Category: Advice

With the recent trends in technology, the respective boards managing the issuance of gorilla permits in the different countries where gorilla tracking takes place have devised means of letting clients book these permits on line though in some countries like Uganda they have received some resistance from some stake holders especially the native tour operating companies.  And below is the substantive eulogy concerning this module;

UGANDA

In Uganda,the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) is proposing to put all gorilla permits for Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga National Park on line to be accessed by all people within and outside Uganda. According to management of Uganda Wildlife Authority, putting gorilla permits online will increase sales thus more money into the government’s treasury and to the Uganda Wildlife Authority to be used in conservation of wildlife in all protected areas. UWA management also argue that Tour Operators have been complaining about failure to get availability when they call Uganda Wildlife Authority central reservations office in Kampala and that if permits go on line then one can see them instantly.

Putting gorilla permits on line is yet to be seen as it has received a lot of resistance from the Private sector most especially from Ugandan Tour Operators under their umbrella organization called the Association of Uganda Tour Operators (AUTO) who argue that by putting gorilla permits online will not only put them out of business since International Tour Operators will be able to buy them directly from Uganda Wildlife Authority offices but will also kill the tourism industry as a whole since clients will only be coming to Uganda for gorillas and then go for wildlife viewing in other neighbouring countries of Kenya and Tanzania that have a competitive advantage over Uganda. Uganda Tour Operators argue that the role of selling gorilla permits should be left to them since their businesses create employment to several people and that if they are deprived of this, they will run out of business. They further say that the role of Uganda Wildlife Authority is not to market Tourism products such us gorilla permits but is to conserve Wildlife in and out side Protected Areas. The role of Marketing Uganda as a tourism Destination is supposed to be done by Uganda Tourism Board and therefore conflict of interest has been sighted.

Following the above issues, several meetings were convened to discourage Uganda Wildlife Authority from putting gorilla permits online and this ended up attracting the attention of the Minister of Tourism and Wildlife who has instituted a committee comprising of representatives from AUTO, Local Communities , Uganda tourism board and Uganda Wildlife Authority and is to be chaired by The Ministry of Tourism. Out comes of this committee will be communicated later.

There fore as of now this system to put Ugandan gorilla permits online has temporarily stalled till further notice.

RWANDA

Just as in Uganda,even in Rwanda this mechanism has also totally failed due to various issues that have created divergent views towards the application of this module. The private sector also smelt a rat in being driven out of business. However Rwanda still receives a lot of tourists taking gorilla safaris into Volcanoes National Park.

CONGO

Unlike in Uganda and Rwanda where efforts have been made though still at infant stage,in Congo this mode of online gorilla booking has never been thought of and there are no signs of conceiving such an idea.

With fewer than 900 mountain gorillas that are left in the world today, Uganda is incredibly one of a must to visit destinations for you to catch a glimpse of these unique Apes while in their natural habitat.

The two gorilla parks; Bwindi Impenetrable Forest and Mgahinga National Park are the only 2 (two) protected areas in Uganda that reward gorilla trekkers on Uganda safari with lifetime experiences. The two protected are part of the only 4 (four) national parks where these spectacular Apes are tracked in the wild. The Virunga National Park in Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Volcanoes National Park in Northwestern Rwanda are the other conservation areas where visitors realize their dreams with these large primates. When you think about lifetime adventures in Africa, Uganda is incomparably one of the most exceptional destinations that you shouldn’t miss to visit. About 480 mountain gorillas out of 900 that thrive on earth are all confined in Uganda’s thick jungles in Bwindi Forest and Mgahinga National Park.

Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site which is situated in Southwestern Uganda and it is bordered by Kanungu, Kisoro and Kabale districts. It offers refuge to more than 400 mountain gorillas making it the highland of mountain gorillas in the world. Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park features as the only protected area in the world with about half of all these Great Apes that thrive in the world. And Mgahinga National Park is a home to only 80 individuals.

Mgahinga National Park is situated on the extreme Southwestern Uganda and it is one of the 3 (three) protected areas that make up the Great Virunga Mountain ranges that are shared by Uganda, DR Congo and Rwanda. Bwindi Impenetrable National Park features several habituated gorilla families, Mgahinga National Park only has one group (Nyakagezi) for visitors to track every day of which visitors are not guaranteed to find this migratory group though it has settled at Mgahinga National Park and this explains why few tourists visit the park for this life changing adventure.

