Gorilla Safari In Uganda And Rwanda
Gorilla Safari In Uganda And Rwanda
Gorilla safaris in Uganda and Rwanda are an amazing experience that Vibrant Holiday Safaris offers and one would definitely not want to miss. Mountain gorilla trekking is a new experience that has been introduced into the national parks after discovering the giant primates that dwell in the highlands of the Virunga mountain ranges of East Africa.
After they were discovered, they have become the top-selling and most booked packages by tourists to Africa from America, Europe, and Asia since the greatest population of mountain gorillas is found in Africa.
Mountain gorilla trekking is the most memorable experience one can encounter in Uganda and Rwanda. The activity has quickly developed the tourism industry in Uganda and Rwanda due to its high demand. These activities are carried out in Bwindi impenetrable national park, Mgahinga national park, Volcanoes national park and Virunga National park in Uganda, Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
There is more than one destination for gorilla trekking in Africa though tourists have a lot of questions when trying to choose a place where to go for gorilla trekking especially those who are traveling to a gorilla destination for the first time. It is advisable to consult tour operators like Vibrant Holiday Safaris, this will guide you through what it is like and also guide you on whatever you need to know but most importantly will plan an entire gorilla experience for you.
Which Is The Best Destination For Mountain Gorilla Trekking Between Uganda And Rwanda?
Choosing from the two Uganda or Rwanda destinations for the best gorilla trekking experience on your next visit to Africa or your first-time visit for mountain gorilla trekking might be a little tricky. However, we cannot choose for you the best destination since people have different tastes and preferences where as a tourist you can make a comparison of trekking mountain gorillas in Uganda and trekking in Rwanda since they both provide the best experience.
The convenience of seeing the mountain gorillas should be the first factor to consider when comparing where to go for mountain gorilla trekking activity in Uganda and Rwanda though Uganda is the best place for gorilla trekking since it holds half of the world’s gorilla population with over 500 mountain gorillas being habituated in Bwindi Impenetrable national park and Mgahinga national park since the two national parks have thick forests which attract the mountain gorillas in large numbers. Bwindi impenetrable national park in Uganda has about 20 mountain gorilla families whereby 17 are already habituated and ready to be seen by tourists these include the Mubare, Habinyanja, Nshogi, Nkuringo, Buhoma, Oruzinnga, Busingye and many more while Mgahinga national park still in Uganda has 1 habituated family called the Nyakagyezi that tourists can also trek after going to Bwindi impenetrable national park.
Rwanda on the other hand has Volcanoes national park where you can enjoy trekking mountain gorillas on the land of thousand hills which has about 10 mountain gorilla families. Mountain gorillas in the volcanoes national park can either be spotted by chance but luckily, there are some habituated ones which you can enjoy during the gorilla habituation experience and some of the mountain gorilla families include Susa A, Susa B, Amahoro, Pablo, Hirwa, Agasha, Bwenge, Muhoza, Kwitonda among others.
However, it is very important to note that before one goes for a gorilla experience, they must obtain a gorilla permit and these have to be booked in advance so that you can be able to enjoy gorilla trekking in both countries. The gorilla permits of Rwanda are sold by Rwanda Development Board at US$1500 per person per day and Uganda Wildlife Authority sells mountain gorilla permits at USD$700 which are sold throughout the year with a discount during the wet season in Uganda.
Uganda has two mountain gorilla destinations for gorilla trekking safaris which are Bwindi impenetrable national park and Mgahinga national park which are found in the south-western side of Uganda on the Virunga mountain ranges. The two national parks hold half of the whole mountain gorilla population of the world whereby about 500 gorillas in the forest and over 20 families and about 80 gorillas in the Nyakagyezi family of Mgahinga national park but Rwanda has about a third of the mountain gorillas in the national park while about 10 habituated gorilla families that can be visited throughout the year.
Bwindi impenetrable national park which is located in the southwestern part of the country traveling from Kampala the Capital city about a 6 to 7 hours drive to reach the national park when using road transport. But you can also reach the Buhoma sector by boarding a chartered plane from Entebbe international airport to the Kihihi airstrip.
Rwanda’s Volcanoes national park which is about 3 hour’s drive from Kigali International Airport is the nearest destination for mountain gorilla trekking in Africa since it is a short distance from the airport to the park.
Best Time For Mountain Gorilla Trekking In Uganda And Rwanda
Gorilla safari in Uganda and Rwanda is a highly demanded safari package and the demand is mainly in Uganda which holds half of the world’s mountain gorilla population gorilla trekking activity is best done throughout the year since Uganda and Rwanda share the same climatic conditions. But there is the best time to enjoy the best gorilla trekking safaris experience in Uganda and Rwanda where you can save some dollars at a discount.
Mountain gorillas in Uganda and Rwanda best trek during the dry season which is from June to July and December to February though gorilla trekking can be done at any time of your choice you have to be aware of some rain during the trekking time during the wet season you will also enjoy some discounts on accommodation and gorilla trekking permits.