Booking a fly-in Gorilla trekking Safari is Popular In Uganda

 book flying gorilla tracking safari and how to book a ticket, how much is the cost of fly in gorilla trekking tour, procedures, when to book a gorilla trekking permit for fly in gorilla tracking safari

How To Book Flying Gorilla Trekking Safari

Gorilla trekking safaris in Uganda have for decades been conducted using road transport. This involved driving long hour on the bumpy dusty roads of south western Uganda. Fly-in gorilla trekking tours have become Uganda’s most sought after safaris.

Fly-in gorilla trekking tours involve taking aflight form Entebbe airstrip and fly for just 1 hour and 30 minutes. Later, you are transferred from Kihihi airstrip to your lodge where you can rest or enjoy other activities in Bwindi Foest that you might not have booked yet they are fantastic to participate in like the visit to the Batwa pygimies, Bwindi hospital visit and so much more.

With the flight morning flight to Bwindi, you may embark from an early morning flight and remain in the lounge to wait for you transfer flight to Kihihi therefore saving the money for your would be overnight.

 What To Do After Gorilla Tracking

Gorilla trekking tours also provide you with the chance to visit other parks that are closer to Bwindi forest National Park like Queen Elizabeth National Park especially if you trek gorillas and in a few hours you are back to the lodge. You may organize a game drive into Queen Elizabeth National Park which you might not have known prior to preparing your gorilla trekking tour. This is a park endowed with great animals like the tree climbing lions of Ishasha, herds of elephants, buffaloes, water bucks, bush bucks, hyenas and so many other animals that you come across in the Wilderness.

Gorilla trekking fly in safaris offer you the chance of viewing Uganda’s attractions from the Ariel view. Majority of road transport users see from the ground while in the plane, you may spot some of the great scenery that road users miss out like the meandering rivers, great rift valleys, birds, incredible vegetation and so much more that are picturique.

Try and book a gorilla trekking safari in bwindi to save yourself the burden of staying on the bumpy road for over 9 hours. Check the below recommedations 

Safari recommendations

• Ensure you have booked your gorilla trekking permit in time and flight so that none of these deprives you the chance of meeting the mountain gorillas.
• With the help of a gorilla trekking packing list, ensure you do not miss out on any of the most relevant items like the tracking shoes, rain coat, long trouser, garden gloves and so much more.
• If you are travelling with an infant, make it a point to move with the nanny so that you are not worried about whom to take care of it.
• The age limit for one to qualify for gorilla trekking is 15 years
• There is an option of a flying gorilla trekking safari but you must book a ticket in time and a transfer vehicle
• In case you book this gorilla trekking safari by yourself, make it a point to book accommodation in the area where your gorilla permit is booked to prevent driving for a long time on the day of gorilla trekking.

 

What Must be Packed for Gorilla trekking Uganda

Gorilla trekking gears to wear during a Uganda gorilla trekking safari must be packed in your travel bag earlier because availability of these items may not be a guarantee in Uganda.  This also prevents from panicking before the start of your gorilla trek.

Tracking boots

To move freely in the wilderness to trek gorillas involves moving in a rough environment which is boggy as a result of regular rains. The leaves from trees that fall on the ground also make it slippery and impassable. You must remember to protect your feet from piercing broken pierces of wood that may hurt your feet during the trek.

Wear long sleeved shirt and trouser

The jungle is quite rough and has stinging nettles that may hurt your skin, therefore before gorilla tracking, you must wear clothes that cover the rest of your body.  They should not be so heavy because you may get wet and you need to dry up.

Insect repellant

The jungle has a number of stinging nettles which you must protect your skin against. Remember to pack an insect repellant to protect your skin from stinging nestles. 

Camera

Carrying a sound proof camera during your gorilla trekking tour because this keeps memories of your gorilla safari in Uganda. Gorilla trekking being one of the most sought after trips in Africa deserves to be

Tracking hiking Boots

The wilderness is rough, crisscrossed by creeping plants so for the safety of your feet, you need to pack tracking boots that are confortable for tracking. These boots will also assist you to maneuver the soggy ground and prevent you from sinking in the mud.

A rain coat or Poncho

The virunga area normally receives rain without warning and throughout the year so this keeps the ground socked. You need the rain gears to protect yourself from getting wet when it rains.

Long Trousers And Long Sleeved shirt

These will protect your feet and body from biting nettles or itching surfaces that may cause harm to your skin.  A trouser accompanied by long sleeved shirt is protection enough for your body.

Camera

A camera is vital for keeping incredible memories of life’s great moments. You need to pack one so that you can take some photographs. It should be a flash less camera because Mountain gorillas are threatened by lightening.

A waterproof Camera cover

This gorilla trekking area has trees with leaves that are moist all day long dripping all the time even if it is not raining. You need to protect your camera from water that may damage it.

A fully charged Extra buttery

It is so sad if you miss out on capturing incredible moments while with the mountain gorilla your dream come true safari because of having low buttery. You need to carry an extra buttery to solve this.

Garden Gloves.

When you are in the wilderness, you may not know when you may slide. You may require to wear gloves to protect your palms from any damage. This also keeps you clean in case you need to pick something to eat while you move.

A wide brimmed hat

While you trek to see the mountain gorillas, you need to shield your head from anything falling in the forest. Sometimes the forest inhabitants like birds, monkeys release droppings that may make you dirty. You need to protect your head from any of these occurrences.

