Combining a gorilla trekking safari in Uganda with a safari in Kenya

Gorilla trekking in Uganda is a top safari activity carried out by tourists visiting the country. When you combine it with a safari to Kenya, you get the best deal because Kenya has a lot to offer when it comes to safari destinations ranging from National Parks to the pristine sand beaches. The two destinations can be visited all year round. However, the best time is during the dry season, also called the peak season, experienced from December to February and June to September.

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When organizing the combined safari, there are a few things that you need to know and are: The transport means that you are going to use during your safari, the documents to carry, for example, a passport, permits, vaccinations, and visas, your need to research about your destination and knowing the number of days you are to spend on your safari. You must also know what to pack as you prepare for the safari.

Both Uganda and Kenya are good safari destinations, and a combined gorilla trek safari in Uganda and safari in Kenya is a lifetime experience that we are willing to help you organize with our years of experience.

Gorilla trekking destinations in Uganda

Uganda has two gorilla trekking destinations, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga National Park, which are easily reached by either driving from Kampala or flying using domestic charter flights. Bwindi and Mgahinga are located in the southwestern part of the country near the border of Uganda with Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park has 19 habituated gorilla families that are distributed in the park's four sectors:parkhaga, Ruhija, Nkuringo, and Buhoma. You will be assigned a sector when purchasing a gorilla permit in Bwindi. This will help you book accommodation easily because all tourists are advised to book facilities near their assigned sectors. Bwindi also offers a gorilla habituation process where research on the gorillas is carried out, and tourists get to spend four hours with the gorillas.

Mgahinga National Park has one gorilla family and is considered the best place for gorilla trekking for all tourists who want to avoid large crowds. With only 8 gorilla permits printed daily, tourists wishing to trek gorillas in Mgahinga must do it in advance for proper planning.

Gorilla permit

A gorilla permit in Uganda is a document that is given to all tourists intending to gorilla trek in both Mgahinga and Bwindi, and it is the only way that you will be able to access the Mountain gorillas in their natural habitat. Purchased directly from the Uganda Wildlife Authority or through a tour operator who will help you buy the permit and plan your safari.

Whether you are trekking in Bwindi or Mgahinga, the gorilla permit cost is the same. It is 300,000 UGX for East African citizens, $700 for foreign non-residents, and $600 for foreign residents. The gorilla habituation permit costs $1500 per person, and every person gets to spend four hours with the gorillas.

Gorilla trekking rules and regulations in Uganda

Gorilla trekking rules and regulations are fundamental when it comes to gorilla trekking, and this not only protects the Mountain gorillas from extinction but also protects the trekkers from attacks from the gorillas when provoked. The different rules and regulations to follow when gorilla trekking include the following:

• The distance that needs to be kept between the gorillas and yourself is 7 meters, which must be maintained at all times.
• Groups of 8 are allowed to trek gorilla families per day and no more. The limited number of people trekking the gorillas is limited to protect the gorillas.
• All tourists who feel sick will not be allowed to trek the gorillas because it might affect the primates.
• After locating them, you have an hour with the Mountain gorillas, but if you are going for a gorilla habituation process in Bwindi, you get 4 hours with the Mountain gorillas.
• You have to take a camera with no flash because flash photography has been restricted.
• Cover your mouth and nose when you feel like coughing and sneezing, and ensure you do so after turning away from the gorillas.
• No one will be allowed to eat and smoke in the presence of the Mountain gorillas.

A combined gorilla trek safari in Uganda with a safari in Kenya is a dream come true since you have to spend time with the endangered primates and watch the wildebeest migration and wildlife safaris in Kenya.

Kenya safari destinations

Kenya is a masterpiece when it comes to safaris on the African continent. There are several safari destinations that you can combine with a gorilla trek safari in Uganda, and these include the following:

Masai Mara Nature Reserve: Masai Mara Nature Reserve is a popular safari destination that attracts thousands of tourists who visit the Reserve specifically for wildebeest migration trips. 

Masai Mara should be on the list of places that you should combine with gorilla trekking, and some of the activities that are carried out in Masai Mara include photography safaris, game drives, hot-air balloon rides, enjoying the wildebeest migration, bird watching, and cultural trips to the Masai people among others.

Tsavo East and West National Park: Tsavo National Park is divided into two parts: the Tsavo East National Park and Tsavo West National Park. These are some of the oldest parks in Kenya, with a variety of wildlife, including lions, African buffalo, elephants, cheetahs, kudus, waterbucks, crocodiles, Oryx, hippos, and gerenuks, among others. Tsavo is a good safari destination to combine with a gorilla safari to Uganda.

