What an Excellent Top Notch safari Combination it is, right? The Great wildebeest Migration in the famous Serengeti National Park Tanzania and a once in a lifetime Wildlife encounter – Mountain Gorilla trekking In Uganda.
Ever imagined trekking on foot in the jungles, coming up close, face to face with a mountain Gorilla in Uganda’s thick rainforest surrounded and sharing the same environment with the great apes and later on sitting back and watching one of the most extraordinary wildlife encounters as thousands and hundreds of wildebeests, zebras and impalas trying to cross the crocodile fested mara river into Kenya territories searching for fresh grass and water? It is absolutely an extraordinary wildlife show of all times in the world.
Location of Great Wildebeest Migration And Gorilla Safari
Mountain Gorilla Trekking safari in Uganda is done in Bwindi forest National Park situated south western Uganda bordering Democratic republic of Congo next to Virunga National Park. The park is gifted by diversity of species ranging from the main attraction in the park; The Mountain gorillas as seen and trekked in Bwindi impenetrable forest national Park and Mgahinga national parks. Besides Mountain Gorillas, the park is home to colobus monkeys, Chimpanzees with an enriching list of birds present.
Easily accessed by both road and air from Entebbe as the main international airport town in Uganda, The Mountain gorilla home is reachable 9 hours by road and about 2 hours by domestic flight. A Gorilla permit of USD 700 is required to trek mountain Gorillas and USD 1500 for mountain Gorilla Habituation which can be secured at Uganda wildlife authority by Gorilla walking Safaris as part of the package trip.
The famous Wildebeest migration happens in Tanzania where the journey begins and ends. Kenya takes a part of the wildebeest migration as there is enough sprout of new pastures and enough for the wildlife at this time of the year. Happening between June and August. The wildbeests start and end their migration journey in Tanzania while crossing the boundary rivers, they create the greatest show of wildlife in the world.
Driving through the savannah dotted with endless sights of wildebeests and amidst lone standing Acacia trees with curious Giraffes looking on, thousands and hundreds of beests with zebras congregate together and keep trying to make a move crossing over the Mara river with hungry Crocodiles and predators like Lions and hyenas looking on to take their chances on prey. It is absolutely a wildlife show you wouldn’t like to miss out.
The Wildebeests are accompanied by large numbers of zebra, and smaller numbers of Grant’s gazelle, Thomson’s gazelle, eland and impala. These move in an annual pattern which is fairly predictable. They migrate throughout the year, constantly seeking fresh grazing grounds.
Taking a few Days off with an anticipation of seeing the greatest show on the earth while cruising in a safe and comfortable 4×4 Safari jeep in Tanzania later combining it with Trekking in the forest looking for human Closest Relatives – The mountain Gorillas is more an extraordinary a rewarding journey.
Planning and Connections of the Trip
Mountain Gorilla trekking and Great migration safari requires adequate planning, Patience and well-located safari Lodges and transfers to be able to utilize the best of the journey with safari experiences. The Trip can be arranged starting with Uganda for the mountain Gorilla Trekking ending with the great migration in Tanzania or the other way round. We would recommend however to start it slow with the game drive show for the migration safari and later connect to Uganda for the Mountain Gorilla Trekking as building expectations for the journey. Lets Build the expectations by visiting the Mountain Gorillas last – Human cousins to climax the trip.
There are both domestic and regional flights while connecting between Tanzania and Uganda. Regional Flight Companies like Auric air, Air Tanzania and Uganda airlines run flights between Entebbe airport in Uganda and Arusha In Tanzania. Further more Auric air is able to fly between Serengeti and to Bwindi through Entebbe international Airport.
There are options for traveling between Tanzania and Bwindi by road in a comfortable safari Landcruiser. Driving from Tanzania to Uganda through Land boarders like Mutukula or From Mwanza to Entebbe with a ferry on Lake Victoria. This is quite a long journey that involves a lot of time wasted on travelling which also comes with exhaustion.
Tip: we do recommend Flying from Tanzania through Kilimanjaro international airport for an assured flight to Uganda. Make sure you have booked and are also using a comfortable 4×4 safari vehicle for comfortability on the Serengeti roads.
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Accommodations and Where To Stay
Serengeti in Tanzania is blessed with a variety of top notch safari lodges and safari Camps for a great experience. Safari Lodges and camps like katikati tented Camp, Four seasons safari Lodge, singita, Osero Serengeti, lemala ewanjan, kichakani camp, Bushtops and much more will beat your expectation and make a beautiful stay in Tanzania memorable.
The Gorilla Destinations is blessed with awesome safari Lodges in and around Bwindi Impenetrable national Park which include 4 Gorillas Lodge, Gorilla Forest camp, Bwindi Lodge, Buhoma Lodge, Sanctaury retreats, Nkuringo Bwindi Lodge and much more. These are a mixture of midrange and Luxury outfits located on the boundaries of the Bwindi forest with an easy access to the start of the Gorilla trekking starting points.
How and when to Book A Gorilla & Wildebeest Migration Safari
Booking a Mountain Gorilla trekking Trip and Wildebeest migration requires an early booking to secure the best accommodations and Gorilla permits or habituation permits for the safari. Being one of the most trending Safari between June and August, There is a high demand for this safari type while a few companies are able to offer cross boarder safaris. This can be done under one roof of a company that conducts well-arranged cross boarder safaris like Gorilla walking safaris.
Gorilla permits in Uganda are limited to 8 persons per Gorilla family per day and during the peak season (Which is also the wildebeest migration time) Gorilla permits run out quick. We would recommend booking your trip Minimum 6 months in advance to get the best lodges and assured gorilla permits. It is always better to book the trip with one trusted destination management company to handle all the arrangements for you.
Many of the destination management company only require about 30% of the Trip arrangement fee to have the major arrangements secured while the rest can always be paid 1 or 2 months before arrival
Related Story: Masai Mara Safari And Gorilla Trekking Uganda – The Most Trending and Popular Trip Combination In East Africa
Why Is This A Life Changing Trip?
A Mountain Gorilla and wildebeest migration is a life changing and meaningful journey in East Africa. There is quite a chain of service providers that benefit directly due to your stay in both Serengeti and Bwindi Impenetrable national Park. Many people from Driver guides of the 4×4 safari jeeps used in Tanzania, The hotel staff and battlers, in the accommodations stayed benefit from your stay. The porters, rangers and guards during mountain gorilla Trekking all benefit directly or indirectly from your stay.
The Batwa people who are also called the God fathers of the forests entirely depend on the tourist arrivals for the gorilla trekking. They do sell crafts, are part of the rangers, reformed poachers and are part of the community Porters that come in handy during the mountain Gorilla trekking Experience in the forest.
Here is one of our tailor-made Itineraries that combines Mountain Gorilla Trekking in Uganda and Great Migration safari In Tanzania
10 Days Luxury Great Migration & Gorilla Trekking Safari
Embark on 10 days of unforgettable wildlife phenomenal watching the greatest show on earth – The Wildebeest Migration and trekking into the jungle searching for the Human Closest Relatives. See more Details
12 Days Tanzania Migration Safari & Gorilla Trekking Safari
Travel and watch as hundreds of thousands of wilder beasts & zebras with their young ones make their annual river crossing in search for food and visit other interesting game parks of Tanzania. See More Details
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