Why Gorilla Tracking Is Jewelry Safari of Africa

Gorilla trekking sceneries are rich with wonders that make lifetime memories. It all starts from booking the gorilla permit as competition is cut-throat for the few released for public booking each day.

Besides you also need to have accommodation reserved in the location where your gorilla tracking permit has been booked. The distance from one area to another is quite long and the terrain is ragged.

On the day of gorilla trekking you must remember to carry packed lunch to assist as the time of your return time is not known. The time taken to find the mountain gorillas varies according to the proximity of food that the gorillas eat or the conditions in the forest like if the gorilla trekking family you are trekking is mourning a loss of a member, they may go into hiding. This makes the search quite long

Gorilla trekking the Jewelry of Africa

What more To see during gorilla trekking

This being a volcanic area, lots of highlands and spectacular valleys form great scenery. The ground is generally ragged providing a unique sight for photographers.

Inside the forest are troupes of exciting primates like olive baboons that roam the forest, black and white colobus, dramatic vervet monkeys, blue monkeys, l’hoest, and so much more. As for birders, this is one of the destinations that will give you free chance of seeing new birds but the most renowned are the incredible albertine endemics of which 23 species of the 24 species are residents here.

This forest is also a haven for botanists as it has being in existence for several years right from the prehistoric era or the ice age period. It is believed to be one of the still existing forests in the world that have stood a test of time.

While you walk along some trails, you may cross some rivers via a board walk as this is the water catchment area for the entire area. As you walk along some trails, you may meet some waterfalls with a very interesting view.

The forest canopy stands up high and when you hike the close by ridge, you get a clearer picture of the incredible forest cover.  Different layers of the forest can easily be identified and form a great scenery for photography.

Can I Visit other Wildlife Parks After Gorilla Trekking

The closest Wildlife Park is Queen Elizabeth National park. This is about four to five hours drive from Bwindi Gorilla forest National Park. The park can easily be accessed through Ishasha sector the home of the tree climbing lions but when it rains the bridge normally gets broken and you may be required to take the longer distance into the park. During a game drive, you may have the chance of meeting animals like herds of elephants, herds of buffaloes, leopards, jackals, Tsavo Cats, water bucks, bush bucks, warthogs, chimpanzees and a rich bird life. During the launch cruise, you may have the chance of seeing most of these animals as they slope to the banks of the Kazinga Channel.

Kibale forest National Park is also close and you may need about five to 6 hours to drive from Bwindi Forest National park to Kibale forest. This is the home of the chimpanzees who are the closest relatives of man. In the entire Africa, Kibale Forest is the biggest habitat for habituated chimpanzees. Lots of primates are residents of this park and if you wish to enjoy there presence this is the right park with black and white colobus, vervet monkeys, grey cheecked mangabey, blue monkeys to mention but a few.

Rwenzori Mountain National park is another close by park endowed with great wildlife especially close to the base of the mountain but unique plants grow as you hike up the mountain. The main activity is mountain climbing to the Magheritah snowcapped peak which last some days and requires earlier preparations.  

On your way to the airport, you may make a stopover at the lake Mburo National park which is the closest National park to Kampala the capital of Uganda. It is home to numerous animals like zebras, impalas, kobs, hyenas, giraffes, buffaloes, incredible rich birdlife and so much more.

Close to Entebbe International airport is the Uganda Wildlife Education Center which was initially called the Entebbe Zoo. Numerous animals are found in this center which is kept in exhibits. You may request for a guided walk in this incredible center. You have the opportunity of meeting other animals you might have missed while in the wild. Animals like cheetahs, lions, elephants, hyenas, chimpanzees, vervet monkeys, black and white colobus, numerous reptiles, birds and so many others.

Alternatively, you may visit the Ngamba Chimpanzees sanctuary on one of the beautiful Islands of Lake Victoria. This is home to rescued chimpanzees and homeless chimpanzees that are rehabilitated after being rejected by there communities. You may take part in feeding the chimpanzees at the feeding platform.  

One Week Gorilla Trekking And Wildlife Africa Uganda Safari

When interested in an Africa holiday, you may want to spend a week in the wild but you need to prepare in advance. You may choose a pre-organised itinerary or tailor your itinerary to shoot your needs. Select your preferred activities and the tour consultant will put it together to avoid back tracking.

