Mountain gorillas are classified as endangered species and they only thrive in three countries: Uganda, DR Congo, and Rwanda.
However why do you have to choose trekking them in Uganda ahead of the other two countries? Trekking the endangered mountain gorillas in their native forests is something fascinating and memorable! There are more than 1000 mountain gorillas in existence, and gorilla trekking provides a rare opportunity to observe the everyday interactions of these gentle, mysterious primates.
Mountain gorillas only inhabit the dense vegetation of Uganda’s Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and along the dormant volcanic Virunga mountain range that stretches across Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park, Uganda’s Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, and Virunga National Park in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
The total population of mountain gorillas being 1100-plus is a huge progress as the gorillas were on the verge of extinction, many years back, thanks to intense international conservation efforts! Because these endangered creatures can’t survive in captivity, the only way to see them is by trekking up to their natural habitat: misty cloud forests that can reach altitudes of 14,763 feet. Below are some of the reasons as to why you need to trek the endangered mountain gorillas in Uganda:
Uganda inhabits half of the total population of mountain gorillas in the world
Uniquely, Uganda has two mountain gorilla trekking spots which are; Bwindi Impenetrable and Mgahinga Gorilla National Parks. Gorillas don’t pay mind to political borders, so populations across the Virungas are relatively fluid.
Uganda has an edge, however, since Bwindi alone inhabits nearly half of the world’s mountain gorillas – almost 500 gorillas.
The Park is a home to 20 habituated gorilla families. Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park is an ancient, montane and lowland forest spanning 128 square miles. Bwindi was named a UNESCO World Heritage site due to its remarkable biodiversity and the large number of endangered species that call it home.
Mgahinga Gorilla National Park covers 13 square miles of the larger Virunga Massif, which stretches across 168 square miles into Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Mgahinga comprises of three of the eight major Virunga peaks: Mount Gahinga, Mount Muhabura and Mount Sabyinyo.
As a norm, all the three Parks in the Virunga Massif are popular mountain gorillas’ refuges and so is Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. The Park is a home to over 150 mountain gorillas and two habituated gorilla families (Nyakagezi and Hirwa gorilla families).
Uganda Has More Affordable Trekking Permits
For a gorilla avid to enjoy close encounters with the endangered mountain gorillas in Uganda, you have to purchase a gorilla trekking permit through an authorized tour operator. In Uganda, a gorilla permit costs US$ 600, which is a bit more affordable than a gorilla permit of Rwanda (costs US$ 1500).
In July 2020, a Uganda gorilla permit will be costing US$ 700, as a way of making the activity more lovable. Especially in the peak season (July to October and December to February), the gorilla permits are on a very high demand and so advance booking is essential.
Most gorilla treks are carried out in Bwindi where there are four sectors (starting points) and numerous habituated gorilla families.
All the gorilla treks in the two Parks are spearheaded by Park Guides and a maximum of eight individuals per trekking group are authorized go for the trekking expedition of gorillas. Once the gorillas are found, you are strictly given one hour to spend with the gorillas – viewing them from a certain distance of at least 7 meters.
Gorilla Habituation
Another special and unique thing with gorilla trekking in Uganda is that a gorilla lover is also given an opportunity to indulge in an extraordinary experience of habituating the gorillas where he/she is escorted by well-experienced rangers and researchers plus some tourists as they observe a particular mountain gorilla family until a time when the mountain gorillas learn to tolerate the presence of humans in their natural habitats. In simple terms, gorilla habituation is the act of training wild gorillas to become used to the sight of people.
This activity can only be done in Uganda’s Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and here you spend almost the entire day with the gorillas. Meanwhile, a gorilla habituation permit costs US$ 1500 – which is really a bit more expensive than the gorilla trekking permit.
Uganda is a Primate Paradise
Uganda is a primate enthusiast’s paradise; there are very many other amazing primate species to spot in Uganda besides the gorillas.
In addition to mountain gorillas, Mgahinga is home to another endangered species known as the golden monkey. These furry, comical monkeys live high up in bamboo forests. Tracking the golden monkeys is very similar to tracking gorillas, but the trek itself is not quite as challenging.
Furthermore, Bwindi resides L’Hoest’s monkeys, gray-cheeked mangabeys, and blue monkeys. Within proximity to Bwindi is Kibale Forest National Park, home to chimpanzees and 12 other primate species – the Park has more primate species than any other African Park.