Are Gorillas dangerous?
Mountain gorillas are big creatures weighing up to 200kgs but they are the most peaceable animals of their nature and size. It is for this reason that they are called gentle giants. However this should not fool anyone into provoking them because they can attack and injure. Mostly Silverback, “the main man” can react with loud roars, thump its chest and charge towards the person that has provoked any of the family member. It is a fact that mountain gorillas are wild animals and can prove dangerous if the feel threatened. The more dangerous gorillas would be the unhabituated gorillas that is in case you run into them on your way but and armed ranger will should in the air in the worst case scenario to scare them off.
Is Uganda or Rwanda better for Gorilla Trekking?
There is no doubt Uganda has more habituated gorilla families in number compared to Rwanda. The bigger the number of gorilla families available for tracking imply more gorilla permits availability in Uganda. However Rwanda is a smaller country in terms of its geographical area compared to Uganda where driving distances tend to be longer and as such for travelers with less time, Rwanda becomes a better option.
How difficult is Gorilla tracking in Rwanda?
Anyone with a reasonable level of fitness can handle gorilla trekking in Rwanda. Usually the challenges are posed by tricky terrain and high humidity levels. The jungle canopy traps and thickness can also become quite challenging. However the guides always clear the thick vegetation with machetes to create pathways.
Gorilla families such as Sabinyo, Agashya, Kwitonda and Hirwa have proved less challenging for most visitors through their feedback. Gorilla tracking in Rwanda can take one between 2-5 hours depending on the location of the gorilla family.
Is Gorilla trekking worth the money?
Gorilla trekking is the highlight of any African safari and reviews by African Tourists on Trip Advisor confirm that is the best wildlife experience. It is well worth the effort, time and money spent. Encountering the mountain gorillas in the wild face to face is the most breathtaking experience any wildlife enthusiast would dream to experience.
What is Gorilla tracking like?
Gorilla trekking requires physically fit travelers as it involves hiking through thick vegetation and steep terrain in some areas of the park. A gorilla trek in Uganda can last 1 hour to 6 hours, depending on the movement of mountain gorillas in the wild searching for their food. The gorilla tracking experience in both Uganda and Rwanda are similar.
Is Gorilla tracking safe in Uganda?
YES, gorilla trekking in Uganda is safe. The safest parts of Uganda are Bwindi and Mgahinga National parks. Uganda Wildlife Authority at all times maintains he park rangers highly motivated, vigilant well equipped and trained to keep gorilla trekking safe and secure.
What is the best month to visit Uganda?
The dry season June to August, and December to February offer better gorilla and chimpanzee trekking conditions. Game drives and Viewing are also good during this period. However, the rest of the months are fine though with inconveniences posed by heavy rains. During this low season gorilla and chimpanzee permits ted to be subsidized so are the safari lodges
Which place is best to see in Gorillas in Africa?
Mountain gorillas live in green volcanic Virunga conservation area that includes Volcanoes national park of Rwanda, Virunga National park in DR Congo, Mgahinga and Bwindi national parks in Uganda; whereas lowland gorillas live in the central forest of Central and Western Africa in Equatorial Guinea, Angola, Cameroon, Congo, Gabon, Central African Republic and DR Congo.
How do I book a Gorilla Safari?
To book a gorilla tour, one has to pay for a gorilla permit which is simply a document that allows you spend time with gorillas in the wild. This document can be obtained through a registered tour company or through Uganda wildlife Authority and Rwanda Development board.
What to bring on your Gorilla Safari:
Entebbe International Airport which lies 45km from the Capital Kampala is served by a number of international airlines including, British Airways, South African Airways, SN Brussels, Uganda Airlines, Air Tanzania, Rwandair Express, Egypt Air, Ethiopian Airlines and much more. Uganda can also be reached overland from Kenya, DRC, South Sudan, Tanzania and Rwanda.
A visa can be purchased on the immediately upon arrival at Entebbe International Airport or at any overland border. Foreign Exchange and ATM facilities are available at the Airport,.
It is very important that you contact your physician to discuss your trip and what vaccinations you may require. We recommend that you have COVID19 vaccination and Yellow Fever before traveling. The other vaccinations you may want to discuss with your physician include Hepatitis A&B, Tetanus, Rabies, Typhoid, Meningitis and Tetanus.
Malaria as a disease is spread through mosquito bites and is found in most African Countries and Precautions like sleeping under a mosquito net, applying mosquito repellant mostly when you are entering the forest or sitting out for dinner should be paid attention to. Please keep in mind that you need Anti-Malarial but cannot be regarded as vaccination against Malaria.
The unit of currency is the Uganda shillings. The US dollar is the most used, readily available and definitely the hard currency of preference but the Euro and Pound Sterling are also widely accepted. Foreign currency can be exchanged for local currency at banks or even Forex bureaus in most urban places. It is important to note that cheques are not widely accepted. Local currency can be drawn using Visa and other major credit cards at selected ATMS all over the country mostly in large towns.
Most of our safaris are booked on the basis of Full board Accommodation and all National Park entries covered unless this is not appreciated by the Client and we make a different arrangement which is always rear. The money you may have to move with therefore may include that for drinks, visas, curios, laundry, extra meals, donations.
This is always dependent on how much one loves shopping.A variety of local handicrafts are available as souvenirs and it is only taste and money that may limit you. Items available excellent local basketwork, paintings, batiks and pottery.
Average educated Ugandans are generally fluent in English and it is the official language. With around 56 tribes, there are close to 40 Indigenous languages. Swahili is the national language though not commonly spoked and Luganda is the closest to lingua franca.
Uganda is a generally a warm country and in the dry seasons it gets hot. We therefore encourange light clothing. At higher altitudes the temperatures change and we encourage warm light sweaters. Those who intend to to hike on the mountains will be exposed to alpine temperatures and should park accordingly. Solid walking shoes and study clothing are ideal for forest walks. Don’t forget to bring a hat, sunglasses and a waterproof jacket.
Driving in Uganda is on the left side and if one is not oriented on African roads, we advise that they organize a vehicle with a driver to avoid unnecessary inconveniences. One thing to note is that most urban places are filled with cyclists and most of these don’t follow road safety rules and guidelines.
Tipping is not yet a culture in Uganda but is is a common practice at tourist lodges and facilities. A tip of 5-10% is a good gesture and will always be much appreciated. If a guides or driver has found you those gorillas or lion, we highly recommend that they are tipped but this should not be used as a yard stick to whether or even how much they should be tipped.
Lodges, hotels and restaurants that have a good orientation in Tourism serve good international cuisines but it is important to manage your expectations. There is a variety of cuisines available in the Cities and towns. Local restaurants serve Ugandan dishes, typically Ugali (still maize porridge), Matooke (cooked bananas) served with stew like Peanut sauce or beef.
This usually depends on the weight of the bags you may want to carry. The weight allowance may be determined by your safari itinerary, airline and class of travel. We recommend that that you limit the quantity of your toiletries like shampoo, soap and more since most of these are provided by the lodges.
