What happens during gorilla trekking briefing

Gorilla tracking tour is a number one safari that many save money for. Several travellers are very eager to look into the brown eyes of the mountain gorillas and stand closer to the shear size of the black coated body. Ensure you have a gorilla trekking permit to be sure of enjoying your gorilla tracking tour. CONTACT US

Gorilla Tracking 

What happens During Briefing before gorilla trekking

Early in the morning, you head to the ranger station for briefing. Do not forget to carry your packed lunch and energizers as the return time after briefing is not known. While at the station, you will meet other trackers. You will be advised on how to behave while you trek to see the gorillas like. Keep your voices low while in the forest because mountain gorillas are scared by the presence of intruders, avoid littering the forest with waste to protect the environment,

In case you have any contiguous infection, volunteer to stay behind because these apes are affected by human diseases too, request for a porter prior to starting the trek in case you are not sure of your fitness, Incase you wish to ease yourself while in the forest ask a ranger to dig a hole for you and cover beyond recognition. When you finally meet the gorillas, do not eat in there presence. Stand at a distance of about 7 meters away from them to prevent spread of diseases from either them or you. During photographing, take of the flash and use a sound proof camera. These are some of the things you expect to be told during briefing.

As you trek to see the mountain gorillas

As you embark on the search to meet the gorillas, you are not sure of where to find them in this massive thick forest so in the company of the ranger guide, you will head to the spot where they were last seen the previous day. Mountain gorillas feed entirely on foliage especially bamboo which is there favorite delicacy. The search continues as the gorillas keep looking for new grounds to feed especially in the dry seasons when there is little growth of plants to feed on. Take photographs of your memorable encounter with the great apes

After gorilla trekking In Uganda or Rwanda

Return to your lodge and relax in your room after gorilla trekking experience alternatively you may take a cultural tour to the Batwa pygmies where you will learn about there life and attachment to the forest

My Dramatic Encounter With Africa Wild Beasts

I packed my baggage with a lot of excitement ready to face Africa for the first time. We traveled by direct flight till Entebbe where I met my driver guide. Although I was not familiar with the immigration procedures, he was ready to assist me and finally we were out to start this remarkable Uganda Safari  CONTACT US

How is a Uganda Safari Holiday

We drove through the lush country side of Uganda but this kept me wondering if we could pass through the capital. I was amazed by the super natural rivers that we passed by, huge forest cover as if moving to the end of the world.  At one time, we had a stopover at the equator where I was excited to take some picture and perform the water experiment. 

Uganda Safari Holiday

We carried on and I continued observing the incredible nature that we passed by meandering rivers, very high mountains, deep valleys and a huge colony of bats that we stopped to take pictures. Finally we were arrived in Queen Elizabeth National Park.

As we drove into the park, we meet a number of animals like the huge elephants, solitary buffaloes, warthogs that seemed to be the predominant in the park, water bucks the list is endless. We finally got to the Mweya peninsular where I spent my night in the jungle.

Uganda Wildlife Tour

Early in the morning, we got to the road to begin off with a game drive. Honestly, I have never seen a busy wilderness like Queen Elizabeth national Park. We meet a herd of elephants, a pride of lions was fighting for the day’s meal, we drove further and met several solitary buffaloes, it was our lucky day so we also met a leopard that was posing in the tree branches. The back drop of this park is amazing with ranges that form a wonderful appearance.  The park has several crater lakes including one that smells like a rotten egg. I was advised by my guide that it is the hospital for the animals so some meet there death there and rot producing that smell. 

The launch cruise was the most amazing as I had the chance of meeting schools of hippos, crocodiles, and the shore was decorated with a flock of birds in that if one flew away, you could not recognize its departure because of the congestion. They are colorful birds and exciting to look at. I even had the chance of spotting a shoebill which is one of the endangered birds. 

