How To Plan A Uganda Gorilla And Ishasha Tree Climbing Lion Safari From Kigali Rwanda

How to plan a Uganda gorilla and Ishasha trekking climbing lion safari from Kigali Rwanda. A combo of gorilla trekking and game safari in Ishasha sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park gives you some of the best wildlife encounters on Uganda safari. Securing the gorilla permits is the first step to planning this wildlife safari.

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Uganda has two gorilla safari destinations: Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga National Park. Bwindi Impenetrable National Park currently has the most significant number of mountain gorilla families, about 18 gorilla trekking families and two gorilla habituation experience permits. Mgahinga National Park on the other hand has 1 gorilla family called Nyakagezi. This gorilla family used to wander into Rwanda but is currently steadily living in Uganda.

The tree-climbing lions are Queen Elizabeth National Park residents in the Ishasha sector. These carnivores spend part of their daytime in the fig trees, although lions are not known to be climbers. In this Ishasha sectors are topis too. Chances of enjoying games in the Ishasha sector are more open in the early morning or late afternoon.

When crossing from Rwanda Kigali to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park or Mgahinga National Park, you use the Gatuna or Cyanika border. Rwanda and Uganda are in the East Africa community so those requiring a visa before entering either country can use this visa. The East African visa allows you entry into two East African countries, of which both Uganda and Rwanda are members.

Planning A Gorilla And Ishasha Tree Climbing Lion Safari

Reserve a gorilla permit in advance

Whether you wish to do gorilla trekking or gorilla habituation experience in Uganda, you must obtain a gorilla permit. Having a date when you hope to do gorilla trekking and the number of people you hope to travel with is very important. Check for gorilla permit availability from a Uganda tour operator or Uganda Wildlife Authority.

At Encounter Africa Safaris, we are ready to assist you secure your gorilla permit arrange all other relevant safari logistics including accommodation booking, transport means to use and others. We package our Uganda gorilla and game safaris into luxury, mid-range and budget. When you contact us about your gorilla safari, our safari consultants check for availability from the list of Uganda Wildlife Authority.

Upon finding gorilla permit availability, we advise clients to purchase their gorilla permits as soon as possible. Gorilla permits are limited, with a maximum of 8 per gorilla trekking family allowed, while a maximum of 4 gorilla habituation permits are open to public booking per day.

How Much Is A Uganda Gorilla Permit?

Uganda gorilla trekking permit costs $800 per person per trek for foreign nonresidents, $700 per person for foreign residents and 300000shsh for East African residents.

Each gorilla habituation experience permit costs $1500 for foreign nonresidents, $1000 for foreign residents and 750000shsh for East African residents.

The cost of a gorilla permit covers Park entrance fees, ranger guide fees, security during gorilla safari, mountain gorilla conservation, government tax, local community support, one hour of gorilla trekking or four hours of gorilla habituation experience. 

Exclusions of gorilla permit costs: transport, accommodation, tips, porter hire and any other items of personal nature.

Reserve accommodation To Us During The Gorilla And Game Safari In Uganda

Securing accommodation closer to where your Uganda gorilla permit is booked is very important. This is because gorilla safaris start early with a briefing at the ranger station, yet missing this step may cause you to be disqualified from this adventure. As mentioned above, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park has four areas under which permits are booked. You need to secure your accommodation to use while on gorilla safari close or within the area the permit is booked.

• Bwindi accommodations: Clouds Lodge, Gorilla Forest camp, Bwindi View Bandas, Gorilla Safaris Lodge, Ruhija Gorilla Lodge, Bwindi Backpacker’s Lodge, Gorilla resort
• Mgahinga accommodations: Gahinga Lodge, Mgahinga gorilla Triangle, Majambere Iwachu, Community Camp

You can also book accommodation according to your budget for a game safari in Queen Elizabeth National Park. Queen Elizabeth National Park accommodations are graded according to luxury, Mid-range, and Budget

• Queen Elizabeth National Park accommodations: Mweya Safari Lodge, Jacana Lodge, Bush Lodge, Katara Lodge, Simba Safari Lodge, Elephant Lodge, Ishasha Wilderness Camp.

Book Transport To Use During Uganda Gorilla And Game Safari From Kigali

By road

To get into Uganda, you can use road or air transport from Kigali to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Mgahinga National Park, then Queen Elizabeth National Park, or vice versa. The drive from Kigali to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is 5 to 6 hours via Kabale and Kisoro. You must reserve a 4x4 wheel drive vehicle because of the nature of the terrain of this area.

The drive from Bwindi impenetrable National Park Buhoma area to Ishasha area of Queen Elizabeth National Park is about 3 to 4 hours for about 64 kilometers.

By Air

From Kigali airport, you get to Entebbe airport, then connect by daily domestic flights to Kihihi or Kisoro airstrip in case your safari starts with gorilla safari. In case you are breaking the journey with a tree climbing lion adventure in Queen Elizabeth National Park, you can fly from Entebbe Airport or Kajjansi Airstrip to Mweya or Kasese Airstrip. You need a transfer vehicle either way.

