with enchanting calls of numerous species of birds, then voices must be low to increase chances of seeing other wildlife in the forest such as worth hogs, bush pigs, and primates like golden monkeys. Along the trails you can see orchids, tree ferns, flowers and climbing plants hanging over tree branches.
Best time to visit Rwanda for gorilla tracking
Gorilla tracking is done all year round, but the tourists prefer the dry season between the months of June to September and December to February. This time the rains are not frequent but it does not mean there is no rain. Trekking becomes quite easier since trails are not that muddy and slippery. On the other hand the wet season usually begins in March – April with heavy rains and short rains between October and November. Visitors become few and it’s a good option to avoid the crowds and track gorillas in a rainy season. Gorillas also tend to be staying close to trekking point due to much food such as fruits, vegetation that makes them move for short distances.
How to access the gorilla park.
Volcanoes national park is in the north east of Rwanda in Musanze district and can be accessed by road. From Kigali it takes two and a half hour drive to get to Volcanoes National park making it possible and convenient for short gorilla trips.
Congo Gorilla tracking.
Democratic republic of Congo has two gorilla species; the lowland gorillas in Kahuzi Biega national park and the mountain gorillas in Virunga National park.
Virunga National Park lies with in Virunga mountain ranges extends to Rwanda and Uganda as well.
Mountain gorillas in virunga national park
Virunga national park occupies 7,800 sq km with exceptionally high biodiversity than most of the rainforests in African Albertine rift valley basins because the park stretches from the south in the chain of 8 dormant volcanoes to include the snow capped Rwenzori Mountains. The park has varied ecosystems ranging from savannahs, woodlands, marshy swamps and wetlands, flooded valleys, lava plains, the Rwenzori at 5,109 meters to the afro-alpine vegetation which provide home to numerous species of 218mammals, 706 birds, 109 reptiles and amphibians, 2000 plants and 22 species of primates including three sub species of gorillas and chimpanzees endemic to the Albertine rift valley.
Mountain gorillas in virunga are concentrated in the southern and eastern part of the park and more than 200 gorillas live in this park.
Gorilla tracking in virunga national park is an experience of a typical unspoiled, untamed and pristine Albertine rift rainforest wilderness for the seasoned African adventure travelers because the park is less visited and travelers planning for gorilla tracking are guaranteed to encounter gorillas without crowds of visitors like it is in Uganda and Rwanda.
Virunga national park has 6 habituated gorilla families for a group of 6 tourists per gorilla family for only one hour encounter with the gorillas.
Gorilla tracking starts from the Bukima patrol post where every tourist intending to trek should report for briefing very early in the morning at 07:00 am by Congolese guides about the rules of tracking gorillas. This means that tourists must book for accommodation near the trekking point because which can be found in Goma or Gisenyi and mikeno with affordable luxury, budget and budget overnight stays.
Gorilla permits for DRC virunga
Gorilla permits for gorilla tracking in virunga national park DRC cost 400 USD per foreign visitor and 150 USD for residents. Permits can be booked for through Virunga National park or through local tour operator.
Getting to DRC virunga national park
Travelling within DRC is safe but tourists are advised to use guides who know the routes at any time because often bandits or robbers might get you along the way if you dare travel alone minus the virunga security rangers. Travelers are advised to get travel insurance. Virunga is accessible from either Rwanda or Uganda using public transport but roads are dirt and bumpy when you enter DRC you need a 4WD vehicle.
From Kigali drive for 2-3 hours to reach the Goma or Gisenyi border, security checks do not take long and then continue with private transport to bukima main tracking post which is 32 km away from Goma town.
Visitors from Uganda can reach DRC via the southwestern border post at Bunagana town north of kivu province. From kisoro town in Uganda to bunagana it takes 45 minutes if you use a bus or safari vehicle on a 14 km route.
Alternatively tourist can fly using scheduled charter flights from Kigali air port to Goma airport or Beni town in north eastern DRC and drive for 3 hours to get to rumagangabo park headquarters. Other international airlines fly direct to kinshasha airport in DRC and get to arrange for public transport to the park.
Lowland gorilla tracking.
The lowland gorillas live in Kahuzi Biega, south of Lake Kivu and unlike the mountain gorillas, these gorillas live on a flat area. The gorilla permits to see the lowland gorillas are secured through Kahuzi Biega National park.
GORILLA SAFARI PACKAGES.
1 Day gorilla tour.
A one day gorilla tour will start and end in Kigali Rwanda, setting off from Kigali at 4:30am and returning in the evening after gorilla tracking in Volcanoes National park.
