Coming sight to sight with the great silverbacks of Uganda is not only a thrilling but also an overflow of emotions that takes over you at the moment. These apes which carry a great relationship with the humans are one of the most endangered and rare animals around the world. Nothing beats seeing them in their natural wild habitats firsthand.
However, there isn’t a specific thing that can prepare you for the overflow of emotions that takes over when you come in sight with a mountain gorilla. Thus, it could be of great importance to have a word or two from someone who knows something more about these magnificent stout animals. Below, we explain some of the haves and have nots one ought to know or else consider while planning a gorilla safari of his/her dreams.
Documenting the necessary monetary expenditure
Information about the monetary value to be incurred for your safari will be top of your list. This will help you not to over spend or even have your safari cut short of full enjoyment due to monetary issues. Prior planning about all the possible expenditures will also help you know the exact time to execute your planned gorilla safari. However, while planning for the possible expenditures to be met, one ought not to forget having a supplementary budget because some of the thought to be prices might changes overtimes such as prices associated to accommodation facilities or even transportation grand fares.
Planning the right time to go out on a Gorilla Tracking Safari
It’s hugely paramount to take into account the right season to travel in for a great gorilla tracking experience. In Uganda, it is irrefutably right that the best time to ramble the jungle for mountain gorillas is during the dry season especially during the months of June to August and December to February. This is evenly so in that during the dry season, the gorilla tracking trails are dry and not slippery and again, the gorillas are easy to spot. On the contrary, during the rainy season, gorillas tend to take shelter in the forests and are quite hard to spot not forgetting the slippery walkways all over the forest.
Booking a gorilla permit
Gorilla safari costs vary at times. Knowing the cost of a gorilla permit is very vital for every tourist. Currently, a Ugandan gorilla permit goes for 600 USD though this price will change to700 USD effective July 2020. It is relatively advisable for potential visitors to book gorilla permits earlier apparently 5-6 months before they start out for the gorilla safari. Having a prior booking will help you avoid inconveniences such as losing out on your gorilla tracking escapade given that the demand for these permits is usually high. The Uganda wildlife Authority is the government body responsible for issuing out Gorilla tracking permits. These permits can be booked individually or in cases where one doesn’t know the procedures, they could seek help from their travel agencies and tour operators or online.
Duration of the gorilla trek
According to Ugandan standards, all visiting guests are permitted to trek gorillas for a maximum of one-hour amidst the exciting gorillas. For this duration, guests get a once in a life time emotion triggering up-close adventure with the gorillas that could cause one to develop goose pumps. However, in circumstances where a visitor would wish to extend his visit or even more time with the gorillas, the gorilla habituation experience is highly recommended where up to four hours can be reached on a single visit.
Choosing the right destination for mountain tracking
Currently, in Uganda, there are two different destinations where visitors can checking to track mountain gorillas. Guests may choose to go gorilla tracking to either Bwindi impenetrable national park or Mgahinga gorilla national park. Choosing which park from where to check on the gorillas should be done depending on one’s physical strength. The northern part of Bwindi offers less strenuous treks compared to the southern part which has increased hiking difficulties due to the terrain. Trekking mountain gorillas at Bwindi Impenetrable national park is done at any of the four sectors around the park that is Rushaga sector, Ruhija sector, Nkuringo sector, and Buhoma sector.
How to get to your gorilla safari destination
One of the crucial things to consider before planning a gorilla safariin Uganda should be the means of transport to use and reach your destination. The choice between a road drive and a chartered flight depends on the visitor’s schedule. Like other safaris, a 4×4 safari vehicle is highly recommended for visitors travelling by road to either to Bwindi impenetrable national park or Mgahinga gorilla national park for a gorilla safari of one’s dreams. Although driving from Kampala to southwestern Uganda is quite challenging, there are a number of en route sceneries one gets to see on their eight to ten hours journey to Bwindi impenetrable national park which top up the ultimate gorilla expedition. Similarly, chartered flights can also be arranged from Entebbe or Kajjansi airstrip to Kisoro or Kihihi airstrip from which visitors can connect to either national park in case one wishes to avoid the long strenuous drives. However, a flight could limit the exhilarating physical experience with the magnificent and beautiful landscape Uganda has.
Accommodation in case of need
More to consider for your one of a kind gorilla safari will be the case of accommodation facilities were to rest at after your long day of trek. A guest could choose to book an accommodation facility inside the park or outside the park depending on one’s intentions. For example, in case you plan to engage in other activities other than gorilla tracking, one would choose for a lodging for days. Lodging services vary with one’s budget such as mid-range and luxury depending on the visitors’ preferences. In case the visitor is not well versed with accommodation facilities, he or she should consult the correspondent tour operators.
Your baggage for the gorilla safari
Due to the fact that mountain gorillas generally habituate in a thick impenetrable forest with steep hills, it is highly advisable for guests to prepare what baggage to carry and adorn in, one that best suites this terrain for a successful gorilla safari. For example, one of the must haves are the gum boot or alternatively, visitors have to put on shoes that cover one’s ankles. Open shoes are highly discouraged because of the rough terrain and nearly impenetrable under growth vegetation. Long trousers are also advisable to safe guard visitors from the thick forest vegetation that could scratch and harm one’s skin. Some of the additional items that one could need to carry include hiking boots, long-sleeved shirts and trousers, a hat, sunglasses, insect repellant, camera, among others.
Trekking Companions
In your plan for that exciting gorilla safari, visitors should not leave out a thinking about trekking companions with whom to chat on their gorilla trekking adventure to obtain an ultimate safari experience. A visitor will need a walking stick to help him or her trek through the hills and steep slopes and also through the thick vegetation. These walking sticks can readily be gotten at lodges and at the park quarters. Taking a porter helps you trek freely since he or she carries your backpack and other luggage including your lunch pack while in the midst of gorillas. This could help you have a free and less hectic safari experience.
Caution
Given the fact that mountain gorillas are endangered and a rare species, there have been a number of rules and regulations set for guests to abide to so as to ensure a great safari experience. Some of the set rules include one which stresses out that a maximum of eight visitors are allowed to visit a gorilla family, Visitors allowed one hour with the great apes, No camera flashlight photography and complete silence once amidst the ape families.
Other attractions together with gorilla tracking
There are a number of other activities a guest could wish to have other activities together with gorilla tracking such as visiting other tourist sites and this has proved to be a highly rewarding venture. It’s advisable for any visitor who plans to spend a couple of days in Uganda to have additional activities and attractions chosen together with gorilla safaris. Some of these activities could include Game drives, Wild swimming, Bird watching, Community and cultural visits among others.
With all the above insights, hope you are now a step ahead in planning and knowing some of the vital information you needed to know about a one of a kind exciting Gorilla safari. All the best as you plan for the best Gorilla safari.
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