Uganda Holiday In One week

How To Spend a Week Holiday in Africa Gorilla Tracking and Wildlife Safari viewing

Summary

Day 1 Drive To Bwindi Forest National Park

Day 2 Gorilla Tracking

Day 3   Drive To Queen Elizabeth National Park

Day 4 Game Drive And Launch Cruise

Day 5 Drive To Kibale National park

Day 6 Chimpanzee Trekking

Day 7 Drive To Entebbe Air port

Day 1 Drive To Bwindi Forest National Park

Get up early in the morning for breakfast and drive to Bwindi forest National Park. This natural forest is home to numerous primates and forest animals. This is also the birder’s haven as several birds linger around including the albertine endemics which are represented by about 23 species of the 24 renowned albertine endemics.

On the way, have a stopover at the equator to perform a water experiment, take pictures standing on both sides of the earth at the same time. Carry on passed the rolling hills of Kigezi arriving in the evening to check in to your room.

Day 2 Gorilla Trekking

Rise up early in the morning for breakfast, wear your gorilla trekking wear and carry your light bag with gorilla trekking gears like the camera, energy bites, garden gloves, water and so much more. You will meet other trekkers at the ranger station where briefing takes place

Later you will be divided into groups of 8 and escorted into the forest to start searching for the mountain gorillas. You may meet black and white colobus, vervet monkeys, grey cheecked mangabey, olive baboons, blue monkeys and so much more. Birds that linger in the forest make the trek very interesting as they whistle from the branches.

Finally when you get to meet the gorillas, stand at a distance of about 7 meters take there photos, watch the infants play and interact with each other. Return to the lodge to relax

Day 3 Drive To Queen Elizabeth National park

Home to the tree climbing lions is Queen Elizabeth National Park. Its backdrop is beautifully designed with snowcapped Rwenzori ranges. As you drive into the park, you may have the chance of seeing animals like lions, buffaloes, hyenas, giant forest hogs, topis, water bucks to mention but a few. The drive is about four to five hours arriving ready to relax.

Day 4 Game Drive And Launch Cruise

An early morning game drive gives you the chance to see animals return to there day hide outs and early risers get to there day hangouts. Northern crater area is rick with wildlife and most of the jungle drama can be witnessed in this area. Lots of crater lakes are found in this area both dry and wet but the most outstanding is Lake Nyamunuka with a putrid smell that you notice as you drive by. You may have the chance of seeing animals like lions, elephants, buffaloes, mangoos, topis, leopards, hyenas, warthogs, wild dogs, tsavo cats to mention but a few

After lunch a launch cruise welcomes you to the wonders of Queen Elizabeth National park. First of all lots of crocodiles, hippos find home in the waters of Kazinga channel.  The banks are regularly graced by thirsty animals like herds of buffaloes, prides of lions, elephant families, leopards, waterbucks and birds that flock the shores.

Day 5 Drive To Kibale National park

Kibale national park is rich with primates but host of the biggest number of habituated chimpanzees in Africa. Birds are in plenty and butterflies also add color to the busy forest. The drive from Queen El;izabeth National park to Kibale forest may last between 2 to 3 hours.

Day 6 Chimpanzee tracking and visit Bigido Sanctuary

Having taken your breakfast you will head to Kanyanchu the briefing point before chimpanzees trekking. You may spot out some of new species of primates that you may have missed out in Bwindi forest like black and white colobus, vervet monkeys, blue monkeys, the list is endless. Birds also have the forest drama and listen to there hymns to. You may hear the Chimpanzee hooting as if to alert there fellows of your presence. Chimpanzees live in communities led by the alpha male who is democratically chosen. The females in the community have an upper hand in choosing the alpha male

In case you are not tired, you may take an optional walk to Bigodi Sanctuary where numerous primates, butterflies and birds live. This is also home to the rare shoe bill stork. Visit the community workshop and return to the lodge

Day 7 Drive back to Entebbe Airport

Having enjoyed the moments in the jungle, watching the drama in the wild, interacting with the hungry savages as they grab the day’s hunt drive back to the airport to catch up with your flight back home.

5 Must do Activities During Gorilla tracking in Uganda

Uganda is endowed with interesting adventure activities that you can be part of like Gorilla trekking in Bwindi forest, Game drives in Murchison Falls, Kidepo valley, Queen Elizabeth national parks, Boat cruises are so interesting and dramatic, chimpanzee trekking gives you the chance to be close to human cousins in the animal kingdom.

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Activities To Do During The Gorilla Trekking Uganda safari

Gorilla trekking

Gorilla Trekking in Uganda being the major reason for taking your adventure tour in Africa. Uganda has the largest number of mountain gorillas in the world and the biggest chances of meeting the chimpanzees and mountain gorillas in the same forest is only possible in Bwindi  Forest national; park in Uganda.

