What To Expect On Uganda Game Safari And Gorilla Trekking Combo

Uganda is an underrated game safari destination but a host to a variety of wild animals living mainly in the Uganda National Parks. During a game drive in Uganda, do not expect to encounter so many safari vehicle jam at any season giving you chance to enjoy the wild at your own pace and terms with no fear of getting obstructed.

Gorilla trekking in Uganda is the primary safari activity in the country but you must posses a gorilla permit. Uganda is one of the only three homes of the mountain gorillas together with Rwanda and D.R, Congo.   In Uganda, gorilla trekking happens in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga National Park.

It is best to start the game drives in Uganda early morning when the wild animals have not yet positioned themselves for the day. Even gorilla trekking is started early morning when you need to attend briefing and document verification. Even though time of finding the mountain gorillas is hard to determine, an early start provides better chances of getting to them earlier.

Safari Packages

5 Days Gorilla and Chimpanzee Tracking Safari

7 day gorilla, game and chimpanzee safari in Rwanda

3 day gorilla trekking in Uganda

8 day gorilla, chimpanzee and wildlife safari in Uganda

16 day gorilla, chimpanzee and wildlife Tour in Uganda

Where to go for Gorilla Trekking Safari In Uganda

Two Uganda safari destinations are open for gorilla trekking adventure and they are some of the few destinations in the world that host the endangered mountain gorillas.

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

Gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is exciting with more chances of acquiring a gorilla permit compared to other destinations as the forest so far has about 19 gorilla trekking families. Bwindi forest is vast in size with thick vegetation and several features that separate the four areas under which the park is divided.

Bwindi forest is divided into Buhoma area, Ruhija area, Rushaga area and Nkuringo area and all gorilla trekking permits are booked according to the four areas. Bwindi forest is one of the few natural destinations hosting over 10 primate species including mountain gorillas, chimpanzees, black and white colobus, red tailed monkeys, olive baboons, blue monkeys, L’Hoest and more.

More than 350 bird species have been recorded as residents of Bwindi forest including about 7 on the red list of IUCN.

Mgahinga National Park

Nestled in southwestern Uganda is Mgahinga National where at the moment a gorilla family called Nyakagezi is resident. Beyond the mountain gorillas, golden monkey safaris are residents of Mgahinga forest. Other primates are residents of Mgahinga forest too including blue monkeys, grey cheeked mangabey, red tailed monkeys, olive baboons and more.

If you wish to enjoy gorillas trekking in an untamed  environment, Mgahinga National Park may offer you that perfect opportunity.

Where to do Game safaris in Uganda

Uganda has a number of game parks you can include in your African safari itinerary even though not all animals can be spotted in all these parks.

Queen Elizabeth National Park

On the floor of the rift valley is Queen Elizabeth National park with a back drop of rolling Rwenzori ranges that explode from the plains and on a clear sunny day these jagged highlands appears to be an arm’s reach away.

While driving on the tracks of Queen Elizabeth National Park, you may spot animals including elephants, buffaloes, water bucks, bush bucks, leopards, hyenas, cape buffaloes and more. The Ishasha sector the is home to the tree climbing lions. Over 605 bird species have been recorded as residents of Queen Elizabeth National Park. When you take a ride on crater lakes area, about 28 craters are beautifully dotted on the floor of the rift valley.

Murchison Falls National Park

Murchison Falls National Park which is dissected by River Nile into the northern and southern part. By taking the game drive along the Buligi trail, you may get chance to see animals including lions, elephants, cape buffaloes, hartebeests, hyenas, giraffes, hippos, crocodiles, oribi and more.

When you take a relaxing launch trip on River Nile along the way, you may spot a number of animals that move a shore to quench thirst and enjoy a bath especially on a hot sunny day. The Murchison Falls is where the highest energy of River Nile is emitted as the entire Nile course is squeezed through a 7 meters wide canyon before bursting out to create a cloudy appearance then flow down the 43 meters high cliff.

A long the way, you may encounter some aquatic animals including Nile crocodiles, schools of hippos, otters and more. The Kaniyo Pabidi forest situated 8 kilometers from Kicumbanyombo gate is home to a community of chimpanzees open for chimpanzee trekking.

Kidepo Valley National Park

The game safari destination of Uganda is Kidepo Valley National Park with chances of viewing animals that are not found else where in the country. Kidepo Valley National Park is an isolated park situated in North Eastern park and one of the furthest to reach in Uganda. The semi-arid climate around Norther

During a game drive on the tracks of Kidepo Valley National Park, you may encounter cheetahs, aardwolf, elephants, buffaloes, waterbucks, bush bucks, bat eared fox, waterbucks, bushbucks, dikdik and more.

Birders have so much to see while around Kidepo Valley National Park hosting more than 463 bird species. Some of the resident birds of Kidepo Valley National Park include Abyssinian Ground Horbill, Kori Bustard, Ostriches, red throated bee eaters and more.