Bwindi National Park alone features about 11 (eleven) habituated gorilla troops which tourists track each day making it one of the most sought after destination for this lifetime experience. Besides, Bwindi National Park features 4 (four) main tracking areas each of which come with gorilla groups; Buhoma sector which lies North of Bwindi comes with Mubare, Habinyanja and Rushegura group; Ruhija sector East of Bwindi features Bitukura, Oruzogo, Kyaguriro family; in the south-Nkuringo sector you will track Nkuringo family or Visit Rushaga area and track Nshongi, Kahungye, Busingye and Bweza. This means that there are over 88 permits that are available for visitors to purchase to track mountain gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park and only 8 (eight) permits are available for visitors on a safari to Mgahinga National Park.

Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park is exceptionally the only protected area in the world where Gorilla Habituation Experience is conducted. Habituation experience allows visitors to spend 4 hours on a face to face encounter with the Great Apes while in their natural habitat unlike the usual trek which is conducted across all the gorilla protected areas which allows only one hour for visitors to strike their imaginations with these impressive creatures in the wild. Two families (Bushaho and Kinigi) have been set for this tremendous adventure in Bwindi National Park.

While Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park is best known to be the only national park in the world where chimpanzees and over 350 distinct birdlife share with mountain gorillas the same habitat, Mgahinga National Park is also the spot where Golden monkeys thrive with the rare mountain gorillas in the same habitat in Uganda.

In terms of safari lodges and accommodation, Bwindi offers a wide range of accommodation (about 95% safari lodges confined within Bwindi alone) for visitors to choose from while on safari in the park. They range from budget, mid range to Luxury and in Mgahinga National Park, there are few lodges for tourists to make a choice and others are found in Kisoro town.

When it comes to accessibility, Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park can be accessed through other protected areas. When you are in Queen Elizabeth National Park, it is reachable with 2 (two) hours’ drive from the North of Bwindi. This means that visitors can combine wildlife viewing in Queen Elizabeth National Park where he or she will have a chance to catch a glimpse of the rare tree climbing lions at Ishasha sector or go for the most exciting and thrilling boat cruise along the Kazinga channel to sight the largest population of hippos and crocodiles or visit Kibale National Park for the most rewarding chimpanzee adventures and then continue Bwindi National Park for mountain gorilla trekking.

In conclusion, Bwindi and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park are among Uganda’s ten (10) most spectacular conservation areas. They are the only places where mountain gorillas are protected. The two parks are all accessible by road and air. By road, visitors can take Kampala-Ntungamo-Kagaba-Rukungiri, Kihihi and finally to Butogota and Buhoma. By air, you can fly from Entebbe International Airport or Kajjansi Airfield to Kisoro Airstrip and you will make your dream come true in Uganda.

To trek mountain gorillas in Uganda, Rwanda or the Democratic Republic of Congo, you need a gorilla permit that is why we regard it as an essential tool. It is what offers you a chance to track only one habituated gorilla family in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, Mgahinga Gorilla National Park in southwestern Uganda, Volcanoes National Park in the Northern Province of Rwanda or Virunga National Park in eastern DR Congo.

Whether you are first-time or repeat traveler, for any plans to trek mountain gorillas in Uganda, Rwanda or DR Congo, our advice is to book your gorilla permit as early as you can since there is high demand for gorilla permits.

In Uganda, about 21 gorilla families have been habituated and 20 of them can be tracked in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park and only one is available for trekking in Mgahinga National Park. Each gorilla permit costs $600 per person but from 1st July, Uganda will be issuing its gorilla permits at US$700 per trekker-for foreign non-residents whereas in Rwanda, 80 gorilla permits are available for booking with each costing US$1500 per person per trek and DRC, there are 64 gorilla permits and each is obtainable at US$450 per person.