You only need to secure a gorilla trekking permit with a price of $600, have an overnight stay at a lodge close to the area where your gorilla permit was booked. This is in a bid to reduce on the distance to the briefing point early in the morning.

Only one magical hour is allowed in the presence of the mountain gorillas so that they are given enough time to do there day activities like feeding, playing, making nests and so on. The mountain gorillas are habituated to be in the presence of human beings for only 1 hour. You have the chance to watch them, take there photographs are return to the lodge.

Game drives

Queen Elizabeth National Park

You may opt to go for a game drive in Queen Elizabeth National Park which is about 5 to 6 hours away from Bwindi Forest the home of the mountain gorillas.

The Northern Crater lakes region of the park is the busiest with wildlife life. You have the chance of meeting the leopards, herds of elephants, buffaloes, prides of lions, elands, water bucks, hyenas, bush bucks, Uganda Kobs, numerous birds including the foreign migrants which fly from as far as Europe. Chimpanzee tracking would be another great moment. Birding in queen Elizabeth National park is awesome. The highlight of this park is the incredible launch cruise on Kazinga channel.

Murchison Falls National park

Another incredible park where numerous games drives can be done. This park is bisceted by the longest river in Africa the Great Nile. It is home for the Rothschild Girafees, buffaloes, lions, statungas, hartebeests.

An early morning game drive in the Northern sector of this park gives you ample time to meet various animals as they carry on there day today activities. Lion, giraffes, buffaloes, elephants, olive baboons, hartebeests, hyenas, and so many birds find home here.

The highlight of this park is the launch cruise to Murchison Falls getting you closer to the dramatic point where the Nile waters squeeze through a narrow gorge, bursting out vigorously to make a cloudy appearance. The vibration of the water tides below the boat is very interesting. The foamy appearance that builds up after the water cascading to join the rest of the course is picturesque.

Birding In Uganda

Birding is one of the experiences you can be part of when you book a gorilla trekking safari. Bwindi Forest is one of the top birding sceneries in the World. It has over 350 bird species and about 23 of the 24 albertine endemics.

Some of the birds that reside in this forest include Canopy and Mid-storey flock, western Green Tinkerbird, Mountainand Yellow-streaked Greenbird, Red-faced Woodland,Rwenzori Batis and white-tailed Crested Flycatcher, Collared Apalis to mention but a few.

Along the Queen Elizabeth National park Kazinga Channel, you can have the birding experience while on a launch cruise after the gorilla tracking experience in Bwindi forest.

 Chimpanzee Tracking

Chimpanzee tracking is an experience that gives you the chance of getting closer to human cousins. After gorilla trekking, you may opt for chimpanzee tracking in Kibale National park. This park is about 5 to 6 hours from Bwindi Forest and home to the chimpanzees.

This natural forest is home to numerous birds, primates, butterflies, forest elephants the list is endless. During the trek to find the chimpanzees, you have an opportunity to get closer to the some of these wonderful animals and birds.

Launch cruise

After gorilla trekking, you can have a launch cruise in Queen Elizabeth National park. This epic experience is done on Kazinga Channel. This busy channel is always flooded with flocks of birds including foreign migrant birds that fly from as far as Europe,

Several wild animals also find there way to these banks to quench there thirst and others cool of the day’s heat by taking a bath in the water. Crocodiles and Hippo schools make a wonderful display in the water. The vegetation along the banks is stunning.

How To Select A Safe African destination For Holiday

Travelling to Africa for a vacation may be quite challenging at times but you must put your safety first so as to make memories with your friends and family. A gorilla tracking and chimpanzees tracking experience is a safe for your preferred African Experience. CONTACT US

How To Package Gorilla Trekking And Chimpanzees Tracking

Gorilla Tracking In Uganda Africa

Gorilla Tracking Permit

Gorilla trekking requires you to have a permit card in Uganda the gorilla trekking permit costs $ 700 and in Rwanda the gorilla tracking permit costs $1500. You have to present some details like your names on the passport, age, validity of passport, country of origin so that you can secure a gorilla permit.

Chimpanzee trekking permit

A chimpanzee trekking permit in Uganda costs $200 and in Kibale Forest National park you can take part of this experience. Chimpanzees live in communities under a democratically chosen alpha male. His powers are always checked by the community members as he is responsible for defending them and finding new feeding grounds for the community. His failure may cause another alpha male to take over but this is very rare.

