WHEN TO GO FOR GORILLA TRACKING

Tracking mountain gorillas in Uganda is possible throughout the year due to favorable weather. However most people prefer to track for the gorillas in Uganda between the month of June and September and between December and February, these are the highest seasons. And during these months permits are at Avery high demand and it is recommended to book your gorilla permit earlier prior to your tracking date because permits are issued on first come first served basis the earlier the better. And the high seasons permits costs $600 per person including the park entry fee. However, tracking for the mountain gorillas over the low seasons is also possible and the gorilla permits are cheaper over the low seasons they cost $400 per person in the months of April and May. So tracking gorillas depends on client’s interest about when and how the budget is but either high seasons or low seasons gorilla tracking is a rewarding experience. they’re very many tour companies in Uganda that offer gorilla tracking services, and its highly recommended to use a duly registered and recognized tour companies to arrange your gorilla tracking and other safari activities in Uganda and Rwanda. It must be a member of the association of Uganda Tour Operation (AUTO).

Uganda’s Bwindi impenetrable national park has about 12 gorilla families; most of these are located in the northern part and southern part of the park which have a tropical rain forest. To mention some of the bwindi gorilla families include the Oruzogo, Kyaguiriro, Bitukura,Habiyanja, Rushegura, Mubare, Kahugye, Nshongi,Mishaya,Businye,Bweza and Nkuringo families. Only eight members are allowed to track in each group and you are escorted with a well-armed ranger guide to take you through the tropical rain forest. The tracking time is unpredictable it can go to a half or full day in the wild searching for our relatives, as meeting them depends on where they spent the last night from. Ounce their met you strictly allowed to stay with them for only one hour while observing their characters as well as taking as many photos as you can (flash cameras are not allowed).

Bwindi impenetrable national park is located in the south western part of Uganda close to the Rwanda border and about 540kms from Kampala Uganda’s capital and its largest city. The park is about 7-9 hours by road from Kampala. The park is also easily accessible by road from Kigali in Rwanda. The road trip from Kigali to Bwindi takes about three hours. There are a lot of accommodations options in Bwindi national park that range from budget to high end accommodation and are scattered within the park. It is best to book your accommodation through a Uganda based tour operator who would also be in charge of arranging your gorilla tracking permits and ground movement.

SPEND YOUR HONEY MOON WITH THE GORILLAS OF AFRICA

It is always very important to spend your honey moon in a place you’ve never been before and it’s always advised to plan this in advance. My last safari with my two clients on their honey moon safari was magnificent. Our company (Elephant safaris Ltd) received two couples who had come for a gorilla safari on an African continent Uganda in Bwindi impenetrable forest national park. They booked in advance and preparation were made earlier including booking gorilla permits, booking good accommodation, the vehicle was also well maintained just to ensure that everything goes well on such a special day which comes ounce in a life time.

Upon their arrival at Entebbe international airport, I met and briefed them about their safari after; I drove them to Boma Guest house where they slept that following night. The following day I took them for a city tour to visit some of the interesting places around the city, they visited the Kasubi tombs the burial place for the 4 kings of Buganda, national museum, and from here we drove to Namugongo shrine where over 22 Uganda martyrs were killed for failure to renounce their religion. They were very happy to visit these historical places, we had lunch in the city and after we embarked on our drive to the south western part of Uganda up to Lake Mburo national park. Before arriving at the park we had a stopover at the equator crossing for photography and snacks, I also took them to Mpambire drum making area and they bought some local made items, they happily enjoyed the journey. That day they slept at Mihingo safari lodge.

 Following the morning was a game drive in the Savannah area of the park they were able to see  zebra, warthogs, elephant, water bucks, topis, elands, leopards, hyenas, jackals bushbuck, sitatunga, common duiker, klipspringer buffaloes, various species of antelopes and many more. I drove back to the lodge for full breakfast and lunch and later in the evening the park guide took them for a forest walk, here they were gifted with more chances to explore the park on foot, and they saw many bird species and mammal like zebra, antelope species, warthogs that made their evening awesome. From lake Mburo I drove them to Bwindi impenetrable national park passing through Uganda’s rolling green hills through the highlands also known as the ‘’Switzerland of Uganda’’ here they were able to see the triangular peaks of the Virunga Volcanoes of Rwanda and the Congo, we continued down into the valley to Bwindi impenetrable national park.  That day they slept at Buhoma lodge, they appreciated the hotel setting, meals and everything was more than what they expected, each one was very eager to know what tomorrow will be since it was the day of their major highlight of their honeymoon safari to Uganda. 

Following the 5^th day of their safari was a transfer to the park headquarters, its where each visitor for gorilla trackinghas to first report  to receive short briefing about how to trek our close relatives from the senior park rangers. After the briefing, the park ranger led them into the forest to begin their life time experience activity gorilla tracking. This was almost a full day gorilla tracking activity but very rewarding, they were able to meet a gorilla family in the buhoma sector (Rushegura gorilla group) which is located in the northern part of the park. This gorilla family consists of over 17 members led by a dominant sliver back. They attributed the activity as too demanding although rewarding, that its needs some physical fitness because gorillas tend to leave deep into the forest; however the effort they put in during the search come to pass when they land on these giant apes making their dream come true. They studied the behaviors of gorillas as well as taking photography and they stayed with these mountain gorillas deep into the forest for one hour. They retired back to the headquarters where they had left and they won a certificate of participation in gorilla tracking. From here I drove them back to the lodge for refreshment and late lunch. In the evening I took them for a community walks where they were able to interrupt the local people who neighbor the park, they took them through their cultural dance and music, and also they explained to them how they have managed to live in the area. The night was spent at buhoma lodge with a fantastic dinner.

 Following the morning was a hearty breakfast and a transfer to Queen Elizabeth national park the most bio diversity park for wildlife, the drive took them to the Ishasha sector of the park a famous place for the rare tree climbing lions sited in fig tree or tree blouses. Here they were able to view various species of animals and a launch cruise on the Kazinga channel where Lake George and Edward connects chances of spotting more species of animals where high, they spotted schools of hippos, crocodile, elephant and buffaloes plus many species of birds including the rare shoebill. And at Queen Elizabeth National park they slept at Mweya safari lodge.

 The visitors were so much excited about having spent their honeymoon on a safari majorly the experience they had during the gorilla tracking, they appreciated me as their tour guide and the good arrangement by the company, they went back home happy but regretted the few days they stayed in Uganda, they promised to book with us another safari next year through our tour and travel company Elephant safaris Ltd.