WHAT CAN I COMBINE WITH GORILLA TREKKING?

WHAT CAN I COMBINE WITH GORILLA TREKKING? 

It depends on which country you chose for gorilla tracking, if you choose tracking with Uganda; you can even spend a couple of weeks in Uganda. Uganda has a variety of incredible tourist attractions inhabited in Uganda’s top national parks. Uganda is  home to over 10 national parks and game reserves all these protected areas inhabit incredible features which attract a big  number of travelers to have a glance at them. So once in Uganda, you can combine your gorilla tracking safari with a number of very many interesting activities including primate watch, birding, game viewing, white water rafting at the source of the Nile, enjoy the amazing cultural experience which is incomparable in the sub-Saharan region, mountaineering among many others .

Uganda has incredible land scape which is attractive, all these can be combined with gorilla tracking and makes your safari memorable. In order to be in position to enjoy all these features its better you book for more days in Uganda so that you can enjoy some of these interesting activities for a memorable one. you can combine gorillas with wildlife(Bwindinational park and Queen Elizabeth national park) gorillas and chimpanzee(Bwindiand KibaleN.P) a 10 day plus long safari can cover all these attractions.

If you want short safaris, Rwanda is the best country to visit, a one day gorilla safari is very possible, drive very early from Kigali and report at the park headquarters in kinigi before 7:00am for briefing and then after set into the forest for gorilla tracking and then after, drive back to Kigali. It is just about 2 hours’ drive from Kigali Rwanda’s capital to volcanoes national park in the northern part of Rwanda a home to the endangered mountain gorillas. Although you can still combine gorilla tracking with primate tricking in Nyungge forest national park in the south of Rwanda,  or wildlife viewing in Akagera national park in east of Rwanda. There is no way you can leave Rwanda without taking a city tour and have a glance on many interesting places like the Kigali genocide memorial site, national museum, marketing places, handicraft shops among many more. If you still have more days in Rwanda, you can still take a few days of relaxation on Lake Kivu Rwanda’s freshest water body with very many interesting activities like swimming, beach volley ball, boat ride.

Safaris in the Democratic republic of Congo are very minimal, the country has few interesting attractions but you can combine gorilla tracking with Niyaragongo Volcano Climb which is an incredible activity.

However, you can track gorillas in all these countries on the same safari as well as enjoying other interesting activities if you have more days. So it depends on your interests, budget and the number of days you wish to stay on the safari and more so the country you wish to visit for gorilla tracking.for more information about gorilla tracking with other interesting safari activities check on on website or contact us at http://www.elephantsafaris.co.ug/contact-us.php

10 THINGS YOU CAN'T MISS ON A SAFARI IN UGANDA

Uganda is endowed by very many natural wonders waiting for you to explore and are very difficult to miss when you’re on a safari to this ‘’Pearl of Africa‘’. Uganda is regarded as the best safari destination and loved by those who have visited it. Visitors to Uganda can enjoy many outstanding attractions found in the Uganda’s national parks and reserves which provide uncrowded viewing of the varied animals, birds and plant species.  To mention some of the secrets you can’t miss when on the Ugandan safari include!

·       

  Mountain Gorillas- with no question Uganda is known for its mountain gorillas and its one of the three countries in the world where these species still exist, the other two are Rwanda and the democratic republic of Congo. Uganda is refers to the best gorilla safari destination as it houses almost a half of the world’s population over 480 individuals live in Bwindi impenetrable forest nationalpark and mgahinga gorilla forest national park out of 880 individuals that live worldwide, the rest is shared by Rwanda and DRC. Several gorillas tracking family are available for tracking in the three regions of the park that’s Buhoma side in the northwestern side, Ruhija in the North east, Nkuringo in the southwest and in Rushaga area in the southeast. Many tourists whole over the world come to Uganda purpose to track gorillas making it a must not miss activity when on a Ugandan safari.

·          Mountain Hiking – Hiking is one of the most interesting activities you can’t miss on a Ugandan safari, hiking can be done on the Rwenzori Mountains which is sometimes referred to as mountains of the moon. it provide challenging climbing expedition for those who are physically fit. The Rwenzori Mountains is the third highest mountain in Africa, hiking also on the Mt. Elgon/Sipi Falls is also rewarding to all sorts of tourists. reaching at the top of the peak is a memorable experience you can’t miss on the Ugandan safari

·         Lake Expeditions—Uganda is the home to the second largest lake in the world and also the source of the Nile which provide stunning activities like swimming and water rafting or one can perform a bungee jump into the fresh river for adventure lovers, other small lakes that you can’t miss to visit when on a Ugandan safari include lake George and Edward, Lake Mburo, Lake Mutanda, Lake Bunyonyi and lake Murehe in the south western Uganda are very clear and in a breathtaking environmental setting. All these offer attractions like boat cruise, fishing white sand beaches among other activities.