Hire a driver guide

An experienced driver guide will make your travel experience on a gorilla trekking and chimpanzee tracking safari. He will assist you in discovering the best spots for photographing, touring some additional sites enroute, and he will keep you updated on the safari activities and itinerary.

Gas/ fuel

Gas is very vital during your gorilla and chimpanzee trekking experience as there are no gas stations in the Park or few can be accessed in the countryside. You have to fill full tank that will sustain you throughout your stay in the wilderness.

Accommodation to book during gorilla trekking and chimpanzee tracking

Several accommodations according to your budget are available for you to book. What is unique about gorilla tracking accommodation is you need to book a lodge closer or within the area where your gorilla permit was booked.

Luxury accommodations are available for up market travellers who would like exclusive attention, there is a variety of accommodation to select from. Most of them have well aerated spacious rooms with windows overlooking the Bwindi forest and occasionally visited by numerous birds. Several luxury accommodations also offer full board facilities but drinks are normally limited. Luxury accommodations have mainly Twin or double rooms but in case you wish to have a single supplement, there is a small additional fee for more comfort.

Midrange accommodations are also available for you to book, you can contact us to select the best lodge to fit your budget.  This will be confortable all the nights you will spend in the wilderness. They provide full board meal plan but you can make your preferred meal order.

Budget accommodations are also many providing varying services for you to choose. Majority of them however have shared facilities but regularly cleaned to keep them well maintained. Most of them are on bed and breakfast meal basis but have restaurants available for you to order meals.

What happens During Gorilla And chimpanzee trekking

 Early in the morning you have to report at the ranger guide station for briefing. No one is allowed to move into the forest without being briefed. This is to ensure that the rules of the forest are followed.

Later an armed range guide escorts you into the forest to start searching for the mountain gorillas or the chimpanzees. He is normally armed for your safety in case there is anything that attacks you there is ready defense. But the forest is safe enough for you as it is regularly supervised to ensure the safety of tourists.

The ranger guide follows the pace of the slowest tourists so that no one is forgotten in the wilderness.

 During gorilla trekking a team of ranger guards is always in communication with the ranger guide on tour so that your movements are regularly checked and the tourists are safe.

What happens during Game drives

Uganda is endowed with numerous wildlife parks where game drives take place that is to say Murchison Falls National park, Kidepo Valley National Park, Queen Elizabeth National Park, Lake Mburo National park and others

 Most tourists rise up early in the morning for game drives where they have a chance to meet animals like the pride of lions, elephants, water bucks, zebras, leopards, giraffes, buffaloes to mention but a few however, you must know that your safety is paramount. During the game drives, you are given a ranger guide to assist you go through the park.

At some point, you may be allowed to get out of the car to take better pictures of sceneries and selfies in the wilderness. No matter how calm the animal is, you are not allowed to touch it or feed it because it is a wild animal that may charge at you any time.

Enjoy and tour you wish to have in Africa Uganda but enjoy it safely.

4 Day Uganda Wildlife and gorilla Trekking Safari

Gorilla trekking in Uganda in combination with white water rafting safari is an adventurous travel trip. You must be ready to burn some calories in order to enjoy your trip. This safari involves a booking a gorilla trekking permit and accommodation to stay at. You also need to know the stage of rafting you are more conversant with. You may decide to take the road tour or book a fly-in gorilla trekking safari. CONTACT US

Gorilla Tracking for 4 Days In Uganda

Day 1: Drive or fly to Bwindi forest National Park

Early in the morning, drive to Entebbe to catch up with your afternoon flight to Bwindi forest Nationa Park. This flight takes about 1 hour and 30 minutes. You will be transferred and relax as you prepare to catch up with your gorilla trekking safari.

You may also opt to drive to Bwindi forest National Park. This is the home of the renowned mountain gorillas. This adventurous journey is scenic ad you by pass the rolling hills of Kisoro and Kigezi. Enjoy the monkeys like olive baboons, vervets, black and white colobus that you pass by. Meandering rivers can be spotted from a far. This drive takes about 8 t0 10 hours on the bumpy road. Check into your lodge.

