Gorilla Trekking in Uganda from Kigali

Gorilla trekking in Uganda from Kigali

Gorilla trekking in Uganda from Kigali : has always been the most fascinating tourist activity ever experienced on the continent of Africa. Uganda has the largest number of mountain gorillas in the world in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Actually, this park has got half the population of the world’s endangered mountain gorillas. Uganda’s mountain gorillas are found in the south western part of the country making it a day trip to reach the national parks.

This is the top most challenge that the tourists face because the trip itself is tiresome and consumes a lot of their time. Many solutions have been created such as using the chartered planes from Entebbe International Airport to these parks. However this is very expensive and makes the whole trip costly which highly affects the numbers of tourists visiting this parks. Therefore, the only solution that is cheap and effective is using the Kigali route to trek the gorillas in Uganda.

How to connect to Uganda via Kigali

In the past years, many visitors that came for gorilla trekking used to stop in Rwanda. This was because of the existence of gorillas in Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park. The ease of access to Volcanoes National Park made Rwanda a one stop center for gorilla trekking.

However, this has all changed since the Rwanda gorilla permits were increased in terms of prices from 750 USD to 1500 USD. As a result, this made tourists to opt for gorilla trekking in Uganda. Now many tourists have to reach Kigali International Airport and later connect to Uganda via the Uganda-Rwanda borders. The trip from Kigali International Airport is very short and takes about 3-4 hours depending on the stopovers. The Airport has basically opened a door way to Uganda’s Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga National Park for gorilla trekking experience.

Where to experience gorilla trekking in Uganda

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is situated in the south western part of Uganda. It covers an area of about 321 sq km which consists of a diverse ecosystem within the dense tropic rain forests. Connecting to Bwindi Inpenetrable National Park from Kigali, the easiest route is using the Chanika border to Kisoro district. You can also use the Katuna border and connect to Kibale district in the south. Bwindi is basically a habitat for over 480 endangered mountain gorillas. In fact, the mountain gorillas here are the main attraction and over 17 groups have been habituated. These include; Busingye group, Nshonji group, Bweza group, kyaguriro group, Nkuringo group, Kahungye group, etc.

Besides, the park is divided into sectors making it possible to be accessed in all areas. These include; Ruhija and Buhoma sectors that can be accessed via Katuna border. On the other hand, Rushaga sector and Nkuringo are located in the south of the park can be accessed through the Chanika border. Besides, as you move through the gorilla trails in Bwindi, you also spot a number of  bird species. In fact, the park has got over 348 species of birds making these charming sounds in the forest. In addition, there are about 120 species of mammals, and this gives you a natural feeling and experience of the wildlife around you.

Mgahinga National Park

The park covers an area of 13.1 square miles within three extinct volcanoes. These include; Mt. Gahinga, Mt. Muhavura, and Mt. Sabinyo, operating under the Uganda Wildlife Authority. Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is located in the south western part of Uganda in the district of Kisoro. This Park is among the three parks in the Virunga conservation area as well as the smallest forest national park in Uganda. Gorilla trekking is one of the best, fascinating and thrilling tour safaris done in here. Particularly, the park has got one habituated mountain gorilla family known as the Nyakagyezi. As a matter of fact, this can be visited by the tourists that want to do gorilla trekking.

The fact that the Park has bamboo and alpine forests, it has largely influenced the existence of the mountain gorillas that now reside in the park. Besides, it has got a great number of other wildlife such as the blue, red colobus plus black and white colobus, forest elephants, giant forest hogs, etc. It has also got various species of birds although the mountain gorillas are still the main center of attraction. 

Gorilla Habituation Experience in Bwindi

Generally, Bwindi impenetrable National Park introduced gorilla habituation experience. This involves tourists spending about four hours with the gorillas. Here, you move together with the researchers to a particular group that is under the habituation process. A maximum of four people are allowed to join the team of researchers to carry out gorilla habituation experience. This is basically done two times making it 8 permits issued per day and supposed to spend a maximum of 4 hours with the gorillas.

The habituation experience was established in the southern region of Rushaga sector of Bwindi in 2014. Here, two groups have been habituated under this program and these include; Bikyingi and Bushaho gorilla family. Bikyingi is situated in Rushanga area with 21 members while Bushaho gorilla family is situated in Nkuringo sector with 8 members. However, for anyone to go for gorilla habituation experience, you need a gorilla permit that goes for $1500 USD per person.

Where to book your gorilla permit

The gorilla permits are issued by the Uganda Wildlife Authority at thier offices in Kampala the capital of Uganda. However,travelers are also advised to use the online system of booking. After you have deposited you will receive a confirmation message plus the soft copy of your gorilla permit. The permits are issued everyday however the tourists are advised to book the gorilla permits in advance. Note that; the mountain gorilla permits in Uganda are issued at a cost of USD 800 per person.

Conclusion

In conclusion, gorilla trekking in Uganda from Kigali is one of the best ways you can trek the gorillas. Therefore, don’t miss out trekking gorillas your safari as you connect from Rwanda to Uganda.