Deal with a trustworthy recognized reliable ground tour operator and in Uganda, we are among a few or get in touch with a reservationist at Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) although the process usually tends to be tedious. To book for you a gorilla permit, please send your email with dates you wish to track gorillas and we shall check the availability of gorilla permits for you as you sit back home. The dates you intend to track gorillas are available, we shall reserve a permit for you and you will be required to make a deposit.

In case you have any plans to explore mountain gorillas in Uganda, Rwanda or DRC this coming season, please book for your permit at least 3-6 months before embarking on the actual trek. To other visitors, they even reserve permits 2 years earlier. Booking a permit in advance comes with lots of benefits as it gets you out of the stressful moment to book a permit at last minute the fact that demand gorilla permits are on high demand.

The dry season which is also best known as high/peak season is the busiest period for all Uganda’s national parks and you really need to secure your permit earlier enough to avoid any kind of disappointment. The high or dry season in Uganda or Rwanda starts in the months of June, July, August, September, and December, January, February. But this doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t book permit early during the wet or rainy season which starts from the month of March, April, May and from October to November.

Securing a gorilla permit in advance for your gorilla safari makes it easier to plan for other things including means of transportation, accommodation options and many other exciting activities you need to fix in your travel plan.

Tracking/trekking mountain gorillas with Uganda or Rwanda will cost you some money but the money charged for gorilla tracking is worth the activity. In Uganda it will cost you a onetime fee of US$600 this applies to high seasons and US$350 in the lower seasons of April, May and November. Rwanda gorilla are tracked at a fee of US$1500 all year.

This money gives you chance to access these endangered mountain gorillas for only one hour. Indeed the whole of these amount sounds much and it’s a heart breaker, but the money comes ounce and goes and gorilla tracking is an opportunity that comes ounce in a life since these apes are not like other primate, gorilla species or mammal species that can be seen in zoos or under captivity meeting them in their natural habitat is the only option which requires moving deep into the forest to meet them, feeding domesticated monkeys, visiting animals in zoos among other activities have their places of course but a magical encounter with the mountain gorillas is true wildlife at its best. You get up close and individual with enormous creatures and there are few more exciting, intimidating and impressive sight than a 200kg silverback male standing on two feet and beating his chest at you, just to let you know who’s the boss, without doubt by this time you will know who is the boss.

Is it possible to see the mountain gorillas in Rwanda or Uganda?

True, you can track mountain gorillas in three countries that’s Uganda, Rwanda and the Democratic republic of Congo, however due to some political instability in DRC many tourists prefer tracking in Rwanda and Uganda. To some trekkers, gorilla tracking experience appears not to be the same based on gorilla families and forests where these endangered apes live, the gorilla permit fees among others. So Uganda or Rwanda? Which should you choose?

In Uganda:

TRANSPORT: in Uganda, mountain gorillas are tracked in Bwindi impenetrable national park and Mgahinga gorilla forest national park both located in the south western part of Uganda. It involves a whole day drive from Kampala to one of the parks. Though these parks are far, it is easy to access. From Kampala it’s about 7-9 hours to arrive at Bwindi national park the most visited park for gorilla tracking in Uganda. So you have to leave Kampala very early in the morning to start up your journey to the southern part of the country. However the long distance makes the journey more adventurous, it involves stopovers at any interesting spot to admire nature. Accommodation within and around the park are very many ranging from budget to up market,

BOOKING: all bookings are done through the Uganda wildlife Authority, its headquarters are at Kamwokya Kampala. They are more effective than their Rwandan brothers and are much more open to emails and phone calls etc. About 88 permits are available each day in Bwindi impenetrable national park and 8 people at Mgahinga gorilla forest national park. However you can book your gorilla permit through a tour company as they have easy access to these permits than individuals over 80% priority is given to tour companies and tour operators. Uganda gorilla permits are based on first come first served basis so the earlier to book your gorilla permit the better to avoid disappointment at least 2- 5 month

VISAS: visas is a must to any traveler to Uganda , however some nations are visa prone due to a bi lateral agreement signed between Uganda and other nations include, Canada, US, Australia, ) don’t require any prior work. Just arrive at the border, pay your $100 and you’re in. Only single entry visas are available.

