Uganda Gorilla Travel Holidays – Best Last-Minute Uganda Gorilla Safaris
Book last minute Uganda Gorilla Travel Holidays and enjoy a close encounter with the world’s remaining endangered mountain gorillas in the tropical rain-forest of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. At Maranatha Tours and Travel, it is possible to go on last minute gorilla trekking adventure in Uganda, the pearl of Africa.
What you only ought to do is, book your gorilla permit and gorilla safari early to avoid any disappointments. There is high demand for gorilla permits although there is possibility to arrange the last-minute gorilla safari. While this possibility exists, on the other hand, it is very risky as you may not find a gorilla permit or even a flight.
Best Selling Uganda Gorilla Travel Holidays
What a last-minute Uganda Gorilla Travel Holidays can be arranged
Ranger Lead Travel Africa is a committed ground tour operator and for a test of time, it has positioned itself as the best provider of unforgettable gorilla trekking experiences in Africa. Whether you have limited time or not, still we ensure you get a chance to be part of the magical encounter with mountain gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park or Mgahinga Gorilla National Park amidst your busy schedule.
When contacted for last minute Uganda Gorilla Travel Holidays, we definitely take a step to inquire if there are available gorilla permits from respective authorities if we do not have any and get back to you. When we get back to you, we do so with a quote for your safari and to allow you make payment effectively.
This means, you should have cash ready with you to effect payment for your Gorilla Safari in Bwindi or Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. Though finding a gorilla permit may seem a challenge, we do our best to have your dream realized and where we fail to find, we get back to you immediately.
Even starting from Kigali, it is possible to go on a last-minute Uganda Gorilla Travel Holidays with Ranger Lead Travel Africa. We avail our clients with variety of options given our range of safari packages right from 2 days gorilla trekking tour, 3 days last minute gorilla tour from Kigali Rwanda and many others.
The advantage of undertaking last minute Uganda Gorilla Travel Holidays from Kigali is that, it is very accessible by road compared to traveling from Entebbe or Kampala to Bwindi or Mgahinga Gorilla National Park for about 8-9 hours. From Kigali Rwanda to Mgahinga or Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, it is a journey of about 3-4 hours. This makes it possible for holiday makers to even go on 1 day gorilla trekking in Bwindi or Mgahinga from Kigali Rwanda.
Best Guide to Gorilla Trekking in Uganda, Rwanda & Congo
Gorilla trekking has become the most attracting activity in Africa especially in Uganda, Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Many tourists prefer going to the deep tropical rainforests searching for these endangered species and some even end up doing double trekking after a thrilling experience. In these three countries, trekking is now the leading tourist attraction bringing in visitors from different countries.
Uganda is known for its unsurpassed biodiversity but gorilla trekking safaris are the most popular and are the prime reason many tourists visit Uganda.
Mountain gorillas are scientifically known as Gorilla beringei beringei and in Uganda occupy the thick Tropical rainforests of Bwindi Impenetrable national park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Parks found in the south-western corner of the country.
Mountain Gorillas in Uganda
Gorilla trekking in Uganda is a one-of-a kind activity that leads enthusiastic primate lovers to the dense jungles to meet one of the 21 habituated gorilla families that call Bwindi Impenetrable and Mgahinga National Parks home.
With more than half the World’s population of surviving mountain gorillas calling these Park’s home, Uganda is definitely the best gorilla trekking destination. Mgahinga is a home to only one habituated gorilla family known as Nyakagyezi while Bwindi Impenetrable offers shelter to 20 habituated gorilla families found within the four sectors of the Park thus 160 permits are available per day.
Cost of Uganda Gorilla Travel Holidays
Uganda Gorilla Travel Holidays are relatively cheaper than in Rwanda and the cost depends on a number of factors that include the transport means chosen, the accommodation facility (whether its budget, midrange or luxury) and the time of the year (wet months are generally low seasons where most safari lodges/hotels offer discounts).
However, some costs especially for gorilla permits remain constant at $600 for foreign non-residents, $500 for foreign residents and Shs 250,000 for East African Community Residents.
What you need to carry for Uganda Gorilla Travel Holidays
Uganda Gorilla Travel Holidays are incomplete without a number of essential things that include a gorilla permit which you need to put first in your bag, gardening gloves that will protect your hands from getting hurt as you hold on tree branches, rain jacket, strong hiking boots with enough grip, toiletries, cameras with extra batteries and enough memory, long sleeved shirt/top, insect repellant, rainproof backpack, energy giving snacks, a wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses, pair of binoculars, long trousers, long cotton socks and finally you will need to hire a porter on the day of trekking.