The next day was so exciting as I had the chance of meeting the chimpanzees in Kyambura gorge. We had to hike to the slopes to meet them. They behave and relate like humans. We had a lot of fun in the forest but I was scared of meeting a lion because this Queen Elizabeth National Park is renowned for its tree climbing lions. We returned to the lodge and the following day, I had to catch up with my flight back home. Below is  the itinerary I followed and enjoyed.

Four Day Uganda Wildlife Safari

Day 1: Drive to Queen Elizabeth National Park

Early in the morning, our driver guide will take you to Queen Elizabeth National Park. This park is home to a number of wild animals. On our way, you may have the chance of stopping at the equator for activities like standing on both sides of the earth at the same time, perform the water experiment, carry on but you will have lunch on your way. The drive is about 7 to 8 hours but very scenic. Arrive ready to check into your lodge

Accommodation: Mweya safari lodge/ Bush lodge/ Simba Safari Lodge

Day 2: Game drive and Launch cruise

Rise up early for a game drive in the crater lakes region of the park. You may have the chance of spotting animals like the lions, elephants, buffaloes, leopards, warthogs, kobs, various birds and so much more. Return for late breakfast and embark on a fascinating launch cruise on Kazinga channel. Here a number of animals congregate to quench their thirst and birds flock to its banks including foreign birds. Return to the lodge and relax.

Day 3: Chimpanzee trekking

Having enjoyed your game drive, head to Kyambura gorge for chimpanzee trekking experience. These chimpanzees live in a community headed by an alpha male. They live   on the escarpments of the valley so you need to hike to get to see them. Return to your lodge and relax.

Drive Back home

After your Uganda wildlife safari, drive to Entebbe Airport to catch up with your flight back home.

5 Must activities to Include on Uganda Safari Itinerary

A Uganda Safari can be memorable when you do not leave out major activities like gorilla trekking, chimpanzee tracking, game drive and so many others. These are done on different parks that the country is endowed with CONTACT US

Gorilla trekking

Gorilla tracking is done in Bwindi forest National Park and Mgahinga National park. This brings you closer to the left over mountain gorillas which only exist in Uganda, Rwanda and D.R Congo. They have a dark court that shelters them from the year round coldness. Despite there sheer size, they are generally vegetarian and there best delicacy is bamboo shoot. 

To join other gorilla trekkers, you must have a gorilla permit and when packing you need to have gorilla tracking gears. Only 8 gorillatrekking permits are released for each day per family to book yet in Uganda there are about 10 gorilla trekking families. This is the reason why you really need to book you gorilla permit atleast 6 months in advance. 

Gorilla tracking time is not clear as it may take between 2 hours and beyond depending on the proximity of the mountain gorillas. You are given just one hour with the gorillas because they are habituated to have human presence for just one hour.

Gorilla trekking safari In Uganda

Chimpanzee tracking

 Tracking the chimpanzees is another memorable activity to enjoy. Chimpanzees exist in Kibale National park , Kaniyo Pabidi, Ngamba Island and Kyambura Gorge. They live in communities under the leadership of the alpha male. You also need to book a chimpanzee trekking permit in advance. You have two chance of meeting the chimpanzees that is the morning session and afternoon

Chimpanzees are the closest relatives of the humans in the animal kingdom with about 98% human genes. You may get to recognize them before meeting them as they keep alerting others of your presence.

Game drives

Uganda is endowed with a number of wild animals that live in reserved parks. You have the chance of meeting them on game drives. Some of the wild animals to see include lions, elephants, buffaloes, water bucks, giraffes, zebras, cheetahs, leopards and so many others.

Some of the parks you can book include Queen Elizabeth National Park, Murchison Falls National Park, Lake Mburo National Park, Kidepo Valley National Park and so much more. 

Within some of these parks, you may do a lunch cruise or boat ride which gives you the chance of viewing a congregation of animals and birds along the shore. The scenery is so incredible and picturesque. 

Birding in Uganda

Uganda is home to a number of birds. You have the chance of meeting unique birds including the albertine endemics.  Over 1057 bird species and has about 34 birding sites where by Bwindi forest is the top most birding site. It was awarded by the African Bird Club the top destination for birding in Africa. The Pearl of Africa harbors about 47% of Africa’s bird species which makes it the birder’s haven in Africa.

