Belonging to the Eastern gorilla, the mountain gorillas can be seen around the forested mountains of the Virunga region that stretches from Northwestern Rwanda, Southwestern Uganda to the Eastern of The Democratic Republic of Congo. It is only in these regions that we find the surviving numbers of mountains gorillas in the whole world, which explains why so many tourists flock the countries of Uganda, Rwanda and DRC basically for this one life time encounter / experience with the marvelous Apes.

In the early 1990’s, the survival of these creatures was at a stake due to the existence of civil wars especially in the countries of Rwanda and The Democratic Republic of Congo where their habitats were at times used as fighting grounds. This led to a drastic decrease in their population numbers. And later on prompted the Uganda and Rwandan governments together with their wildlife organizations to introduce the mountain gorilla conservation and protection programs which have greatly contributed to the survival of these apes in the world today.

Several mountain gorilla conservation and protection programs have been established for the protection of these wildlife species such as; resettlement of the Batwa Pygmies of Uganda outside Bwindi Impenetrable natural forest thus reducing on habitat encroachment and hunting, The Mountain gorilla naming Ceremony of Rwanda in which Baby gorillas are named every year, the establishment of gorilla tracking rules like ( limiting the number of tourists visiting the gorillas, restricting human contact with the animals to reduce on the spread of diseases, forbidding sick visitors from visiting the gorillas, promotion of good sanitation in the vicinity of mountain gorillas etc.) these and many other measures have greatly contributed to the survival of mountain gorillas in the world today. This therefore explains the gradual increase in the mountain gorilla population to about 1000 surviving mountain gorillas.

It should be noted that half of this population is currently settled in Uganda’s Bwindi Impenetrable Forest and the remaining half distributed to Rwanda’s Volcanoes Park, Mgahinga national park of Uganda and the Virunga national park of Congo.

In these national parks, you find the habituated mountain gorilla families, which are available for tourists. To be a part of a gorilla tour in Africa, visitors must acquire the gorilla permits from the wildlife organizations in each country. Each singe day, 8 visitors are allowed to a single gorilla family in a day, staying only an hour with the creatures; watching them play, eat, tease each other in their locality while taking photographs and videos.

Recently, a new mountain gorilla hiking activity has been introduced; The mountain gorilla habituation experience, a process that involves taming and training the apes on how to coexist with human beings in their vicinity without any harm. This great mountain gorilla encounter is found in the Rushaga sector of Bwindi Impenetrable forest national park of Uganda. There are basically two gorilla families that is; the Bushaho Gorilla family group and Bikingi Gorilla family group. This experience, offers tourists a chance of spending four (4) long hours interacting with the gorillas as compared to the mountain gorilla trekking activity where only an hour is allowed with the animals. Here, tourists are a part of the training team-teaching the gorillas how to behave when in the presence of visitors. Like all mountain gorilla activities, this too starts off early in the morning after early morning briefing rom the guides and forest rangers, and followed by the hike into the forest in search for these creatures. However, this can be enjoyed at a higher price as compared to mountain gorilla trekking, mountain gorilla habituation experience can be enjoyed at a cost of $1500 for the tickets which are available at the Uganda Wildlife Authority offices or through a trusted tour operator.

It should be noted that despite the risk at which mountain gorillas live (being the most endangered species of wildlife), their survival in the future is very rampant due to the awakened growth and development of the tourism industry in the African countries of Uganda, Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo. As visitors buy permits, they directly participate in the spread of the conservation and protection programs worldwide back in their home countries thus contributing to the survival of these creatures. In addition to this, the money paid for the gorilla trekking permits and habituation tickets is further used in the conservation programs – funding the projects, paying off rangers and guides hence providing them with income thus limiting the poaching rates among others. As a matter of fact, the survival of mountain gorillas is greatly linked to the existence of the tourism industry that people get to learn the importance and value of wildlife in the world.

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Mountain Gorillas are only found in Uganda, Rwanda and Democratic Republic of Congo, in two close regions of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest (Uganda) and the Virunga Massif that is comprised of Uganda’s Mgahinga National Park, Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park and DRC’s Virunga National Park.

However, Mountain Gorilla Safaris are currently most popular in Uganda’s Bwindi Forest with the Mountain Gorillas being the star attraction of the country.

Thousands of tourists from around the world visit the three countries to see the Gorillas but unfortunately, many miss this lifetime opportunity due to unavailability of tracking permits.

This is caused by a number of reasons of which the major remains to be late booking mostly in the peak seasons. So the question remains, when should one consider booking for a Gorilla permit?

Best time Book for Gorilla Permits in Uganda

Uganda is a very popular destination for Mountain Gorilla Tracking around the World. Those looking for a much more memorable experience while on a Uganda Safari always blend it with a Gorilla trekking experience. This justifies why a number of Uganda Safaris are planned with at least a one time experience with these rare species.

