Masaka Town is a traditional vibrant city in the central region of Uganda greatly dominated by the people belonging to the Buganda tribe. The city has continuously grown and this has highly contributed to the growth and development of the economy and tourism sector.
Several NGOs and the Uganda Tourism Board have put forth a means of how the country’s visitors can access a number of tourism destinations directly from this town including Bwindi impenetrable forest and Mgahinga National Park meant for gorilla trekking activities. It is without a shadow of a doubt that one can trek the endangered mountain gorillas in these two gorilla trekking destinations from Masaka town.
GORILLA TREKKING IN UGANDA.
Gorilla trekking in Uganda has registered nothing but success and progress as it’s the most popular tourism activity in the country. The trilling lifetime activity in Uganda always comes first on every visitor’s bucket list and has drawn attention globally.
Among the only three countries that shelter the rare primate species, Uganda is the largest host of the few remaining mountain gorillas in the wild. There are about a thousand surviving mountain gorillas globally and Uganda shelters almost half of them, there are only two gorilla trekking destinations in Uganda, which are both situated in the south western part of the country and they include Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park and Mgahinga National Park.
The largest host of these human-like primate species in Uganda is the great Bwindi impenetrable national park with about 600 gorilla individuals and 19 gorilla group families and about two available for gorilla habituation experience. Mgahinga National Park shelters only one gorilla family famously known as “Nyakagezi family”.
During the peak season, the two gorilla trekking spots are almost inaccessible as both domestic and international visitors yearn to enjoy the unique experience of meeting the endangered mountain gorillas. Gorilla trekking activity in Uganda on the other hand offers yet another opportunity for visitors to explore other wildlife species including buffaloes, herds of elephants, comely bird species and the soothing African plant life.
All gorilla trekking activities kick off with a small guiding briefing and then each group of eight visitors is allocated to track and locate one particular gorilla group family and restricted to spend only one hour with it once tracked.
To get the best out of the lifetime adventure of gorilla trekking in Uganda, visitors will be required to spend at least three days on the gorilla trekking tour where the first day can be used for a long drive to the gorilla trekking destinations of Bwindi or Mgahinga national park in the southwestern part of the country. The long journey comes with the exploration of the beauty of Uganda, the pearl of Africa.
The stunning views of the impressive game parks in the country, for example Lake Mburo along Masaka Road, are exceptionally remarkable. The wildlife including unforgettable views of herds of elephants, buffaloes, zebras, antelopes and impalas is extraordinary. The attractive physical features including majestic mountains, fresh water bodies and plant life bring out nothing but total satisfaction in the Uganda gorilla trekking safari.
Day 2 is purposely for gorilla trekking activities where visitors are briefed on the dos and don’ts before being grouped and allocated on which particular gorilla family to track.
Some of the advantages of gorilla trekking in Bwindi and Mgahinga from Masaka town than Entebbe include cheaper transport costs and saving time when traveling.
The swiftest way visitors can reach Bwindi and Mgahinga National Park from Entebbe is by use of flight means to Kihihi airstrip where the flight takes about 1 hour. It is about eight to nine hours on the road from Entebbe to the two gorilla trekking destinations. There is a distance of about 540 km from Entebbe to Bwindi National Park.
It only takes 7 hours to cover the 364.7km distance between Masaka and Bwindi via the Masaka-Mbarara highway.
GORILLA TREKKING PACKING LIST, RULES AND REGULATIONS.
Even though gorilla trekking is costly and very demanding, the thrilling activity is worth every penny and therefore visitors should ensure they carry essential items for gorilla trekking activities and follow proper rules and regulations issued by park rangers and tour guides.
Visitors should ensure to carry enough drinking water and simple packed food as the activity involves long treks and hiking them is energetically demanding.
Hiking comfortable shoes to ease hiking and best when trekking routes are slippery and muddy are also a must carry alongside warm clothing due to the unpredictability of the weather. Long stockings and jackets are also essential. Choosing the right kind of clothing for gorilla trekking will enable visitors to have the best out of this thrilling activity.
Trekkers are also advised to observe and follow rules and regulations provided to them by tour guides and rangers including keeping a distance of about 7 meters and not getting very close once the tracked gorillas are located.
Trekkers are not allowed to eat, drink or smoke in the presence of gorillas as this would spark the primates’ attention leading to unintended attacks.
All trekkers should be above the age of 15 years since children below that age usually have diseases like cough and flu that are of high risk to the primates.
