COMPARING GORILLA TRACKING EXPERIENCE IN DRC, UGANDA AND RWANDA

The democratic republic of Congo houses the lists number of these endangered apes and they live in the Virunga volcanoes national park, the park has 6 gorilla families although many trackers prefer tracking in four gorilla families. In DRC, only four people are allowed to track in each gorilla family, sighting gorillas in Congo is at 5/5 however infrastructures is still problem although it’s steadily becoming politically stable. DRC also houses the western low land gorillas where two of the seven groups have been habituated for guests to track. In Rwanda and Uganda gorilla tracking is limited to eight members per day and arrangements to meet these giants is done every sighting is superb in both countries and a very a big percentage of these remaining mountain gorillas live in Uganda then followed by Rwanda .This is why most of the Uganda Safaris recorded involve trekking these rare primates in their natural habitats.

In Uganda (Bwindi impenetrable national park) and Rwanda (volcanoes national park) you find mountain gorillas. Uganda has over 11 habituated gorilla families ready for tracking each day and two gorilla families for research purpose and you are allocated to a group each day, this means that 88 people can track in Bwindi national park every day in a group of eight members per gorilla group. Rwanda has ten habituated gorilla groups and 80 members are allowed to track in volcanoes national park each.

 Rwanda’s generally regarded as the best destination for gorilla tracking to some trackers who have experienced gorilla tracking in both countries  as gorillasof Rwanda are a bit easy to find and photography is good as compared to the impenetrable forest of Uganda and the Virunga ranges in Congo. for a quick two or three day gorilla trek Rwanda takes it all even a one day gorilla safari Rwanda can be arranged, one has to depart Kigali very early in the morning and arrive at the park headquarters in Kinigi before 7.00am to receive briefings from the park warden, then after proceed to the forest to meet these endangered apes, after the one hour with these apes, depart back to Kigali or airport for a departure flight back home. A one day gorilla safari in Uganda is impossible, from Kampala to Bwindi national park is a drive of about 7-9 hours those who need experience prefer Uganda.

  

Gorillas of Uganda are scattered across different areas of the park, tracking can be done either in the north western side of the forest (Buhoma), North east in (Ruhija) south western part (Nkuringo) and the south west of the forest (Rushaga). Your permit is for a particular area of the park each houses at least 3-4 gorilla families and accommodation is determined depending on which side you’re going to track. Don’t worry; we shall advise you on where to sleep and on permits. For those interested in long tours Uganda is generally the best.

Gorilla permits  in Democratic republic of Congo costs usd$450 and in Uganda gorilla permits are sold according to seasons, in the high seasons gorilla permits costs usd$600 and in the low seasons of April, May and September gorilla permits are at a fee of usd$350 per person per tracking. Tracking in Rwanda is considered the most expensive as permits costs $750 per person per tracking all these cots is inclusive of the ranger guide and a park entry fee. In terms of costs, Gorilla tracking is the most expensive tourist activity in all these three countries, but its regarded as the most done tourist activity, a lot of revenue is collected as many tourists come and have a close encounter with these endangered apes in their natural habitat, this has improved on the wellbeing of the people particularly those who live near the parks.

Uganda's Tourism not shaken by Terror threats, says Minister

Following numerous terror threats from well known enemy group of terrorist called Al-shabab,the minister of Uganda Hon. Maria Mutagamba said that Uganda as a country is not shaken and more so the tourism sector as more security is buffed within the country and along its boarders.Many tour operators were worried especially after the terrorists launched attacks on Uganda and many of them thought that this could care away tourists including those who had already booked their safaris for this year.However,they gained hope after the minister issued a report stating that there was nothing to worry about after the government came out and boosted its security organs to make sure that both the local people and visitors are well protected together with their properties.

Uganda is the leading tourism destination in Africa and it receives the highest number of visitors annually simply because of its numerous tourism fraternities which are hard to find in other countries.One of the interesting tourism activity Uganda has is gorilla tracking and this is the reason why 50% of its visitors are trackers.These mountain gorillas are mainly found in the areas of Bwindi Impenetrable and Mgahinga National Parks.