GORILLAS: Amazing of course, with over 11 gorilla groups in Uganda and one gorilla group Nyakagezi in Mgahinga gorilla forest, the groups are impressive. Tracking activities are conducted every day with tracking activities starting at the park headquarters. The rainforest here is reportedly denser when you compare it to the volcanoes forest of Rwanda so the photographic opportunities aren’t necessarily as presentable however, as a silverback runs across your path that’ll be the least of your worries! The trek from the park to the gorillas range from 1 to 8 hours depending on the gorilla movement and family group.

In Rwanda:

TRANSPORT:

Volcanoes national park is located in Musanze the closest town to volcanoes national park in Ruhengeri, possibly about 2-3 hours’ drive from Kigali Rwanda’s capital city. A day one gorilla trip is very possible check on our safari packages. You can depart early from Kigali and do an activity in the evening, you can do a city tour before your depart to the park. Accommodations are very many at the park from budget to up market accommodation.

BOOKING:

Rwanda gorilla permits are acquired through the ORPTN office in Kigali or at the park headquarters in Kiningi. You can book direct at the headquarters or through a tour company organizing your safari. About 80 gorilla permits are sold every day since volcanoes national park is a home to 10 habituated gorilla groups which are readily available to receive visitors every day. You are advised to book in advance as Rwanda gorilla permits are at a very high demand at times permits get finished so easily. Like in Uganda, it’s easier to get gorilla permits through a tour company organizing your safari than booking individually. Ounce you acquire your gorilla permit it’s a guarantee for tracking.

VISAS: Available on the border and in the airport and generally cost $100 for 30 days. No problems at all.

GORILLAS:

According to the mountain gorilla population conducted in Rwanda, the country is known for housing the second highest population of mountain gorillas after Uganda, over 360 remaining mountain gorillas live in volcanoes national park, with the easier to spot gorilla families, the scenery allows for better photos making it known as best gorilla safari destination in the world. The park is known for housing 10 gorilla habituated groups ready to receive visitors every day and 2 gorilla families are used for research purpose. In each gorilla group only 8 members are allowed to track and only one hour is allowed to stay with these apes, however this one hour is a memorable one when you come face to face with a baby gorillas rolling around at your feet to Silverbacks charging around within a meter or two of you, it will take your breath away. Tracking can go up to 8 hours according to a gorilla family you’ve trekked

Uganda or Rwanda

This question is a bit very tricky, however to vast majority of the people who have trekked in both countries they seem to say that they visit Rwanda for a wonderful gorilla trek although the experience is the same.

Mountain Gorillas on a budget? There are several tour companies and countless tour operator who are ready to organize your gorilla trek and make your experience a memorable one.

Gorilla Tracking is one of the best adventure activities you can do on your holiday in Africa and Uganda is considered as the best gorilla safari destination in the world hosting almost a half of the world’s population. Just as in Rwanda with out a gorilla permit, tracking gorillas is completely difficult to attain your dream of setting your eyes on an African giants in their natural habitat.

Uganda like it’s counterpart Rwanda are one of the few countries that stood up to fight and ensure the survival of the last remaining mountain gorillas in the world and by the time of writing there are about 880 remaining mountain gorillas in the wild. So becoming among the few in the world to set your eye on these apes is a moment in life that you will never forget.

It is very common for self catered travelers to get disappointed when they fail to get a gorilla permit, you can spend months in Uganda without getting a gorilla permit, that’s why you are advised in order to enjoy your Uganda safari majorly gorilla tracking safari, book with one of Uganda tour companies that will probably organize your safari and secure your gorilla tracking permit in time. Uganda has very many tour companies with well professional tour consultants, guides and drivers who will organize and make your safari more fantastic.

If you’re interested in a gorilla safari it is always advised not to do it at the last minutes as you have to bear in mind that gorilla permits are always on a high demand and they are always sold on a first come first served basis. The travel company you book with will always advice you that if you wish to do gorilla tracking in Uganda you will need to book your gorilla safari at least 2-3 months before your safari so that you can be advised accordingly by the safari company organizing your safari on availability in case they are found to be an available.

Gorillas in Uganda can be tracked in Bwindi Impenetrable national park and the Mgahinga National Park both located in the southwestern part of Uganda near the Virunga Mountains. Bwind only has over 10 gorilla groups and Mgahinga has one gorillas group called the Nyakagezi Gorilla Group.

