REMARKABLE TWIN MOUNTAIN GORILLAS IN UGANDA

Have you ever thought about seeing gorilla twins in the wild? Did you know that mountain gorillas give birth to twins? Mountain gorillas are rated as the world’s critically endangered primates in the world. In the whole world, they only count less than 900 and only reside within the jungles of Uganda, Rwanda and Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) making them the most sought after primates by trekkers. Uganda mountain gorillas are only found in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park just as you head to Southwestern part of the country and tracking them costs $600 per visitor. Uganda isn’t only popular as one of Africa’s best or safest countries but also as destination to excite the mind with tremendous wild mountain gorillas.

MOTHER GORILLA

With not more than 900 mountain gorillas in the world, Uganda is proud to be a home to more than 480 gorillas, taking more than half of mountain gorillas that live on earth. Just like humans, these spectacular wild creatures also live in families with a silverback gorilla as their main leader. For travelers who intend to have their safaris to the misty valleys of Southwestern Uganda, they will have opportunity to explore more about the daily behaviors of these incredible creatures in any of the 12 habituated gorilla families that are all set for tourism purposes while those who may wish to engage in gorilla habituation experience, there only two gorilla groups for them to achieve their dreams that is say Bushaho and Bikingi gorilla family. If Bwindi Impenetrable Forest is your best option, there are 11 (eleven) habituated gorilla families that are set for gorilla trekking and only one gorilla group is tracked in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park.

Like any wild primate, mountain gorillas usually give birth to only one baby gorilla at a time!  Surprisingly, Uganda has time and again encountered one of the astounding moments of a kind in the jungles of Bwindi impenetrable Forest. If you wish to see exciting and playful baby gorillas that people have talked about and inspired the minds of many travelers, then Bwindi is preferably the best option for you to have your next safari holiday. The only unfortunate bit of it is that, even when these creatures give birth to twins, they find it hard to raise them up to maturity age and factors underlying their low survival rate in the wild aren’t yet ascertained. For many, they attribute it to hardship that the mother gorilla encounters while taking care of all the babies at once. The mother gorillas are usually carry the sole responsibility of taking care of these infants at their early birth age and even with high energy demands to nurse the twins, the mother gorilla won’t allow any other family member to carry her babies in any way as it is a case with humans!!

On record, there are currently four documented cases of gorilla twin births in Uganda for the past 50 years. There are several other birth cases that have been encountered in the wilderness of Bwindi although they are not yet included on records. It is a exciting moment to experience twins in a gorilla habitat and Bwindi has time and again been on top list with gorilla birth rates. This treasure has not come for the sake but it takes one to be patient enough and given the fact that 50% of the Bwindi mountain gorillas are not yet habituated, chances are the number of twin gorillas can even double and given the fact that many of them have not been put on record and in most cases, monitoring them in the wild isn’t that easy. Usually, Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) trackers have encountered three mothers from wild unhabituated gorillas with twin gorillas. With these figures, we can say Uganda is a home to 7 twin gorillas.

In 2004, Uganda encountered its first set of twin gorilla babies and this occurred in Nkuringo gorilla group of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. Unfortunately, one of the infants passed away just after the mother gave birth because the mother wasn’t in position to take care of all them at once. The twin gorillas in Nkuringo group were encountered from mother Kwitonda and they were named Katungi and Muhozi. Katungi passed on when he was one year and half because of sickness. However, another set of twin was experienced in 2008 and still in Nkuringo gorilla family. There are many records about twin gorillas around Kyaguriro gorilla family.

The only major challenge that most of the mother gorilla encounter is raising the twins during the early weeks. Keeping them with other gorilla family members is in deed a hectic responsibility. In most cases, these weak mother gorillas are seen struggling to take care of the baby gorillas in the wild.

In conclusion, mountain gorillas have a slow reproductive rate and female gorilla becomes sexually active at six years. The gestation period for gorilla is 8.5 months and they have birth interval of 4 to 5 years. Enjoy your trips with us in Uganda!