Lake Mburo National Park

Lake Mburo National Park lies in a strategic position along the route towards to the national parks in western part of Uganda. From Kampala the capital of Uganda, Lake Mburo National Park lies in a bout 228 kilometers taking about 3 hours and half drive to get there. A number of herbivores find peace in the environs of Lake Mburo National Park

While on game drive on the tracks of Lake Mburo National Park, you may encounter elands, zebras, water bucks, bush bucks, elephants, cape buffaloes, reed bucks, giraffes and more. Carnivores are rarely spotted in Lake Mburo National Park but some sightings have been recorded of leopard presence in the park.

Some times its possible to see some wild animals grazing with domestic herds like cows.

Note

 All these Uganda national parks are not situated in the same locality but distributed within various parts of the country. To get the chance to visit these Uganda game parks one needs some time on Uganda holiday and the right budget.

To avoid backtracking, it is best to use assistance from a credible tour operator who has stood the test of time and Arch Safaris And Tours that available as our team of safari consultants is ready to work with you.

What Are The Requirements For Gorilla Trekking And Game safari in Uganda

Book a Gorilla Trekking permit

The key to confirming any gorilla trekking safari is booking the permit because they are scarce. In Uganda, gorilla trekking permits are sold and regulated by the Uganda Wildlife Authority. To avoid panic at the last minute, advance booking is recommended especially when destined to do gorilla trekking in the peak season.

Reserve accommodation For this Uganda safari

Reserve accommodation to use during this Uganda safari and it is better to use that closer to the park you are destined to visit. During the high season, finding availability of accommodations to use during Uganda safaris gets quite challenging because more tourists are expected to visit the country.

During gorilla trekking there are several accommodations open and it is best to secure those within or closer to the park to avoid having to drive early morning to catch up with briefing. Since game safaris in Uganda are best enjoyed early morning and afternoon so its best to book facilities with in or closer to the game park.

Apply For A Uganda Visa Were Necessary

If you must have a visa before travelling to Uganda, it is better to apply for it in advance to avoid taking long ques especially when you have jet lag. At immigration, you can obtain a Uganda visa on arrival but you need to have some patience.

Pack The Right Uganda Safari Gears

When packing for Uganda safari, do cross check with available gorilla trekking gear list do not forget the essential items. Some of the items to include on the packing list includes safari gears, insect repellants, garden gloves, safari hat, long sleeved shirt, warmers and more.

Exercise before the Uganda Safari

Gorilla trekking in Uganda requires walking in the jungle but the topography is ragged necessitating bearing some level of fitness. No need to do tough exercises but start with simple exercises then progress with help from your fitness instructors.

Do Health Check Ups Before The Uganda Game Safari And Gorilla Trekking

Gorilla trekking is best when you are in good health because these primates are susceptible to human communicable infections that may end in their massive deaths. Before travelling to Uganda, take some antimalarials as a preventive measure as Uganda is a tropical country. Do sleep under a mosquito net day and night.  

When is the best time to do Gorilla Trekking And Game Safari in Uganda

The dry season is the best timing to do gorilla trekking and game safaris that is June to September and December to January however the wet season must not be excluded. The gorillas and wild animals are quicker to spot in the dry season when the wilderness receives less precipitation and grass lower. For the gorillas, more sunlight sips through the dense layers of leaves to the ground creating better environment to take photos and film.

Note that this is peak tourism season in Uganda too with high competition for safari logistics yet the best options run out in advance.

The wet season is great time to do gorilla trekking and Game safari in Uganda too that is March, April, May and November. Since fewer tourists are expected on ground, you may have exclusive experience with the gorillas and game with less expectations of interference from so many tourists.

The green cover is beautifully luxuriant and chances of encountering infants both amongst the gorillas and game as there are so many hiding spots for them especially from predators.

If you have a limited budget, the low season may avail chance to discounts on most Uganda safari logistics which you can take advantage of.

What Are The Chances Of Seeing The Gorillas And Game while on Safari In Uganda

Many ask if they will get the chance to see the gorillas during gorillas trekking in Uganda after paying for the gorilla permits and indeed be assured to locate them. Even though gorillas live in the wilderness, the family undergoes habituation a process that helps them get accustomed to human presence without altering their lives.

Taking a game safari in Uganda is an opportunity to viewing a number of resident animals in the jungle. It finding the animal you desire to see during game drive is a probability too as many of them scatter throughout the park to face the day. In case you are interested in finding a particular wild animal, pre-inform the consultant so that you are given the best options of where to find them.

In order not to get bored while on Uganda gorilla trekking or game safari, open your mind to viewing other amazing wildlife that you set your eyes at, take photos to get back to and  protect as memories for your Uganda safari.

Is It worth to do a Uganda gorilla trekking safari and Game tour

Naturally thriving wildlife destinations are getting rarer to find world over and Uganda is one of the few countries that still have nature conservation destinations. Mountain gorillas in Uganda are among the few living in the world as according to the last census about 1062 gorillas are living with almost half the total living in Uganda. Rwanda and D.R.Congo are the other only destinations.

By purchasing the gorilla permit or paying park entrance fees, you get to support the conservation of wildlife in Uganda. More funds are still being solicited to continue with the work of conserving the mountain gorillas and other wild animals. Gorilla trekking and game safaris in Uganda give you chance to immerse into the life of wild animals away from the normal and when evening breaks in , the sweet melodies from the jungle sooth you to  sleep.

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