GORILLA TREKKING SAFARIS TO UGANDA

You can’t talk about the pearl of Africa minus mentioning the endangered mountain gorillas, mountain gorillas has made Uganda very popular and gorilla tracking is known as Uganda’s leading tourism attraction and the most done adventurous activities in the world. Many tourists have been attracted to this small east African country to go wild to search for our closest relatives who shares almost 97% of human genes. Gorilla tracking has improved the wellbeing of both the government and the local people especially those live near the park where these apes live as a small percentage go to the local communities to improve their standards of living as more revenue are generated from these animals. 

Uganda houses a very big percentage of the remaining mountain gorillas out of the estimated 900 mountain gorillas left in the world, over 480 individuals live in the tropical forest of Bwindi impenetrable national park and Mgahinga gorilla forest national park both located in the southwestern part of Uganda in a drive of about 7-9 hours on a clear weather condition. Not only housing the highest percentage of these apes, Uganda is also considered the best gorilla safari destination for gorilla tracking. 

Spending one or two days with these endangered apes deep in the wild is regarded as a life time experience. Many gorilla safari packages can be possible for any traveler interested in gorilla safaris these include a 3 day gorilla safari Bwindi, 4 days gorillas and chimp tracking, 5 days gorilla trekking tour and many other combined safaris gorilla and wildlife among others. At Elephant Safaris Ltd can arrange for you a full gorilla safari package at a very friendly price including transportation and accommodation on a full board basis our guides are knowledgeable on the field. 

 You are advised to book your gorilla permit earlier as permits are at a very high demand, they are sold out on first come first served basis, and the earlier you secure your permit the better to avoid disappointment, book your permit at 2-5 months. This gives both the visitor and the Uganda Wildlife Authority ample time to plan for the best trip. 

The gorilla permits costs usd$600 per person and the fee includes the park entry fee and a ranger guide. Many travelers to Uganda prefer tracking gorillas in Bwindi impenetrable national park than in Mgahinga gorilla forest national park, Bwindi has 11 gorilla families ready for tracking and two gorilla groups which are reserved for research purpose, this means that 88 members are allowed to track each day and in each gorilla family, only eight members are allowed to track followed by a ranger guide. Mgahinga has only one gorilla family called Nyakagezi and the leader of this group is interested in adventure he likes moving to neighboring counties of Rwanda and DRC in search for adventure, the group is not stable, so those interested in tracking in this group, it’s recommended to confirm the group availability before booking. However the case may be, gorilla tracking experience remains the same. 

Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo are among the gifted three countries in the world to house these engendered apes. Book with us info@elephantsafaris.co.ug  we shall take you through the wild for gorilla tracking.

PARC NATIONAL DES VOLCANS (VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK)

Volcanoes national park is Rwanda’s most attractive protected park, it’s located in Ruhengeri musanze district in the north western region of Rwanda near the edge with the Virunga national park in the democratic republic of Congo and Mgahinga gorilla forest national park in Uganda.  Volcanoes national park is part of the Virunga Mountains, which is arrange of six extinct and three active volcanoes situated in Rwanda, Uganda and the Democratic republic of Congo. The park can be reached out in just about 2-3 hours’ drive from Kigali Rwanda’s capital and largest city up to the park, its easy access can enable one to do gorilla tracking and drive back to Kigali on the same day. 

The park covers an area of about 160sqkm and it is regarded as the oldest national park in Africa and it was gazetted in 1929 during the Belgian colonial times and it was then named Albert National park and extended into DRC. It was confirmed to remain a national park after the Rwanda independence to protect the Mountain gorillas that were facing the threat of extinction as a result of poaching. The park is regarded as one of the three countries that houses the rare mountain gorillas the other two are Uganda and the democratic republic of Congo; however Rwanda is regarded as the best safari destination for gorilla tracking as Rwanda gorillas are a little easier to track than that of Uganda and Rwanda houses almost a half of the world’s gorilla’s population. Tracking mountain gorillas is according to us, one of the absolute highlights of the journey anywhere in Africa the delight and excitement when meeting these gentle giants cannot be explained.

 George Schaller in 1960s and more recently an American zoologist Dian Fossy 1967 studied the behaviors of mountain gorillas to human standard for over a period of 20 years. Dian Fossy established her research base at a place between Visoke and Karisimbi volcanoes that was yet to be known as Karisoke research center. She fought herd against poachers and fronted the campaign of mobilizing resources against poaching activists, however her work was put to an end in 1985 when she was killed by the said poachers whom she had made herself very unpopular. She was buried at the research center next to the grave of her favorite gorilla called Digit. Without her persistent efforts to have poaching stamped out and the work of committed locals since her death, there is possibly wouldn’t be any gorillas remaining in Rwanda, and Rwanda could not be much known in terms of tourism as its today. 