HOW TO GET A RWANDA GORILLA PERMIT

Gorilla tracking is famously the most thrilling and rewarding adventure, and Rwanda is one of a few countries in the world where thousands have fulfilled their long time dreams. Out of 900 mountain gorillas that are believed to be still living in the world, Rwanda takes a 3^rd of all those that reside around the Virunga Massif. These remarkable primates found their home in the Volcanoes National Park, one of the popularly known destinations for gorilla tracking in East Africa. The park lies in Northwestern Rwanda and it comes with ten habituated gorilla families for visitors to track these spectacular Apes in the wild. Remember that mountain gorillas are critically endangered species and they are never found in the zoo a reason you must visit a few of Africa's remotest national parks. Setting yourself into the only remaining jungles of Africa, comes with splendid experiences of a life time. Although these experiences are so inspiring in life, they also come at a cost in Africa for those who intend to achieve their dreams in the Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda. A gorilla permit is a must to have, yes but how much does it cost in Rwanda?

GORILLA TRACKING IN VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK

Gorilla trekking is only done in the Volcanoes National Park and reservations for gorilla permits are managed by the Rwandan Office for Tourism and National Parks. Permits for gorilla tracking in Rwanda cost $1500 per visitors especially for foreign non residents, East African residents, East African Citizens, Rwandan residents and Rwandan Citizens. Other price packages include, the 30% discount which represents $1050 on gorilla permits for visitors who intend to extend their visit to other Rwanda National Parks for instance Akagera National Park and Nyungwe National Park. This discount applies for a visit of about three days and beyond especially during the low season (for the month of November to May). 15% discount represents $1275 for conference visitors who may be interested in staying before and after MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferencing and Exhibitions) events to see mountain gorillas. $15000 for private gorilla tracking of an entire gorilla family with an exclusive personalized tour guide services while $30000 applies to a minimum of three consecutive days.

Although a gorilla permit doesn’t guarantee a visitor to see a gorilla in the wild, it is a must to have and better to book in advance since the demand is very high. There are only eight visitors who are allowed to track a gorilla group per day and booking should be at least six months for a peak season (for the month of September to June and December to February); and for a low season you can book a permit between one and two months (for the month of October, November and March to May). As the principle of first come first served applies in gorilla trekking permits, obviously there is stiff competition when it comes to acquiring these permits. For any delays in permit confirmation or payment can mean that a visitor will not be able to get a permit on his or her preferred date. Just after making a booking, you then send money for the permit and the date can’t be altered; for any changes, a visitor will incur a charge of $100 for each gorilla permit date altered.

There are only two choices for you to successfully obtain a gorilla permit in Rwanda.

First, through the Rwanda Development Board (RDB)/the Rwandan Office for Tourism and National Parks (ORTPN), which governs tourism in Rwanda where you can email the office through reservation@rwandatourism.com. By contacting the Rwanda office you will then ascertain about the availability of tracking dates you wish to go for the trek. Just in case you fail to get the dates, you can then go a head to request the ORTPN to let you aware of the next available dates. You will be required to reply to them expressing your wish to reserve the permits and hold them for you as you arrange for the payment. This will require you to get the banking details of Rwanda, where you will go to do an electronic money transfer. The money transfer doesn’t take more than three days and ORTPN grants clients tentative booking for about seven days. However, you will be required to send your copy of receipt by email or fax to ORTPN. Make sure you clear the bank charges to avoid disappointments.

The second option is via a tour and travel agent:

In most cases, this is the fastest procedure of booking gorilla permits in any destination given the fact that the first option is a bit hectic and tiring. The tour agent will then charge you about $25 to $60 per gorilla permit. However, if you are purchasing a gorilla permit and other tour services such as transfers and tours via them, the tour operator won’t charge any fee. Contact your trusted and authorized tour operator and have a glimpse at these incredible primates!

Where refund or cancellation proves necessary, RDB shall refund 50% of the gorilla trekking fees for those visitors who shows signs of illness. Remember these primates are susceptible to human diseases and visitors who may be feeling ill are not allowed to go for the trek. Gorilla tracking in Rwanda begins with visitors briefing at 7:00 to 7:30 local time. 

In conclusion, visitors who intend to go for gorilla trekking should know that it is a must to have a gorilla at hand. However, the permit only grants you 98% chances but doesn’t guarantee you to see a gorilla. You must be above 15 years if you are to track mountain gorillas in Africa. Enjoy amazing experiences with gorillas at the land of a thousand hills and you won’t regret!