This group tends to migrate to the democratic republic of Cong or Rwanda in search of different adventures although ever since they returned back in the park in 2012 they have stayed. Only 8 members are allowed to track in each group, so if you pay in time your gorilla permit get processed easily and also you get assigned easily to a group. Gorilla permits in Uganda are tracked at a cost of US$700 per person per tracking, and you are strictly allowed staying with gorillas for only one hour while observing their behaviors, as well as taking photography

There are one or two reasons as to why a self catered traveler can miss gorilla trekking in Uganda. It may sound some what doubtable but in most cases it happens and it may at one moment happen to you. So if it hasn’t do not say that I did not tell you. UWA the organization in charge of issuing out Gorilla permits to so ever would like to go tracking in Uganda primarily pays more attention to tour operators than independent travelers and you will need to book your safari through a travel company.

It’s not cheap flights that determine the cost of gorilla trekking tours in Africa but the travel period and prices of gorilla permits counts much making Uganda and Democratic Republic of Congo the most budget gorilla trekking destinations in Africa. Those planning for budget gorilla trekking tours in Africa, better to visit your favorite destination in low season months for great discounts and offers.

For Uganda gorilla treks low season months start early April, May and November. However, for those planning to track gorillas in Congo on Budget, mid march- mid May is the best time to book budget Congo gorilla safaris though you can still get best budget offers during other months of the year. If you’ve given up all hope of finding a cheap gorilla trekking tour overseas  Rwanda ,then worry not because Uganda and Congo are still top budget safari destinations  with exclusive primate safari experience that you can’t find anywhere in the world.

Uganda Gorilla Trekking Tours

Nice weather, abundant wildlife, primates, landscape, birds, lakes and culture is all you find in the Pearl of Africa-Uganda. I advise you to look at its off peak months (April, May, and November) because they really make gorilla trekking tours very cheap and affordable. Even when you chose to explore the other exciting tour adventures in the country it’s still affordable. You will find Uganda simply the best country for gorilla trekking safaris year round no matter when you visit. Besides, the country has two mountain gorilla trekking parks; Bwindi Impenetrable Forest and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park offering life changing experience to tourists especially primate lovers.

Uganda gorilla permits go for $600 for both parks year round accept during the low season months when they cost lower than $600.You can also experience the Uganda ancient culture of the Batwa people-known as the traditional forest people, engage in different community projects like visiting home steads, schools and hospitals, taking nature walks into the forest to different waterfalls and monkey station paradise. While in any Uganda gorilla trekking park, it’s very easy to connect to other Uganda national parks including Queen Elizabeth, Kibale forest, Murchison falls, Lake Mburo, Rwenzori among others .Good budget hotels that cater for every interest are sited within and close to different tourist attractions so you won’t look move a distance for food and overnight stay.

Congo Gorilla Trekking Tours

Great place to escape on budge since low season gorilla permits only cost $200 per a trek a price that saves for other trip essentials like transport, accommodation and visa fee. They have accommodations for budget and the park is usually not congested year round.Virunga national Park is a great place for mountain gorilla trekking tours  for group, sole and family holidays.

No one visits Congo and leave without enjoying super relaxing incredible views of the hilly landscape, Nyiragongo volcanoes, Rwenzori among others. It’s closely accessed by road from Rwanda and Uganda so it’s best for those willing to explore other countries like Uganda or Rwanda. Best value for money and memories is the only reward you get when you track gorillas in Democratic Republic Congo.

Other things you won’t miss out is the luxurious bush natural experience as you search the endangered gorillas. Charge your camera for the day because you will have several moments to capture for future reference.

This is one of the most frequently asked questions about gorilla safaris in Rwanda. And it is also perhaps the most difficult to answer. So many variables are involved, and if they all conspire against you, you could be I for a genuinely exhausting outing indeed, on rare occasions; the guides have have to carry tourists down.

