Discounted gorilla permits paying off

In the past, the number of tourists visiting Uganda for gorillas trekking was still low yet funds to support conservation were meagre hence discounted gorilla permits that are paying off. In discounting the Uganda gorilla permits was one of the ways to create awareness of the existence of the only living mountain gorillas in the world.

The mountain gorillas are believed to be living over 25,000 years and suspected to have lived even when the dinosaurs were alive.

 The Uganda Wildlife Authority in 2013 started offering low season gorilla permits on where foreign residents would pay USD350.00, Foreign residents with a working permit paying USD300.00 and East African Residents of Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda and Burundi would pay Shillings 150000 for each gorilla permit in the months of April, May and November.

This was done in order to attract more tourists and increase sales during low season as Uganda Wildlife Authority had complained that they were not making any sales during rainy seasons.

Many conservations project in Bwindi National park used to progress slowly or come to a standstill during the low season.

When Uganda was celebrating 50 years after independence, government decided to dish out this offer which has seen the number of tourists increase drastically not only to visit Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga National Park. These are the only home to mountain gorillas in Uganda.

Even other Uganda National Parks attracted more visitors. Some of them include Queen Elizabeth National Park for game drives and boat cruises, Kibale National Park for chimpanzee trekking and birding as well as Murchison Falls National Park and Rwenzori mountains among others.

This also boosted incomes of Uganda Tour Operators since the cost of tour packages have had to reduce hence attracting more tourists to complement on high season tourist inflows.

The low seasons in Uganda normally attract discounts on Uganda safari amenities like accommodation, car hire, driver guides all factors remaining constant.  The discounted gorilla permits for Uganda have been off market for a long time but tourists can still get discounted prices with other safari amenities. Uganda is slowly becoming an affordable destination for tourists.

The only challenge for Uganda remains terror alerts, which are occasionally aired. In April 2015 when Alshabab bombed Kenya the tourist inflow in the country was affected. Kenya is a hot selling Africa safari destination especially the time of the great Wildeebest migration, its spectacular beaches and old historical sites.

During this time, the terrorists also threatened to hit Uganda as well but because of the vigilance of Ugandan’s and their security, the country has managed to control all these threats. In all tourism destinations, the security and safety of tourist is indeed first priority. No one would like to get back home with injuries or in a coffin.

The government of Uganda instituted tourism police to specifically provide security to tourists . This came with the joint East African visa where one can pay USD100.00 and he is able to visit all countries in the community. These countries include Rwanda, Burundi, Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda. Recently joining the community is D.R.Congo.

No matter when you wish to go gorilla trekking in Uganda, you are welcome you to visit and explore the pearl of Africa during low seasons of April, May and November.

As prices of commodities worldwide started increasing yet the demand for gorilla trekking was increasing too, pressure to rise the number of wildlife staff increased. The price of the gorilla permits had to be increased too to match the escalating prices.

At the moment, the cost of a Uganda Gorilla permit is $700 per person for foreign non residents . $600 per person for foreign residents and 250000 Uganda shillings for East African citizens.

At Encounter Africa Safaris, we will organize your transport, permits, accommodation and give you travel advice that you can rely on. For more details about our services, kindly visit our website for trip advisor to see what others are saying about our services.

How To Book Gorilla Trekking Permits in Uganda

Know the date when you hope to do gorilla trekking and the number of people you hopefully wish to do the trek with. When you send us an Enquiry about gorilla trekking with your preferred dates, our safari consultant gives you feedback according to the availability prevailing per that time.

In case its positive this doesn’t mean that availability will remain constant for a long time. Booking gorilla permits is open to every interested person but you must make payment as its first come first served basis. Securing your gorilla permit is the only confirmation of your interest in visiting the mountain gorillas.

Later you are requested to provide some personal details like the full names on your passport, your date of birth, nationality, passport expiry date and others. These details are for Uganda Wildlife Authority Record keeping Purposes and these are filled on the certificate after completing the gorilla trek.

You must secure accommodation close to your gorilla trekking area especially in Bwindi impenetrable National park. This helps you not to drive long distances to get to the briefing point.

Bwindi impenetrable national park being a vast forest was divided into four gorilla trekking area and each has its accommodations and gorilla families. This was to enable all areas of the gorilla habitat to be visited as some gorillas had started returning to there wild behavior. Habituating them had consumed a lot of time and money. Gorilla Habituation is the process of getting the wild mountain gorillas used to the presence of humans.

In case you want to do gorilla trekking in one area and enjoy accommodation in another, it gets challenging to cross from one area to another for briefing. The four gorilla trekking areas in Bwindi include Buhoma area, Ruhijah area, Rushaga area and Nkuringo area.

 Which is The Best Gorilla Trekking Park in Uganda

Gorilla trekking in Uganda is only done in Bwindi Impenetrable National park and Mgahinga National Park.

Bwindi Impenetrable National park has the largest number of gorilla families since it’s the largest in size too amongst the four gorilla habitats.

