GORILLA TREKKING IN UGANDA

GORILLA TREKKING IN UGANDA

One experience you won't want to miss on your vacation is gorilla trekking in Uganda. This is because gorillas are unique creatures that only exist in Africa, adding to the uniqueness of a visitor's experience. Research experts claim that gorillas and humans have a common ancestor and have both evolved. Their behavioral and social interactions reflect the nearly 98% commonality in their DNA. Uganda is on the eastern coast of Africa. Her neighbors are the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Rwanda, Tanzania, Kenya, South Sudan, and the Republic of the Congo. Using a national travel agency authorized by the government is far safer and less expensive.

 What does It take to do Gorilla trekking in Uganda?

All people over the age of 15 are welcome to engage in the gorilla trekking activity. It costs 800 USD for non-resident foreigners, 700 USD for foreign residents, and 300,000 UGA for East Africans, including Ugandans, to obtain a trekking permit.

.Gorilla trekking Destinations In Uganda

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, one of Uganda's ten national parks, was created in 1991. It is in the Kanungu area of the Southwest, close to the massive Virunga mountain range that crosses the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Rwanda, and the Republic of Uganda. The Ruhija, Rushaga, Nkuringo, and the park's initial section, Buhoma, are the four sectors that make up the park. It is the home of the greatest number of mountain gorillas, most of which scientists believe to be a separate species from the others. The gates open to the public as soon as the trekkers arrive for the pre-trek briefing.

 Mgahinga Gorilla National Park

The smallest national park in Uganda is called Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, and it's situated in the southwest. From the 1930s until the 1950s, the land was used as a game reserve; however, in 1989, it was transformed into an agricultural field, with trees planted and wire traps removed, among other changes. The territory, which covers an area of around 13.9 sq km, was elevated to national park status in 1991 in order to protect the region's diverse eco-system. The Rwenzori-Virunga montane moorlands, the alpine zone, bamboo forests, and the montane forest cover of the Albertine Rift comprise the park. Top activities accessible here include hiking volcanoes, trekking with gorillas and golden monkeys, birding, nature treks, and more. In this location, there are more than 100 mountain gorillas being employed for study. Two groups, Nyakagezi and Hirwa, are available for hiking.

Gorilla families

Like gorillas in their jungle, humans also have families made up of a mother, a father, and their offspring. A group of gorillas is called a gorilla family. They are frequently headed by an alpha male known as a "silverback" who has a silvery back lining. On the African continent, Uganda boasts the largest density of mountain gorilla families. The leader of the group, a silverback, makes sure the family is protected from hunger and danger. They spend roughly every night at a different location where they build and use nests. Being the alpha females in the group, the female gorillas are crucial in raising their young.

 It is the male's duty to win the trust of the female since it brings the group together. Only about 8 people, including the porters and ranger guides, are allowed to view a group of gorillas at any given time. Every guerrilla troop is unique and resides in a different area. When two groups get together, there's a good probability that a fight will break out since the silverbacks will be protecting their families. Following a pre-trek briefing, you can decide to hike any of the gorilla troops listed.

 According to the most recent census, there are reportedly more than 500 mountain gorillas in Uganda. There are currently over 50 families listed, of which roughly 23 are open to guests, while the remaining families are untamed and under habituation. About two in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park and about twenty-one at Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park.

 The following gorilla families can be found in the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park: the 19-member Rushengura Gorilla Family, the 17-member Habinyanja Family, the 8-member Mubare Group, the 14-member Bitukura Family, the 25-member Oruzogo Family, the 15-member Kyaguriro Family, the 19-member Nkuringo Group, the 12-member Mishaya Family, the 26-member Nshongi Gorilla Family, the 13-member Kahugye family, the Bweza Gorilla that split off from the Nshongi group, and the 7-member Busingye Gorilla family and more.

 Just two of the more than 100 gorilla groups in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park are accessible for trekking. These include the Nyakagezi Gorilla family, who formerly crossed into Dr. Congo but have since settled. There are perhaps ten people in the group, who reside in low-lying locations. The Hirya Gorilla group, which relocated from Rwanda's Volcanoes National Park, is the other family. There are roughly 13 people in the group, and it is unknown if they will go back to Rwanda. There are only sixteen gorilla trekking permits available each day, therefore reservations must be made at least half a year in advance.

 Gorilla trekking Rules and Regulations

To protect the safety of both trekkers and gorillas, strict adherence to trekking laws is required from the start of the expedition until its completion. A valid gorilla trekking permit is required, along with other guidelines like not littering, keeping quiet, keeping a distance of around 7 meters from the gorillas, not using a flashlight when taking pictures, traveling in a group, and not feeding the gorillas.

 Best time to Visit Uganda Gorillas

In Uganda, gorilla trekking is available all year round. However, the ideal months to avoid rain, which could interrupt your activities, are January to March and June to September. The rate at which it rains affects the hike's pace since it makes the ground slick. On the other hand, visiting gorillas in the low/rainy season offers the advantages of a less congested park, more affordable lodging, and superior safari services. The parks open at seven in the morning so that guests may get there, get briefed, and begin their trekking tours.

 In conclusion, Uganda is home to the greatest concentration of mountain gorillas in the world. There are two possibilities for gorilla trekking in Africa's top destinations: Mgahinga Gorilla National Park and Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.