Best Time for Uganda Gorilla Travel Holidays
Uganda Gorilla Travel Holidays are done all year round but gorilla permits are usually on high demand during the dry months of January, February, June, July, August, September and December because most tourists prefer trekking during the dry season when trails are drier and less muddy or slippery.
This however doesn’t mean that the Gorilla trekking destinations are avoided during the wet season but surprisingly, the months of March, April, May, October and November offer easier and faster trekking conditions given the fact that food for the mountain gorillas is in plenty and these primates don’t move to far places.
Gorilla Trekking Trips
Gorilla trekking tips are set guidelines/procedures to be followed by tourists before, during and after trekking mountain gorillas to ensure their protection, given the fact that they are endangered and vulnerable species.
Mountain gorillas are scientifically known as gorilla beringei beringei and are one of the two sub-species of Eastern gorillas with at least 1004 of them occupying the mountainous rainforests of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park as well as the Virunga Conservation Area comprising of Uganda’s Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park and Congo’s Virunga National Park.
Mountain gorillas are up to 98.2% rated to humans which makes them susceptible to most contagious diseases that also affect human especially flue/cold, cough, influenza and Ebola (can be transferred from humans to mountain gorillas and vice-versa). Also, giant apes just like other wild animals can be harmful to humans if provoked although they are habituated hence trekkers are always briefed on the dos and don’ts of trekking them. Therefore, the gorilla trekking tips are categorized into guidelines to follow before trekking, during trekking and when in the presence of the mountain gorillas and they include;
Gorilla trekking tips to follow before setting off
Ensure that you are of reasonable shape, given the fact that mountain gorillas live in areas of high elevation thus making gorilla trekking physically demanding. Make sure you are over 15 years before trekking the mountain gorillas. This guideline is crucial for reducing the risk of exposing the already endangered primates to childhood diseases such as measles and also to avoid scaring them since children are unpredictable when it comes to responding to fear.
Always wash your hands before trekking the mountain gorillas to avoid spreading disease causing germs to the gorillas.
Maximum of 8 tourists are allowed to trek a habituated gorilla family per day to reduce risk of exposing mountain gorillas to diseases and to avoid behavioral changes.
Gorilla trekking tips to follow while searching for the allocated gorilla family
Practice the principle of “pack it in, pack it out” when dealing with litter and leave the Park exactly the way you found it. The fragile ecosystem of mountain gorillas has to be kept the way it was found so that the generations to come can also enjoy the privilege of meeting face to face with the great apes with their authenticity.
There are no toilets in the middle of the jungles and if you ever desire to answer the call of nature, speak to a ranger who will dig a small pit of 30 centimeters deep to allow you defecate and will be covered after use. Keep voices low when trekking the mountain gorillas and only ask the guides questions related to mountain gorillas and the activity itself.
Gorilla trekking tips when in the presence of the great apes
Flash cameras are not allowed to taking photos of the mountain gorillas because it scares them and can provoke an aggression.
Trekkers are given only 60 minutes to interact with the mountain gorillas while taking photos as well as learning about their extraordinary behaviors and physical characteristics.
This guideline is important to reduce possible risks of spreading diseases and stressing the mountain gorillas.
Do not cough or sneeze in the presence of the mountain gorillas but if you get the urge to cough or sneeze, turn your mouth away and cover it with a handkerchief to avoid spreading germs.
A minimum distance of 7 meters has to be maintained between the mountain gorillas and tourists. This is done to minimize behavioral disturbances and to avoid straining them. Similarly, do not touch the mountain gorillas and even when they come close to you, slowly move away.
Avoid eating and smoking while in the presence of mountain gorillas. Remain together with your colleagues while in the presence of mountain gorillas to minimize any possible confusion to the great apes. Avoid staring directly in the eyes of the mountain gorillas because they will perceive it as a form of provocation and call for aggressiveness. If mountain gorillas charge, submit by crouching down.
Avoid abrupt or swift movement while observing the mountain gorillas because it can scare them.
General Health rules
Mountain gorillas share 98% of their DNA with humans and this makes them vulnerable to a number of human diseases. Therefore trekkers are advised to adhere to the following health guidelines;
• A distance of 7 meters must be maintained when watching the mountain gorillas.
• Respect the time limit (one hour) set for viewing the mountain gorillas.
• Avoid littering the National Park with rubbish because they act as breeding grounds for disease causing germs.
• Turn your mouth away from the mountain gorillas when coughing or sneezing.
• Don’t track the mountain gorillas if you are sick from contagious diseases such as cough and flue.
Things to carry for your gorilla trekking safari
Your gorilla trekking packing list must not miss your comfortable waterproof hiking boots, a backpack, camera with extra batteries, insect repellant, long trousers, first aid kit, long sleeved shirts/blouses, toiletries, rain gear, sunglasses, wide-brimmed hat, pair of binoculars and gardening gloves.