WHAT MUST YOU HAVE FOR A GORILLA TREK

Are you planning to take a safari to Uganda, Rwanda or Democratic Republic of Congo for gorilla trekking experiences? Are you interested in seeing mountain gorillas or eastern lowland gorillas in Africa? Africa's gorillas are the most thought after wild creatures across the world, and undoubtedly gorilla trekking in Africa is the most unforgettable and non regrettable travel experience that comes once in a life time. Gorillas are all over the world but what kind of gorillas are you interested to see? Mountain gorillas are the world’s critically endangered species that are only found in three African countries in the whole world: Uganda, Rwanda and DRC.

Tracking mountain gorillas only occurs in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park in Uganda, the Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda and Virunga National Park in DRC. Whereas the Eastern Lowland gorillas are only found in DRC and they can be tracked in Kahuzi Biega National Park and Maiko National Park. Gorilla tracking varies based on respective countries, for Uganda the permits are obtainable at $600 per visitor and this applies for foreign non residents, $500 for foreign residents and shs.250000 for East African residents. These prices apply for the peak season in Uganda and in the low season, they drop to $450, $400 and shs.150000 especially in the month of April, May and November. It is a must that you have a gorilla permit to allow you track a gorilla family in a given destination of your choice.

For visitors who are interested in extending their stay with Gorilla Habituation Experience in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, they can obtain permits at $ 1500 per visitor for foreign non residents, $1000 for foreign residents and shs.750000 for East African residents. Unlike gorilla trekking where visitors have only an hour of face to face interaction with gorillas, habituation experience offers visitors all the four hours and it is an all day gorilla experience which is only done in Uganda.

MOUNTAIN GORILLA TREKKING IN AFRICA

There are things that you can not do without and this means you must have them if you are interested in gorilla trekking in Africa. A gorilla trek in Africa isn’t a mere walk around the park but hiking through the dense jungles of Africa’s tropical rain forests to spend that only one hour with these spectacular creatures in their natural habitats. Some of them may sound obvious but once you are there you certainly appreciate the help that these items will offer to you thereafter.

The following are some of the things that you must not forget for a gorilla trek.

A walking stick:

You might wonder why you must have a walking stick on gorilla trek but hiking through the jungles of African forests demands you to have one. Gorilla tracking isn’t just a walk that you always take on flat landscape but challenging yourself through the steep slopes and terrains to see these incredible primates. A walking stick will relieve you off from the stressful and tiring terrains on gorilla home as it offers you a balance and grip. They are obtainable at the park visitor centers in any of three countries where gorilla trekking takes place. You can purchase one at any souvenirs around the park or get one at the lodge where you will spend your a night; other lodges can even give it to you at a free cost! This walking stick is plain and mostly goes up to five feet in height with more ornamental and carved in nature. Having one will offer you steadiness while in your trek, don’t risk tracking gorillas without a walking stick!

WALKING STICKS FOR YOUR TREK

A porter:

Gorilla tracking is unpredictable at times and given the fact that you have heavy property to carry, you will need a person to help you. By delegating the heavy load to a porter can relieve you from the tiring hike and you will have much time to concentrate on the trek. Offering responsibility on porters isn’t bad since this is one way through which they can also have something to eat, pay their fees, rent and solve many issues pertaining themselves. Porters can be hired between $20 and $24 and this will grant you a wide array of relaxation as you freely enjoy the trek experiences. It is not easy hiking through the dense vegetation to see the gorillas with a heavy load on your back. A porter will always be there with you through out the tracking process including the difficulty or trickier areas of the trails. Whether you are still young and feeling energetic it is better to have a porter as the only way of investing in the lives and the future of these Africans.

In conclusion, gorilla trekking is the most hectic adventure experience that needs trekkers and trackers to be physically fit to hike through the steep slopes where these incredible creatures live. You should also not forget to have your permit at hand as you go for the trek, waterproof hiking shoes, long sleeved shirts or T-shirt, shocks, rain jackets and many other things that are necessary for you to pack. Enjoy your trek without stress!

