What to do before gorilla trekking in Uganda and Rwanda
What to do before gorilla trekking in Uganda and Rwanda
Gorilla trekking in Uganda and Rwanda is top priority safari activity, but there are other activities you can combine with gorilla trekking to create a great itinerary. You need a well-informed and experienced tour operator to tailor an itinerary that flows and not backtracking.
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5 days gorilla trekking Rwanda
What To See In Uganda Before Gorilla Trekking
Game drives in Uganda
Uganda has National game parks like Murchison Falls National Park, Lake Mburo National Park, Queen Elizabeth National Park, and Kidepo Valley National Park. So when you take an early morning game drive, you may encounter early risers as they emerge from the night hangouts.
Some of the animals you may get to see include lions, leopards, cape buffaloes, waterbucks, bushbucks, cheetahs, jackals, wild cats, oribi, impalas, giraffes, zebras, and others.
You may not see all these animals in one game park because some are famously known to live, particularly in National Parks.
You must pay park fees for each of these game parks, which last 24 hours of your stay in the park. Therefore, it would be best to have a ranger guide escort you as you move into the forest if you face a tough time in the park. Do not try to get out of the vehicle while on the game drive, especially in the national parks where carnivores are known. This is because you need to find out where they may be hiding.
Chimpanzee trekking
Uganda is a primate haven-hosting chimpanzees in National parks like Kibale National Park, Kaniyo abides forest, Kyambura Gorge, Kalinzu Forest, Ngamba Chimpanzee Sanctuary, and others. Chimpanzees are the closest humans relatives having about 96% human DNA. They live in communities under the leadership of an alpha male whose leader is attested by other community members.
You must obtain a chimpanzee trekking permit for any of the locations to enjoy the presence of these primates. Two sessions are conducted, that is early morning and afternoon sessions. Only 6 tourists are allowed to see the chimpanzees per troupe.
The age limit for chimpanzee trekking is above 12 years. This is because the time you may take to locate the chimpanzees is still being determined, which may not easily be withstood by a child below this age.
Please keep all the rules of chimpanzee trekking to avoid agitating them, as they are very sensitive primates, especially with intruders in their vicinity.
Launch Trips
Two National parks In Uganda are famously known for conducting launch trips: Murchison Falls National Park and Queen Elizabeth National Park.
During the launch trip in Murchison Falls National Park, you sail on River Nile to the point where River Nile squeezes through a narrow bend of about 6 meters wide to burst out vigorously and form a cloudy appearance. A number of wild animals can be spotted along the banks, quenching thirsts, like giraffes, cape buffaloes, reedbucks, hartebeest, and others. The banks are a great stopover for a number of riverine birds, and serried crocodiles and hippos can be seen in the water too.
The Kazinga Channel launch trip is the highlight of this park, where you may enjoy the presence of a number of wild animals that love drinking from the shores. The freebies pull a range of domestic and foreign birds on the coast of Kazinga Channel. A number of wild animals also quench their thirst from these showers, including lions, hyenas, waterbucks, bushbucks, topis, and others.
Watching the ice-topped Rwenzori Mountains on a clear day while on a boat trip is unmatched.
This you can do before or after gorilla trekking, depending on the arrangement done by the safari consultant.
Birding in Uganda
Uganda is one of Africa’s best birding destinations hosting over 1000 bird species, which is believed to be more than the total number of birds in Europe. The best Uganda birding destinations include Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Mabamba Swamp, Botanical Gardens, Lutembe Beach, Mpanga Forest, and Musambwa Island. In addition, Uganda hosts some birds on the IUCN red list, even Albertine rift endemics.
Some of the birds you may spot in Uganda include ostriches, shoebills, Shelley’s Crimsonwing, Handsome Francolin, Yellow-backed and lesser Masked Canary, Papyrus Gonolek, Black Bee-eaters, Red-capped Lark, and others.
Even in Bwindi Impenetrable national park, about 350 bird species have been recorded. The Bwindi prime birding area is the Ruhija area, especially in the Mubwindi swamp. Ruhija area is a gorilla trekking point too in Bwindi, hosting families like the Butukura family, Oruzoga family, and others.
White water Rafting in Uganda
Going white water rafting on River Nile is thrilling, but you do not need any experience. On the ground, experienced instructors guide you and take you through all the necessary procedures of white water rafting on River Nile Itanda Falls.
There are different levels of tides you may take during white water rafting, so you can limit yourself to where you wish to stop. You can also take part in tubing or Kayaking on River Nile.
Visit the Source Of River Nile
Uganda is the only source of River Nile, where River Nile Water violently separated from Lake Victoria water at Jinja. You need to hire a boat to the point where this mystical separation happens. The drama beneath is unbelievable.
Mountaineering
Uganda has a number of highlands you can hike, which include Mountain Rwenzori, which takes about 7 days to return trip. Mountain Muhavura, Mountain Gahinga, Mountain Sabyinyo, and others where you may take a day’s hike. You must go with an escorting ranger guide because they know how much is within the forest or on the mountain.
