Top Gorilla Trekking Destinations in Rwanda and Uganda
The world’s whole mountain gorilla population may be found in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, Volcanoes National Park, and Virunga National Park.
According to the most recent official count conducted in December 2019, there were 1,063 mountain gorillas in the world, the most in thirty years. Records show that Uganda has somewhat more mountain gorillas than the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Rwanda. Unfortunately, travel is now prohibited in the DRC owing to insecurity.
Where in Rwanda and Uganda is the greatest area to go gorilla trekking?
Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda, Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park, and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park in southwest Uganda are the top destinations for gorilla trekking in both countries.
Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park offers gorilla trekking.
Twelve habituated gorilla families can be found at Rwanda’s only gorilla trekking site, Volcanoes National Park, which is only two hours’ drive from Kigali International Airport on good roads.
About 160 square kilometers make up Volcanoes National Park, and there are plans to grow it. The park is situated in northwest Rwanda and shares borders with the Mgahinga Gorilla National Park in southwest Uganda and the Virunga National Park in the eastern region of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The largest gorilla habitat in the world is found in the Greater Virunga Conservation Area, which encompasses these three parks.
A gently rising field leads to a range of ecosystems, including open bush, bamboo forest, and darker, moss-covered trees with rocky trails, as you enter the national park. Ascending through the bamboo forest makes it denser.
Gorilla hiking is easier here than in Uganda because of the softer terrain and thinner vegetation. Due to its convenience, the park is a well-liked substitute for people with little free time. However, the cost of seeing mountain gorillas is much more here than in Uganda, and the tourism industry offers more upscale and luxurious experiences.
Trekking with gorillas in the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park in Uganda.
About half of the world’s mountain gorilla population resides in Uganda’s main gorilla trekking destination, Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park, which is home to 22 habituated groups of mountain gorillas spread across 331 square kilometers of dense “impenetrable” forest.
It is one of the most abundant rainforests in Africa and a UNESCO World Heritage site. At an elevation of 1,160 to 2,607 meters above sea level, Bwindi is nearly 25,000 years old.
As the name suggests, the deep forest of trees, bushes, and creepers is known as the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. The terrain is rough, and access is made possible by steep dirt roads. Rivers and waterfalls cut through the vegetation. Some trees grow up to 50 meters in height, creating a dense canopy. Your ranger guides may need to use machetes to cut a path through the challenging jungle.
Mgahinga Gorilla National Park in Uganda offers gorilla trekking.
Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, located in the southwest region of Uganda, is home to just one habituated gorilla family. At only 33.7 square kilometers, Mgahinga is Uganda’s smallest national park in comparison to Bwindi. Although the trek to see the gorillas may be rather steep in certain areas, the bamboo forests of Mgahinga Gorilla National Park are less dense than those of Bwindi.
The larger Virunga Conservation Area, which connects Rwanda, Uganda, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, includes the 434 square kilometers of volcanic highlands that make up Mgahinga Gorilla National Park in southwest Uganda.
Top Gorilla Trekking Locations in Rwanda and Uganda: Mountain Gorilla
The views of Lake Mutanda below and the hills and calderas covered in bamboo provide plenty motivation to explore this lovely, alluring border area. There is only one habituated gorilla family in the national park, but it is the only place in Uganda where golden monkeys can be seen. It’s also a great place to start a volcano (or three) trek.
What to anticipate when trekking for gorillas in Rwanda and Uganda?
Registration and a briefing at the appropriate national park office start the full-day gorilla trekking experience at 7:00 a.m. Depending on the region and gorilla family you are visiting, you will either drive or hike to the starting point after the briefing, leaving at around 8:30 a.m.
Park officials keep an eye on the activities of each gorilla family and know their general location and distance from headquarters. Your trekking choices and level of fitness will determine which gorilla family you are assigned to see and how long your walk will be.
At the morning briefing, you have to share your hiking preferences. You will be tasked with tracking a more approachable gorilla family if you have any concerns about your skills, which you can voice here. Keep in mind that porters are there to help you along the way.
It usually takes at least an hour of walking to get to your assigned gorilla family. In certain cases, it could take three or more hours to find your group. The hike will be an essential component of the experience, and the vista will be stunning. It’s easy to get dehydrated, so keep your pace steady and drink lots of water.
The rangers will advise you to leave your luggage when you approach your gorilla family so you can have a better view of them. Once you establish contact, you will spend an hour with the gorillas. They could be playing, napping, farting, grooming one another, suckling their young, eating bamboo, swinging from branches, or mating.
You will be able to follow the gorillas if they move while always keeping a minimum distance of ten meters. They might approach your group out of interest. This is normal and shouldn’t be alarming. The rangers will advise you to remain composed and take a slow step back if they approach you.
The knowledgeable hiking guides will take care of you in the wilderness. I urge you to benefit from their extensive expertise on gorillas, the jungle, and other creatures. They can tell you the names and traits of every member of each gorilla family since they are quite familiar with them. Important team members are porters, who will carry your daypack and help you climb and descend the slopes for a small fee (plus a tip).
Depending on where you are, you may see the gorillas in a deep section of the forest under a dense canopy, or in an open clearing with vistas and lots of sunlight.
It’s crucial to remember that after you’ve found your gorilla family, you only have an hour to spend with them. You may spend the entire hour with the gorillas while moving around, and each visit is different.
In conclusion, you are only allowed to spend 60 minutes with the gorillas, which will fly by. The remainder of your trip, nevertheless, will take you to regions of the world that are rarely visited by tourists. In this amazing place, you can witness a wide range of species, the gorgeous terrain, and inhabitants going about their daily lives. when the gorillas are the crown jewel, don’t overlook the other gems that can be found when visiting them.
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