TOP ADVENTURE ACTIVITIES YOU MUST EXPERIENCE IN RWANDA:

Adventure safaris are one of the most craved experiences by many travelers around the world and yet there are very few destinations to offer such enticing memories. For adventure travelers who have ever watched the “Indiana Jones Movies” or probably read several adventure novels by “Karl May”, such adventure spirit in most cases is ingrained within ourselves but unfortunately we can’t find it. Well, if you are adventure lover or interested in experiential safaris in East Africa, visit Rwanda-the land of a thousand hills for real adrenaline adventure experiences of a life time. Adventure seekers need to worry less while in East Africa or Africa now; Rwanda’s countless adventures a wait for you. The list of experiential adventures is just numerous in the country and you stand to choose from the variety. You can even be combine your safari with Uganda and have a wide range of experiences. Let Rwanda be a must to visit if you are interested in authentic African experiences of a life time. With all a thousand hills, you shouldn’t miss a million smiles in this remarkable landlocked country!

Below are some of adventure activities that can excite your mind as you spend your time in Rwanda.

Experiential gorilla trekking adventures:

Rwanda is a renowned destination for mountain gorilla experiences of a life time. Gorilla trekking takes place in the Volcanoes National Park. Tracking mountain gorillas in Rwanda is one of the most sought after adventures in Africa and tourists can even trek more than ones. Mountain gorillas form the major reason that visitors from around the globe get into remarkable Rwanda. Gorilla experiences are incomparably the loveliest African adventures that visitors get after spending only one hour of face to face interaction with these outstanding creatures in the wild. Rwanda has ten habituated gorilla groups that visitors are assigned to track mountain gorillas. Gorilla safaris/tourism started way back in the times of Dian Fossey when she had traveled purposely to carry out her research in the volcanoes. It will be amazing, if you included this “life changing” experience in the list of experiential activities that you are going to encounter in Rwanda.

Other experiential adventures within the Volcanoes national park include the Dian Fossey hike that offer opportunity for adventure seekers a chance to explore more on the renowned primatologist and zoologist that committed herself in saving the mountain gorillas around the Virunga region.

MOUNTAIN GORILLA

Golden monkey tracking adventures

Expect more than mountain gorilla gorillas in Rwanda because higher chances are that you will also interact with golden monkey-the world’s striking primates. As you plan for your gorilla tracking safari, ensure include golden monkey experiences in the bucket list of activities in your safari. Golden monkey tracking is done in the Volcanoes national park and for those interested in gorillas can add this as their extra experiences. Golden monkeys are one of the most the magnificent primates that are worth visiting in the jungles of the Volcanoes national park. Unlike mountain gorillas, golden monkeys are unique on their own and they are renowned for their roaming behavior and visitors are required to keep an eye to sight them. Like mountain gorillas, golden monkeys are also habituated and this denotes that they are acclimatized to human presence in their natural habitat. Include this adventure in your safari and prove the best experiences of a life time in Rwanda.

GOLDEN MONKEY

Chimpanzee tracking adventure

Just at the Nyungwe Forest National Park, comes chimpanzee tracking as another fascinating adventure to excite the minds of travelers. The adventure begins a bit early and by 5:30, visitors are expected to be well prepared before they set off into this thick tropical rain forest to spend some hours with these beautiful close relatives. The best time for you visit the park, is basically during the rainy season. The chimps in this area are half way habituated and it is a bit simpler to track them. In addition, visitors can also include Ruwenzori colobus monkeys or gray cheeked mangabeys in the list and enjoy the best experiences with Rwanda’s primates. There are more than 400 monkeys with all 13 primate species that live in Rwanda! Don’t miss to hike in any of 130 hiking trails that are found within the jungles of Nyungwe forest national park.