Gorilla Tracking in Uganda is done in the famous Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. However, finding a Gorilla tracking permit in any of these two parks can sometimes be strenuous mostly in the peak season.

The peak season for Gorilla Tracking as well as other Safari activities in Uganda is between June to October and December to March while the rest of the months are most times considered to be off-peak. The months of July, August and December are the busiest of all.

Uganda has the highest number of tracking permits with up to 19 Gorilla groups, of which 18 are in Bwindi and the other in Mgahinga. Each Gorilla Group is assigned 8 permits per day where trackers are allowed an hour of contact with these critically endangered primates. Each Gorilla tracking permit costs $600.

However, there is a provision of staying the whole day with these gigantic but peaceful creatures in one of the groups in Bwindi, a process referred to as Gorilla habituation. Gorilla Habituation permits are only four (4) a day with each costing $1500.

Though some would define traveling outside the rush-hours to be cheaper, others wouldn’t feel comfortable to be on a safari with a few or no other tourists around them. Therefore if you wish to travel in the Peak seasons, its better you book your Gorilla Tracking permit at least 6 months to the tracking date. For those travelling in groups, at least 8 months booking time should be considered. Early booking also allows you to figure out in time on how you will travel, sleep, eat among others during the Safari.

On the other hand, if you are considering traveling off peak, its better you book your permit at least a month towards the tracking date. Accommodation and traveling can easily be solved during this period.

Best time Book for Gorilla Permits in Rwanda

Rwanda is currently the second most popular tourist destination for mountain Gorilla trekking. It was once the best destination for the activity but since the Gorilla tracking fees were changed from $750 to $1500, a number of tourist have now considered using the Ugandan side.

Rwanda has a total of 12 gorilla groups, all found in the country’s only park for Gorilla tracking, Volcanoes National Park. Just like Uganda, each group is allowed to be accessed by only 8 people per day.

However, the drop in the number of visitors to Rwanda doesn’t mean that you will always find available permits. You also have to book in time as some tourist would prefer Rwanda’s gorillas to Uganda due the country’s added advantage of easier access to the Gorilla tracking park from the main Airport.

Driving from either Rwanda’s capital Kigali or the main Airport (Kigali International Airport) to Ruhengeri where Gorilla tracking is done takes 1 – 2 hours as compared to the at least 8 hours required to access Uganda’s Bwindi and Mgahinga National Parks on ground from either the country’s capital Kampala or the main Airport (Entebbe International Airport).

Therefore atleast three (3) months booking to the tracking date would give you enough time to sort out other additions such as Accommodation and transport. For those travelling in groups, at least 5 months booking time should be considered.

Best time Book for Gorilla Permits in DRC

Though DR Congo is considered to be least visited of the three countries for Gorilla Tracking, many consider tracking the Virunga National park Gorillas due to a number of reasons including being cheaper.

Since it is almost the same region where the famous Nyiragongo Volcano is found, a number of tourist who go to hike this active volcanoes to see the ever burning lava crater find it easier to blend it with tracking these 2nd closest cousins to human kind after the Chimpanzees.

The region has 8 habituated gorilla groups but unlike Uganda and Rwanda, there are only 6 permits available per group. Each Gorilla permit costs $400.

Though DR Congo has always been affected by political insecurities, Gorilla trekking is currently considered to be safe and a number of tourists now visit the region. Therefore, it is better to book for your Congo Gorilla tracking Permit in at least two (2) months to the tracking date. For those travelling in groups, at least 3 months booking time should be considered.

How to Book the Gorilla Tracking Permits?

Booking for a Gorilla permit is now easier. In Uganda, you can either book directly with the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) itself or any local tour company. From my point of view, booking with the latter would be better as long as you choose one you can trust.

There are very rare cases of tourist fraud in Uganda, thanks to the iron hand of the Uganda Tourism Police regarding such and related issues. That is an assurance that your money and bookings are always at a great percentage of being safe.

Mountain Gorillas in Congo’s Virunga National Park

Most tour companies in Uganda also extend their services to Rwanda and Congo, so you can also always use them to book a Gorilla permit in any country of your choice.

Just search the web and get one you can trust with your money. Even though you are planning to organize a Safari on your own, they can always secure the Gorilla permissions for you. For self-drive clients, you can also book your Gorilla tracking permit with your local Car Hire agency.

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Several factors often threaten the existence of the Mountain Gorilla’s thus their dwindling population such as disease, poaching, human population encroachment of their habitat the rain forests among others. Gorillas are open to same diseases which effect humans since they are closely related to humans with similar anatomic and physiological features. Gorillas live in small groups any exposure to any kind of illness affects the entire group which may fail to recover from the entire fall that’s why human contacts are restricted. All Gorilla trackers are instructed to keep a distance from the Gorilla’s. Most scary diseases include flue, Scabies which can quickly spread from group to group as families interact.