However,there are other adventurous activities a visitor can enjoy on a Uganda safari like chimpanzee trekking, culture tours, hiking, wildlife viewing, boat rides, nature walks, kayaking, village walks, bird watching and many more.All these can be enjoyed freely within the country without any interruption and any worry.

You might probably have visited Uganda either on a safari or on a business trip and you realized how peaceful you are while in the country compared to other countries where tourist go back cursing after loosing their properties.

Why walk through Kampala on Your Uganda safari

As most tourists on their safari to Uganda prefer being driven in vehicles,they miss out on some of the breathtaking moments in Kampala,Uganda's capital city.A walk through this busy city is a lifetime experience as you get to meet people from different cultural settings.The city is estimated to have over 6 million people and these include both business men and residents.

Many tourists on their safari to Uganda just pass through or spend a night in Kampala and end up leaving the country without exploring more about the adventure found in it.The rich cultural sites in the city are some of the adventurous attractions which a visitor can tour while in Kampala.Apart from the sites,there are wonderful views of different buildings including old fashioned buildings which portray the ancient style of building.

Have you ever seen a city where motorcycles are more than the people?Well,Kampala is the answer to that because the number of Motorcycles locally called "bodabodas" are seen to be more than the passengers.Using a Bodaboda in Kampala is seen as the best way to beat traffic jam since these motorcycles can penetrate through vehicles and end up reaching their destinations before the cars.Many tourists are fond of this mode of transport with some just interested in experiencing a this unique-quick mode of transport and others use them as a way of avoiding traffic jam.

However,there is nothing more interesting than walking on foot through Kampala.This gives a visitor a chance to critically view the different attractions in the city without any disturbances.The walk is a guided city walk with a well trained guide who is well versed with the city.The walk can take more than one day since the city is big and it is a bit tiresome calling for physically fit tourists.

Why spend more time on a Uganda safari

Commonly known for harboring the rare mountain gorillas,Uganda is one of the leading tourism destinations in Africa.Many tourists in the world opt for this East African country as they prepare to visit the continent simply because of the wonderful nature and wildlife which is hard to find in other countries.You may not believe this but Uganda receives more than 500 tourists in a fortnight especially when it is a peak season.This is a high number compared to other countries in Africa and this is the reason why it is termed as the "pearl of Africa".

Though some people make it a point o visit Uganda every year,many of them spend less time in this country and this stops them from exploring more about this wonderful country in depth.They come to do a specific tourism activity like gorilla tracking leaving the country just after3-5days.This is time is not enough for them to explore into depth about Uganda and also view some of the hard-to find attractions that this wonderful country has.

One of the less explored attractions in the country is culture.Few culture-based safaris are recorded in Uganda with very few tourists jetting into the country to find out more about African culture.However,a lot is missed by those who don't mind to view some cultural fraternities which present the true lifestyle of a real African man.Blessed with over,45 ethnic tribes,there is no doubt that Uganda is the leading cultural destination where a visitor can get a chance of meeting and interacting with people from different cultural settings.Visiting some of the cultural sites in the country is a lifetime experience that you will live to tell.While at these sites,you will have a glance at some of the unique objects which were used by the early men who where the first people to stay in this beautiful country.

But you cannot talk about Uganda and miss to talk about wildlife.The country has over 15000 mammal species including those that cannot be found in any other country.If you have never seen the big-five animals in one place,then Uganda is the best place to visit.

Uganda and Rwanda,the leading tourism destinations

You must have heard about these two landlocked East African countries probably because of the peace stability and the rich tourism fraternities but i doubt if you have ever found time to explore deep int the natural wonders found there.Uganda and Rwanda are undoubtedly the leading tourism destinations in the world because of their rare tourism fraternities.Depending on the safari package you are interested in,a visit to these countries will serve as a lifetime experience that will keep you remembering and wondering how God created them.

The presence of rare mountain gorillas in these countries has helped to attract attention from different countries as visitors come to look at them in their natural habitats.With only 900 mountain gorillas left in the world, 95% of these are found in the tropical rainforests of Uganda and Rwanda.In Uganda,gorillas can be trekked from Bwindi Impenetrable and Mgahinga National Park whie is in Rwanda it can be done in Volcanoes National Park.This lifetime experience has helped to put the countries on the world scene as tourists from different parts of the get to know about them.

