Why Go for Gorilla Trekking in Uganda

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Bwindi Gorillas

Uganda features among the three unique countries in Africa where mountain gorilla adventures. The others include Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Worldwide, over 1004 of these incredible creatures still exist and are only tracked in the wild and never in any zoo.

For most travelers who go on safaris to Uganda, tracking the mountain gorillas is one of the adventure activities that they do not miss. Mountain gorillas are only tracked in four national parks. Two national parks are found in Uganda and these are; Bwindi Forest National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park in southwestern Uganda. The other national parks are Volcanoes National Park in northwestern Rwanda and the Virunga National Park in eastern DR Congo.

Below are some of the reasons why you should visit Uganda for gorilla trekking

Uganda takes the largest percentage of mountain gorillas

Out of about 1004 mountain gorillas that still exist on earth today, over 480 of them live in Uganda’s jungles. Uganda however offers refuge to about half the total number of these Great Apes making it a gorilla highland. Besides, there are 2 (two) destinations where tourists can track these large apes and they include Bwindi National Park and Mgahinga National Park.

Visitors have the opportunity to choose which destination to visit and besides, over 17 groups have been habituated and ready for visitors to track. Besides mountain gorillas, there are also many other primates for you to look out while on gorilla trek and they include among others the grey-cheeked mangabey, blue monkeys, L’Hoest monkeys, and many more.

Gorilla trekking permits in Uganda are relatively affordable

Compared to Rwanda, Uganda’s gorilla trekking permits are more affordable. In Uganda, you can secure a permit at $600 for foreign non-residents, $500 if you are a foreign resident and East Africans pay shs.250000, unlike Rwanda where permits cost $1500 per person. With gorilla trekking permits relatively cheaper, trekking these Great apes in Uganda allows you to save a lot more than if you tracked them in Rwanda. At end of it all, you have a variety of activities to enjoy, thus diverse travel experiences.

Safety

When it comes to safaris in any destination, visitor safety is the first factor to be considered. That said, Uganda is one of the safest and most secure safari destinations in Africa and this is something of great significance to both tourists and gorillas. At the parks where treks are always conducted, there are well-trained park rangers as well as other security organs that work hand in hand to ensure that the border areas and the park are safer to allow visitors to have the most enjoyable safari holiday. However, before you set off for your actual trip, it is important that you carry out some research about the safety of the country or cross-check with your embassy for more current updates.

Wide range of accommodation options

A safari to a destination without accommodation facilities is never complete. However, Uganda boasts of its wide range of accommodation facilities that cover all traveler’s interests whether you are a budget or high-end traveler. Most of them are distributed in and around Bwindi and Mgahinga National Park.

In Bwindi National Park, budget safari lodges for you to choose for your overnight stay while on a gorilla safari in Uganda include the Broadbill Forest Camp in the Ruhija sector, Wagtail Eco Safari Camp, Bwindi View Bandas, Nshongi Camp,  Buhoma Community Rest Camp, Gift of Nature Lodge and many more. For midrange travelers, you can spend a night in Gorilla Mist Camp, Eco Marvels Gorilla Resort, Gorilla Valley Lodge, Nkuringo Gorilla Camp, Silverback Lodge Bwindi, Engagi Lodge Bwindi, Lake Kitandara Bwindi Camp and if you are interested in luxury lodges, the notable ones include Buhoma Lodge, Chameleon Hill Lodge, Clouds Mount Gorilla Lodge, Gorilla Forest Camp, Gorilla Safari Lodge, and others. In Mgahinga National Park, the best options include Mount Gahinga Lodge, Mucha Hotel Kisoro, Kisoro Tourist Hotel, and others.

Conclusively, Uganda is one of the best destinations for you to track mountain gorillas and if you are planning to be part of this life-changing experience this coming holiday, consider this country a must to include in your travel plan.

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