Poaching is another threat which has claimed many lives of gorillas in the jungle forest till present for example a while ago some European and American scientists and trophy hunters killed over 50 mountain gorillas which effected the population of the living apes today. Hunting is another problem because many Gorillas have been injured by hunters who go to jungle to hunt other wildlife life. The latest events shows that hunting of mountain gorillas in order to capture their young ones by corrupt dealers remains a threat for example an infant gorilla was recovered outside Virunga national park in 2013 who was later the joined to other three rescued gorillas & orphan from poaching in Rumangabo for monitoring.

Population growth of the people living near the park is the worst of all threats since they both compete for the forest land. The people need land for farming, agriculture in order to support their families while Gorillas destroy the farm crops and also limit the local community from access the forest land. The only way to maintain gorilla habitat is to develop alternative economic activities that allow people to meet their daily needs, so that they see gorillas not as competitors, but as a means of improving their own situation.

The regional conflict is another threat, changing climate, weak regional collaboration but me & you can change this if we try. With a population of less than a thousand Mountain gorillas remaining in the world today, a lot of conservation effort is needed in order to conserve the mountain Gorillas for the Future Generation.

Dian Fossey, Carl Akeley, George Schaller are the other great gorilla conservationist who followed Robert & their work focused global attention on the troubles of gorillas. Still it’s that Effort which makes many travelers have wonderful lifetime memories every time they visit Uganda, Rwanda or DRC for Gorilla trekking adventures. We all agree that the above Conservationists did a great job in conserving the mountain gorillas without forgetting the local communities of Uganda especially around Bwindi forest and Mgahinga National park, Locals of Rwanda around and near the Volcanoes national park & the people of Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Each countries local community deserves a bonus for ensuring the survival of gorillas and also allowing the guests to access their reach jungle forest to trek the Gorillas. The National park staff like wardens and ranger guides has done a lot to ensure that the conservation rules can be maintained in all the three countries.

Several organizations have come up to conserve gorillas and these work hand in hand with both the local communities and park management. They include the mountain Gorilla conservation fund (MGCF), international Gorilla conservation program (with programs in Rwanda, Uganda and Congo), Fauna & Flora international (only in Rwanda), Wildlife Wild places & forests (WWF) all over Africa, Rwanda development Board (RDB), Uganda wildlife Authority the main organization (UWA). There is a very big change unlike back then before 1902. According to the World Heritage Wildlife animals, the Gorillas where discovered on October 17^th 1902 by Robert Von Beringe in Virunga mountains who was the first non-African to encounter the Mountain Gorilla stopping the hunting habitats which had driven the rare primates to the edge of their death.

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For your great experience in Africa go for gorilla trekking expeditions which can be done throughout the year. The hiking itself can be more tiresome in rainy seasons from April to May and in November, but the most popular times for gorilla tracking are during the dry month which are between December and February and from June to mid-September.

Securing permits for gorilla trekking over these popular periods can be difficult at short notice, so you should plan well ahead. A maximum of 192 gorilla permits are available for each day and permits cost USD800 per person per visit during the dry season and $450 during the wet season for the months of April, May and November. This money may seem to be too much worthy your trek but the money provides Uganda with a compelling economic reason to conserve the park and pays for a 24 hour guard for each gorilla group plus education of the local communities.

Uganda’s main tourist attraction is the mountain gorillas which are found in Bwindi Forest and Mgahinga National Park. Bwindi forest provides walking trails which help in providing good spectacular views, bird watching, as well as a visit to the waterfalls. The guests can enjoy trekking which makes it a well- rounded safari destination in Africa. Uganda is also home variety of chimpanzees mainly found in Kibale National Park a primate capital of East Africa has attracted many tourists to trek them, Queen Elizabeth National Park Uganda’s most popular tourist destination with variety of game viewing as well as bird species.

On the day of your gorilla trekking, you will set off very early in the morning to track the apes in the forest. Your driver will take you from your lodge to the park headquarter. Ensure to carry along with you rain jacket, drinking water, snacks, jungle boots among others. The guides will lead you inside the jungle to see the shy Primates for a group you have been booked for. Do not forget to take your lunch boxes and all the necessary gear to track the rare Mountain Gorilla, perhaps one of the most exciting wildlife experiences on earth.

The guides speak good English and they will be taking you to a specific group of habituated mountain gorillas, which they know well and are used to human visitors. You will be divided into 8 people per group. You will then be driven to the start of the trail to reach your mountain gorilla group. Your guide will then be driven to start of the trail to reach your mountain gorilla group. Your guide will then lead you to the clear paths up into the forest.

The trekking may take between 2 and 8 hours but its well worth the effort. The afternoon is spent on a village walk. The Community Walk gives you a great opportunity to see how the people surrounding Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. It also is a great way to support the local community in a direct way. The Walk begins with your guide at the rest camp. It is always informative and rewarding to the average visitor. It will amaze you how resourceful the local people are as you see and learn their ways.