Some of the birds to see include saker falcon, Nahan’s Francolin, Black-Rumped Bottonquail, Denham’s Bustard, African green broadbill, White-bellied Robin-Chat, Oberlaender’s ground thrush, Basra Reed Warbler, Turner’s Eremomela grey headed sun bird, Mackinnon’s fiscal, oriole fich, scare swift, waller’s starling, mountain buzzed, African wood owl, Toro olive-green broadbill, olive thrust, Grauer’s rush-warbler, Red faced woodland-warbler, grey cuckoo-shrink, red sheeted owlet, Handsome fracolin, sooty boubou, African hill babler and so many theres. Sites where to see some birds include Bwindi Forest, Mabira forest, Mabamba Island, Makaga site, Lutembe Beach and so much more. 

White Water Rafting

For adventurous traveller, this is another adrenaline stimulating activity you can book. It is done in Jinja at Itanda Falls. You have the opportunity of selecting the level of tides you wish to take. Take off the stress with this great water activity peddling the tides and going in and over the vigorous water. Visit the source of River Nile the longest river in Africa and witness where the Nile water separates from Lake victoria

5 Options After Gorilla trekking in Uganda

Having enjoyed your gorilla trekking safari whether road gorilla tracking tour or fly-in gorilla tracking safari, you may have an extra day in Uganda and wish to spend it profitably to enjoy. Here are some of the activities you can do

Chimpanzee Trekking Uganda

After Gorilla Tracking Activities In Uganda

Visit Orphaned chimpanzees on Ngamba Island

In case you had your overnight in Kampala or Entebbe, rise up early in the morning and head to the pier in Entebbe to catch up with the boat to Ngamba Island. This is home to rescued chimpanzees which were abandoned, rescued from snares, captivity, circus, and so much more. These chimpanzees may not have the chance to get back to there communities so have to be taken care of.

There are two trips each day that is to say in the morning and afternoon. You really need to make your reservation in time. This is another chance to meet other primates during your gorilla trekking safari but prior to your departure. You will participate in feeding them, in case you underwent inoculation, you may enjoy chimpanzees up close

You may also request for a day room to freshen up before driving to catch up with your flight back home.

After Gorilla Tracking activities in Uganda

Guide tour to Uganda Wildlife Education Center ( UWEC)

This has a number of activities that you may be part of that is keeper for the day activity where you take part in feeding the animals in there exhibits. You also interact with some of the animals just like the center care takers.

Book a guide to take you through the center where you physically get to see the animals you might have missed. This is so amazing as you have the chance of moving to different exhibits and you will notice that this center as unique vegetation cover. 

Kampala city tour

Kampala is the capital city of Uganda. You may have the chance of visiting some of the adorable sites like the Bulange Kabaka palace, the Kabaka manmade lake, the Kasubi tombs though still under construction, Uganda martyrs shrine in Namugongo, the largest Bahai temple in Africa, Uganda museum.

For you to enjoy your Kampala tour, you must have a properly made itinerary because of the regular jam that may be a block to you seeing some sites and get appropriate information.

Botanical gardens

For those interested in birding and primates, this could be another option. This site is forested and incredibly cool. It has very many trees and located close to the airport. 

White Water Rafting After Gorilla Trekking

White water rafting Uganda

On the River Nile, you may be part of the white water rafting experience at the Itanda falls. This adrenaline stimulating activity is done in different stages but ensure that you are healthy and you are insured. You must also book a night flight because you are not so sure about the jam as you drive through the city to meet your return flight.

Recommendation

• ·        You must book a late evening flight so that you do not miss out on your flight because of uncalled for circumstances.
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• ·        In case you wish to enjoy an evening trip to Ngamba Chimpanzee Island. You must book an early morning flying gorilla trekking return flight 
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• ·        For activities like chimpanzee up close, you must go through inoculation procedures. 
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• ·        For keen birders you need binoculars to clearly spot these birds from the hiding.