5 Meaningful Reasons You Have to See Africa’s Mountain Gorillas in Uganda
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If you’re looking for an extraordinary wildlife experience, you must visit Uganda to see Africa’s Mountain Gorillas in their natural habitat. These incredible primates are some of the most fascinating creatures on the planet, and seeing them up close and personal is an experience you’ll never forget.
Mountain gorillas are great apes subspecies of the eastern gorilla. They’re only found in the wild in two places in the world: the Virunga Mountains in Central Africa, on the tri-border with Uganda, Rwanda, and DRC, the Democratic Republic of Congo; and the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest in Uganda, which is entirely in southwestern Uganda.
The mountain gorillas in Uganda are the most adventurous to access, and they make for an incredible wildlife experience that’s unlike anything else you’ll ever do. Although you can watch them easily but more expensively in Rwanda, in Uganda, you can extend your rainforest experience on safari in Uganda’s savannah wilderness within the country’s tinyness.
So why should you be so excited to see Uganda’s mountain gorillas?
1. Mountain gorillas are incredibly rare, and you’ll be where most of them live freely in their natural habitat.
Only a little above 1,000 mountain gorillas are left in the world, scattered across just two small areas in Central Africa, which means that seeing them in the wild is a truly unique and unforgettable experience that very few people get to have.
One population lives in the forests covering the Virunga Volcanoes at the borders with Uganda, Rwanda, and DRC. The other population lives within the Ugandan borders in the Impenetrable Forest of Bwindi, covering southwestern Uganda’s rugged rift valley region.
With more than half the mountain gorillas’ total population and two national parks, Mgahinga Gorilla National Park and Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Uganda offers varied incredible experiences with Africa’s great apes. The other two countries share a few other gorilla groups foraging on the slopes of the Virunga Mountains.
Only a handful of tourists are tightly guarded and guided into the impenetrable tropical woods every morning to spend one electric hour watching a gorilla group habituated for tourism. Each visitor has to book a permit for entry, and the permits are incredibly scarce and go for $700 USD. One has to wait in line or book months in advance.
2. You’ll be supporting the conservation of an endangered species
Mountain gorillas are among the most endangered living species on the planet; good thing their numbers stopped declining because of the sustainable tourism programs that heavily finance their successful conservation in their natural habitats.
By visiting Uganda to see Africa’s Mountain Gorillas, you’re helping to support conservation efforts and ensure that these incredible primates, that are just like us, are protected for generations to come. The highly-priced gorilla permit (more affordable than Rwanda’s) is the primary funding source for conservation programs for these endangered creatures.
3. You’ll be supporting the rural communities surrounding the gorilla habitats.
Tourism is a vital industry in Uganda, and by visiting the mountain gorillas, you’ll be helping to support local communities and provide jobs for people in the area.
By visiting Africa’s Mountain Gorillas in Uganda, you’ll employ locals in various ways, including services at your lodge, guiding and porter services, and buying souvenirs at a local craft shop. Besides that, your Uganda safaris operator employs an entire team of locals to plan and manage your trip, making your journey to Uganda an incredibly sustainable vacation.
Gorilla tourism is essential for the rural region’s long-term sustainability around the gorilla habitats. It’s a gratifying way to give back while enjoying an incredible wildlife experience.
4. You’ll learn about conservation efforts.
When you go to Uganda to see Africa’s Mountain Gorillas, you’ll get the chance to discover the carefully planned conservation measures that are in place to safeguard these animals and their homes. You’ll also gain knowledge about the difficulties these remarkable African primates face and witness the hard work being done to guarantee their survival.
Uganda offers a unique opportunity for tourists to learn about the conservation efforts put into protecting gorillas and their habitat on a Gorilla Habituation Experience. The experience allows visitors to spend at least four hours with a semi-habituated gorilla family in the company of primatologists, their assistants, and forest rangers. Visitors have to book a gorilla habituation permit for $1500 USD per person and join the early morning trek that sets out at 7:00 am and happened daily in the southern sectors of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.
5. It’s a truly magical experience.
There’s nothing quite like seeing a mountain gorilla in person. These animals are incredibly intelligent and have complex social structures, and watching them interact in their natural habitat is a truly magical experience. You’ll be able to observe them up close and personal, and you’ll come away with a newfound appreciation for these incredible creatures.
What you must know to see gorillas in Uganda
If you’re planning to visit Uganda to see Africa’s Mountain Gorillas, a safari activity also known as Gorilla Trekking, there are a few things you should know. Firstly, you’ll need to get a permit to visit the gorillas, which can be costly at USD 700 per person. But the money you spend goes directly towards conservation struggles, so you can feel good about supporting a worthy cause.
Once you have the gorilla permit, you’ll then have to book your accommodation close to the park entrance. Uganda has five gorilla trekking centers spread hours apart; your permit should show which visitor center will be valid. A great selection of gorilla safari lodges near the trekking centers will give you a decent to glamorous stay for at least two nights with meals. We recommend using a local licensed tour operator like Gorilla Junction, who can verify with Uganda Tourism Board. They do all the logistics and manage your entire journey under your supervision.
Thirdly, you’ll need to be prepared for a bit of physical exertion. The gorillas live in mountainous terrain, so you’ll need to be able to hike for several hours at a time. However, the excitement is well worth it, and you’ll be rewarded with an incredible wildlife experience you’ll never forget.
Overall, seeing Uganda’s mountain gorillas is an experience that everyone nature lover and wildlife enthusiast should have at least once in their lifetime. It’s a unique and special opportunity to observe these incredible giant apes up close and personal, and it’s a fantastic way to support nature conservation efforts while enjoying an unforgettable adventure. So if you’re looking for a once-in-a-lifetime wildlife experience, make sure to put Uganda’s mountain gorillas on your bucket list.