On the other hand,if everything falls in your favour, the excursion will be little more demanding than the proverbial stroll in the park. The trek to see the gorillas has two distinct phases. The first is the hike from the closest car park to the forest and national park boundary, which usually takes 30-60 minutes depending on the speed of the party and the group they are visiting. The second is the trek into the forest in search of the gorillas, which will usually have been located by the advance trackers by the time tourists reach the forest edge. This might take anything from 10minutes to 2hours, but 20-30 minutes is typical, especially for those groups whose territory lies closer to the forest edge.

The first part of the trek is predictable, and it is usually quite flat and undemanding unless you are going to the Susa group, which involves a longer and steeper ascent. The second part is more difficult to predict, as it will depend on the exact location of the gorillas on the day, and the steepness of the terrain en route.

Other factors in determining how tough it will be include the destiny of the vegetation bending and crawling through the jungle can be tiring , especially if you have to dodge vicious nettles and whether it has rained recently , in which case everything will be muddier and quite slippery underfoot. At risk of stating the obvious, age and fitness levels are the key factors in how difficult the hike will feel. Susa group aside, moderately fit people under the age of 40 seldom feel any significant strain, but a high proportion of trackers are in their 50s or 60s in which case the hike might be somehow  tougher.

Some older trackers or travellers find tracking gorillas quite demanding, it is very unusual that they are so daunted as to turn back. An important factor is determining how difficult the hike will be is which group you are allocated. As a rule, the hike to the Susa group is the most demanding but also the most rewarding, with than 40 gorillas on show, while the Sabyinyo group is the most reliably straight forward to reach. The hikes to Kwitonda, Hirwa and group thirteen are also usually quite undemanding, whereas the hikes to the Amahoro and Umubano groups tend to be more difficult, but not as tough as the Susa group.

Unfortunately, these things aren’t set in stone, and any group might be unusually demanding or easy to reach on a bad day. Furthermore, nobody can guarantee which group you will be allocated in advance. However , the guides at Kinigi do make a conscious attempt to match individuals to the most suitable group, especially if they are asked to. Generally, the party for the Susa group consists of lean-looking under 30s while the opposite holds true for the Sabyinyo party. Two further factors are uneven underfoot conditions and high altitude.

Most visitors to Africa live in towns and cities where roads and sidewalks are paved, and parks are serviced by neatly maintained footpaths, so they are unused to walking on the more irregular and seasonally slippery surfaces typical of the scent paths and forest floor. It will help enormously in this regard to wear strong water proof shoes or hiking boots with a good tread and solid ankle support. Furthermore, if you think you might struggle in these conditions, there is a lot to be said for avoiding the rainy seasons, in particular March-May, when conditions can be dauntingly muddy. Don’t underestimate the tiring effect of altitude.

The trekking takes place at elevations of 2,500-3,000m above sea level, not high enough for altitude sickness to be a concern but sufficient to knock the breath out of anybody no matter how fit who has just flown in from a low altitude. For this reason, visitors who are spending a while in Rwanda might think seriously about leaving their gorilla tracking until they have been in the country a week or so and are better acclimatized. Most of Rwanda lies above 1,500m, and much of the country is higher a couple of days at Nyungwe, which lies above 2,000m, would be good preparation for the Virungas. Likewise, if you are coming from elsewhere in Africa try to plan your itinerary so that you spend your last pre- Rwanda days at medium to high altitude, for example  were you flying to Kenya, a few days in Nairobi 2,300m or even the Masai Mara 1,600m would be far better preparation than time at the coast.

Guides will generally offer you a walking stick at the start of the hike, and even if you normally shun such props, it is worth taking up the offer to help support you on those slippery mountain paths. If you have luggage, hire a porter too. Once on the trail, take it easy, and don’t be afraid to ask to stop for a few minutes whenever you feel tired. Drink plenty of water, and carry some quick calories biscuits and chocolate can both be bought at supermarkets in Ruhengeri.

If you are carrying much gear and food or water, its advisable to hire one of the porters who hang about at the park in the hope of work. Tourists who refuse a porter for ‘ethical reasons’ are simply denying income to poor locals and making it harder for them to gain any benefit from tourism. The good news is that most people who track gorillas find the hike to be far less demanding than they expect, and in 99% of cases, whatever exhaustion you might feel on the way up will vanish with the adrenalin charge that follows the first sighting of a silverback gorilla.