Things to Consider Before Booking a Gorilla Safari to Uganda

Factors to Consider Before Booking a Gorilla Safari to Uganda

Booking a gorilla safari to Uganda requires careful consideration as it is one of the most costly tourist activities in Africa. If you’re planning to see the rare and elusive mountain gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, it’s important to be diligent in your planning. In this article, we’ll discuss ten key factors to consider before booking a gorilla safari to ensure you have a successful and enjoyable experience. From permits and accommodations to travel arrangements and health precautions, it’s essential to be well-prepared to make the most of your trip.

Where to Find Mountain Gorillas in Uganda: A Guide to National Parks

If you’re planning a gorilla safari to Uganda, one of the most important factors to consider is where to find these magnificent creatures. Knowing which national parks harbor mountain gorillas will ensure that you make the best choice for your adventure. Uganda is home to two national parks that boast wild populations of mountain gorillas: Mgahinga and Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.

Mgahinga National Park is located in southwestern Uganda and shares borders with both Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo. The park covers an area of about 34 square kilometers and is home to one gorilla family, known as the Nyakagezi group. While the group is small, the park offers other opportunities for hiking, bird watching, and cultural encounters with the Batwa people.

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, on the other hand, is a much larger park covering an area of about 331 square kilometers in southwestern Uganda. It is home to over 450 gorillas and offers several gorilla families available for trekking, making it a more popular destination for gorilla safaris. In addition to gorilla trekking, the park offers other activities such as nature walks, bird watching, and cultural experiences.

Overall, knowing where to find mountain gorillas in Uganda will ensure that you make an informed decision when planning your gorilla safari. Both Mgahinga and Bwindi Impenetrable National Park offer unique experiences for visitors and are sure to provide unforgettable encounters with these majestic animals.

Where to Secure Gorilla Permits to Observe Gorillas in Uganda

Obtaining a gorilla permit is a crucial factor to consider when planning a gorilla safari in Uganda. The permit serves as a permit to witness mountain gorillas for an hour in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga. The Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) is responsible for regulating and issuing gorilla permits in Uganda. UWA is a semi-autonomous organization in charge of all National Parks in Uganda, and its headquarters is located in the country, where gorilla permit reservations are made. Regardless of whether you choose to book your gorilla permit directly or through a tour operator, you must contact UWA.

Booking Your Gorilla Permit with Trek Africa Tours

Trek Africa Tours is a reputable tour operator that provides Uganda gorilla safaris to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga National Park. We offer all-inclusive safaris for clients who want to see gorillas in these two national parks.

When you express your interest in gorilla trekking in either Bwindi Impenetrable National Park or Mgahinga National Park, we will ask you to provide us with the dates you intend to visit Uganda. We will then contact Uganda Wildlife Authority to check for available gorilla permits on those dates. At Trek Africa Tours, we have access to UWA’s online reservation system, and if it’s up and running, we’ll check for the permits directly.

We can hold or reserve your gorilla permit on the system for 2-3 days as you arrange for payment. Once payment is received, we’ll pay for and pick up your gorilla permit from Uganda Wildlife Authority.

Allocation of Gorilla Permits in Uganda

Understanding how gorilla permits are allocated in Uganda is important before embarking on a gorilla trekking adventure. In Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, gorilla permits are allocated based on regions. At the time of booking, Uganda Wildlife Authority will show available permits in each region, and it’s up to you to choose a region where you will book your gorilla permit. Once you have purchased your permit, you can research more about the gorilla families located in that region. On the day of gorilla trekking, you will be assigned a gorilla family in the region you chose. It’s important to note that although you can select the region during booking, you can only be assigned a specific gorilla family on the day of trekking.

At Trek Africa Tours, we can help you navigate the process of booking a gorilla permit in Uganda and provide more information on the allocation process. Contact us for more details.

Tips for Booking Gorilla Permits in Bwindi and Mgahinga National Parks

If you’re planning to embark on a gorilla safari in Uganda, it’s important to secure a gorilla permit well in advance. This is especially crucial during peak seasons, such as June, July, August, September, December, January, and February, when demand for gorilla permits is high and availability is limited. Gorilla permits can sell out quickly, leaving many travelers disappointed. As a result, we recommend that you book your gorilla permit as early as 4-5 months or even a year in advance.