CHIMPANZEE TRACKING

Volcano climbing

For hikers, climbers or mountaineering adventures, visit the Volcanoes national park for such dramatic experiences of a life time. The Volcanoes is a renowned home to about 3 (three) Virunga volcanoes that offer adventure lovers opportunities to hike on their summit to enjoy the stunning beauty of Rwanda and beyond. Two of these take a full day to climb while the other is an overnight adventure. They include; Mount Bisoke that stretches to about 3700 meters above sea level, Mount Visoke that seems to be best volcano especially at its foot hills while its summit is filled with spectacular a crater lake. Mount Muhabura is the second highest summit in the Volcanoes National Park. This is also the Virunga Volcano chain mountain that lies east and expands across Rwanda and Uganda. It forms one of the most magnificent land features in the park whereas the Mount Karisimbi hike also known as the white shell mountain takes about two days to the fifth highest snow capped summits in African continent. Visiting this mountain is indeed an experience of a life time.

Biking adventures

Is riding or biking one of your lovely adventures? Rwanda has come beyond mountain gorilla tracking with African biking experiences around the hills of Kigali that are backed by guided tours. The most strenuous biking adventure is mainly the Congo Nile Trail along Lake Kivu. There are also other additional trails that can extend your biking experience just like the Congo trail. You can take around three days, two days or even one day. They are however guided and for advanced bikers, they can do it on their own. Along the way, you can visit the tea and coffee plantation and this demonstrates the true heart of Africa.

For those interested in relaxing with water body activities, they are never left out of choice. There is sport fishing, kayaking, canoeing as well as experiential boat ride on Lake Kivu, Muhazi and Lake Ihema. For family trips, this is the best leisurely ground that you shouldn’t miss out in the land of a thousand hills. You can also do bike rides along Lake Nyarutarama-Kigali and then explore Rwanda’s city and its surrounding areas including the tree lined streets of Kiyovu for a chilly sun shine.

In conclusion, Rwanda has countless experiential adventures for many of the world’s adventure seekers. It offers a range of adventure activities right from mountain gorilla tracking, Volcano climbing/hiking, sport fishing, and hiking, golden monkey experiences to chill and relaxing experiences water bodies. Visit Rwanda for delightful experiences of a life time!

UGANDA’S GORILLA TREKKING PERMITS REMAIN AT THE SAME PRICE.

A gorilla permit is a card that is being issued by Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) or Rwanda Development Board (RDB) to allow a visitor to go and track the mountain gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park or the Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda. The permit enables the visitor to see the mountain gorillas for only one hour but it doesn’t guarantee him or her 100% that they will see these creatures in their wilderness.

Although gorilla trekking is the most sought after adventure in African continent, many travelers are still left pondering about its cost. The fact is that respective countries where mountain gorillas are found charge different prices for gorilla trekking permits. Recently, Rwanda one of the three famous destinations for gorilla trekking went a head and drastically increased the price of their gorilla permits to 100% for all tourists which stands at $1500 today some thing that raised speculations about Uganda’s gorilla trekking tariffs too. This however became a concern of every one in the tourism industry including the travelers, tour operators, conservationists and marketing bodies among other stakeholders. People were concerned about Uganda’s gorilla trekking tariffs like will Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) also follow Rwanda’s decision to increase the price of gorilla trekking permits?

SILVERBACK MOUNTAIN GORILLA

However, we can say there is good news about Uganda’s gorilla trekking permits now, UWA-the overall body that manages Uganda’s national parks and Uganda Tourism Board (UTB) have decided to maintain the cost of gorilla permits to a usual price for 2017. The two bodies accepted to keep the same rate for a period of 12 months. Gorilla permits in Uganda are purchased at $600 for foreign non residents, $500 for foreign residents and sh.250000 for East African residents and they apply per person per trek especially during the peak season! During the low season, UWA offers discounted gorilla permits to visitors at $450 for foreign non residents, 400 for foreign residents and shs.150000 for East African residents and this applies in the month of April, May and November 2017. Why not grab this opportunity now? Remember it is not yet known whether discounted permits will stay or will be scraped in 2018-2019 so the only chance is to book for your discounted permit for November this year as we wait for more up dates and confirmation from UWA! Alternatively, you spark your imaginations beyond expectations with Gorilla Habituation Experience still in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park, Uganda and then enjoy all the four hours with mountain gorillas. Gorilla Habituation Experience costs $1500 for foreign none residents, $1000 for foreign residents and sh.750000 for East African residents!

