LONG UGANDA GORILLA SAFARIS – LONG UGANDA GORILLA TOURS

SHORT RWANDA GORILLA SAFARIS – SHORT RWANDA GORILLA TOURS

LONG RWANDA GORILLA SAFARIS – LONG RWANDA GORILLA TOURS

CONGO GORILLA SAFARIS – CONGO GORILLA TOURS

Facts to know about Gorillas during Gorilla trekking in Uganda

What illnesses do gorillas in Uganda suffer from?

It has been noted that gorillas can acquire many human diseases and it is upon this background that those on gorilla trekking safaris in Uganda and Rwanda have to keep a minimum distance to reduce on this risk.

Mountain gorillas tend to inhabit the areas with wet and cold climate which in turn tend to cause respiratory tract diseases especially Pneumonia thus claiming some of the Mountain gorilla lives.

Gorillas of Bwindi, Volcanoes, Mgahinga and Virunga hardly develop teeth cavities. It has been noted that Mountain Gorillas rarely suffer from this disease because they take less fruits thus take in low sugar content.  However, the bad tartar of Mountain gorillas causes Periodontitis which dissolves the Jaw bones and eventually causing the loss of teeth.

The Mountain gorillas also have parasites mostly intestinal parasites (worms or Protozoans) which are also experienced among the human beings. However, some of these specialize in these critically endangered mountain gorillas which are normally sought for on Gorilla safaris in Uganda.

Since gorillas are under the poaching threats, they normally experience hurts when they land their foot or hand in snares. Gorillas sustain wounds which in turn get infected that gorillas end up losing their lives in the process.

Gorillas are not very far to be attacked by viruses like Ebora. Such Viruses can be transferred from humans to gorillas and vice versa. Thus it is important for gorilla trekking undertakers to prove their health status first before going for gorilla safari in Uganda and Rwanda.

Where do gorillas in Uganda live?

Mountain Gorillas like most of their primate colleagues, sleep in nests which they patch in the trees or on the ground in consideration of various variables like vegetation and the security conditions. It should be noted that every evening, gorillas construct new nests – something that is evidenced on your Gorilla trekking safari in Uganda and this cannot be avoided even if it is very close to the nest that slept in the previous night. Another thing to note is that, Infants or call them baby gorillas are the only ones exonerated from the task of making nests as they spend overnights with their mothers.

Gorillas in Uganda enter into their nests at least one hour before the dark however on rare cases they also build nests for midday rests.

The process of building a gorilla nest is not an easy task. Building ground nests involves pulling bush branches and other plants into the center where they are layered and anchored to each other. The other plants are then bent in to create a nest rim. This is in contrast to tree nests which are built in branch forks and other related structures. What is mainly considered with tree nests is that the nest has to be designed to accommodate the gorilla weight that’s why it’s common for young gorillas and female gorillas to spend their overnights in trees because of their relative light weights compared to the heavier Silverback. These nest dynamics are always seen while carrying out gorilla trekking in Bwindi and Mgahinga in Uganda or Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda.

How much space does a gorilla group need in Uganda?

Gorilla groups do not necessarily require distinct territories and neither do they defend such areas against conspecifics. Gorillas roam in what is called the home ranges whose size is dependent on the food availability. The home ranges are always larger where the food sources are widely dispersed. In case of abundance of nutritious and high quality food plants, the distance in between the feeding sites reduces. However, the more members the gorilla family possesses, the further will it roam and the extensive is the home range which at times causes variation in gorilla trekking times among different gorilla groups. Interestingly, the home ranges have various vegetation zones that are seasonally utilized and they always stretch between 4 & 8Sq.km though they can extend in less fertile areas to about 30km2. It should also be noted that the home ranges sometimes overlap and the home range of one gorilla group could be wholesomely be within that of the other.

Gorilla families move averagely 0.5 – 1km to forage daily which also depends on food availability. Gorillas can also stretch to extended distances to visit trees with particularly cherished food. This also tends to determine the gorilla trekking hours on travellers’ gorilla safari tours in Uganda and Rwanda.

How do gorillas in Uganda sleep?