The hiking is tiring and can be surprised if you feel a bit breathless at this altitude. Once you reach the gorillas you will be given 1 hour to be with them as you take pictures and videos of the adults foraging and grooming each other while the babies tumble and play. So witnessing gorillas’ express typically human gestures and emotions is a truly profound experience and one of the reasons that gorilla trekking is such a life changing encounter. You will have plenty of time to watch their activity as they play with each other, swinging from one tree to another, breast feeding, sleeping, and eating among others and to take photographs and videos.

Mountain gorilla share 98% of our DNA and they are susceptible to catching human infection particularly respiratory ones. So you should keep a distance of 7metres from the gorillas and when you your with your gorilla group, you should try not to make sudden movements and to keep your voices low so that the group remains come and relaxed, although these mountain gorillas are used to seeing people, you must bear in mind that they are still wild animals and can sometimes react unexpectedly, so you should always follow your guides’ instructions.

Gorillas live in montane forest so treks to see them are at altitude and pass through varied vegetation and terrain. So you need a reasonable level of fitness to hike the forest and willingness to climb up muddy slopes and through thick growth.

There is a maximum age to visit the gorillas. You must be at least 15 years old and there no flexibility to this rule. It is the same for both Rwanda and Uganda and it is enforced by the national parks.

The post How Can I Plan a Gorilla Trek? first appeared on Mgahinga National Park.

Mgahinga National Park is one of the only four tropical rain forests in Africa that protect the mountain gorillas in the four sectors. Other destinations are the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest in Uganda, Volcanoes national park in Rwanda and Virunga National Park in Democratic Republic of Congo. Stretching on a total area of approximately 331 square kilometers, the park hosts almost half of the world’s population of the endangered mountain gorillas that can be seen during a gorilla trek.

Also known as the Mountains of the Moon, Rwenzori mountains are a range of mountains in the eastern equatorial Africa straddling on the border between Uganda and DR Congo. The mountains are protected by Rwenzori Mountains National Park which stretches on an area of approximately 998 square kilometers in the districts of Bundibugyo, Kabarole, and Kasese. Though commonly visited to mountaineering safaris, the park is also a home to other species like reptiles, insects, small mammals and many others.

When embarking on a combined gorilla and Rwenzori hike, it’s essential to be aware of and abide by the rules and regulations in place to protect the environment, wildlife, and ensure the safety of visitors. Here are some general guidelines that apply to both activities:

Gorilla Trekking experience

1. Permit Requirement: Gorilla trekking requires a permit, which must be obtained in advance and allows one visitor per day. It’s important to secure your permit through the appropriate authorities or a reputable tour operator. Gorilla trekking permits cost US$700 per person per day and these can be got from Uganda Wildlife Authority or a registered tour company.
2. Health Requirements: Prior to gorilla trekking, you’ll be required to undergo a health screening to ensure you are free from any contagious diseases that could be transmitted to the gorillas. If you are feeling unwell, it’s best to reschedule your trek. Since mountain gorillas share a DNA with humans, they can easily get infected with different disease like flue, cough and others and thus every trekker should go under a health checkup before going encountering the species.
3. Group Size and Time with Gorillas: Gorilla groups are visited by a limited number of people each day to minimize stress on the animals. Typically, a trekkers group consists a maximum of 8 visitors who trail through the park rain forests and once you locate assigned gorilla group, you will spend a maximum of one hour observing and photographing them.
4. Safety and Respect: Maintain a minimum distance of 7 meters (21 feet) from the gorillas to minimize the risk of disease transmission and to respect their personal space. Follow the instructions of your guide, speak softly, and avoid sudden movements or direct eye contact with the endangered mountain gorillas. Also, you are not allowed to eat or drink during the experience since the species may cause injury to you.
5. No Flash Photography: Flash photography is prohibited during gorilla trekking as it may startle or distress the gorillas. Use only natural light or available light for photography.

Rwenzori Hiking experience

• Permits and Guides: Hiking in the Rwenzori Mountains requires permits, and it’s mandatory to be accompanied by an experienced guide. Obtain the necessary permits in advance and arrange for a guide through the national park authorities or a reputable tour operator. The cost of the hiking permit depends on the package of your choice and the route you are willing to use.
• Respect the Environment: The Rwenzori Mountains are a fragile ecosystem. Follow the principle of “Leave No Trace” and ensure that you do not disturb or damage the flora and fauna. Stay on designated trails and avoid littering since there are some animal species in the forests that may end up getting damages.
• Group Size: Hiking groups in the Rwenzori Mountains are usually limited to a certain number of participants. This helps in minimizing the impact on the environment and ensures a better experience for all. Respect the group size limits set by the authorities.
• Altitude and Physical Fitness: The Rwenzori Mountains are known for their high altitude and challenging terrain especially those going for the summit challenge (5,109m). Ensure you are physically fit and acclimatize properly to prevent altitude sickness. Follow the guidance of your guide and communicate any health concerns promptly.
• Equipment and Safety: Carry appropriate gear and equipment suitable for the hike, including sturdy hiking boots, warm clothing, rain gear, and other essentials. It’s important to prioritize safety and be prepared for changing weather conditions.

