How can one trek gorillas in Bwindi from Kisoro and advantages of starting from Kisoro Town?
Kisoro town is the nearest town to Uganda’s gorilla trekking destinations and the major town of Kisoro district. Gorilla trekking in Bwindi from Kisoro town is absolutely possible given its proximity.
It is about a 2 to 3 hours drive from Kisoro town to Bwindi impenetrable forest national park. The advantages of gorilla trekking in Bwindi from Kisoro are quite many as visitors can stay in Kisoro, go for gorilla trekking in Bwindi and later return right on the same day. This is because of the proximity of Kisoro town in Kisoro district about only 1 and a half hours of drive by road.
About Gorilla Trekking in Uganda.
Uganda is among the few lucky hosts of a thousand remaining mountain gorillas in the entire world. Other hosts are Rwanda and Democratic Republic of Congo.
Uganda is uniquely endowed that the country shelters half of the remaining a thousand gorillas in the wild and is the largest host of these primate species in the Virunga range. This has made the country known as one of the best gorilla trekking destinations on the African continent and the whole world at large.
There are only two gorilla trekking destinations in Uganda; Bwindi impenetrable forest national park and Mgahinga national park. Mgahinga national park is the smallest but one of the most visited national parks in the country and shelters only one habituated gorilla family group known as “Nyakagezi gorilla family”.
There are about 400 gorilla individuals of 21 habituated gorilla groups in Bwindi impenetrable forest national park alone. The chances of sighting mountain gorillas while at Bwindi are very high at 95%, especially during the dry season. Bwindi offers the most thrilling and unforgettable gorilla trekking experience to visitors.
Seeing these human-like primates’ calm behavior, how playful their young ones are and the tight protection of the silverback is a remarkable experience worth every penny. There are four gorilla sectors in Bwindi national park but Buhoma sector is the most visited and popular gorilla sector. Other gorilla sectors include Rushaga, Ruhija and Nkuringo gorilla sector.
Mubare, Habinyanja, Katwe, Binyindo, Rushegura, Shongi, Kahungye, Bweza, Bikingi, Busingye, Mishaya, Mucunguzi, to mention but a few are some of the habituated gorilla families in Bwindi impenetrable national park.
All gorilla trekking activities in Uganda start in the morning around 7:00 am after a delicious breakfast and short briefing led by the park tour guides and park rangers.
How much does Bwindi gorilla trekking from Kisoro cost?
Uganda gorilla trekking permits can be booked from a trusted tour operator or directly from the park’s office and they are legal documents that allow visitors to spend a quality hour with the engendered mountain gorillas in their natural habitats.
Both Bwindi impenetrable national park and Mgahinga charge the same cost at about 700 USD for foreign residents per person, 250,000 UGX for East African citizens and 600 USD for foreign residents per day per person. Visitors are advised to book in advance for early and better preparations.
GORILLA TREKKING RULES AND REGULATIONS.
There are certain rules and regulations that visitors must put into consideration while on this lifetime adventure.
All trekkers must be above the age of 15 years old to suppress the easy transmission of transmittable diseases like flu and cough. Children under the age of 15 are bound to carry these transmittable diseases to the mountain gorillas. This is why all trekkers are advised to thoroughly wash their hands before encountering the endangered mountain gorillas.
All trekkers are strictly limited to one full hour with the gorillas so as to ensure there’s no transmission of human diseases to the gorillas and to limit their stubborn disturbance. A minimum of about 21 feet should also be observed in the presence of the gorillas.
Camera flashlights are completely not allowed as they might trigger the gorillas’ temper and visitors are advised not to look directly into the eye of these primate species ensuring they are careful and have slow movements. When near the mountain gorillas, visitors must stay in touch and in their groups and should avoid awkward movements so as not to scare the mountain gorillas.
Sneezing, coughing and improper rubbish disposal are all prohibited unless done in a proper manner for example facing down and covering one’s mouth and nose while sneezing. Trekkers who could wish to ease themselves should dig deeper holes and cover afterwards. All this is to ensure there is no easy transmission of human diseases to the gorillas.
In times when the trekker is not feeling well or not in their best health, they are advised to communicate in general for a refund or separate compensation once they are back to normal health.