Volcanoes national park is the only place for tracking mountain gorillas, however the park is also a home to other primate species likes the golden monkey (Cercopithecus mitis kandti), they are also regarded as endangered, the park also houses mammal species like spotted hyena, buffaloes, elephant, black fronted duiker, and bushbuck can also be seen. It also hosts over 250 species of birds including at 29 endemics to Rwenzori Mountains and the Virungas. 

Tourist activities done at the park include

Gorilla tracking:

 Tracking gorillas in the volcanoes mountain or bamboo forest is regarded as a magical experience you will never forget in life. Mountain gorillas are the second close relative of man sharing almost 95% of human DNA make up, they are so fabulous fan to watch in their nature habitat. Tracking mountain gorillas begins very early in the morning after reporting at the park headquarters to receive a short briefing from the park officials on safety measures and what to expect during the day about gorillas tracking. You are reminded to carry your passport and your gorilla permit in order to verify that you are the right owner of the permit. You will get assigned to a group about 8 members per group maximum and each group is assigned one gorilla family to trek as Rwanda is blessed with 10 habituated gorilla groups ready for tracking which means that 88 members can track gorilla in Rwanda. Each person is assigned to the group he/she fits, for example those age 45 years and above and those who are less fit are assigned to easy to find’ gorilla families which do not wander far away from the trail heads. And those who are physically fit may be given a specific group. However you should note that given the fact that gorillas are wild animals it is not a guarantee that they must be near or easy to find, The one you may consider easy may turn to be the difficult and those you may consider difficult can be seen easier on a specific day, so this makes the total experience very interesting and difficult to predict.  You also remained to come with your tracking gears like gloves, trekking boots/shoes, rain jacket since it can rain at any time, walking stick if necessary, bottled water and sometimes packed lunch. Ounce you meet these giants you expect to stay with them for only one hour while studding their behaviors as well as taking as many photos as you can.  

To be among the 8 members who are allowed to track in each gorilla group you have to possess a gorilla permit which is at a fee of $750 per person per tracking and you are advised to book your Permit at least 3 to 6 months in advance, especially during Rwanda's high season of June – September and December to February and permits are booked on first come first served basis the earlier the better. We do not encourage you to book a gorilla’s permit yourself since us www.elephantsafaris.co.ug  among other reliable tour operators can book for you a gorilla permit without any extra change. A 3 Day gorilla trekking safari in the best itinerary you can have for your gorilla tour in Rwanda. 

Golden monkey tracking:

 Just like mountain gorillas, golden monkey are also listed as endangered and currently are tracked in the volcanoes national park. There are two habituated golden monkeys troops that are available for visiting by tourists and there about 80 members at the park. Tracking begins very early in the morning at 7:00am after reporting at the park headquarters to receive a short briefing from the park officials about the dos and don’ts while with these elusive monkeys. After the ranger guide will head you to the forest to begin the activity. Golden monkeys most of the time live in the bamboo vegetation towards the base of the volcanoes that’s kabatwa or karisimbi. Just like gorillas tracking time is unpredictable it can go from 30 minutes to eight hour so a reasonable degree of fitness is needed. These creatures are fabulous fan to fun to watch, they are active creatures and jump from tree to tree which is really very interesting although not like gorillas golden monkeys are a little difficult to photograph, you only allowed to stay with them for only one hour observing their behaviors as well as taking as many photos as you can (a flash camera is not allowed) and only eight members are allowed to track in each group. Golden monkey tracking is at a fee of $100 per person per tracking.

Iby’Iwacu village tour:

 If you’re among those interested in learning more about the African way of life, volcanoes national park offers this activity. You will be fortunate to have a visit to Iby’Iwacu village in the northern province Kinigi musanze district of Rwanda to share with the local people, life style and also test their local food. This Cultural Village is much dedicated at showcasing the ways of living, traditional lifestyles and dances to tourists. They will entertain you through their cultural dance and music and they will also pass you through their interesting stories about traditional medicine from a local traditional heal, their historical background about how they have managed to live in the area for over 50,000 year, and if interested take part in their activities like cooking, dancing and singing . Don’t miss community walk, it’s so interesting.

Dian Fossy tomb tour

For any gorilla safari in the volcanoes national park don’t miss to visit a grave yard of Diane Fossy who was a prominent primatologist who carried out research on the behaviors of mountain gorillas for a period of over 20years until when she was murdered in 1885 by poachers whom she had made herself very unpopular. The trek involves a 30 minutes’ drive from the park headquarters to the trail head to access the Karisoke research camp where visitors walk for 10 minutes to the park boundary. From the park headquarters to the research centers where she was killed takes about 1-1and half hours and the walk provide an opportunity to come across several species of animals like forest elephant, giant forest hogs, a variety of primate species and various species of birds. Ounce you reach at the site you will learn more about Diane Fossy who was so dedicated and left a legacy that exists even today. Without her, mountain gorillas would not be herd of in Rwanda. You will find a house where she was buried at the research center next to the grave of her favorite gorilla called Digit and about 20 other mountain gorillas either killed by poachers or suffered death for other reasons. The hike to the Dian Fossy is somehow tough as it involves passing through the forest and slopes so a relative degree of fitness is needed and it is regarded as a full day activity.