For the perfect combined gorilla and mountain hike, endeavor to follow the rules and regulations for your safety and memorable safari. Also, try to consult a local tour operator for the current and accurate information regarding the experiences.

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But one may wonder;- how many days should one spend on a gorilla safari to either Rwanda or Uganda or even on a combined trip to both countries. Lets look at each country at a time and see how one can plan for his time on a trekking trip.

Rwanda

In Rwanda, the days to be spent on a gorilla trekking safari are few as compared to Uganda and DRC. This is because Rwanda is small and Volcanoes National Park where these primates live is near to Kigali, the capital city of Rwanda. Actually its possible for someone to travel from Kigali to the park and trek the mountain gorillas on the same day. Therefore a one day gorilla safari to Rwanda is possible. The transfer can be early in the morning from Kigali to Volcanoes National Park reaching at around 8:00 am and then going for trekking at 8:30 am. After the trek, a transfer back to Kigali is done for a flight home.

Apart from a one day Rwanda gorilla trekking trip, there are other packages one can go for like 2,3,4,5,6,7 and more. The number of days can be customized according to the additional activities a tourist wishes to do. But the most common gorilla trekking safaris to Rwanda are,1 days gorilla safar,2 days Rwanda gorilla tour,3 days Rwanda tour,4 days Rwanda double gorilla trek trip,5 days gorilla & chimp tour. Those are the best selling trips in this East African country but even others are arranged depending on the client’s preferences.

Uganda

It’s a different case when it comes to Uganda. Short days safaris like a one day gorilla trekking trip is impossible simply because Uganda is bigger compared to Rwanda and its national parks are far from Kampala, the capital city where most tours start from. Even a 2 days gorilla safari to Uganda is impossible because an extra day for transfer back to Kampala would be required. The least number of days a tourist can spend on a Uganda gorilla trekking safari are three days. It would involve first day transfer to Bwindi impenetrable national park where the gorillas are found. This transfer takes about 8 hours and by the time you reach the park you are already tired and can’t do any activity. Gorilla trekking can be carried out the next day and possibly other activities. The third day will be for transfer back to Kampala or Entebbe international airport for a flight back home.

Other number of days one can opt for 4 to 9 Days. Choosing the number of days depends on the number of activity one intends to do.

Combined Uganda and Rwanda

Some tourists prefer extending their trips by combining both Uganda and Rwanda gorilla Safari for a double trek experience. This is possible and in most cases tourists opt for a 6 days combined safari to these East African countries. Others even go for long safaris to East Africa that stretch to 12, 14, 15 and even 22 days. These long trips are good in that they help one to get a discount on the safari and also have an extensive experience in both countries.

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Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is known for its diverse flora and fauna. The park is situated at the foot of the Virunga Mountains, which are part of the Albertine Rift, one of the most important biodiversity hotspots in the world. The park is home to over 39 mammal species, including gorillas, golden monkeys, elephants, buffaloes, and several species of antelopes. The park is also home to over 79 bird species, including the Rwenzori turaco, the crowned hornbill, and the black kite.

One of the main attractions of Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is its gorilla population. The park is home to one habituated group of gorillas, known as the Nyakagezi group. The Nyakagezi group is made up of nine individuals, including three silverbacks, and it is the only habituated gorilla group in Uganda that migrates across international borders. The gorillas in the Nyakagezi group are known for their playful behavior and their habit of climbing trees.

Another primate species that is found in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is the golden monkey. The golden monkey is one of the rarest primates in the world, and it is only found in the Virunga Mountains. The golden monkey is a small, agile primate with golden fur, and it is known for its acrobatic abilities. The golden monkey population in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is estimated to be around 40 individuals, and visitors to the park can take part in golden monkey tracking tours.

Apart from gorillas and golden monkeys, Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is also home to several other rare species. The park is home to the endangered African elephant, which is the largest land animal in the world. The park is also home to the Cape buffalo, which is one of the “Big Five” animals that are often sought after by hunters. In addition, the park is home to several species of antelopes, including the bushbuck, the bush duiker, and the Uganda kob.

Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is not only a sanctuary for endangered primates and other rare species, but it is also an important center for conservation and research. The park is managed by the Uganda Wildlife Authority, which works to protect the park’s flora and fauna and to promote sustainable tourism. The park also serves as a research site for several international organizations, including the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund and the Jane Goodall Institute.