GORILLA PERMITS' PRICE IN UGANDA

Uganda has a total of 96 gorilla permits that are available every day base on the number of habituated gorilla families. in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National has a total of 88 permits since there are 11 gorilla groups that are ready for visitors to track the mountain gorillas while in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, only one gorilla family is habituated for visitors’ experience. A gorilla trek in Uganda allows only 8 people to track a particular gorilla family per day.

Uganda is renowned country that offer refuge to over 480 mountain gorillas out of 880 individuals that said to be still surviving in the world. This translates to about half of the world’s mountain gorillas. Gorilla trekking in Uganda is conducted in only two places and if a visitor misses to track the mountain gorillas in one park, he or she has opportunity to achieve their dreams in the other park. Bwindi Impenetrable Forest and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park are the two renowned places where thousands of travelers flock to see the wild mountain gorillas in their natural home. Mountain gorillas are one of the global worth natural resource and their protection or conservation is first priority in most of UWA’s decisions.

How to access Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park

By road: Tourists can take the Kampala-Queen Elizabeth National Park-Kihihi-Buhoma route. This is one of the interesting routes that will fill you with lots of pre-tracking experiences especially with rare tree climbing lions in Queen Elizabeth Park and the photo taking at Equator.

The second route can be through Kampala-Kabale-Kanungu-Buhoma and takes about 5-6 hour’s drive. Another convenient route can also be through Kampala-Ntungamo-Rukungiri-Kihihi-Buhoma or Kampala-Kabale-Ruhija-Buhoma or Kampala-Kabale-Nkuringo area.

By air: You can take a flight from Entebbe International Airport or Kajjansi Airfield and then land in Kisoro Airstrip and for visitors to Buhoma, they can take on flights and land in Kayonza Airstrip.

In conclusion, it is a requirement that all visitors intending to do gorilla trekking in Uganda to have a gorilla permit. The permit is an important tool that allows visitors to explore one of Uganda’s twelve habituated gorilla families in the South-West. Don’t miss a life time experience with our close relatives as they relax in their natural habitat just in the jungles of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, Uganda.

RUSHAGA THE BEST GORILLA TREKKING SECTOR IN BWINDI IMPENETRABLE FOREST

Mountain gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park is centered within the four (4) major areas and most importantly Rushaga sector is one of them. Rushaga is famous as an highland for mountain gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. This area is situated in the southern side of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest and it is also blessed with a series of Habituated Gorilla Families. Rushaga’s gorilla groups are frequently sought after by visitors and they include Nshongi, Bweza, Busingye, Kahungye and Mishaya. All these mountain gorilla families are dully habituated which means, tourists can go for gorilla trekking in any of them. Due to its strategic location, even tourists from Rwanda can still connect to Rushaga to see the rare mountain gorilla. Rushaga is also popular for stunning panoramic view of the Virunga Volcanoes, Lake Mutanda and Lake Bunyonyi together with its 29 islands.

MOUNTAIN GORILLAS AT RUSHAGA

Besides gorilla trekking, Rushaga area is also famous as the only place where tourists can visit for Gorilla Habituation Experience. Did you know about this? The Gorilla Habituation Experience is one of the remarkable experiences of a kind. No where else offers this kind of experience even if you checked other countries where mountain gorillas are protected. If gorilla tracking is a life time experience, then gorilla habituation experience rewards beyond imagination. Gorilla habituation experience offers tourists a total of 4 (four) hours to be with the mountain gorillas whereas gorilla trekking tourists are allowed to spend only one (1) hour. Gorilla habituation experience takes place in Bikingi gorilla group and Bushaho gorilla group near Nkuringo area. For gorilla tracking/trekking, the gorilla permits are purchased at $600 and for gorilla habituation experience, the permits are purchased at $1500. Gorilla trekking is also adventure for many tourists about 8 (eight) visitors per gorilla group unlike Gorilla Habituation Experiences where only 4 people are allowed per gorilla family per day.

