Behold Mountain Gorillas can’t survive in the Zoo’s, it is why you have to go find them in their natural habitat in Africa. There are only three (03) places in Africa where you can trek to see Mountain gorillas in the Wild. These are Uganda, Rwanda, and DR Congo. Of all three (03) destinations, Uganda is the most popular go-to country for Gorilla trekking. Here are a few reasons why Uganda is the best place to see Gorillas in Africa.
Reasons why Uganda is the best place to see gorillas in Africa.
1#) Mountain Gorilla Population.
While there is just a handful of approximately 1,063 mountain gorillas still surviving in Africa, over half of them are found in Uganda.
In Uganda, Mountain gorillas can be found in two (02) places; Bwindi and Mgahinga gorilla National Parks.
The distribution of mountain gorillas in Uganda:
- The Mgahinga Gorilla Population: The 34 Sq.Km Mgahinga Gorilla National Park has a population of approximately 80 mountain gorillas with only one (01) habituated mountain gorilla family open for tourism purposes. This park is the best place to visit for small groups, families, or friends (not more than 08 persons) looking for an exclusively private gorilla trekking experience. There are only 08 gorilla permits available on a daily.
Learn more about Gorilla trekking in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park.
- The Bwindi Gorilla Population: A total of up to 459 individuals has been recorded in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park. Out of the 459 individuals, the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) has successfully been able to fully habituate a total of 20 mountain gorilla Families across the four (04) designated gorilla trekking locations or sectors; Buhoma, Ruhija, Rushaga, and Nkuringo. Bwindi has a total of 160 mountain gorilla Permits available on a daily.
Learn more about Gorilla trekking in Bwindi Forest National Park.
2#) Price Of the Gorilla Permit in Uganda.
Uganda currently offers the best price for a gorilla permit. A gorilla permit in Uganda costs;
- $700 per permit for foreign Non-Residents
- $600 per permit for Foreign Residents.
- UGX250,000 for East African Citizens.
Travelers interested in Gorilla Habituation where you get to spend longer hours (4 hours) with the gorillas can be sure to pay a little over the bar price.
- $1,500 per permit for Foreign Non-residents.
- $1,000 per permit for Foreign Residents.
- UGX750,000 per permit for East African Residents.
3#) The Chance to encounter other Primates
While your primary motive for visiting Uganda might be to trek & see Mountain gorillas, you will have the chance to encounter other primate species within the same forests. If Mgahinga is where you are going, there is a chance that you might run into a group of Golden monkeys as you enjoy your gorilla trek. Otherwise, the best chance to see them would be to ask your tour operator to add Golden Monkey trekking to your itinerary and also pre-book a permit for you.
Treks in Bwindi are often graced by sightings of L’hoest monkeys, gray-cheeked mangabeys, and blue monkeys. while not so common, there have been times our clients have heard vocals or spotted wild chimpanzees crossing paths in the forest. If seeing chimpanzees is something you might be interested in, then an organized visit to Kibale forest national park, Kyambura Gorge in Queen Elizabeth National Park, or even Budongo Forest in Murchison Falls National Park might be worthwhile adding to your original gorilla trekking itinerary.
4#) Take Part In Fighting habitat loss by supporting the locals
Habitat destruction is the main threat to mountain gorillas. Communities around the parks are heavily populated, and residents have traditionally used land around national park boundaries for farming or logging.
Since tourism is now Uganda’s most lucrative industry, and the majority of tourists come to see the mountain gorillas, trekkers are encouraged to seek out ways to give back to the communities they visit. One popular option is to hire a porter, who is always a local resident and occasionally a reformed poacher. The landscape within the parks is unpredictable and difficult; porters help guide trekkers through river crossings and up steep, muddy inclines.