Visitors to Mgahinga Gorilla National Park can take part in a wide range of activities, including gorilla tracking, golden monkey tracking, nature walks, and bird watching. Gorilla tracking is the most popular activity in the park, and visitors can spend up to an hour with the Nyakagezi group. Golden monkey tracking is another popular activity, and visitors can spend up to four hours with the golden monkeys.

Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is also home to several cultural attractions. The park is situated in the heart of the Bakiga people’s homeland, and visitors can learn about the Bakiga culture by visiting the Batwa cultural trail, which is a guided tour of the Batwa people’s traditional way.

Travel Tips For Mgahinga National Park

Due to its remoteness and challenging activities, a tourist visiting Mgahinga national park must know the following information to get the most out of their safari.

Gorilla Trekking: One of the top reasons to visit Mgahinga National Park is to go gorilla trekking. You will need a permit to do so, and it’s recommended to book it in advance. The park has one gorilla family that can be visited, and the trekking can take anywhere from 1 to 8 hours.

Dress appropriately: The weather in Mgahinga National Park can be unpredictable, and it’s best to come prepared for both rain and sunshine. Bring comfortable and sturdy hiking shoes, a waterproof jacket, and long pants to protect against stinging nettles.

Hire a guide: The park is vast, and a guide will help you navigate the terrain and give you valuable information about the flora and fauna. Guides can be arranged at the park entrance or through tour companies.

Plan your itinerary: Mgahinga National Park has many attractions to explore, such as Mount Sabyinyo, Mount Gahinga, and the Batwa Trail. Plan your itinerary accordingly to make the most of your visit.

Respect the wildlife: It’s important to remember that you are a guest in the animals’ natural habitat. Always follow the park’s guidelines and keep a safe distance from the animals. Avoid littering and taking anything from the park.

Get vaccinated: It’s recommended to get vaccinated against yellow fever, hepatitis A and B, typhoid, and tetanus before visiting Uganda. Consult with your doctor for more information.

Bring cash: There are limited ATMs in the area, and most shops and restaurants only accept cash. Bring enough money for your trip, including permits, guides, and souvenirs.

Respect the local culture: The Batwa people are the indigenous people of the area, and their culture and traditions should be respected. You can visit the Batwa Trail to learn more about their way of life.

Be patient: Wildlife sightings are not guaranteed, and it may take time to spot certain animals. Be patient and enjoy the journey, as the park’s natural beauty is a sight to behold.

Take care of your health: Drink plenty of water to stay hydrated, avoid tap water, and bring insect repellent to protect against mosquitoes and other insects.

Hire 4WD car: Hiring a 4×4 car from a credible travel company such as Car Rental in Uganda is an excellent idea. The park is located in southwestern Uganda which is mainly dominated by highlands. The roads leading to it can be rough and challenging, especially during the rainy season.

Book a Lodge close to the park: Booking a lodge near the park is a great move. Not only will it give you easy access to the park, but it will also provide you with a comfortable and convenient base for your adventures.

Mgahinga Gorilla National Park in Uganda is a crucial sanctuary for several endangered primates, including the mountain gorillas, golden monkeys, and other rare species such as the giant forest hogs, bushbucks, and buffalos. The park provides a unique and valuable opportunity for tourists to experience these rare and majestic animals in their natural habitat, while also contributing to their conservation efforts. However, the park faces several challenges, such as human-wildlife conflicts and climate change, which require ongoing management and conservation efforts.

Overall, Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is a vital conservation area that provides both ecological and economic benefits to the local communities and the world at large.

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Mgahinga inhabit both gorillas and golden monkeys and tracking these two giants can be safely conducted in this park, while in Rwanda these two endangered apes can be seen in the volcanoes national park which is located in Ruhengeri (Musanze district). Tracking the gorillas in Virunga or Bwindi ranks among the absolute highlight of African travel. The excitement attached to first setting eyes on a wild mountain gorilla is difficult to describe. These are enormous animals up to three times as bulky as the average man, their size exaggerated by a shaggily lush coat, yet despite their fearsome appearance, gorillas are remarkably peaceable creature, however meeting them in their natural habit is a great experience, the tracking should not present a serious physical challenge to any reasonably fit adult whatever their age, but the hike can be tough going depending on the gorilla family one tracked.

There are twenty gorilla families are available for tracking in Uganda 19 gorilla families in Bwindi and one group in Mgahinga national park though it’s prone to wandering off into Rwanda for long period. The Rwanda Volcanoes also houses twelve gorilla families all of which are ready to receive visitors on the daily basis, in both countries only 8 members are allowed to track in each gorilla group. The magical hour spent with the gorillas does not come cheaply. The cost is currently US$700 per person in Uganda and US$1500 in Rwanda including park entrance fee and ranger guide.