Bird watching:

 Rwanda is known as a bird paradise out of about 1450 species of birds that live in the country, volcanoes national park only is home to over 250 species of birds including at 29 endemics to Rwenzori Mountains and the Virungas giving a good platform for bird lovers to enjoy watching plenty of them.  On any activity at the park you can’t miss seeing several species of birds. Birding can take place either in the morning or in the evening and the park has kin bird watchers who are not only experienced but also passionate in the field.  Some of the bird species expected to see include the Handsome Francolin, Rwenzori Turaco, Mountain Sooty Boubou, Rwenzori Batis, Yellow-eyed Black Flycatcher, Archer’s Robin-chat, Rwenzori Hill Babbler, Grauer's Rush, Neumann’s and Grauer's Warbles, Masked Mountain Apalis, Stripe-breasted Tit and Strange Weaver, and a full range of Rwenzori double-collared, purple-throated, blue-headed, the list is endless.

Mount trekking:  for those who are physically fit the park provide a challenging hike to volcanoe mountains it can go from 1-10 days depending on the travelers fitness climb the Karisimbi, Bisoke, Muhabura, Gahinga and Sabyinyo,

NGAMBA ISLAND CHIMPANZEE SANCTUARY

Ngamba Island is located off shores from Entebbe, Lake Victoria the biggest lake in east Africa; it’s about 23 km from the main land. The sanctuary is sited on about 100m acres in size. It was recognized as a refugee camp to chimpanzee in 1998, and it’s managed by Chimpanzee Sanctuary and Wildlife Conservation Trust (CSWCT) the sanctuary houses over 33 confiscated orphaned chimps. Not only chimps that live in the area but it also boast over 50 different species of vegetation that chimps consume, you can’t also fail to spot various species of birds. Chimps are free to roam at any time exploring their environment and foraging for food. During the feeding time, visitors to the Island are fortunate to join the guide feeding of chimps and the feeding time brings the chimps to within meters of the raised fence which offers good photography and viewing of our close relatives who shares almost 98% of human DNA it’s really a great opportunity. By visiting the sanctuary you’re supporting this project and the entry fees paid goes directly towards helping cover the costs of running the sanctuary and ensuring the wellbeing of the chimpanzees.

A safari to the island

You will be picked up at the airport or hotel by our safari driver-guide who will brief you about the safari and later transfer you to the island. You will take a boat or a ferry to the island which is about 45kms if you take a speed boat. When you arrive at the island you are free to explore the visitor’s center and enjoy the facility. You may decide to enjoy optional activities like swimming, Kayaking, Bird watching, over 150 species of birds are recorded in the area, enjoy sun set cruise or fishing along the lake. Dinner and an overnight at the island

Go chimpanzee viewing which is the main activity done at the island and the daily viewing times are as follows:

The first feeding session begins at 6.30am, here you are fortunate to see the chimps early in the morning in a close eye while the guide feeding them with porridge and then after they are let to go back in forest to begin the day. 

The 2nd feeding session commence at around 11.00am, the chimps get out of the forest to feeding platform along the edge and here viewing them is very clear and photography is fantastic, you can also get the opportunity to join the chimp keepers in feeding them, it’s really very amazing watching the chimps eye to eye in their natural environment.

Another opportunity for photography and watching is at 3.00pm which is the afternoon feeding; chimps come to the feeding platform to receive their meals. They are fabulous fan to watch when seizing food from one another; it’s really a memorable experience to view chimps in a close distance. After they are allowed into the overnight facility and checked for any medical condition, in the evening session you can get opportunity of watching them making their nest for the night. You are recommended to come with your camera, swimming gears if interested in swimming, suntan lotion, insect repellent. There are a lot of bears and sodas for sell at the island but Visitors requiring other drinks should bring them along with them. with elephant safaris ltd we are ready to take you to the island and spend some good time with these giants

WHERE TO TRACK MOUNTAIN GORILLAS

  Where to track mountain gorillas

Mountain gorillas are regarded as endangered species, there are only about 880 individuals left in the world. Gorilla tracking is one of the most interesting activities done on earth and very many tourists whole over the world come to African specifically to track these close relative of human in their natural habitat. Gorillas are regarded humble and they rarely attack human, making it possible to meet in a close distance of about 7-10 meters. Few countries in the world house mountain gorillas, for any traveler who is interested in tracking gorillas here are the three countries where these species of primates are found and they can be tracked safely in their environment. Let us examine one by one of these countries

