Are you wondering what makes Uganda the best gorilla tour destination? Why trek gorillas in Uganda? Well, there are countless advantages of trekking gorillas in Uganda. The pearl of Africa Uganda is one of the three countries to see mountain gorillas together with Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Each day, hundreds of travelers check into Bwindi Forest and Mgahinga gorillas National Park to experience the lifetime gorilla trekking experience. Based on our past travelers’ excellent reviews about gorilla trekking in Uganda, The Pearl of Africa is undeniably the best place to trek gorillas. The reasons to trek gorillas in Uganda include among others:
A high number of mountain gorillas
Members of Bweza gorilla family
Uganda shelters the highest population of mountain gorillas in the world. The Pearl of Africa is home to half of the world’s total gorillas which make it the best gorilla tour destination. Gorillas in Uganda have been habituated into 18 gorilla families 17 of which live in Bwindi Forest while 1 Nyakagyezi gorilla family lives in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. The high number of mountain gorilla families guarantee the availability of gorilla permits giving many travelers a chance to visit the endangered gorillas. Gorillas in Bwindi forest are split into four sectors which are Buhoma in the North, Ruhija in the east, Rushaga, and Nkuringo sectors in the south. The availability of gorilla permits in Uganda also gives last time travelers a chance to visit gorillas unlike in other countries where gorilla permits sell out easily.
Low-cost gorilla permits
Uganda offers the low-cost gorilla permits making it the best gorilla tour destination. A single gorilla permit in Uganda costs $700 for Foreign non-residents, $600 for foreign residents, and UGX 250,000 for Uganda and East African residents. The cost of Uganda gorilla tours is therefore way cheaper compared to $1500 in neighboring Rwanda. Uganda is therefore the best gorilla safari destination for budget travelers. Gorilla permit booking in Uganda is recommended at least 6 months before the trekking date. African Apes Holidays is your ultimate gorilla’s safari company to book your permits at saving you the hustles of private booking. Alternatively, you can book directly with the Uganda Wildlife Authority, the government body responsible for gorilla tourism and conservation in Uganda
Gorilla Habituation experience
In addition to gorilla trekking, Uganda is the center of the experimental mountain gorilla habituation experience in which wild gorillas are trained to make them familiar with people. Gorilla habituation experience is 2-3 years of training gorillas before they are opened for trekking. Habituation is, therefore, the first step that gorillas go through. Apparently, Bushaho and Bikyingi gorilla families are undergoing habituation experience and each family is visited by four people for four hours each day. A gorilla habituation permit costing $1500 is a must-have for every traveler going to take part in this memorable experience. African Apes Holidays help you book gorilla habituation permits as well as arranging the trip. A 1-day gorilla habituation experience starting and ending in Kigali Rwanda is worth doing.
Quick connectivity from Kigali Rwanda
The ease of connectivity from Kigali Rwanda to Uganda’s Bwindi Forest/Mgahinga Gorilla National Parks save travelers long hours of driving from Entebbe International Airport. The drive time from Kigali to Bwindi is roughly 5 hours hence the best option for short time travelers. A 2 day Uganda gorilla trek is a suitable package for you. If you have limited time, you can do a 1 Day Uganda gorilla trek which involves early pick up from Kigali, gorilla trekking in Bwindi Forest, and drop off at Kigali after gorilla trekking. A 1 Day Uganda gorilla tour starts at 3:30 am to cover up the 5 hours’ drive and catch up with the pre gorilla trekking experience in Uganda. Rushaga sector, south of Bwindi Forest is the best sector for Kigali to Bwindi gorilla trekking.
Gorilla trekking add-ons
Uganda has much more to offer in addition to gorilla trekking to make a complete Uganda safari package. The gorilla trekking add-ons in Uganda include golden monkey trekking, volcano climbing, Batwa community visits, bird watching, Forest/Nature walks, chimpanzee trekking and game viewing in the open savannah parks across the country. A combination of all these activities give you the most exciting and enjoyable Uganda safari on the same trip
Peace and security in Uganda
Uganda is the safest gorilla safari destination in Africa assuring travelers safety during gorilla trekking. Since the start of gorilla tourism in the early 1990s, Uganda has never registered any rebel attack in Bwindi Forest/Mgahinga which makes it the best destination to see gorillas. More so, Uganda tourism police and the armed park rangers are ever patrolling the national park to ensure the safety of gorillas and travelers.
In general, there are many reasons as to why you should trek mountain gorillas in Uganda. Contact African Apes Tours & Travel today, book a Uganda gorilla tour to Bwindi Forest/Mgahinga and enjoy the discounted gorilla permits in the Pearl of Africa
