What to do while trekking the Gorillas - Uganda and Rwanda Safaris

Uganda and Rwanda are mostly known for harboring the hard-to find mountain gorillas.This has led to an increase in the number of tourists who travel from different parts of the world to these EastAfrican countries.The gorillas are mainly found in Western Uganda and Eastern Rwanda.These primate species are interesting to look at and therefore a visitor is required to get some briefing about the "does" and "don'ts" before going for trekking.

Gorillas of Uganda and Rwanda

Before setting off for a  gorilla tracking in the morning,you are briefed by the guide who will let you know about your next movements and routes to follow.It is advisable that you carry some drinking water with you as you go for this adventurous trip and a stick to enable you walk freely through the thick forests.

Since trekking requires some degree of fitness,you are advised to make some exercise for about 1 week before going for this activity.This is ideal since you are required to move through thick forests and highlands,climbing mountains and this takes many hours.In case one has a physical disability,there are special solutions and these depend on where you are doing your trekking from.Some National Parks provide stretchers with porters to push the visitor while trekking.

It is advisable that you keep quite once you have entered the forest to avoid scaring away the gorillas.These gorillas are fond of hiding in tree leaves and therefore,it requires one to be quite foe easy viewing.
Once you have seen the gorillas,avoid irritating behaviors that can scare them and in case you want to take photos with them,make sure that your flash light is off.

Visitors taking photos of the Gorillas

It is recommended that you keep a minimum distance of about 6 meters from these gorillas for safety.Gorillas can attack human beings once disturbed and this is the reason why a visitor is advised to avoid irritating behaviors.

Each National Park has its own time period that a visitor can spend with the gorillas but is always about 1 hour.The whole trekking activity can take between 3-8 hours.There are many gorilla groups both in Uganda and Rwanda and this is this is the reason why trekking takes almost the whole day.



What a visitor should carry on a gorilla safari?
Some of the things that a visitor should carry on a gorilla safari include;enough money for personal expenses,walking boots and long socks suitable for passing through thick forests,clothes with wildlife adapted colors ( Khaki clothes),long-sleeved shirts,rain gears,slippers,sun protection,sweater,sunglasses,hat,sun cream,photo/video camera,films and torch,insect repellants,glove to grip vegetation and binoculars.

What to you should wear on gorilla safari?
A visitor is advised to wear fitting,relaxed and loose clothes to enable him/her feel flexible while trekking.Avoid carrying unnecessary amount of clothes with you to avoid inconveniences.

Acquiring a gorilla permit
Gorilla permits are highly demanded and you are advised to book and pay in advance.To avoid inconveniences and disappointments,book for permits in time with the relevant authorities.

"A day spent trekking the gorillas can never be forgotten"

Nyungwe Forest National Park - Rwanda Safaris

Nyungwe Forest National Park extends for 1,000 sq.kilometers across the majestic hills in the southeast of Rwanda.The park is one of the oldest in Africa and its the largest block of the montane forest in central and East Africa

A bird at Nyungwe Forest National Park

The park's richness in floral diversity plus over 250 different types of trees,and a myriad of numerous flowering plants for example,the rare worldly giant lobelia and colourful orchids,makes it a desirable destination to tourists.

Nyungwe Forest National Park has over 13 primate species in total such as the human-like chimpanzees,handsome L'Hoest monkey,owl-faced monkeys,vervet monkeys,Grey-cheeked mangabey,olive baboon,Rwenzori colobus,Den't mona monkey,3 species of bush baby and different troops of the delightfully acrobatic Angola colobus.

The park is also a birding paradise with a wide collection of birds (over 300 bird species), among which 2 dozens are restricted to a few of the Montane forests on the Albertine Rift Valley.
One of the rare-to find bird but found at the park is the great blue turaco. This bird is not easily seen in Africa because it stays in specific places with specific conditions.It is a red and green bird that streams from tree to tree just like a psychedelic turkey.

Activities at the park
-Nature walks: walking through an extensive network of well maintained walking trails as you enjoy the beauty of the vegetation,i s one of the unforgettable adventures that he park provides.These trails lead to various waterfalls and viewing points in different corners of the park.
-Chimp tracking:this is done from the forest and its a guided activity.While tracking,several varieties of other smaller primate species are seen.
-Birding:serious birders may never want to leave Nyungwe Forest National Park due to the diversity of the bird species.With over 300 bird species,birders can spend more than 4 days just looking for some hiding birds.
-Taking photographs:One can take a beautiful photo with a chimp or in the trees of the forest.
Other activities include;scaling Mt. Bigugu,excursions to Lake Kivu and expedition to Kamiranzovu Marsh.

Accommodation at the Park
-Nyungwe Forest Lodge:
This is an Eco-lodge situated in the tea estate that overlooks Nyungwe forest.The lodge has comfortable rooms and health clubs.The rooms have en-suite private bathrooms with warm water.
-Gisakura Guesthouse:this is just 2 km from the park.

Alternatively,one can stay at Uwinka Rest House or ORTPN campsites.

TRAVEL TO UGANDA AND RWANDA - Uganda and Rwanda Safaris

Uganda and Rwanda are both found in East Africa and these are one of the few countries in the World where mountain Gorillas are found.The hard-to find wild animals that are found in these countries are one of reasons of the frequent reception of both Uganda Safaris and Rwanda Safaris.This also leads to an increase in both Uganda Gorilla Safaris and Rwanda Gorilla Safaris.

In the past two years,these East African countries have experienced a rapid growth in the Tourism industry due to their serene environment,birds and wild animals.These animals are found in the in National Parks and reserves.

The political climate in these countries is stable and calm, instilling confidence in the visitors who travel from different parts of the world to come and look at the "human like"animals (gorillas).
Apart from the gorillas,there are other wild animals in these countries including;the Lions,Leopards,Elephants,Monkeys,Chimpanzees, Buffaloes,Crocodiles,Hippos,Antelopes,Snakes, Giraffes, Warthogs and many more.These countries are also habitats for different species of birds.

An unforgettable Safari to Uganda and Rwanda enables visitors to tour the following National Parks;

UGANDA
.Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
.Queen Elizabeth National Park
.Mgahinga Gorilla National Park
.Murchison Falls National Park
.Kibale Forest National Park
.Lake Mburo National Park
.MT Rwenzori National Park
.MT Elgon National Park
.Semliki National Park
.Kidepo Valley National Park

RWANDA
.Volcanoes National Park
.Akagera National Park
.Nyungwe Forest

A visit to Uganda and Rwanda can never be forgotten.