Gorillas like most of their primate colleagues, sleep in nests which they patch in the trees or on the ground in consideration of various variables like vegetation and the security conditions. It should be noted that every evening, gorillas construct new nests – something that is evidenced on your Uganda gorilla safari tour and this cannot be avoided even if it is very close to the nest that slept in the previous night. Another thing to note is that, Infants or call them baby gorillas are the only ones exonerated from the task of making nests as they spend over nights with their mothers. Gorillas enter into their nests at least one hour before the dark however on rare cases they also build nests for midday rests.

The process of building a gorilla nest is not an easy task. Building ground nests involves pulling bush branches and other plants into the center where they are layered and anchored to each other. The other plants are then bent in to create a nest rim. This is in contrast to tree nests which are built in branch forks and other related structures. What is mainly considered with tree nests is that the nest has to be designed to accommodate the gorilla weight that’s why it’s common for young gorillas and female gorillas to spend their overnights in trees because of their relative light weights compared to the heavier Silverback. These nest dynamics are always seen while carrying out gorilla trekking in Bwindi and Mgahinga in Uganda or Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda.

Do gorillas in Uganda have enemies?

This is a question to contemplate deeply about especially when it relates to the critically endangered mountain gorillas which are mostly sought of on Uganda gorilla safaris. It should be noted that apart from humans, the gorillas do not certainly have enemies. Among the animals that have been registered to have an influence on the life gorillas are Leopards. This predator has been recorded in Virunga Volcanoes to have an effect on the lives of gorillas. For example Walter Baumgärtel came across the remains of a range of gorillas that had lost their dear lives at the hands of dangerous leopards in the area. A similar case was recorded in Gabon where a leopard killed a sick young gorilla. Upon being threatened, the behaviors of gorillas change and the family members behave differently. The Silverbacks – which are very amazing to encounter on gorilla safaris in Uganda and Rwanda release a concentrated smell with distinguishing sounds. Other gorillas congregate in one place and share hugs or sometimes congregate around the silverback. Since it the responsibility of the Silverback to defend and offer protection to the whole gorilla family, they normally stand in between the group and the attacker. However, most of the times, the youthful male gorillas take on this task and they eventually take the group away or attack the enemy at the same time.

Are gorillas in Uganda afraid of water

Gorillas like other apes including humans find it hard to swim naturally which prompts them to desist from expanse water masses like Lakes and Rivers. It has been recorded however that both adult and young gorillas like to play around with water. While in quest of their food, gorillas tend to walk through swamps on their two legs keeping water levels up to their waists. In case of heavy down pour, gorillas tend to stay in static position waiting for it to settle down. Assume there is a shelter nearby in form of a cave or any related feature, gorillas will approach it and sit below it for until the rain is done. However, interestingly to note that these endangered apes usually encountered on Gorilla trekking safaris in Uganda and Rwanda cannot use branches or large leaves to cover themselves unlike their counter parts orangutans and bonobos which tend to apply this tactic.

Do gorillas often climb trees in Uganda?

Primarily, gorillas dwell on ground and can only spend 5 – 20% of their daytime in trees in contrast to their primate counterparts – Chimpanzees which spend 47 – 67% of their time in trees and Orangutans spending close to 100%.

Yes, Gorillas tend to climb to take advantage of fruits or play around in the tree branches. Gorillas tend to climb quad-rupedally and they rarely jump from branch to branch or brachiating.

It should be noted that because of the great weight that is normally possessed by Silverbacks and other mature male gorillas, it is very hard for them to get off the ground to climb high to the fruiting trees which have branches that cannot bear their weight.

What do gorillas that are found in Uganda do all the day?

