Why Visit Uganda’s Mountain Gorillas?

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Gorilla of Uganda

There are a million reasons why you should consider Uganda a must-visit destination to see mountain gorillas. Unlike other wildlife, mountain gorillas exist only in Uganda, Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) making them the world’s star attractions. A safari to Uganda to see mountain gorillas in their natural habitat is of no doubt a magical experience that comes once in a lifetime.

Trekking with mountain gorillas lets you explore how they feed, copulate, take photos, get the best of their body gestures among other general behaviors as they will be interpreted to you by your professional park ranger guide.  Mountain gorillas are listed as the endangered species in the IUCN Red list. Today, they remain fewer than 1063 in the world with closely half of them all confined in Uganda’s protected areas. Mountain gorillas share about 98% of their DNA with humans making them the closest human relatives.

Home to over half of the endangered mountain gorillas in the world

Unlike Rwanda and DR Congo, Uganda hosts close to half of all the world’s endangered mountain gorillas which is why it should be considered a must-visit for you to catch a glimpse at these massive creatures while in their natural habitat. Currently, only 1063 mountain gorillas are left in the world and 50% of them are confined in Uganda-the pearl of Africa. Bwindi Impenetrable National Park alone boasts of over 459 mountain gorillas which positions Uganda as a premier gorilla destination in Africa and world at large.

Home to two gorilla destinations

Unlike Rwanda and the DRC, trekking mountain gorillas in Uganda is conducted in two national parks-Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. This is why Uganda is a must-visit destination to see mountain gorillas by most visitors on gorilla safari in Africa. The two magical parks are all situated in Southwestern Uganda and they offer unique gorilla experiences to visitors. Bwindi Impenetrable National Park was founded in 1991 and straddles in an area of about 331sq.kms. It hosts about 459 of the world’s mountain gorillas and the Mgahinga Gorilla National Park second after Bwindi where treks to see mountain gorillas are done in Uganda. With all the two gorilla trekking spots, a visit to Uganda to see mountain gorillas is a dream come true.

Uganda has many habituated gorilla families

Uganda boasts of over 21 gorilla families which offers more opportunity to visitors to take part in gorilla trekking. About 20 habituated gorilla groups exist in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Nyakagezi group is the only habituated group in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park.

Pocket friendly gorilla destination

When it comes to gorilla permits prices, Uganda remains a pocket friendly gorilla destination. Uganda through Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) issues gorilla permits to visitors on Uganda gorilla safari tour at $600 for foreign non-residents, $500 for foreign residents and the East African citizens pay shs.250000. Even after the recent increase in the gorilla rates which is due to be effective on 1st July, 2020, Uganda still remains as an affordable gorilla destination. The new rates range from $700 for foreign non-residents, $600 for foreign residents and shs.250000 for East African citizens.

Gorilla habituation experience

Gorilla safaris in Uganda lets you not only to spend an hour with mountain gorillas but also for you to have 4 hours of magical encounter with these magnificent creatures in the wild, only by embarking on gorilla habituation experience. Mountain gorilla habituation experience is only conducted in Uganda’s Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Habituation experience takes a process and normally about 2 years less or more. Gorilla habituation experience involves making wild (semi-habituated) mountain gorillas get used to human presence. Each gorilla habituation experience costs $1500.

See more than mountain gorillas

A visit to Uganda is beyond viewing the endangered mountain gorillas. Uganda also inhabits more than 5050 chimpanzees which makes it also a premier chimpanzee destination. Other species of primates to look for on Uganda gorilla safari include golden monkeys in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park; L’Hoest monkeys, red tailed monkeys, red colobus monkeys, bush babies, pottos, olive baboons, patas monkeys, black and white colobus monkeys and many more.

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