Same as golden monkey tracking the experience remains almost the same golden monkey is at US$ 50 in Mgahinga national park. Golden monkey are endemic to the Albertine Rift, they are characterized by a bright orange –gold body, cheeks and tail, contrasting with its black limbs, crown and tail end. In Mgahinga an estimation of about 300-400 live in the forest. They are frisky and nosy and often spend their time jumping from bamboo branches, on the forest floor towards the base of the volcanoes and they have overcome their original nervousness to accept their daily visit by researches and tourists. For primate lovers this is a great chance sharing the love of mountain gorillas with that of golden monkey in the same park is a thrilling experience one should not to miss when taking a safari to Uganda or Rwanda.

You can track gorillas on the first day and golden monkey on the next day if you’ve more days at the park. groups of these primate apes are opened to visitors every day, one group comprises of about 80-90 members and they live mostly at the base of  Mt. Sabyinyo, and the other group live at the base of Karisimbi it has about 60-80 members in Rwanda.

Tracking time for both gorilla and golden monkey tracking begins early in the morning after reporting at the park headquarters for short briefing about the whole process and also gets you assigned to the ranger guide. After,  follow the ranger guide to the forest to begin the activity, tracking time is also unpredictable however it can go from 1-8 hours depending on where they spent their last time from, tracking gears are a must pack when coming for golden monkey and gorilla tracking safari like study pair of walking shoes/ boots, long sleeved shirts or blouses, walking sticks are provided at the park headquarters, tracking these primate involves passing through thick and muddy forest,  but ounce they are met  you will forget all the difficulties you’ve passed through and utilize the one hour you are allowed to stay with them. For more information about gorilla and golden monkey tracking, permits, please contact us we will get back to you shortly.

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From meals, transport, and places to stay, Uganda offers budget-friendly rates. The rates for safaris are quoted in Ugandan shillings or US Dollars. Even if you are visiting Uganda for gorilla trekking, you need USD 700 to book a valid gorilla permit as opposed to USD 1500 in Rwanda for you to enjoy the same experience.

Breakdown of rates for Uganda safaris

When planning a safari to Uganda (the Pearl of Africa) here are some of the factors you must keenly take a look at.

• The petrol, costs between USD 1 and 1.5 per liter. Hiring a car for your road trip is possible at USD 40 to USD 150.
• National Park entry fees –USD 40 or 45 per 24 hours per person. About USD 8 for car entry while camping permits are available at USD 6 per visitor per night.
• Visitors can enjoy a 3-course meal at the classic safari lodge or hotel inside Uganda National Parks at USD 12 or USD 17.
• The lodging options or accommodation rates are within visitors’ wallet size. In all the destinations visited by tourists on Uganda safaris, it is possible to find 3 categories of accommodation- budget, midrange, and luxury. The budget option which includes camping can be booked at USD 10 or USD 80. Midrange or moderate/standard accommodation goes at USD 80 or USD 175 per night while deluxe can be got at USD 175 to USD 500.

Prices for food stuff are slightly lower than the average food rates in the United States. Here is a simple breakdown;

• A kilo of sausage costs USD 13
• 10 eggs can be bought at UGX 5400 about 1.5 US Dollars.
• A liter of milk USD 0.63 –UGX 2300
• One kilo of apples at 2.80 US Dollars about 10,000 Uganda shillings.
• 5kg of bread is available at USD 1.10, about US Dollars 4000.
• A bottle of local beer at 3500 to 5000 UGX.

If you are visiting Uganda, make the best use of local specialties. This is the quickest way to order whatever you need in a local restaurant. A good meal in a middle-class restaurant can be enjoyed at USD 23 about UGX 84000. Even the rates of accommodation are far lower than the average rate in the United States. A hotel room can be booked at USD 30 and a 3-star hotel at USD 51.

What makes Uganda famous?

Many things make Uganda the most popular destination in Africa and interestingly, it is a nature-based tourism destination. The country’s iconic attractions include mountain gorillas and the largest population of these apes lives in the two National Parks – Mgahinga Gorilla National Park and Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.

Other unusual primates such as golden monkeys, chimpanzees, l’hoest monkeys, Uganda mangabeys, and more –make Uganda the leading primate safari destination in the world. The Equator crossing, Uganda happens to be among the very few nations in the world that is crossed by the Equator and a stopover can be made at the Equator landmark en-route to Bwindi for gorilla trekking.

Murchison Falls, one of the most powerful waterfalls is right here in Uganda and tourists can explore it on a Uganda tour in Murchison Falls National Park. The diversity of wildlife ranging from the big 5 game to small mammals, reptiles and bird species, etc are some of the amazing attractions that make Uganda a great destination.

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The beauty about solo or traveling alone on a Uganda safari is that you have ultimate opportunity to capture every moment of your trip say wildlife, the breathtaking landscape and this comes with no worries about delays from fellow travelers. Solo traveling is perfect for photographers and you a chance to choose whatever you need including the National Parks to explore, the exciting safari activities to do and how long you should be at the destination.

