Gorilla Safaris in Uganda
When planning to have a Safari in East Africa and you are wondering where are gorilla safaris experienced. Both Uganda and Rwanda have different beautiful places including Bwindi National Park, and Mgahinga National Park in Uganda Volcanoes National Park, and Virunga National Park in Rwanda.
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is located in the Kisoro district of southwestern Uganda,120km northeast of Kabale. The Park doesn’t only keep mountain gorillas but also over 120species of mammals and 346 bird species such as black bee-eater, regional sunbird, Black-billed turaco, bushshireke, black flycatcher, short-tailed warber, red throated.
Major Sectors of Bwindi impenetrable national park
Rushaga -South west.
Nkuringo -South west.
Ruhija -East.
Buhoma-Northwest.
Each sector is very unique in its own way and very amazing for gorilla tracking. Depending on where you’re going to track; it’s important to book an accommodation close to your tracking sector
Nkuringo Sector.
The name Nkuringo is a local word meaning “round stone”and also refers to knoll-forested hill located close to the river. The sector was opened in 2004 and lying on an attitude of 2,100 metres on the parks northern border of Kisoro.
Nkuringo Family
This is believed to the first gorilla family to be habituated in southern part of Bwindi impenetrable national park. Nkuringo used to have name members but later they started breaking off from their families. The family is known to have 14 members.
The Nkuringo families
- Bushaho Family.
- Christmas Family
- Nkuringo Family.
Bushaho Family
Bushaho currently has 8 members, having broken up from Nkuringo family. One of them of the gorillas was a silverback. The group was later habituated and called Bushaho Family.
Christmas Family
This family has over 7 members with one silverback 3 females,1 infant and 1 black back.
Rushaga Sector
This known to be one the newest gorilla family in Bwindi impenetrable national park. It contains 9 gorilla families which include;
- Kutu Family
- Bikyingi Family
- Mucungu Family
- Bwenza Family
- Rwigi Family
- Nshongi Family
- Busingye family
- Kahungye Family
- Mishaya Family
Ruhija Sector
This sector is blessed with 4 families which include;
- Bitukura Family
- Oruzongo Family
- Kyagurinro A Family
- Kyagurino B Family
Buhoma Sector .
Buhoma sector was the first sector to be opened in 1993, Is the park busiest tourist focus in Bwindi impenetrable National Park. It has four major families
- Mubare Family
- Habinyaja Family
- Rushegura Gorilla Family
- Katwe gorilla Family.
Mgahinga National Park
Mgahinga National Park is the smallest park nestled in the southwestern part of Uganda. At the extreme end south-western tip of Uganda on the borders of the democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Rwanda,33.7 square kilometres. Three extinct volcanic mountains lie within the park: Mount Muhavura, at 4,127 metres (13, 540 feet); Mount Gahinga at 3,475 metres (11,400 feet); and 3,645 metres (11,598-foot) Mount Sabinyo whose peak lies in Rwanda and DRC. There are three large swamps in the park as well: Rugezi, Kabiranyuma and Kazibakye
The Park is surrounded by two tribes: Batwa and Bafumbira people. Now agriculturists, the Batwa lived in the forest as hunters and gathers more than 20,000 years ago. Both tribes grow crops such as Irish potatoes, beans, and millet and rear livestock and livestock which includes cattle, goats, sheep and chicken.
How to get to Mgahinga national Park?
Kisoro, where the Mgahinga Gorilla National Park booking office is located,496 kilometres (308 miles) from kampala,213 kilometres (132 miles) from Mbarara, and 66 kilometres (41 miles) from kabale.
When see gorillas in Mgahinga National Park.
As rainforest, the park is always wet, even more so during the rains (April-May and October). But as gorilla tracking permit you need to book 3 months before the tracking date.
Gorilla Safari in Rwanda ?
Virunga National Park
Virunga National Park , is found in the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of Congo, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its unique biodiversity and conservation effort
. Established in 1925, the park covering an area of 7,768.93 km2 and ranging in elevation from 680 m to 5,109.It provides shelter to over 3,000 faunal and floral species..The park boasts diverse habitats shaped by two active volcanoes, Mount Nyiragongo and Nyamuragira.
. Moreover, Virunga National Park is a sanctuary for endangered mountain gorillas living peacefully on its forested slopes. Encountering these intelligent creatures is a unique and awe-inspiring experience that leaves visitors forever changed. The Park has faced challenges due to civil unrest and human encroachment leading to deadly attacks on rangers.
Volcanoes National Park
Volcanoes National Park is famous for the mighty mountain gorillas though it is not only rich with gorillas but also other tourist attractions. It encompasses five of the eight volcanoes in the Virunga Mountains, namely Karisimbi, Bisoke, Muhabura, Gahinga, and Sabyinyo.
Gorilla tracking
Almost everyone, who has had an opportunity to do gorilla tracking their testimony is amazing. During tracking, you will always search out for the mighty gorillas in their families depending. Usually, permits are required, and the number of visitors is restricted per gorilla family.
Rules and Regulation of Gorilla Tracking.
- There should be the use of signals and hushed voices guides you have to communicate with trekkers
- Avoid using a flash while taking pictures during tracking
- Always obey instructions given to you by the local rangers during and after the gorilla activity.
- Avoid direct eye contact with the gorillas.
- You cannot do gorilla tracking while unhealthy or having any body complications
What to carry on a gorilla Safari?
- Hiking boots
- Long-sleeved shirts and pants
- Rain jacket or poncho
- Hat and sunglasses
- Walking stick
- Binoculars
