21 Reasons To Go Gorilla Trekking In Uganda

21 Reasons You Should Go Gorilla Trekking In Uganda

Gorilla trekking is one of Uganda’s leading tourism activities. Whenever you mention tourism in Uganda, your conversation cannot end without mentioning gorilla trekking. Of course, there are several other gorilla-trekking options on the African continent but there are two most endangered gorilla species which also offer special gorilla trekking experiences on the African continent. Cross River gorillas in Nigeria and mountain gorillas in Uganda, Rwanda, and DR Congo.

Mountain gorillas and cross river gorillas are the most endangered gorilla species in the whole world. One of the most special facts about mountain gorillas is; they cannot survive in captivity; thus they can only be found in their natural habitats in Uganda, Rwanda, and DR Congo.

With the option of mountain gorilla trekking in Rwanda, DR Congo and Uganda; here are the 21 reasons why you should go gorilla trekking in Uganda;

1. Cheaper Gorilla Permits

Gorilla trekking requires entrance tickets also known as gorilla permits. These gorilla permits vary from one country to another. In Uganda, each gorilla permit is US$700 for foreign non-residents and US$600 for foreign non residents whereas in Rwanda each gorilla permit is US$1500 and US$450 in DR Congo.

Though Uganda seems to be a little more expensive than DR Congo, it is far cheaper than Rwanda. It is why you should go gorilla-trekking in Uganda. See how to book a gorilla permit in Uganda

2. Readily available Gorilla Trekking Information

Whenever you do a Google search about gorilla trekking in Uganda, you will realize that most of the gorilla trekking content is pinned to Uganda. This implies that you can easily access all necessary information when planning your gorilla trekking trip in Uganda than when you are planning a gorilla trekking trip in Rwanda or DR Congo

3. Self Guided Gorilla Trekking Trip

Unlike in DR Congo where you are required to sign up with Virunga foundation to go gorilla trekking, in Uganda, it is possible to simply hire a car for self-drive and still afford to gorilla trek without any restrictions. With this flexibility, it becomes easier to cut your gorilla trekking expenses in terms of transport and accommodation considering the option of rooftop tent camping.

4. Two Gorilla Trekking Park Locations

Both Rwanda and DR Congo only have one national park that hosts the mountain gorillas. However, this is not the case for Uganda since it offers the option of gorilla trekking in Bwindi impenetrable forest national park and Mgahinga national park. In case you wish to look into reasons why you should trek in a particular park; see our article about Gorilla trekking in Bwindi Vs Gorilla trekking in Mgahinga

5. More Habituated Gorilla Families

Uganda has over 15 habituated gorilla groups. This is more than any of the other two gorilla trekking countries have to offer. For instance, Rwanda has 10 habituated gorilla groups while DR Congo has only 6 habituated gorilla groups. This implies that there are more gorillas in Uganda available for gorilla trekking than in Rwanda and DR Congo

6. Variety of Accommodation Options

When you check out Uganda safari lodges, you will realize that there are several lodges in and around Bwindi impenetrable forest national park and Mgahinga gorilla national park. The beauty with these two national parks is; accommodation ranges from budget to luxury, thus you have a wide range of lodges to consider for your accommodation during your gorilla trekking safari in Uganda

7. Gorilla Trekking with camping Experience

There are several reviews regarding the gorilla trekking camping experience. Some have been out of motorcycle adventures coupled with camping, others have been self-drive hires coupled with camping while others have been tailored made gorilla trips organized by tour operators like African Jungle Adventures.

Regardless of the trip type, in Uganda, it is very possible to go camping with a rooftop tent, ground tent, or glamping as a form of accommodation during your gorilla trekking experience in Uganda. This implies you can save big time on accommodation in Uganda compared to DR Congo and Rwanda.

8. Batwa Cultural Experience

Bwindi impenetrable forest national park is very popular for gorilla trekking in Uganda, however, it is one of the places to experience the best of gorilla trekking coupled with one of the best cultural experiences Uganda has to offer; the Batwa cultural experience.

In the Batwa cultural experience, you will discover the way of life for the indigenous people whose life and survival rotated around this forest ranging from hunting, honey harvesting, fire-making among several other wilderness activities.