·         Kidepo Valley National Park – this far Uganda national park has very many untouched wonders waiting for you to discover, it’s one of Uganda’s top gifted national parks with very many attractions ranging from the big five mammals such as  Lions, elephants, buffaloes, leopard and countless other wildlife are waiting for you. You can reach the park by a plane from Entebbe up to the park or you can go by road, you have to reserve an extra day if your road transport.

·          Adventure Safari – Bungee jumping, abseiling, and white water rafting – Uganda is well known among adventure travelers. On the White Nile, one can perform a bungee jump into the fresh river or go for white water rafting. In Kapchorwa, our travelers love to hike along the Sipi Falls, but also abseiling is possible from these more than 100 m deep falls.

·         Ugandan Kitchen – no visitor come to Uganda minus testing the traditional Uganda food. Local food like matooke, kaloo, yam, G.nut Chapati, are just a few of the many traditional food found in Uganda, try to test a different ingredients Ugandans use when preparing food that you might have never tested before.

·         Primates and Culture Hiking – Uganda is one of the gifted countries in the whole world for housing almost 13 species of primates coupled with chimpanzee the most close relative of man sharing almost 98% of human DNA make- up. Other primate species include the black and white colobus monkey, baboons, civet monkeys; golden monkeys grey checked manga bay the least is endless. Go to Kibale forest National park, Queen Elizabeth national park, Semulik valley national park, Budongo forest national in Murchison falls national park. Chimps plus other primate species, they are fabulous fan to watch when playing in fruitful trees as well as taking as many photos as you can.

·          Cultural hiking on a Uganda safari is also breathtaking as you will meet the neighboring people around the park, explain to you how they have managed to live in the area for a long period of time and also learn more about their culture. You can join them during their song and dance performances, it’s so interesting.

·       

  Tree Climbing Lions – this is a must not miss activity at the park, visit the queen Elizabeth national park to have a glance at these rare animals lion climbing trees and they can be spotted in the southern sector of the park that’s the Ishasha part of QENP.  

·         Night Safari Game Walks/Drives :  its only in Uganda where you can do a night game drive to catch up with more games like leopard, hyena among other nocturnal predators in Murchison falls  national park, QENP and  Lake Mburo N.P.

AMAZED BY THE GORILLAS OF AFRICA

With no doubt, there is no word that can explain the magical encounter with the remaining mountain gorillas in the world, unless you personally take a visit to their home and spend at least one hour with them what you will see you won’t see it anywhere else. It’s an extraordinary moment to sit with the few remaining mountain gorillas in the world. Only about 900 mountain gorillas are said to be left in the world and they are shared by three countries in Africa which is Uganda, Rwanda and the democratic republic of Congo. There are three subspecies of gorillas including the low land gorillas, western low-land gorillas, cross river gorillas and the, mountain gorillas all these apes are found in Africa. Mountain gorillas are the most visited subspecies since they are habituated to human standards and they can be tracked safely in their natural habitat without any harm caused to human. Lowland gorillas can be tracked in the Democratic republic of Congo although meeting them is not a guarantee chance of meeting them stands very low.

My friend who had visited Uganda for a gorilla safari told me how great it is when you come across the remaining mountain gorillas in their natural habitat, he tracked the gorillas in Bwindi impenetrable national park and he tracked in the buhoma side of the park since it’s regarded as one of the easy to track gorilla family. He advised me this time round that I should include gorilla tracking if am to take a safari to Africa. I started saving money since he told me that to a Uganda gorilla tracking permit costs usd$ 600 per person so I had to prepare in advance since I wanted to travel with my wife on this magnificent gorilla safari.

After acquiring the money I needed, I booked with the same company Elephant Safaris Ltd) which he referred me to. I wrote to them inquiring for a 3 days gorilla safari to Uganda indicating my dates of travel, within few hours Augustine replied to me with a friendly price, I couldn’t wait to book with them. They sent me my safari itinerary indicating accommodation, safari activities, meals, transportation among others. On our day of travel, we jet into Entebbe international airport where we met our safari driver/ guide who briefed us about the safari and later drove us to our booked accommodation in Kampala. We were so excited, following the morning our driver came and picked us and drove us to southwestern part of Uganda to Bwindi impenetrable national park. On the way, we made stopovers at any interesting places including at the equator crossing at Kayabwe, we took snacks and photography, we also stopped at the drum making area and we bought some locally made items. From here with a fantastic view with rolling hills and fantastic views we continued up to the park, we arrived late in the evening, we relaxed at the lodge (Mohagany springs) as we wait for tomorrow’s most breathtaking moment in life gorilla tracking.