2 Days Gorilla Tour.
A two days gorilla tour will be done in Rwanda starting and ending the tour in Kigali, tracking the gorillas in Volcanoes National Park-Rwanda.
3 days Rwanda gorilla tour.
A three days Rwanda gorilla tour will start in Kigali and end in Kigali with two nights stay in Volcanoes National park and golden monkey tracking on the third day before transfer to Kigali.
3 Days Uganda gorilla Tour.
A three days Uganda gorilla tour will start and end in Kampala/Entebbe-Uganda, tracking gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park, a home to half of the remaining world’s mountain gorillas.
4 days double gorilla tracking tour.
This four days double gorilla tracking tour will see you track the gorillas twice in Volcanoes National park in Rwanda, starting and ending in Kigali Rwanda.
3 Days lowland gorilla tracking.
A there days lowland gorilla tracking tour takes place in Kahuzi Biega National park in Eastern Democratic republic of Congo, starting and ending in Kigali Rwanda
3 days Congo Gorilla National park.
A three days Congo gorilla tracking will start and end in Kigali, tracking the gorillas in Virunga National park in Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo.
4 days Uganda gorilla and wildlife Safari.
A four days tour will start and end in Kampala/Entebbe Uganda with gorilla tracking in Bwindi impenetrable Forest National park and wildlife game drive in Queen Elizabeth National park.
5 days Nyiragongo hiking and Rwanda Gorilla Safari.
A five days Nyiragongo hiking and gorilla tracking safari starts and ends in Kigali with one night at the top of Nyiragongo active Volcano and gorilla tracking in Volcanoes National Park-Rwanda.
UGANDA SAFARIS.
3 days Uganda gorilla tour.
This three days tour will start and end in Kampala/Entebbe tracking gorillas in Bwindi impenetrable Forest National park, a home to the mountain gorillas.
4 Days gorilla and wildlife Safari.
A four days gorilla and wildlife Safari will start and end in kampala/Entebbe with gorilla tracking in Bwindi impenetrable Forest national park and wildlife safari in Queen Elizabeth National Park.
5 Days gorilla and Wildlife safari.
A five days gorilla and wildlife safari will take you for gorilla tracking in Bwindi impenetrable Forest National Park and and extend to Queen Elizabeth national Park for boat cruise, Nicholas, game drive and chimpanzee tracking.
5 Days primates Safari.
A five days primates Safari will take you to Bwindi impenetrable Forest National park for gorilla tracking and then Kibale Forest National park for chimpanzee tracking, Nicholas, where you meet other primates during tracking.
7 days primates and wildlife Safari.
This seven days safari will start and in Kampala/Entebbe, with chimpanzee tracking in Kibale Forest National Park, gorilla tracking in Bwindi impenetrable forest national Park and wildlife safari in Queen Elizabeth National Park and Lake Mburo National park.
10 Days Uganda Safari.
This 10 days takes you to the most visited tourist destinations with wildlife in Murchison Falls National park, Queen Elizabeth National park and Lake Mburo national park, chimpanze tracking in Kibale Forest National park, gorilla tracking in Bwindi impenetrable Forest National Park and golden monkey tracking in Mgahinga National park.
RWANDA GORILLA SAFARIS.
2 days gorilla tour.
A two days gorilla tour will start and end in Kigali Rwanda, with an overnight near the park, tracking gorillas in Volcanoes National park.
3 days gorilla and golden monkey tour.
A three days gorilla and golden monkey tracking in Volcanoes National park starts and ends in Kigali Rwanda with cultural walk after gorilla tracking.
4 days double gorilla tracking.
A four days double gorilla tracking will see you track gorillas twice in Volcanoes national park and track golden monkeys before transferring back to Kigali.
5 days primates tour.
A five days primates safari will start and end in Kigali taking you to Nyungwe Forest National Park for chimpanzee tracking and Colobus Monkey tracking and Volcanoes National Park for gorilla tracking and golden monkey tracking.
8 Days Rwanda Safari.
This 8 days safari will take you to Akagera National park for wildlife Safari, Nicholas, Nyungwe Forest National park for Chimpanzee tracking and Colobus Monkey tracking, and Volcanoes National park for gorilla tracking and golden monkey tracking.
4 Days Gorilla and Mt.Bisoke Hike.
This four days tour will start and end in Kigali with gorilla tracking and hike of Mt.Bisoke, with golden monkey tracking in Volcanoes National park.
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