The gorilla trekking adventure entails traversing through thick tropical rainforests in search of wild gorillas. This exciting activity is offered in Uganda, the pearl of Africa where visitors get the opportunity to watch and spend ample time with endangered mountain gorillas.
Gorilla trekking in Uganda is carried out in two national parks that is to say Mgahinga and Bwindi impenetrable National Park. Both of the magnificent national parks are located in the South of the country and are characterized by the densely forested landscape which is a favorable habitat for the mountain gorillas.
Can one trek gorillas in Mgahinga national park from Mbarara?
An extremely enjoyable trip to trek mountain gorillas in Mgahinga National Park from Mbarara would need a minimum of two days.
Visitors in Mbarara with a passion for participating in gorilla trekking in Mgahinga National Park should worry no more about the possibility of the exciting adventure since it can be realized way easier than one could imagine. Mgahinga is about a five to six-hour drive from Mbarara for the 227.8 kilometres distance using the Kabale – Kisoro road or the Kabale – Mbarara highway.
What to carry when embarking on gorilla trekking in Mgahinga from mbarara?
Visitors undertaking the gorilla trekking adventure in Mgahinga National Park should endeavour to dress appropriately to have an interrupted experience. They should put on hiking shoes, trousers and long-sleeved shirts.
A tourist day pack is important on this track since it helps the visitor to carry personal things they cannot do without especially drinking water, snacks, phones and personal medicine.
A camera is substantial on this adventure for the traveller to capture exciting moments of the journey.
Mosquito repellents are equally important and should not be forgotten when embarking on the trek. They help keep the biting insects away and therefore enable the visitor to have a peaceful adventure.
About Gorilla trekking in Mgahinga national park.
Mgahinga National Park gives an extraordinary trekking experience to visitors who spare time and check it out. Gorilla trekking experience in Mgahinga involves moving through the most beautiful areas in the South of Uganda.
The park is characterized by in mountainous terrain and gives visitors breathtaking views of the marvellous Virunga ranges. Visitors on the trek not only have the opportunity to watch the mountain gorillas but also stare at the towering forests on the slopes of the beautiful Mgahinga massif, a series of butterflies, beautiful birds, other primates and a variety of captivating flora and fauna species.
The trekking activities in Mgahinga National Park are conducted under close monitoring of professionals especially the game Rangers who help provide security to the travellers which in turn adds up to the unforgettable experiences in this natural area.
The gorilla tracking activities begin at 7:00 AM with a briefing conducted by the professionals at the park to help the visitors get equipped with the dos and don’ts while on the trek for uninterrupted experiences and ensuring that there is no harm to the gentle giants and the entire environment. Visitors then head to the jungle while accompanied by the Rangers at around 8:00 AM.
When they get to meet the gentle giants and spend time with them, learning and unlearning several things about them.
Gorilla families in Mgahinga gorilla National Park.
Mgahinga National Park has only one habituated gorilla family which visitors can have the golden opportunity to visit and spend time with watching the old members of the family groom the young ones on how to become strong adults. This family is called Nyakagezi. Nyakagezi is an interesting family to marvel at when in the Virunga massif.
This family is made up of nine members comprising 4 silverbacks, 2 infants, two adult females and one juvenile. The dominant silverback of this group is known as Mark who stands out for his strength and capable leadership in the jungle. He took over leadership from Bujingo his father who had become too old to manage the group.
One of the fascinating facts about this family is that they still live with the 54-year-old overthrown silverback Bujingo which is a rare trait in gorilla families as in most circumstances the loser silverback either dies or evacuates the family.
Nyakagezi resides on the beautiful slopes of the three extinct volcanoes of Muhabura, Sabyinyo and Gahinga. It is an easy family to trek, especially for the fact that it does not prefer wide home ranges. This family usually nests, feeds, recreates and relaxes in narrow home ranges making it easier to access it.
The best time to trek gorillas in Mgahinga national park.
The best time to go for gorilla trekking in Mgahinga is during the dry season. The dry seasons are characterized by low rainfall which therefore suggests that the trek won’t have several interruptions due to poor weather.
The dry seasons are categorised into two that is to say the long dry season that runs from June to September and the short dry season that runs from mid-December to early February.