Gorilla Safari Lodge/ Gorilla Mist Lodge/ Engage Lodge/ Bwindi View Bandas

Day 2: Gorilla trekking tour

Having enjoyed breakfast, pick your lunch box and carry your gorilla trekking gears to the ranger station. You will be briefed about the behavior of the mountain gorillas and how to behave when in there presence. Hire a porter if you are not sure of your fitness because this trek involves hiking. Enjoy the animals that you pass by and carry on until you meet the gorillas. Stand at least 7 meters away and watch them play from the vines. Remember to take pictures for memories. After an hour return to your lodge and relax

Day: 3 Drive or Fly to Entebbe and Ngamba Chimpanzee Island

Early in the morning, drive back to Kampala where you will enjoy your night or fly back to Entebbe for overnight. In case you return early in the morning, you can enjoy an optional tour to Ngamba Chimpanzee Island were orphaned, abandoned and rescued chimpanzees survive. Participate in feeding them and watch them struggle for the food. They are the closest cousins of man in the animal kingdom. Return to the land and relax at your hotel.

Day 4: Drive to Jinja For White water rafting

Early in the morning, you will be transferred to Itanda Falls in Buikwe to enjoy the water rafting experience. You will take some time in the water and visit the source of River Nile too. Watch the Nile water separate from the Lake Victoria point. Return to Kampala to relax as you wait for your flight back home

Note.

Book a late night flight for your flight back home

Gorilla Trekking Safari Recommendations

• Book your gorilla trekking permit in advance to prevent last minute panic.
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• At least 2 weeks to your safari, do exercises /workout to keep fit
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• Make shopping for your gorilla trekking safari using the list of gorilla trekking gears. You may not get time to do this on arrival. 
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• Inform someone known to you prior to your tour so that they can follow you up while you travel.
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• Advise about any health issue prior to booking your safari to get better advise from us and we prepare accordingly for your arrival
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• Send us your flight details in case you wish us to pick you from the airport on arrival or drop you after your gorilla trekking safari.
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• In case you have some items to give out to the community, you need to advise us to make arrangements.
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• Gorilla trekking is memorable you need to have a camera so that you can take some shots.
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• Have some hard cash on you because credit cards are rarely used in Africa and yet you may need to pay for some items. In Uganda, the Uganda shillings are used locally for monetary transactions our driver guide will take you to a forex bureau to change some. In Rwanda the Rwandese Franks are used locally so you have to exchange some of your money.

GORILLA TREKKING RULES

·       RULE 1: In case  a tourist is not feeling well  and has a contagious disease,  Uganda wildlife Authority  Staff have the right to refuse  you to go gorilla trekking or you have to volunteer to remain behind.

 
REASON: This is because the Mountain Gorillas are susceptible to human diseases so they can easily get attacked by human diseases therefore to protect the great Apes and conserve them, the ill have to be left out.

·        RULE 2: For each day, only a group of 8 visitors are allowed to trek the gorillas. Despite the fact that the demand for gorilla trekking is very high, the number of visitors is limited to that.
REASON: This is aimed at minimizing disturbance to the Mountain gorillas, stress and possible risk of transmitting human borne diseases.

·       RULE 3: The age limit for visitors is 15 years.

REASON: This is because the level of maturity of visitors at this age is high and there is limited fear of the appearance and shear size of the apes. Visitors below this age may also fail to get to the gorillas as the way is quite strenuous. 

RULE 4: Only one hour is allowed for visitors to spend in the presence of with the gorillas.
REASON: This is for conservation reasons and to reduce on the risk of causing stress, behavioural, disturbance, and other possible reasons that may lead to rage.
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RULE 5: Do not carry flash photographic as you take pictures. Move slowly and carefully in order not to cause suspicion.
REASON: This causes suspicion to the gorillas and upsets the Gorillas. They may later become very aggressive despite the fact that they are known for being gentle and shy.

RULE 6: A distance of 7 meters from the gorillas is allowed to visitors. The further you are from them, the more relaxed they become.  In case the great apes get closer to you in about two or three especially the curious juveniles, you are advised to retrieve slowly retreating to about 5 meters but in case this is not possible, then the visitors have to stay still where they are.

 
REASON: This makes the gorilla comfortable with you presence and reduces on the risks of disease transmission, stress, behavioural disturbance, and possible future aggression towards tourists. This also reduces on the chances of wild gorillas getting used to living with humans. 

·       RULE 7: In case you are in a group, visitors are requested to stay in a tight group, without spreading out or surrounding the great apes.

REASON: This prevent visitors from getting attached by un seen forest creatures and reduces on the risk of suspicion from the Gorillas they do not fell threatened.

• RULE 8: In case the place is quite comfortable, visitors should sit or crouch as they are watching the Gorillas. Visitors should not raise hands or arms, or point, nor stare at them.
  REASON: This can may be frightening to Gorillas in case you stand taller than there height. Stretch out your hands and stare. When you stand taller than them, they get threatened or aggressive.