Apart from gorilla tracking,there are other tourism fraternities in Uganda and Rwanda which a visitor can enjoy on a safari like cultural tours,game drives,nature walks,hiking,Dian Fossy grave hike,chimpanzee trekking,golden monkey tracking,bird watching,boat trips and many more.All these can easily be enjoyed at low costs making it possible for a tourist to save some money and buy some cultural objects in the countries for remembrance.

There is a lot of literature on market written about Uganda and Rwanda that one may think its enough to know about the countries but its not the case.A personal visit to these countries is the only way you can enjoy a thrilling lifetime experience in the thick rainforests.

Kwita Izina, Rwanda’s gorilla naming ceremony - Rwanda Safaris

It is one of its kind in the world and Kwita Izina has come out to be the most outstanding tourism ceremony in the world especially Africa. You may be wondering what this event is all about but every 1^st of July every year, all the young mountain gorillas in Rwanda are gathered and named. It is one of the most interesting ceremonies in Rwanda because of the unique adventures that come with it

Many tourists from different corners of the world visit this East African country to grace the ceremony and this year, an estimate of 5oo visitors is expected. This will help the country to market its tourism fraternities and also promote the sector to different countries. Delegates from various countries will be driven to numerous tourism sites including the national parks where they will enjoy a thrilling moment with some of the rare wild animals. This according to the Rwandan government will market the country in the outside world leading to an increase in safaris.

 Rwanda is mainly known for mountain gorilla tracking and it has over 300 gorillas all found in Volcanoes National Park. These rare primates have greatly contributed to the tourism development in Rwanda and they have put the country on the world scene. If you have ever seen a gorilla in zoo, then you have never seen a mountain gorilla because these apes cannot e kept in captivity. The only way you can see them is by trekking them in their natural habitats.

Apart from Rwanda, gorillas can be trekked from Uganda and Democratic Republic of Congo. However, for a best gorilla trekking experience, you are advised to visit Uganda and Rwanda because gorillas of DRC are hard to find since they keep on moving crossing the borders.

Kwita Izina event will enable the country to know the actual number of young mountain gorillas and this will aid planning for better conservation. It will also help the tourism industry of Rwanda to gain competitive advantage over its neighbors as a result of increased marketing.

More than 20 young mountain gorillas are expected to be named during this year’s Kwita Izina ceremony and many delegates from different parts of the world are expected to attend.

Rwanda maintains its gorilla tracking permit prices

Many tourists especially those interested in gorilla trekking have been waiting for Rwanda to reduce the tracking permit prices after Uganda has reduced its prices to $350 for the months of May and November.However,there is no hope that the cost will reduce as the government has kept silent about it for a long time now.Currently,a gorilla tracking permit in Rwanda costs $750 a price that is higher than that of Uganda.

Reducing the price of gorilla permits is seen as a way of attracting tourists especially those who travel with an aim of seeing the rare primates in their natural habitats.But Rwanda believes even with that cost,visitors will still tour the company because of the uniqueness of the experience availed to them.

Mountain gorillas are one of the endangered rare species in the world only found in 3 countries including;- Uganda,Rwanda and Democratic Republic of Congo.A total of about 900 mountain gorillas is estimated to be left in the world and half of this is found in Uganda's Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.Other places where they are found include Rwanda's Volcanoes National Park and DRC's Virunga NP.With increasing competition among the 3 countries,the only competitive tool to use is reduction of the trekking permits a thing Rwanda has not yet adopted.

The fact that seeing a mountain gorilla is a hustle makes the gorilla permits competitive and a visitor is expected to book for them in time to avoid inconveniences.Some visitors risk traveling without booking the permits and end up spending more time than planned as they wait for gorilla permits.It is therefore better to use a credible tour company which will obtain a gorilla permit for you before you jet into the country.

Rwanda and Uganda are the best destinations when it comes to Gorilla tracking because of the peace and certainty of meeting a gorilla family.Democratic Republic of Congo is politically unstable and this puts the life of the visitors in danger.Also its gorillas keep on moving from one plavce to another crossing the boarders and this makes it hard to view them.