Tracking Mountain Gorillas in Uganda is one of the epic activities done here, Visitors come from different corners of the world to come and see the rare species in its environment. Mountain Gorillas are rare; they can only be seen in 3 countries in the world. Rwanda, Uganda and DRC.
In Uganda, Mountain gorillas can be seen in two national parks, Bwindi and Mgahinga National Park. Both parks are found in the western Uganda, and Mgahinga on the Border between Uganda and Rwanda. Mountain Gorillas are the same in both parks as well as the price for tracking.
Mountain Gorilla activity is done on foot, and it involves following different trails in the park with the help of park guides and rangers. The gorilla parks are mountainous and Hilly that’s why it’s a bit strenuous most especially for gorilla families which are known to be found far in the forest. After finding the Mountain Gorillas, visitors spend 1 hour of viewing and taking un forgettable photos.
Bwindi National Park
Bwindi National Park is known to be home to almost half of the remaining mountain gorillas in the wild, located in the western Uganda, the park has diversity of species and it’s a great forest thick that’s where it derived its name the Impenetrable. The park has 4 sectors, Ruhija, Buhoma, Rushaga and Nkuringo, each with habituated gorilla families for tracking. Here below are some of the activities in the park.
Gorilla Tracking
The activity starts in the morning with briefing about the dos and don’ts while in the forest. Park rangers and guides give the briefing and go with the visitors to find the gentle apes. Visitors will follow the trails until they find the designated group of gorillas. After finding the group, it’s approx. 1 hour spent viewing the gorillas and taking unforgettable photos. This is the most done activity in Bwindi and its 8 visitors per gorilla family per day.
Gorilla Habituation.
This activity is done in Bwindi National parks and allows visitor to spend 4 hours with Mountain gorillas. Visitors for gorilla habituation go with the research team who are on the tremendous work of habituation. A visitor will witness what the rangers or researchers go through to make the group ready for daily visits. Booking in advance is very essential here as some few groups are available for habituation activity.
Nature walks
They are many in Bwindi, some are short (half day) and others can take a full day. Bwindi is unique and visitors will prove this when they spend extra nights around the park and do Nature walks in the Forest. Some of the attractions in the Nature walk include, different bird species, unique plants. Different types of monkeys, and not forgetting the topography of the land.
Community Encounter.
There are different communities around Bwindi National Park and some of them are Batwa who used to stay in the forest before it was gazetted into a national park. Visit the Batwa and here about their stories and presentation. The little money you pay here, you will be contributing positively to their wellbeing.
Mgahinga National Park
Mgahinga National Park is part of Virunga conservation area, neighboring Rwanda and Democratic Republic of Congo. Made up of 3 volcanoes Sabyinyo, Muhabura and Gahinga where it derived it name. Since the park is near the border of Uganda and Rwanda, it is easier for cross border itineraries.
Tracking Mountain gorillas in Gahinga means you will be in Virunga Forest which is made up of 3 parks including Volcanoes of Rwanda and Virunga National Park is DR Congo. Here below are the major activities done in Mgahinga National Park.
Gorilla Tracking.
Mgahinga National Park has one Gorilla family called Nyakagezi. The family has many members. The topography of the land in Mgahinga National Park enables very clear pictures as it is not thick like for Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. The park has other visiting gorilla groups which keeps on crossing borders to Rwanda and Congo.
Volcanoes Hiking.
Mgahinga National Park is made up of 3 Volcanoes, Muhabura, Sabyinyo and Gahinga. Hikes are contacted every day to those Volcanoes. They are day Hikes and the most popular one is Sabyinyo which has a point where you will be in 3 countries, Uganda, Rwanda and DR Congo. Each Volcano has different attractions which are unique. Muhabura’ s summit has a crater lake and for Gahinga has a swampy caldera.
Batwa Trail
Batwa people used to stay in this before it was gazetted. They were evicted and now they are staying around the neighboring villages trying to get familiar with life outside the forest. There are sighs in the park which shows that people were residents in this forest. In the Batwa trail, visitors will tour the Ngarama cave, which was an important place for Batwa in the forest, it was a hiding place in case of war, that’s where there king used to stay. Many demonstrations will be done like how to hunt, they will also sing meaningful songs and dance.
Important notice
-Both parks are managed by Uganda wildlife Authority and Gorilla permits are purchased from there through a reliable Tour Company.
-Since Mgahinga National Park is at the border of Uganda and Rwanda, tracking in both countries is easier.
-Gorilla Tracking starts in the morning there is no afternoon session. Its starts with verification of the permits at the headquarter and briefing.