9. Lake Bunyonyi Experience

Lake Bunyonyi is one of the icons of western Uganda. Most of the gorilla trekking itineraries always feature a relaxing afternoon at Lake Bunyonyi. Besides the quality accommodation around lake Bunyonyi, there are also several other activities to undertake at lake Bunyonyi including but not limited to canoeing. It is very easy to access Lake Bunyonyi after gorilla trekking in Uganda than in Rwanda or DR Congo

10. Uganda is a Birding Haven

Uganda has a total of 1066 bird species 348 of these are found in Bwindi impenetrable forest national park and 115 found in Mgahinga gorilla national park. This implies that along with your gorilla trekking experience in Uganda, you have a chance to spot a number of bird species indigenous to Uganda. You can also consider a birding trip to Uganda

11. Golden Monkey Experience

Alongside the cheaper gorilla permits in Uganda compared to Rwanda, a golden monkey permit in Mgahinga gorilla national park is US$50 which is half the price of Rwanda’s US$100 golden monkey trekking permit.

In Uganda, it is very possible to go gorilla trekking as well as go golden monkey trekking in the same park (Mgahinga gorilla national park). This implies it is very simple to couple your gorilla trekking experience in Uganda with golden monkey trekking thus a good reason to go gorilla trekking in Uganda.

12. Spotting Chimpanzee on the same Permit

Though it is not very common to spot chimpanzees during your gorilla trekking experience in Bwindi impenetrable forest national park, there are chances that you will spot chimpanzees in Bwindi impenetrable forest national park during your gorilla trek on a lucky day.

13. Lake Mutanda Adventure

Lake Bunyonyi seems to be the most popular destination after gorilla trekking in Uganda however it has a fairly good nemesis; Lake Mutanda has not got fairly the same spotlight as Lake Bunyonyi. It is also a good hideout and one of the best reasons you should gorilla trek in Uganda; Mgahinga gorilla national park to be specific

14. Safety

Uganda is the safest place in the region, for the same reason, it has refugees from all its neighboring countries. When you go gorilla trekking in Uganda, you are visiting a place where your safety is at the utmost. Though we cannot guarantee you safety at all times; whenever you speak about safety in East Africa, Uganda cannot fail to feature

15. Spotting Forest Buffaloes

If you know what a buffalo is, you might have spotted in a savannah setting. Though it is not common to spot the forest buffaloes during your gorilla trekking experience, you might be among the lucky ones to spot forest buffaloes during your gorilla trekking experience. Though this is also very uncommon, it is a good reason to consider gorilla trekking in Uganda; Bwindi impenetrable forest national park to be specific

16. Preserve Mountain Gorillas Natural Habitat

Mountain gorillas are incapable of surviving in captivity, thus they badly need their natural habitat to survive. In Uganda, these great apes are growing in number through the help of those who offer selfless support through gorilla trekking.

Whenever you go gorilla trekking in either Bwindi impenetrable forest national park or Mgahinga gorilla national park, you are contributing directly through your gorilla permit on the preservation of mountain gorillas in their habitat. Uganda wildlife authority mainly runs its conservation activities in these parks through the generous help offered through purchase gorilla permits

17. Spotting the Forest Elephants

Forest elephants are some of the rarest elephants in Uganda. Though it is very rare to spot forest elephants during your gorilla trek, whenever you go gorilla trekking in Bwindi impenetrable forest national park, you set yourself up for an opportunity to spot forest elephants in this park. However, it is never guaranteed since these are some of the rarest gems of Bwindi impenetrable forest national park.

18. Uganda Weather Conditions

It is undoubtedly undistributed; Uganda is one of the countries in the whole world with the best weather conditions. Throughout the year, regardless of whether it is raining or shining, it is very possible to go gorilla trekking in Uganda thus a very good reason to consider Uganda for your next gorilla trekking trip in Africa.

19. Tree Climbing Lions

Just like the forest elephants, it is not common to find tree-climbing lions. Among the mountain gorilla trekking destinations in the whole world, it is only Uganda that hosts mountain gorillas and tree climbing lions. Whenever you consider gorilla trekking coupled with tree climbing lion tracking, Uganda stands out as the best options

20. Community Development

Uganda wildlife Authority gives back to all communities that live around the gorilla parks. Every time you choose to gorilla trek in Uganda, you are not only getting experience but transforming a community’s livelihood through better health and education services courtesy of gorilla trekking.

21. Women Empowerment

The Buhoma sector is the most popular gorilla trekking sector in Bwindi impenetrable forest national park due to its proximity to Ishasha in Queen Elizabeth national park commonly known for the tree-climbing lions.

Mwebesa house is one of the most recommended accommodations because whenever you spent a night in this place, you are not only empowering women around Bwindi but also supporting the livelihood of women suffering from HIV in the same locality. The place also offers crafts which you can buy as your Bwindi gorilla trekking experience souvenir.