You may also drive from Entebbe Airport or Kampala to Queen Elizabeth National Park, then to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park or Mgahinga National Park.

At Encounter Africa safaris, we have a professional team of driver guides with experience of Uganda safaris. Even the person you travel with as a driver guide adds to your memories of your gorilla safari.

Include additional Uganda safari activities to combine with gorilla and tree climbing lion adventure.

When in Queen Elizabeth National Park, you can take part in the Launch trip on Kazinga Channel. This is the highlight of your visit to this park. During the launch trip, you may get to spot a number of wild animals that move to the banks of this channel to quench thirst, watch several water birds that love congregating by the Kazinga channel banks, enjoy the beauties on the floor of the rift valley and so much more.

Keen birder on Uganda safaris in Queen Elizabeth National Park may spot a number of birds in the park; chimpanzee trekking in Kyambura Gorge or Kalinzu forest reserve are available, too, and much more. Taking a forest walk in Maramagambo forest has a lot to offer.

While on Bwindi Impenetrable National Park or Mgahinga National Park, you can be part of the community walk to immerse into the local life of the residents. This is one way of supporting the local community as funds collected are used to run community projects like water source construction, heath care support and others.

When is the best Time to book the Uganda gorilla and tree-climbing lion safari From Kigali?

Gorilla and game safaris in Uganda are open all year round, but most tourists prefer the dry season. The dry season is normally June, July, August, September, December and January. This Time, the mountain gorillas and other wild animals are more active, and grass is generally lower. The trails to use when locating the mountain gorillas are more passable, and the tracks are in the Queen Elizabeth National Park.

Most wild animals may be seen during the game drives and as you walk to find the mountain gorillas. This season being the peak tourist season, demand for services like accommodation vehicles is high too creating scarcity. For this reason, you need to reserve these safari amenities in Time so as not to get disappointed at the last minute. Peak tourism season in Uganda has crash programs, so you need to fit in front.

During the low tourism season, which is normally the wet season which is March, April, May, and November, the wild animals tend to confine themselves in water-free spots. This may be challenging to spot them at times. In the wet season, mountain gorillas tend to spend part of their daytime at the slopes, which means you need to hike to get to where they are. Hiking is tedious, so you must have some fitness level to complete it. 

If you wish to get solo Time with the mountain gorillas without spending more, the low season may be the right Time since fewer people are booking in. Although there less people booking, you must secure your gorilla permit in advance because even in the low season, permit may sell out. Do not travel expecting to acquire a gorilla permit on the ground, or you may be disappointed.

Even the game safaris are affected during the wet season since the tracks get slippery, so you must book at least a 4x4 wheel drive vehicle. Most animals tend to keep away from the open space, especially where there is a severe downpour.

No matter when you choose to do the gorilla and game safari in Uganda, have an open mind, especially on the game drives, to make the best memories of your Uganda safari experience.

How Much Is Gorilla and Tree Climbing Lion Uganda Safari Package from Kigali?

Each of our gorilla and game drive safaris is costed according to the safari package of your budget. At Encounter Africa Safaris, we package our safaris according to luxury, mid-range and budget. For gorilla safaris, you need a gorilla permit for all safari plans, and these permits have a universal cost of $800 per person per trek.

Other factors that make up the total gorilla and tree climbing lion safari cost include the number of days on safari, the number of people traveling with, the category of safari package you choose, additional activities to combine with safaris and others.

When you Enquire from us, our safari consultants are always ready to assist you with creating the perfect itinerary that will make your dream come true of meeting mountain gorillas and tree climbing lions. Fill in the details on our Enquiry form on the website www.gorilla-tracking-uganda.com, and we will get back to you as soon as possible.

How Safe Is Uganda Gorilla Safaris And Tree Climbing Lions Safari?

It is safe to go on a gorilla safari and tree-climbing lion tour in Uganda, but you must abide by the guidelines of each of these adventures. Each of these activities happens in a wildlife park where trained Uganda Wildlife Authority ranger guides are in place to protect the wild animals, visitors, and the animal habitat. 

Only enter a wildlife park with an escorting Uganda Wildlife Authority range guide. The wilderness is a free habit for wild animals to live freely, so do not test your luck by going unescorted.

Before the gorilla safari adventure, you must attend the compulsory briefing at the ranger station, where you get advice about going about these thrilling primates. Follow each rule religiously to avoid agitating the mountain gorillas and other forest dwellers. Stay close to the people you are searching for the gorillas with so that you are not lost in the dense jungle.

While on the game drive, do not get out of your car or else you may make a meal for some carnivores. Try not to dangle your limbs during the game drives, as this is dangerous. Hooting at the animals while on safari may cause them to run or charge at you so keep it low.

For stinging insects, carry some insect repellant comfortable on your skin. Even wear wilderness-friendly colors like Khaki and Tan to avoid attracting stingers like Tsetse flies. Wearing colors like black, white, and blue may attract stingers. Wearing garden gloves while searching for mountain gorillas may help you not get hurt when you land on stinging nettles. Chances of tripping and falling are high during the trek to find the mountain gorillas.