While at Rushaga area, your expectations should go beyond seeing mountain gorillas because the area also offers a range of interesting activities like village walks and walk in the Buniga Forest where you will explore about the Batwa pygmies. Have you ever thought about encountering the first inhabitants of Bwindi Impenetrable rain forest? If so, then count visiting Rushaga a must! Your experience in the Batwa community is not just, staring at their heights yes they have incredible heights but your experience will involve lessons concerning their culture and traditions, life styles in the forest. Imagine they lived in the Bwindi's jungle for about 500000 years probably they never wished to get out of this forest but due to conservation, they found themselves out. They lived in the forest for centuries and to day the Batwa cultural encounters are much appreciated by visitors who get into Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park Combine your mountain gorilla safari with the Batwa Cultural Encounter. By so doing, you will have supported the Batwa Community greatly!

THE BATWA PYGMIES

What makes Rushaga area famous for mountain gorilla trekking? There is nothing more tiring like lengthy journeys. However, Rushaga’s accessibility is the major reason why it is regarded as the best gorilla trekking area in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. The tourists interested in tracking the area spend only 3 (three) hours to drive from Kigali. You also use Aero-link and then fly up to Kisoro from Entebbe International Airport and this will takes a client only 45 minutes to connect to Rushaga.

Alternatively, you can drive from Entebbe-Kampala-Rushaga sector which will take you 9-10 hours. The interesting bit of long journeys is that, a tourist has opportunities to include or enjoy other incredible activities and fantastic products along the way especially from Kampala-Kibale Forest and then enjoy chimpanzee tracking or spend the whole day with Chimpanzees during the Chimpanzee Habituation Experience and as well, you have chance to stare at incredible tree climbing lions at Ishasha area-Queen Elizabeth National Park.

THE RARE TREE CLIMBING LION 

Lodging facilities in Rushaga:

For any one interested in tracking gorilla families at Rushaga area accommodation facilities are key. Rushaga has a range of Lodges right from budget to luxury and these include Chameleon Hill Lodge, Gorilla Safari Lodge, Rushaga Gorilla Camp, Nshongi Camp, and Gorilla Valley Lodge. Other lodging facilities for you to choose from include Nkuringo Bwindi Gorilla Lodge, Mutanda Lake Resort for moderate choice, and travelers Rest Hotel for budget.

What else is required of you?

You can as well obtain an East African Tourism Visa and Yellow fever certificate and then you will ready for Gorilla trekking and Gorilla Habituation Experience in Rushaga, Uganda.

Further more, tourists also have an opportunity to do hiking in and around the Rushaga sector. The hiking trails include the Kapata trail which takes about 3 (three) hours which also comes with nature, local history and culture.

The Kara ridge trail is another moderately hard trail which offers panoramic view of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest and Rubuguri. While in this trail, your experiences are centered on local cultures, traditions not forgetting the only ancient forest occupants the Batwa pygmies. Amazingly, your six hour trail is little challenging but you will appreciate the views at Congo, Rwanda and other surrounding areas within Uganda. You can also take trail via Bwindi Forest which starts from Kisoro or you can choose to end the journey at Kisoro and then include canoeing experiences across Lake Mutanda.

In conclusion, Rushaga area is the best sector for mountain gorilla trekking and also the only area for Gorilla Habituation Experience in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park. Visit Rushaga sector and you will appreciate the unique experiences that this area provides to the world. Enjoy Rushaga-Bwindi Impenetrable Forest-Uganda.

BWINDI THE AFRICA’S BEST NATIONAL PARK

Had you ever imagined about the best national parks in Africa? Do you love exotic destinations? Have you ever thought of meeting our close relatives in the wild? Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park has all the answers for your questions, just at the valley mist in South-Western Uganda. For abundant species in Africa, explore Bwindi's natural wonders right from forest birds, butterflies to endangered species such as the world’s critically endangered mountain gorillas.

THE MISTY JUNGLES OF BWINDI 

Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park is a remarkable destination not just for visitors to admire its misty covered hillsides but a place to spark imaginations with our close relatives the “spectacular mountain gorillas.” Thousands of tourists, who travel to this destination, come to inspire the senses with exotic gorilla adventures that come once in a life time!  Currently, Bwindi boasts of over 400 wild gorillas which also represent half of the world’s mountain gorillas. When it comes to gorilla safaris in Uganda, Bwindi comes on top list with the most outstanding tourism products that for long have positioned Uganda on the world map as best destination. Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park is globally recognized for gorilla trekking/tracking and currently the park management has introduced a new and the most rewarding product called “Gorilla Habituation Experience”, an experience that visitors won’t find in any part of the world except in Bikingi and Bushaho gorilla families, Uganda. The gorilla habituation experience costs $1500 per tourist and visitors spend all the four hours observing the daily behaviors of these incredible creatures.