Trek Africa Tours is available to assist you in booking your gorilla permit in advance. Our team can help you determine the best time to travel and secure your permits for Bwindi and Mgahinga National Parks. Don’t miss out on the opportunity to see these majestic creatures up close – contact us today to learn more about booking your gorilla permit in advance.

Getting to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park or Mgahinga

Before booking a gorilla safari in Uganda, it’s important to know how to get to one of the two national parks that are home to the mountain gorillas. If you’re not staying in Uganda, you have two options: you can fly into Entebbe or Kigali international airports and then find transportation to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park or Mgahinga National Park.

How to Reach Bwindi or Mgahinga National Park from Entebbe

To visit the mountain gorillas in Uganda, you can fly into Entebbe International Airport and then drive for 8-10 hours to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park or Mgahinga National Park. If you choose to drive, you will get to see various attractions such as royal drum makers, long-horned cattle keepers, communities, pineapple gardens, rolling hills and plateaus, banana plantations, and small towns along the way.

Alternatively, you can fly from Entebbe International Airport to Kisoro Airstrip if you are going to Mgahinga National Park or the southern part of Bwindi, while Kihihi Airstrip is the landing point for those going to the northern part of Bwindi. From there, you will be transferred to your lodge by road, which usually takes 45 minutes to one hour. Trek Africa Tours can organize both road trips and flying safaris to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga National Park. Please contact us for more information.

How to Travel from Kigali to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park or Mgahinga

If you are planning to visit Bwindi impenetrable National Park or Mgahinga National Park in Uganda, you can fly to Kigali International Airport and then drive to your destination. The drive from Kigali to Bwindi or Mgahinga takes about 4-5 hours with a brief stop at the border between Uganda and Rwanda. Kigali is much closer to these national parks than Entebbe, so this route is a good option to consider.

Keep in mind that crossing the border means you will need visas for both Rwanda and Uganda. However, with an East African tourist visa, you can visit Uganda, Kenya, and Rwanda without any hassle. Depending on the region where you will be trekking gorillas, you can enter Uganda via the Katuna border or Kyanika.

Trek Africa Tours offers reasonably priced Uganda gorilla safaris from Kigali International Airport. We have some packages listed on our website, but we can also tailor your safari to suit your interests and budget. Contact us to learn more.

Choosing Accommodation in Bwindi or Mgahinga National Park

When planning a gorilla safari in Uganda, it is important to consider where you will stay during your visit to Bwindi or Mgahinga National Park. After booking your gorilla permits, you will need to select a lodge in the corresponding region. For example, if you have booked permits for the Buhoma region, you will need to find accommodation in Buhoma. Trek Africa Tours works with a variety of lodges in each region of Bwindi, and we can recommend budget, standard, and luxury options for your stay. We also offer pre-designed budget and luxury safaris on our website.

Why It’s Important to Choose a Reliable Tour Operator for Your Gorilla Safari in Uganda or Rwanda

When planning a gorilla safari to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park or Mgahinga National Park in Uganda, or Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda, it’s essential to choose a reliable tour operator to handle all your bookings. With many tour operators available, it’s important to research and select one that can provide you with the best service.

Uganda and Rwanda have recognized tour operators listed on AUTO (Association of Uganda Tour Operators) and other reputable sites. However, Trek Africa Tours is one of the top tour operators in the region, with full AUTO membership and registration and licensing by the Uganda Tourism Board (UTB). Our team of young and professional staff is passionate about creating memorable safari experiences for our clients.

Choosing a reliable tour operator like Trek Africa Tours ensures that you have a stress-free and well-planned gorilla safari. Our team will handle all your bookings, including gorilla permits, lodging, transportation, and other safari activities. Additionally, we offer tailored budget, standard, and luxury safari packages to fit your interests and budget.

Don’t risk your safari experience with an unreliable tour operator. Contact Trek Africa Tours for a memorable and enjoyable gorilla safari encounter.