Setting a high bar for an Africa safari tour including gorilla trekking and game safari in Africa calls for making the right choice of what should be included in your package. Value for money is key to the top highlights of your gorilla trekking and game safari experience in Africa.
The gorilla trekking permit is the first ticket to participating in gorilla trekking but the cost is universal no matter the package you choose. Currently, the cost of a gorilla trekking permit in Uganda is $700 per person. Each gorilla family only has 8 gorilla permits to be booked each day. The difference in which package to choose depends on the accommodation to stay at, the means of transport to use and additional activities to take part in.
Some high end traveler also go ahead to close off all the gorilla trekking permits for the gorilla family they are assigned to trek. This however is more fusible when no one has yet been booked to that family. Due to high public demand, travelers book permits in advance at least a year prior limiting the number of those capable of closing off.
What Makes Up A Luxury Gorilla Trekking Package
A variety of accommodations are available for booking during gorilla trekking but there are high-end accommodations with services that are exceptional. In most cases they have full board, offer services that are not offered by other lodges, usually provide a cozy environment for you to relax, have incredible views and so much more.
Mean of transport one uses to go to the gorillas
Road transport is the main means of transport to take on a gorilla trekking in Uganda. This takes about 8 to 9 hours on the road is the most common transport means. This provides visitors with a slight insight into the day’s life of the local people and incredible scenery enroute.
Booking a charter domestic flight to head for the mountain gorilla is another option. Domestic flights from Entebbe to Kihihi Airstrip can be arranged upon request. You need a transfer vehicle to arrive in the final destination. Most lodges have capacity of providing transfer services.
Scheduled daily domestic flights also can be booked from Entebbe Airport or Kajjansi Airstrip. These flights can be arranged however you even need to make prior arrangements as other travelers moving upcountry also book the same flights.
Game drives in African game parks are incredible giving you chance to see animals like lions, leopards, elephants, rhinos, buffalos, giraffes, jackals and so much more. Taking part in exclusive game drives and a launch trip. Murchison Falls and Queen Elizabeth National Park in Uganda are the masters of launch trips in Uganda.
Chimpanzee trekking is another primate encounter in Uganda that you can add to gorilla trekking and game safari but time factor is important. Though there is a provision to meet the orphaned chimpanzees on Ngamba Island in Lake Victoria in case you have a late night departure flight. Searching the chimpanzees in the wild is extra exciting.
Kibale Forest National park, Queen Elizabeth National park, Kaniyo Pabidi Forest in Murchison falls National Park are Uganda’s key destinations for chimpanzee trekking.
Birding in Uganda is like another wild activity you can include in your package, you need extra time to have the best of African rich birdlife. Numerous birds are residents of the swampy grasslands and woodland areas in Uganda and this fetches Uganda one of the top birding destinations in Africa.
Rwenzori Mountain climbing is another activity for anyone wishing to test their fitness. Some travelers want to commemorate there special days with a hike up to the Margheritah which is snowcapped throughout the year. Most mountaineers feel victorious once at the top.
Keeping some level of fitness to go through the thick forest of Bwindi Forest. The way is sometimes slippery even at the starting point where you may be required to slope down the high slopes.
Get all your funds together that support your gorilla trekking safari days in Africa. After paying for your wildlife adventure carry some hard cash too. Credit cards are not commonly used in Africa because of the lengthy procedures of acquiring the funds.
Organize your travel documents and book your air ticket so that you do not miss out on the day of gorilla trekking. Ensure your passport before travelling is at least 6 months to its expiry date. We request you to send us some details of your travel arrangements so that we can arrange your pick up time at the airport.
Pack the right gorilla trekking gears that will facilitate a successful jungle walk. Some tracking boots, a pair of binoculars, a pair of garden gloves and so much more.
For any traveler wishing to bring a private jet for gorilla trekking and game safari in Uganda, some clearance must be done in advance with Civil Aviation Authority.
Safety when you travel is key and so every traveler would eagerly want to know how safe walking in the jungle to find the mountain gorillas is.
Bwindi forest in Uganda is a prehistoric forest with thick tree cover and creeping plants on the stems of huge tree trunks. Gorilla trekking in Bwindi forest is a safe adventure for sure. After briefing, an armed ranger guide escorts the entire group of 8 trekkers. The ranger guide follows the pace of the slowest trekker.
Since the time of finding the mountain gorillas is not known, try to keep up with the pace of the rest and avoid lagging behind. You may get lost in the jungle once you separate from the rest.
All year round, gorilla trekking in Uganda is open but the drier months are more comfortable which is June to September and December to February. The wet months are usually accompanied with very soggy ground because of little sun ray penetration to the ground.