Uganda is one of the three countries blessed to host these endangered species, they are found in two national parks that’s Bwindi impenetrable national park, and Mgahinga gorilla national park. Uganda is known as the world’s premier safari destination for gorillas tracking and it houses almost a half of the world’s population over 480 individuals with Bwindi impenetrable national park housing over 400 individuals and Mgahinga about 80 in number. Bwindi impenetrable national park is located in the south western part of Uganda about 530 from Kampala Uganda’s capital and its largest city passing via Kabale Kanungu to Buhoma about 7-9 hours on a clear day weather condition, or you can use a charter flight from Entebbe international airport or Kajansi to the modern tarmac airstrip at Kisoro town. 

Mgahinga gorilla national park is also located in south western region of Uganda near the border with Rwanda and Democratic republic of Congo; the park is reached in a drive of about 8 hours on a good tarmac from Kampala up to the park. Mgahinga has only one gorilla group called Nyakagezi gorilla group and this group tend to cross to Rwanda or to the Democratic Republic of Congo in search for new adventure, so it’s not reliable. When interested in tracking in this group it’s always advanced to consult from your tour agencies or tour company organizing your safari about its presence before booking.

Bwindi impenetrable forest N.P has 12 groups gorillas and each group is readily available to be tracked every day, however each group has its own experience so a reasonable degree of fitness is needed, since tracking is done in the tropical rain forest, it can rain at any time and become muddy so you are reminded to come with tracking gears such as strong pair of shoes, long sleeved shirts or blouses, rain jackets, battled water and sometimes packed lunch since meeting gorillas is unpredictable it can go from a half or full day in the jungle searching for them. Gorilla tracking is unforgettable experience as it’s worth the money you pay for this activity and the effort needed to reach the park and the trek from the forest. To be allowed to be among the 8 members allowed to track gorillas in each group you are required to pay a fee of $600 per person in the high season per tracking including the park entrance fee during the high season and $350 per person in the low seasons during the months of April and May both in Bwind and Mgahinga National parks. Permits are obtained from the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) headquarters in Kampala in both Bwindi impenetrable national park and in Mhahinga gorilla forest National Park.

In Rwanda gorillas are tracked in Parc national des volcans (volcanoes national park) which is located in the far northwestern part of the park Ruhengeri Musanze district. From Kigali Rwanda’s capital and its largest city it takes about 2-3 hours’ drive up to Kinigi park headquarters. Due to its nearness a one day gorilla safari tour can be arranged. Mountain gorillas have made Rwanda very popular due to a very big number of travelers who flop in in large numbers to see these rare species; however this was due to the works of Diane Fossey a prominent primatologist who studied and habituated these giant apes to human standards for a period of over 20 years. 

Gorilla tracking is a major highlight to any traveler who makes it to Rwanda and it’s regarded as the number one activity done in Rwanda. Rwanda house over 380 gorillas sharing almost a half of the world’s population, and tracking begins very early in the morning at 7:00am after reporting at the park headquarters to receive a short briefing about how the whole process will be, and then after you will be lead to the forest to being the activity. Like Uganda gorillas, Rwanda gorilla tracking time is unpredictable as it can go from a half to full day making the whole process exciting, and ounce they are met you are only allowed to stay with them for only one hour studying their behaviors as well as taking photos. Rwanda has 9 gorilla families ready for tracking each day and these include: the Susa group, group 13, Kwitonda, Amahoro, Karisimbi gorilla group, Sabyinyo, Agshya, Omubano and Hirwa gorilla group. Only eight members are allowed to track in each group, and each group is assigned to an armed ranger guide who led you through the whole gorilla tracking process. And porter are readily available if you need them at a fee of 10-20 $UD per person to carry your bags and other items in case you get tired during the process of tracking. 

To track gorillas in Rwanda you are charged a fee of USD 750 per person per tracking including the park entrance fee. Permits are issued at the Rwanda Tourism Board offices (ORTPN) in Kigali or Ruhengeri (near the PNV). Gorilla tracking in Rwanda and Uganda are at a very high demand so you are advised to book earlier prior to your safari; permits are issued on first come first served basis, so the earlier the better to avoid disappointments on the last date.

The Democratic Republic of Congo is another country blessed to house the rare mountain gorillas in the Virunga national park. However some insecurity problems have hindered tourism industry and gorillas are not tracked much as its in Uganda and Rwanda. Gorilla permits in the democratic republic of Congo are sold at $450 per person per tracking with park entrance fee. At www.elephantsafaris.co.ug/ we are their to organize for you a pocket friendly gorilla safari to Uganda, Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo, for more information about mountain gorilla tracking send us an inquiry at info@elephantsafaris.co.ug our staff is their to get back to you ASAP