Mgahinga national park is smaller than Bwindi Forest and hosts only one gorilla family called Nyakagezi. If you want the authentic gorilla trekking experience, this is the right place to be because its still virgin vegetation as fewer visitors book its permits.

The Nyakagezi gorilla family in the past used to wonder into Rwanda, which made the sale of gorilla permits of Mgahinga National Park challenging.

Both Mgahinga National park and Bwindi Impenetrable national Park are great birding destinations for keen birders. So far about 350 bird species including Albertine endemics have been recorded to live in Bwindi forest where as Mgahinga forest hosts close to 115 bird species. Both lists are still being compiled because new entrants are being received in the forest.

 Mgahinga National park is the only home of the golden monkeys in Uganda while Bwindi Impenetrable national park hosts chimpanzees. Others primates in both parks include olive baboons, red-tailed colobus monkeys, grey cheeked mangabey, black and white colobus monkeys to mention but a few.

How Difficult Is Gorilla Trekking in Uganda

The nature of the topography of the gorilla trekking area is mountainous. Volcanic action covered the entire area creating steep highlands in some locations.

Finding the mountain gorillas requires some hiking at times depending on the feeding area of the gorillas. During the severe rainy seasons, the mountain gorillas may feed from the slopes. You need to hike to get there.

The ground surface is soggy at times because of the dense network of rivers that over flows when rain falls. The trees have thick leaves that allow less sunrays to penetrate below.

During gorilla trekking, you follow tracks that at times go through entangled creepers which requires the ranger guide to chop off some in order to create a path.

What Time Do You Locate The Mountain Gorillas

No specified time is given for locating the mountain gorillas because they are free animals that move without any restrictions. After briefing, finding the mountain gorillas may take between two hours to close to three quarters of the day.

Proximity of the mountain gorilla food and other prevailing conditions in the forest makes it quick or difficulty to locate them. At times, the gorilla trekking family fights with a wild family in case they loose, the wild family take over there feeding ground. The gorilla family you are to trek is pushed into deeper ends of the forest making it quite challenging to find them.

Death of a family member brings sorrow amongst the mountain gorillas which may prolong the time of location them. Even when the feeding ground has been exhausted, the gorillas have to relocate to new feeding area, which may be far from where they are known to be living

How Dangerous Are mountain Gorillas

By nature, mountain gorillas are serene animals despite there sheer size. They are shy especially when you stare at them. This however does not guarantee anyone to touch them because they are wild animals that have moods too.

Some signs of angry mountain gorillas include thumping there chests, pull grass around them and extreme times walk on one leg.

Provoking the mountain gorillas is forbidden so as not to cause a stampede in the forest.

Do not even think about the mountain gorillas feasting on you because they are generally vegetarian. There delicacy is bamboo, soft stems, fruits and at times supplement there diet with ants.

What Is The Cost Of Gorilla trekking Package In Uganda

A part from the general cost of the gorilla permit, which is currently $700 per person, the rest of the components of a safari package vary. The cost of accommodation to stay at during gorilla trekking is graded according to Luxury, midrange and budget facilities.

Hiring a well-trained and knowledgeable driver guide is more costly than just a driver. The means of transport you use to get to the gorillas also varies in terms of price. The cost of a safari land cruiser is different from a safari van.

Even the cost of a fly-in gorilla trekking package is different as charter flights are more expensive than scheduled flights.

What To Pack For Gorilla Trekking in Uganda

• Gorilla trekking requires you to have certain items in order for you to enjoy this once in a lifetime experience.
• Safari boots that a comfortable enough to help you hike to the slopes at times.
• A camera to keep memories of the mountain gorilla trekking experience.
• Safari wear in wilderness friendly colors like khaki, tan. The trousers must be long enough to cover your lower body and a long sleeved shirt on the top.
• Insect repellant to keep away stinging insects in the forest.
• Energy snacks to munch on when hungry on the way to find the mountain gorillas.
• A backpack, which is waterproof to carry in your belongings and prevent them from scattering.
• Toiletries just in case your accommodation facility does not provide them.
• Travel adapter and charger in case your electronic gadgets need to be recharged.
• Foldable safari hat to protect your hair from dripping water off the leaves
• Rain coat or poncho just in case it rains while still on the gorilla trek. In order not to get extremely cold and wet.
• A sweater to keep you warm when it gets extremely cold while in the wilderness.
• A pair of binoculars to see far ranging features in the forest like the monkeys, birds and others.
• A torch to use when lights go out because most lodges use solar energy for lighting.
• A duffel bag to carry in your belongings.
• Garden gloves for covering your hands when in the forest because you may wish to hold a tighter grip.
• Bug spray in case your room is infected with any.
• First Aid Kit in case you get any injury during your safari.
• Some hard cash that you can change into local currency just in case you need to purchase anything.
• Travel insurance in case of any emergency.