Why is Uganda a popular destination for gorilla trekking?
Why is Uganda a popular destination for gorilla trekking? : The incredible Gorilla trekking is the most exhilarating and exciting wildlife encounter on the planet allowing visitors to spend one hour with habituated gorillas in their natural habitat.
The endangered mountain gorillas are only found in the Central Africa’s rainforests on the slopes of the Virunga Mountains and in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park found in three countries that is Uganda, Rwanda and DR. Congo.
Among the three countries / gorilla destinations, Uganda is the most popular of them all and this is because of many reasons.
Uganda is not only a pioneer in mountain gorilla conservation, but is a home to over half of the remaining population of mountain gorillas – Africa’s Great apes. Also, Uganda offers a breathtaking experience that you should add on your vacation bucket list.
What is Gorilla Trekking
Gorilla trekking is an incredible wildlife adventure involving hiking through highlands of Virunga – Bwindi Forest jungles in attempts to find the gentle giants – mountain gorillas and observe them in their natural habitat. Unlike other gorillas, the endangered mountain gorillas cannot survive in captivity and they are best seen on a guided trek through the rugged, steep terrain, thick jungles and tall, tangled scrubs reaching up to 14,763 feet in elevations.
Like already noted, Uganda is the most popular and favorite destination in the world for gorilla trekking, if you are wondering why. Here are the six reasons to why Uganda is a popular destination for your encounter with the endangered mountain gorillas.
- Uganda is Home to Half the World’s Mountain Gorillas
With a little bit over 1004 mountain gorilla individuals remaining in the world, Uganda protects half of the gorilla population protected in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park which is part of the Great Virunga Conservation Area and Bwindi Impenetrable National Park both found in Southwestern Uganda.
Also, Uganda is home to the highest number of habituated mountain gorilla families available for gorilla trekking and five gorilla tracking sectors. In Mgahinga and Bwindi combined, there are 20 human – habituated gorilla families which are open for gorilla trekking in Uganda found Ntebeko trekking sector in Mgahinga, Buhoma, Nkuringo, Ruhija and Rushaga sectors in Bwindi.
- Spend more hours with the Mountain Gorillas
Uganda is the only place in the world where visitors can spend more hours with the endangered mountain gorillas on Gorilla Habituation Experience which is only done in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.
Gorilla habituation experience in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is done in Rushaga sector in Bikyingi Gorilla Group and Posho gorilla family in Nkuringo Sector, Posho gorilla family is currently under the 2–5-year habituation process and is available for the habituation experience.
On this experience, visitors in groups on 8 people are allowed to spend 4 hours with a semi-habituated gorilla family. Escorted by researchers, scientists and armed rangers and guides, visitors get to follows the gorillas all day, enjoy a close and personal observation of the wild gorillas.
- Uganda has two gorilla destination
Unlike other two countries where you can encounter mountain gorillas, Uganda hit a jack pot with two gorilla destinations which are incredible destinations to see mountain gorillas.
Uganda’s mountain gorillas are found in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park.
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park – located in the Southwestern Uganda, Bwindi is the most popular gorilla trekking destination in the world with half of the world’s total population.
Bwindi is dominated by a prehistoric, montane and lowland forest spanning 131 square kilometers, the jungle is recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site because of its incredible biodiversity and many endangered species found within the forest.
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park protects 19 habituation gorilla families open for gorilla trekking.
Mgahinga Gorilla National Park – is found in Southwestern Uganda and is part of the Great Virunga Conservation Area spanning 13 square miles making it the smallest part in Uganda.
Mgahinga Gorilla National Park encompasses three of the eight Virunga Peaks – Mount Gahinga, Mount Muhabura and Mount Sabyinyo. The park hosts 1 habituated gorilla family called Nyakagezi.
- Trekking Gorillas in Uganda is Much More Affordable
Compare to Rwanda, Uganda offers a much more affordable gorilla trekking. Back in 1994, gorilla tourism was the only way for the Ugandan government to finance the protection of the endangered giants, however to avoid disrupting the gorilla’s way of life within their natural setting. The number of tourists had to be regulated at a sustainable level, this means trekkers now have to acquire gorilla permits to make it to the daily viewing of gorillas which is highly regulated.
In Uganda, a gorilla permit costs $ 700 per person which is less than half of what Rwanda charges its gorilla permits.
Uganda’s not only the best place to see mountain gorillas but also the best alternative for budget travelers with gorilla trekking on top of their list.
- Uganda offers an Authentic Raw Adventure Experience to the Gorillas
Uganda offers an authentic raw African adventure on your way to see mountain gorillas, along the way you will drive through the emerald rugged cultivated slopes of Southwestern Uganda which you cannot help by be enchanted by the beautiful of the land.
Along the way, you will realize that getting to mountain gorillas is not for the faint-hearted, mountain gorillas live at elevation of 8,000 to 13,000 feat and to find them you will have to trek through the steep slopes giving you an authentic jungle experience/adventure.
If you are someone seeking for a challenge then Uganda is the best gorilla trekking destination to visit.
- Uganda has more Primates to Encounter along your Gorilla Safari
Uganda is an ultimate private adventure in the central region of the world boasting two of the four great apes in the world that is chimpanzees and gorillas, Uganda is home to over a dozen of other primate species.
Trekking through Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, you catch sight of the endangered golden monkeys. These tiny, furry primates live high up in the bamboo forest zones sharing habitats with the gorillas. Other primates you will see in Uganda during your Uganda gorilla safari include L’Hoest’s monkeys, De Brazza monkeys, Red-tailed Monkey, Blue Monkey, Potto, Demidoff’sGalago, Spectacled Galago, Baboons and huge population of chimpanzees found in Kibale Forest National Park, Queen Elizabeth National Park among other destinations.
Inconclusion – with all the reasons listed above, how now you understand why Uganda is a popular destination for gorilla trekking.