Amboseli National Park: Amboseli is a top tourist destination in Kenya, offering a variety of tourist activities like game drives, bird watching, cultural safaris, and guided nature walks. The National Park also has excellent views of the Kili ranges in Tanzania. The park is home to boparknimal and wildlife species that can be seen all year round, with the best time during the dry season.

Nairobi National Park: Nairobi National Park is the only park located in a park in the whole world and one of the easiest to get to on a safari to Kenya. The Nairobi National Park is located south of Nairobi, and the wildlife can be viewed on a raised canopy bridge or by enjoying a game drive through the National Park. The wildlife found in Nairobi National Park includes giraffes, warthogs, leopards, zebras, African buffaloes, gazelles, and over 400 recorded bird species.

Meru National Park: Meru National Park is one of Kenya's least visited jewels found east of Mount Meru. There is an unspoiled wilderness when you get to Meru because of the few visitors it receives per year, and some of the activities you can carry out while in the park include game parks, bird watching, mountain climbing, and cultural trips. The wildlife species found in Meru include giraffes, lions, jackals, hartebeests, gazelles, hyenas, zebras, cheetahs, elephants, and crocodiles.

Other Kenya safari destinations you can check out and combine with gorilla trekking in Uganda include the beaches along the Kenya coastline, Samburu National Park, Lake Naivasha, experiencing the nightlife of Nairobi, going for a food safari tasting the different local dishes and taking cultural trips around Kenya.

What to bring for your gorilla trek in Uganda and Kenya combined safari

As you plan for your combined safari, you might be wondering what exactly to bring for your safari. Below is a compiled list of essential things for your gorilla trek and Kenya safari.

• Long-armed shirt to cover up the skin and prevent scratches and bug bites
• Lightweight pants, at least two pairs are recommended, and the clothes should be of neutral color to easily blend in with the Jungle.
• A good camera for taking photos. You should also carry extra memory storage, lenses, and batteries.
• Good strong hike boots to help easily hike through the forest during the trek
• Waterproof day backpack to carry your items
• Binoculars. This will help you see the wildlife far from you during your safari.
• Insect repellent to prevent bug bites during the safari
• Sunscreen is to be brought whether it is the dry or rainy season.
• Blue and black are not recommended because of their connection with the attraction of tsetse flies.
• Water bottles, specifically refillable, and some snacks
• A recognition book for when you go for bird watching.
• Gardening gloves for when you are tracking gorillas
• Gaiters
• Sunglasses and a sun hat
• Comfortable shoes to wear after the safari at the lodges.

How much is the cost of the gorilla trek in Uganda with a Kenya safari 

The cost of the safari varies depending on several factors and decisions made by the tourist, and the factors that significantly affect the cost of the safari include the following:

When to travel for the safari: There are two seasons of travel: the dry season, also known as the peak season, and the wet season, also known as the low season. The dry season, June to September and December to February is the best time to go for the combined safari; however, it is also an expensive time to travel with an increase in the cost of accommodation and other services. The wet season, March to May and October to November, is good if you travel on a budget because many lodges offer discounts, whereas others close due to the heavy rains.

The size of the group: Travelling in groups reduces the cost of the safari as the costs are shared among the group members, which is not the case when you travel solo, and all the costs are in one person. When flying to Kenya, domestic flights usually take a maximum of four people to the local safari destinations within the country.

Accommodation: Accommodation is categorized into three categories: luxury, mid-range, and budget/basic accommodation facilities, and the type of facility you choose will determine the cost of the safari, for example. Suppose you are looking at going all out. In that case, the luxury accommodation facilities are the best, and if you are on a budget but still want to be comfortable, try out the budget and midrange facilities.

Accommodation to use during the gorilla trek in Uganda and Kenya safari combined

When planning a gorilla trek in Uganda and Kenya safari combined, the first thing you have to think about is accommodation. You need to look at the different accommodation facilities that range from luxury to mid-range and luxury accommodation facilities. During the dry season, accommodation is in high demand, and every tourist is advised to book the accommodation in advance.

Gorilla trekking accommodations in Uganda include Gorilla Valley Lodge, Nshongi Lodge, Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge, Lake Mutanda Resort, Rushaga Gorilla Havens Lodge, Gahinga Lodge, Buhoma Community Rest Camp, Ichumbi Gorilla Safari Lodge, Nkuringo Lodge, Broadbill Tented Camp, Agandi Eco lodge and Trekkers Tavern cottages among others.

Accommodation that you can use on a safari to Kenya depends on the safari destination you have chosen, and we are here to help you make the right decision when booking safari accommodation.

The action you get when gorilla trekking before going for a safari to Kenya is one experience you will not forget, and we are here to help you plan for your combined safari.

Contact us for more information about the safari, and our staff will be ready to answer any questions you might have on organizing the safari and the dos and don'ts. Start planning now to avoid any inconveniences during the safari.