Uganda, situated in East Africa is also known as the “Pearl of Africa.” Uganda is one of the best places to see mountain gorillas in Africa. Gorilla trekking safaris and gorilla habituation experiences are quite different but equally exciting activities. These activities allow visitors to explore the lives of the endangered mountain gorillas in their natural habitat. Combining both activities presents a memorable adventure for a visitor in Uganda’s lush jungles.
Uganda gorilla trekking safaris
Uganda gorilla trekking safaris are conducted in basically two places, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. Bwindi in southwestern Uganda spans about 321 square kilometers. The park has an altitude of about 1,160-2,607 meters above sea level. Mgahinga also in southwestern Uganda is the smallest national park in the country, occupying a total land area of about 33.9 square kilometers. Mgahinga stands at an altitude of approximately 2,227-4,127 meters above sea level. Both Bwindi and Mgahinga National Parks have a total of over 559 mountain gorillas. This is more than half of the remaining mountain gorillas on Earth.
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park can be accessed using both road and air transport. On the road, Bwindi is 476 kilometers from Kampala the capital city of Uganda. It can be accessed via Masaka, Mbarara, and Kabale for about 9-10 hours. Air transport is a much faster and quicker alternative taking just 3½ hours with a chartered flight from Entebbe Airport or Kajjansi airstrip to the closest airstrip of Kihihi. Mgahinga Gorilla National Park from Kampala is about 500 kilometers away. This 9½-10-hours scenic road trip to Mgahinga takes you via Masaka, Mbarara, Kabale, and Kisoro. The fastest means to get to Mgahinga is by air transport which is a 3½ -hour flight from Entebbe or Kajjansi airstrip to the park.
Uganda gorilla trekking safaris consist of a visitor actively engaging on a guided hike through the dense jungles of the mentioned national parks in search of a habituated gorilla family. These hikes vary in duration and intensity and depend on the location of the designated gorilla family, and also the terrain. Once the trekkers locate the gorilla family, they are allowed a maximum of an hour to witness them from a safe distance of at least 7 meters away. During this encounter, a visitor has the best opportunity to watch them interact with each other and their environment. This also makes the visitor appreciate the experience and enhances their notions regarding the significance of conservation efforts aimed at preserving these endangered apes.
The Uganda gorilla habituation experience
For visitors desiring a more immersive encounter with the mountain gorillas, the gorilla habituation experience presents an exclusive opportunity in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. The gorilla habituation experience is conducted only in the Rushaga sector of Bwindi. It involves researchers and guides working to habituate or familiarize wild gorilla families with human presence. Unlike gorilla trekking safaris where you are allowed only an hour to witness the mountain gorillas, the gorilla habituation experience offers up to 4 hours. This provides a rare glimpse into the complex social dynamics of the remarkable mountain gorillas.
During the gorilla habituation experience, visitors are allowed to actively participate in the habituation process They are accompanied by experienced trackers and researchers as they observe and document gorilla behavior. This encounter offers unfathomable insight into gorilla ecology while promoting conservation efforts. Additionally, this adds to the existing body of knowledge and protection of mountain gorillas.
Costs of gorilla trekking safaris and gorilla habituation experience in Uganda
If you are planning a gorilla trekking safari or even a gorilla habituation experience in Uganda, a gorilla permit or gorilla habituation experience permit respectively is mandatory. A gorilla trekking permit in Uganda per person per trek costs USD 800 for a non-resident foreign, USD 700 for a resident foreign, and UGX 300,000 for an East African Community citizen.
Additionally, this price encompasses park entry fees, ranger guides, and the gorilla trekking adventure. The gorilla habituation experience permits in Uganda are relatively higher, reflecting how exceptional and more extended the experience is to the visitor. This is at USD 1,500 per person for a particular experience and is limited to only 4 participants per day.
To secure either a gorilla trekking permit or a gorilla habituation permit in Uganda, you must plan and book in advance to avoid last-minute disappointments. This can only be done by booking through a reputable tour company from Uganda. The permits are limited and usually sell out months in advance, especially during the peak tourist seasons. Therefore, book your permit well in advance to ensure compliance with all the regulations and guidelines established by the Uganda Wildlife Authority. This will guarantee you a perfect and memorable mountain gorilla tour in Uganda’s dense jungles.