Insect Repellants

The wilderness is filled with many insects and itchy surfaces for this reason you need to be very careful have an insect repellant cream to apply to your skin.

Sun Glasses

Although there is little penetration of sun rays, you need to protect your eyes from may moving insects that may harm your eyes. You need this extra protection for your eyes.

Energy bites

The time to take in the wilderness is not known. It may be between 2 hours to three quarters of the day so you need some energy bites to keep you moving. However dumping in the wilderness is forbidden as it spoils the natural environment.

Carry Hard Cash

Carrying hard cash is helpful in case you need to pay for anything directly. In Africa, credit cards are not a common way to use for payment.

A porter

This you hire at the briefing point but can assist you to carry your gorilla tracking gears while in the wilderness. The payment you make after this service, the people in this area use it to pay school dues for their children.

Soap

Although most hotels provide soap or bathing form for their guests, it is better you travel with your own because it may be reactive to your skin.

A note book and paper

In case you are a birding fanatic, you may take some photos of the birds that are in the wilderness and note down there names in a note book for reference later.

Extra clothes

You need to change after trekking the mountain gorillas because the wilderness is quite dirty. You need to freshen up and change into clean clothes.

Uganda Travel Tips Before Gorilla Trekking

Before gorilla trekking tour in Uganda, you must have know this information about Uganda. Uganda is a land locked country in East Africa bordered by Kenya in the eastern border, Tanzania on the Southern border, Sudan on northern border, Rwanda on southern western corner and DR. Congo on the western border. Uganda is composed small  approximately 241 136 sq. km. of land but about 44 000 sq. km. is fresh water including Lake Victoria which is the largest fresh water lake in Africa.

Uganda which was named the Pearl of Africa by Winston Churchill is crossed by the Equator so the country experiences two seasons that is to say wet and dry seasons. On average each day Uganda receives temperature between 24 degrees Centigrade and 28 degrees Centigrade. Because of this, the country generally has tropical climate.

Which is the official Language spoken in Uganda?

The Official language spoken in Uganda is English but locally Luganda is commonly spoken. Kiswahili is also commonly spoken but not in the city. 

What Currency to use in Uganda?

When transacting business in Uganda, the Uganda shilling is the official means of exchange to use. Dollars and Pounds are also taken as legal tender in Uganda especially by travel and safari companies. For dollars, the legally accepted bills are those the year above 2000

Visa Requirements In Uganda

Before travelling to Uganda, you must have fulfilled all your visa requirements. Majority travellers to Uganda need to have a visas which can be obtained from Uganda high commissions situated in every country or at the airport costing USD 50.  You have an opportunity to get a visa at the airport on arrival.

What are Uganda’s travel Health Requirements

 In atleast 10 day to your travel to East Africa, you must have Yellow Fever inoculation. In case you are proceeding to South Africa, you must ensure you must have yellow fever inoculation. If you have a history of liver disorders (hepatitis etc) you must consult your physician first. Ensure you have swallowed your anti-malarial, keep proper hygiene to prevent food poisoning, 

Health requirements for Gorilla and Chimpanzee Tracking

When travelling to Uganda for gorilla trekking , you must ensure you have no communicable disease like a cold because gorillas are highly susceptible to human diseases. The Uganda Wildlife Authority be advised that you may voluntarily advise about your condition before your gorilla trekking safari so that you may be reimbursed based on the refund policy and regulations of Uganda Wildlife Authority

When to go gorilla tracking in Rwanda

The best time when to go gorilla trekking in Rwanda depends on the time you have for your safari in Rwanda. Gorilla trekking in Rwanda is done throughout the year and each day 8 gorilla trekking permits are sold for every gorilla tracking family.  Before  booking your flights for a Rwanda gorilla trek, you must have declared your passport details, nationality, passport number, date of birth and so much more. In Rwanda you have the chance of trekking gorillas in 2 days and below is the possible itinerary.

 Gorilla trekking Safari in Rwanda

Day1: drive to Volcanoes national Park

Get up early in the morning and drive to Volcanoes National Park. Enjoy the  view of undulating highlands of Rwanda and you head to the Park. Arrive and relax at your lodge

Day 2: Gorilla trekking in Rwanda

After breakfast head to the ranger station for gorilla trekking in Rwanda. You will be told about how to treat yourself while with the gorillas, when you trek to see them, what to eat and carry when getting to see the gorillas to mention but a few. In case you need a porter this is the right time to hire one. You will later be distributed to your particular gorilla families. With the company of an armed ranger guide move into the forest to start searching for the gorillas. They may get to see you before you do because they greatly fear intruders in there vicinity. Other primates like the vervet monkeys, grey checked monkeys, black and white colobus may cross your way. Finally when you get to see them, stay with them for just an hour and carry on back to your lodge. Drive to the airport to catch up with your flight back home.

Gorilla trekking safaris in Rwanda is most competed for during the months of January, Febuary, June, July, August, September, October and December so in case you are preparing to see the gorillas during this time, you must make all your bookings in advance. 

Rwanda has two renowned seasons that is to say the rainy season and the dry season so these also determine where the gorillas may be staying. March, April, May and November normally have heavy rains which may cause the ground to be boggy but passable as a number of trails have been created by regular trekkers.  Remember to carry a rain coat as a gear for gorilla trekking in Rwanda. Gorillas normally hide on the top of the hills or slopes to keep away from the wet ground. Gorilla trekking in Rwanda is done throughout the year as mentioned above.