MOUNTAIN GORILLAS

Mountain gorilla experiences in Bwindi National Park don’t just come from nowhere but the 11 (eleven) Habituated Gorilla Families which visitors go to observe the mountain gorillas. Habituation process takes 2-3 years and this is meant to improve on the clients’ experiences while enjoying the product in the destination. The habituated gorillas mean that they are accustomed to human presence! The gorilla groups in Bwindi National Park are the basics for the tourists’ experiences in Uganda and it is from the eleven habituated gorilla families that the country’s economy revenue is realized after selling off the 88 gorilla permits for visitors to go for gorilla trekking. Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park was recognized by CNN on 16^th/5/2017 among 5 Africa’s best national parks that tourists should travel to observe. Other national parks include; Kruger National Park in South Africa, the Virunga National Park in Congo, Serengeti National Park in Tanzania and Maasai Mara National Park in Kenya. This is good news for Uganda because your treasured adventure "gorilla tracking" is specifically sighted as the major tourist attraction which also generates revenue for the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA). Approximately, $15 per year counts as a direct sum of income that is realized from gorilla visits in the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park.

DISCOVER THE NATURAL WONDERS OF BWINDI 

The Uganda Wildlife Authority is the overall body that manages all the ten national parks in Uganda and it is also sets tariffs for all the tourist activities in the park. For mountain gorilla safaris in Uganda, the gorilla permit costs $600 for each visitor who is interested in gorilla trekking.

$600 FOR YOU TO OBSERVE OUR RELATIVES IN THE WILD

Bwindi National Park has 4 (four) trailheads where tracking starts from and they include Buhoma sector, Rushanga sector, Ruhija and Nkuringo sector. Each of the sectors has got habituated gorilla families for visitors to see the mountain gorillas. Buhoma trail-head is the busiest area for gorilla trekking and it is comprised of the following gorilla families; Habinyanja, Mubare and Rushegura gorilla group. Ruhija sector includes; Oruzogo and Bitukura gorilla groups. Rushanga sector is recognized as the best area for visitors to do gorilla tracking/trekking and the only area where visitors can do gorilla habituation experiences in Uganda. The sector is composed of Nshongi, Mishaya, Kahungye, Busingye and Bweza gorilla family. Nkuringo sector is made up of only one habituated gorilla family “Nkuringo” and it is one of the challenging families in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park. If you are interested in gorilla tracking in this gorilla family, then you must be a bit energetic to hike.

While planning a trip to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park, you shouldn’t worry about accommodation facilities since they are several facilities that you take choice. Some of the notable facilities in Bwindi include the Cloud Lodge, Gorilla Forest Camp, Buhoma Lodge, Mahogany springs and Bwindi Volcano Lodge.

Despite the fact that Bwindi Impenetrable National Park take a tourist about 9-10 hours on the road, still visitors can access the park by air (Aero-link Uganda) especially from Entebbe International Airport and Kajjansi airfields and land in Kihihi and Ishasha airstrips in Kanungu district where they will be transferred to Bwindi National Park. On road, visitors can access the park from Queen Elizabeth National Park to the North which takes about 2 to 3 hours or Kabale to the South for about 1 to 2 hours and alternatively, from Kampala-Mbarara which takes visitors about 6-8 hours. Traveling on road is one of the incredible moments if you are targeting to reach Bwindi National Park, especially on stop over which gives a client an opportunity to enjoy the natural wonders en-route to the South-Western Uganda. Make a stopover the Equator area at Queen Elizabeth National Park or view the rare climbing lions as they blend themselves on the tree trunks.

In conclusion, Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park is a true natural wonder where you can discover a lot about the world’s critically endangered Mountain gorillas in large numbers. Not just the mountain gorillas but also diverse forest species that come your way during the trek. Don’t miss the ultimate gorilla experiences in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park!