There are plenty of exciting activities for visitors to engage in on solo travel in Uganda. These are available in the Eastern region, especially in Jinja where you can take up quad biking, zip lining, white-water rafting, canoeing, bungee jumping, kayaking and others. In the western side, you can participate in chimpanzee and gorilla trekking, birding, game drives, to mention but a few.

Gorilla trekking for solo travelers

Gorilla trekking in Uganda is possible to be enjoyed on solo travel. There are 2 options to choose for alone travelers to make their dreams come true and that is visiting Bwindi Impenetrable National Park or Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. A gorilla tour is the most famous activity for adventure seekers on solo travel in Uganda, offering a great opportunity for you to get up close and personal with the family of endangered mountain gorillas.

During the actual gorilla trekking, you will have one gorilla family allocated to you to track in a sub-group of eight clients starting at 8:00 am. Every single sub-group of 8 pax is accompanied by an experienced park ranger guides and you will spend 2-6 hours in the jungles searching for a group of these amazing creatures in the wild.

When you get a family of mountain gorillas, by gorilla trekking standards, you will have one hour to have a face-to-face encounter and taking photos. Note: tracking mountain gorillas happens in only 3 countries: Uganda, Congo and Rwanda. In Uganda, there are 21 families all fully habituated and open for gorilla trekking and tourists can visit any of the country’s five regions: Ntebeko, Ruhija, Buhoma, Rushaga and Nkuringo sectors. Valid gorilla permits are essential for any gorilla trekking to take place and you can book one at USD 700 per person and make booking at least 2-6 months before the actual date of tracking mountain gorillas.

Game drives

Uganda features some of the finest savanna national parks in the world, offering excellent game viewing opportunities to solo travelers or group visitors. At the comfort of your 4×4 tourist vehicle, you will spend 2-3 hours navigating through the sweeping savanna plains of Kidepo Valley National Parks, Murchison Falls National Park, Semuliki, Queen Elizabeth and Lake Mburo National Park.

On a game drive in Uganda, expect to encounter a myriad of wildlife including the African bush elephants, cape buffaloes, cheetahs, leopards, spotted hyenas, giraffes, lions (plus the tree climbing lions at Ishasha area), antelope families like waterbucks, oribis, Uganda Kobs, Jackson’s hartebeests, bush bucks, and bird species.

Launch cruise

Uganda has plenty of water bodies, most of which are ideal for launch or boat cruise excursions. The boat cruise experience is a remarkable leisure activity offering visitors a chance to see aquatic life such as birds, hippos, and crocodiles depending on the destination. The best places to visit for launch cruise excursions include Murchison Falls National Park (to the base of Murchison Falls or to the Nile Delta), Queen Elizabeth National Park (along the Kazinga channel), Lake Victoria and Lake Mburo National Park along Lake Mburo and Lake Bunyonyi to visit some of its spectacular islands.

Chimpanzee tracking

Chimpanzee tracking is one of the most memorable primate adventures awaiting you to enjoy on a solo travel in Uganda. Over 5600 chimpanzees are estimated to be surviving in Uganda and in different locations. These apes share over 99% DNA with humans and a trek to see them is a remarkable chance for us to make comparisons. A chimp trek begins with briefing and a normal adventure lasts for 2-4 hours to find a chimpanzee community.

The best chimpanzee trekking locations in Uganda include Kyambura Gorge (Queen Elizabeth National Park), Budongo Forest/Kaniyo-Pabidi Forest (Murchison Falls NP), Kibale National Park, and Kalinzu Forest Reserve.

Spot fishing

Other than game safaris, solo travel in Uganda also allows you to be part of the memorable spot fishing tours. Unlike normal fishing, this is different in that you use a catch and release method, and the target is to catch the heaviest Nile Perch. The main areas to visit for spot fishing include Murchison Falls National Park, Jinja and Lake Mburo National Park.

White water rafting

White water rafting is one of the amazing adrenaline adventures you can be part of while on solo travel, especially in Jinja. You will explore the Nile River on a full-day excursion while conquering the tough grades like grade 5. Other experiences to do at the source of the Nile River include kayaking, bungee jumping, jet boating, and more.

Other interesting highlights include hiking/nature walking tours, mountaineering/mountain climbing, bird watching, and more.

Important travel tips for alone travelers on Uganda safaris

• Always observe the set precautions while in the destination. Feel free to ask the residents for guidance or advice, especially on areas not to be visited. Don’t walk alone in dark streets while in the city, and take proper care of your valuables. Female solo travelers, ensure that you dress decently.
• If you are interested in hiking, please do so with an experienced guide.
• Uganda is a safe destination for solo travelers –male or female. What is most important, carry all essentials to make your trip a memorable one and these include valid visas, passports, daypack, long trousers, sweaters, rain jackets, insect repellents, and more.

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