Golden Monkey Trekking
The golden monkeys are limited in number, and Uganda is one of the lucky countries to host them in Mgahinga National Park. They are charming primates with a body structure bigger than ordinary monkeys. They have brown hairs in the lower back and are very active even though they are habituated. They live with other primates like blue monkeys, black and white colobus, grey-cheeked mangabey, and red-tailed monkeys.
Uganda Wildlife Education Center (UWEC)
The Uganda Wildlife Education Center is the former Entebbe Zoo, where animals are kept in exhibits. They are kept in an environment that is similar to that of the wilderness. These animals summarize almost all the wild animals living in the wilderness.
You can take a guided or self-guided walk at Uganda Wildlife Education Center. You may see animals like lions, chimpanzees, leopards, cheetahs, hyenas, different monkeys, and others.
What To Do In Rwanda Before Gorilla Trekking
Game Drives
Akagera National Park is the only game park in Rwanda. You can take a game drive through this park early morning. You may see animals like waterbucks, bushbucks, elephants, cape buffaloes, and giraffes.
You must pay park fees that take you through the 24 hours when in the park.
Chimpanzee Trekking in Rwanda
Nyungwe National Park is the only home of the chimpanzees in Rwanda. Therefore, you have to book chimpanzee trekking permits for Rwanda. This is home to other primates, like blue monkeys, black and white colobus, grey-cheeked mangabey, red-tailed monkeys, and others.
Kigali City Tour
You can arrange a Kigali city tour to visit the Kigali genocide memorial, Museum, Market place, and others. Kigali City is one of the cleanest cities in Africa because of the strict rules set by the Rwandan government.
Boat Trip
Within Akagera National Park, you can make a boat trip on Lake Ihema. You enjoy incredible scenery and the cool breeze from this lake. Many birds grace the shores of this lake, and keen birders can enjoy them too.
Visit Dian Fossey Grave
When you hike in the last steps in the previous steps of a great primatologist Dian Fossey, you get to the point where her remains were laid. She fought for the plight of the mountain gorillas that were at the rim of extinction. She is one of the reasons why they still exist and are in significant numbers. Her remains were laid amongst the mountain gorillas, which she defended till her last breath in 1985
Golden Monkey Trekking in Rwanda
Rwanda is one of the unique homes of the golden monkeys. They live in communities under the leadership of an alpha male. You must purchase a golden monkey trekking permit to see the golden monkeys.
Birding In Rwanda
Rwanda hosts a number of birds, especially in Volcanoes National Park and Akagera National Park. These birds also include Albertine rift endemics, and ornithologists can identify a number of birds. Therefore, it would be best to have a number of days and a well-set itinerary to support your time in Rwanda.
Mountaineering in Rwanda
If you wish to test your fitness, you can arrange a mountaineering safari on some of Rwanda’s mountains, like Mountain Muhabura, Mountain Gahinga, Mountain Sabyinyo, Mountain Karisimbi, and Mountain Bisoke.
Rwanda is a nation of a thousand hills, so expect to drive through meandering roads when heading to different destinations.
How Safe Is Uganda And Rwanda For an Africa Safari
Uganda and Rwanda are safe for any safari because the rangers work hand in hand with the security organs in each country to provide security to the tourists and the area around them.
- You also have to mind personal security like
- Not counting a lot of money in public may attract the wrong people.
- Not eating street food, which may cause food poisoning.
- Avoid carrying precious items like jewelry that may attract the wrong people.
- Only enter the forest or go into the park with an escorting ranger guide, as you may not know the way in case of self-drive or may be attacked by animals in the wilderness.
How To Book Uganda And Rwanda Safaris
You can book African safaris that go through Uganda and Rwanda, depending on what you wish to see.
When you enquire from us, you can state what you want to see in both countries so that our safari consultant can tailor a great itinerary that fits your time and budget.
If there is a need to book gorilla or chimpanzee trekking permits, this must be done in advance because of their high competition, yet they are limited in number.
The Uganda Rwanda Adventure Tour flow must include key activities like gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park or Volcanoes National Park.
You may include game drives and chimpanzee trekking, but the time factor and days available on your Africa safari holidays must be considered.
Ensure that accommodation to these destinations is booked in advance so that you have enough options when you book at the last moment.
Follow the rules that govern activities in these parks so that you are not bounced or allowed to participate in sensitive activities like gorilla trekking, chimpanzee trekking, and others. Although these activities are open for tourists to book, the conservation of wild animals takes precedence.
What To Carry For Uganda And Rwanda Safaris
- Insect repellant to keep away stinging insects that may cause harm to your body.
- Safari shoes that cover your feet and protect them from sharp objects in the jungle.
- A camera to take photos of different occurrences in the jungle
- A pair of binoculars to get a clearer view of far-ranging attractions.
- Toiletries in case your lodge doesn’t provide them.
- Pajamas to wear at night when it gets so chilly
- Energy bites to munch on during the activities because breakfast is too early to last until lunch break.
- Warmers that can protect you from getting cold, especially in the morning and late afternoon.
- Sunscreen because Rwanda and Uganda are tropical countries where the sun rays may cause you sunburns.