 I was always wondering how one can come close to these endangered mountain apes close in their natural habitat very deep in the forest. However since my friend had already shared the gorilla tracking experience with me and the film I read like that of Diane Fossy(gorillas in the mist) made me to realize they can be met safely in their natural habitat deep in the forest since they are habituated to human standards. Our guide informed us earlier that we should wake up every early on the day of gorilla tracking which we maintained. On calling us we were already awake, we took up our breakfast then after our guide drove us to the park headquarters where we met other trekkers, we were briefed by the park wardens about the dos and don’ts while with gorillas.  We joined other members and we become eight in a group, we followed the ranger guide to the forest to begin the search of our close relatives’ mountain gorillas. To each of us, since it was our first experience we were so excited, we trekked for about 3-4 hours passing through muddy and steep slopes until when we find them. We forgot all the troubles we met while searching them and we utilize the one hour strictly allowed with them. It was a breathtaking moment looking eye to eye with these few remaining endangered mountain gorillas, I wouldn’t believe that I was the one, a silver back started moving towards me but immediately my guide told me to squat down and let it to pass  but I was scared I thought it was going to harm me. In the process of tracking we met many other forest dwellers including primate species, birds and many butterflies. After observing as well as taking photos we went slowly back to the park headquarters, we received certificate of participating in the gorilla tracking activity, from here we drove back to lodge for late lunch. In the evening, we had time to visit the local community who entertained us through their cultural songs and music.

Our last day of the safari was reserved for departure back home. Really this was a great experience, those who haven’t got this chance it’s high time to book a gorilla safari to Africa.

AMAZED BY THE GORILLAS OF AFRICA

With no doubt, there is no word that can explain the magical encounter with the remaining mountain gorillas in the world, unless you personally take a visit to their home and spend at least one hour with them what you will see you won’t see it anywhere else. It’s an extraordinary moment to sit with the few remaining mountain gorillas in the world. Only about 900 mountain gorillas are said to be left in the world and they are shared by three countries in Africa which is Uganda, Rwanda and the democratic republic of Congo. There are three subspecies of gorillas including the low land gorillas, western low-land gorillas, cross river gorillas and the, mountain gorillas all these apes are found in Africa. Mountain gorillas are the most visited subspecies since they are habituated to human standards and they can be tracked safely in their natural habitat without any harm caused to human. Lowland gorillas can be tracked in the Democratic republic of Congo although meeting them is not a guarantee chance of meeting them stands very low. 

My friend who had visited Uganda for a gorilla safari told me how great it is when you come across the remaining mountain gorillas in their natural habitat, he tracked the gorillas in Bwindi impenetrablenational park and he tracked in the buhoma side of the park since it’s regarded as one of the easy to track gorilla family. He advised me this time round that I should include gorilla tracking if am to take a safari to Africa. I started saving money since he told me that to a Uganda gorilla tracking permit costs usd$ 600 per person so I had to prepare in advance since I wanted to travel with my wife on this magnificent gorilla safari.

After acquiring the money I needed, I booked with the same company Elephant Safaris Ltd) which he referred me to. I wrote to them inquiring for a 3 days gorilla safari to Uganda indicating my dates of travel, within few hours Augustine replied to me with a friendly price, I couldn’t wait to book with them. They sent me my safari itinerary indicating accommodation, safari activities, meals, transportation among others. On our day of travel, we jet into Entebbe international airport where we met our safari driver/ guide who briefed us about the safari and later drove us to our booked accommodation in Kampala. We were so excited, following the morning our driver came and picked us and drove us to southwestern part of Uganda to Bwindi impenetrable national park. On the way, we made stopovers at any interesting places including at the equator crossing at Kayabwe, we took snacks and photography, we also stopped at the drum making area and we bought some locally made items. From here with a fantastic view with rolling hills and fantastic views we continued up to the park, we arrived late in the evening, we relaxed at the lodge (Mohagany springs) as we wait for tomorrow’s most breathtaking moment in life gorilla tracking.

 I was always wondering how one can come close to these endangered mountain apes close in their natural habitat very deep in the forest. However since my friend had already shared the gorilla tracking experience with me and the film I read like that of Diane Fossy(gorillas in the mist) made me to realize they can be met safely in their natural habitat deep in the forest since they are habituated to human standards. Our guide informed us earlier that we should wake up every early on the day of gorilla tracking which we maintained. On calling us we were already awake, we took up our breakfast then after our guide drove us to the park headquarters where we met other trekkers, we were briefed by the park wardens about the dos and don’ts while with gorillas.  We joined other members and we become eight in a group, we followed the ranger guide to the forest to begin the search of our close relatives’ mountain gorillas. To each of us, since it was our first experience we were so excited, we trekked for about 3-4 hours passing through muddy and steep slopes until when we find them. We forgot all the troubles we met while searching them and we utilize the one hour strictly allowed with them. It was a breathtaking moment looking eye to eye with these few remaining endangered mountain gorillas, I wouldn’t believe that I was the one, a silver back started moving towards me but immediately my guide told me to squat down and let it to pass  but I was scared I thought it was going to harm me. In the process of tracking we met many other forest dwellers including primate species, birds and many butterflies. After observing as well as taking photos we went slowly back to the park headquarters, we received certificate of participating in the gorilla tracking activity, from here we drove back to lodge for late lunch. In the evening, we had time to visit the local community who entertained us through their cultural songs and music. 

Our last day of the safari was reserved for departure back home. Really this was a great experience, those who haven’t got this chance it’s high time to book a gorilla safari to Africa.