Gorillas in Uganda are always active from 6am to 6pm. Gorillas tend to have daily routine and events seem too follow each other chronologically. Even on your Gorilla tours in Uganda and Rwanda, you have a chance be part of this routine. Gorillas move out of their nests early in the morning to commence their foraging consuming as much vegetation as they can before resting in the late morning and midday. Gorillas forage again in the in the afternoon until they rest at night. Unless it is cold and overcast which prompts gorillas to stay longer in their nests, they tend to depart their nests at dawn 6am. Mountain gorillas in Bwindi and Mgahinga in Uganda, Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda and Virunga National Park of Congo where Gorilla trekking safaris are always conducted spend almost half of the day foraging while the periods of rest consume almost a third of the day. Gorillas use about 6.5% of their available time for moving from point to the other and about 3.6% of their time to engage in social activities. The social activities of gorillas normally occur mostly in their rest periods which are mostly around midday. The midday period is very significant in the social lives of gorillas since it the time for them to interact with their partners and time for young ones to play without any interruption.

 Gorilla trekking Permit Price in Uganda

Gorilla permits for Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga National Park costs USD 600.00 per person per trek for non residents and USD 500.00 residents, UGX 250000 east Africans and Ugandan nationals. Travellers can do Gorilla habituation at USD 1500 to stay with gorillas a full day till they nest for the night but with about 4hrs of close interacting with them. There are chances that Uganda Wildlife Authority will announce discounted rates for gorilla permits in November so please do contact us for updates about this. UWA always reviews its prices and tariffs in June every year. This could be due to the fact that Rwanda charges $750. for gorilla trekking and 2500$ for gorilla habituation. Our offices are always open to advise you on the price of gorilla permits, best season to trek and habituate gorillas in Uganda, Rwanda, Congo, where to stay.

Uganda Gorilla safari Permit Booking Procedure

You require a gorilla trekking permit to trek Uganda gorillas found in two National Parks of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park all found in south western Uganda. Gorilla permits can be obtained from Uganda Wildlife Authority Head Offices in Kampala just after Uganda Museum on Kiira Road. Every day, UWA sells gorilla permits for all gorilla families in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga. Offices are always open from 9:00am to 5:00pm in the evening. Please contact us for your gorilla permit which we can pre purchase for you at no extra cost once you book a gorilla safari with us. Please contact us and we will check availability of gorilla permits at UWA for you and go ahead to buy once you have transferred money on our account. You will need to send us your details in terms of names, passport number, and nationality as Uganda Wildlife Authority requires them in order to issue your gorilla permit.

When should I book my Uganda Gorilla safari Permit ?

You need to contact us to advise you on when to book your gorilla permit. It is agreed that for peak and high seasons, you need to book your gorilla trekking safari permit at least 5 months in advance while in low seasons, you can even book it there and then. High seasons in Uganda are June, July, August, September and early November and then December, January and February. Gorilla permits tend to be very scarce and if you intend to trek gorillas during this month, you need to book them way back in advance. Please do contact us for your gorilla permit booking and we will secure it for you at no extra cost once you book a gorilla tour with us.

Can I book a Uganda gorilla safari permit myself?

Yes you can book your gorilla permit as long as you call Uganda Wildlife Authority offices. They will provide you with a form which you need to fill and then transfer funds to their account. Once they receive the money, they will then book your permit. On arrival in Uganda, you have to go to their office in person with all your identifications to pick your gorilla permit. The only challenge with this method is that you might call and call and call and nobody picks due to the traffic caused by those calling reservation but please keep trying and someone will pick your phone.

How many gorilla trekking families are in Uganda-Bwindi Impenetrable Forest?

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park has about 15 gorilla families which are located in the Northern part and southern part of this tropical rainforest. The northern part of Buhoma has Mubare, Rushegura, Habinyanja,. The Easter part Ruhija has Bitukura, Oruzogo and Kyaguriro which is for research. The southern sector has Kahungye, Nshongi, Mishaya, Businye, Bweza and Nkuringo. Mgahinga National Park has one gorilla family called Nyakagezi but this group keeps on migrating to Rwanda and if you are interested in this gorilla family, permits are sold on ground and you need to contact us for availability. We can advise you on the best gorilla family to trek once you tell us your interest.

Long term advance booking allocations in Uganda

Uganda Wildlife Authority allows advanced booking of up to two years as long as a deposit of 30% is made and the balance shall be paid 91 days to the tracking date. Late top up of 70% is not permitted but may be considered 7 days, and will attract a Surcharge of 20% beyond which deposit is forfeited without refund. 80% of all the gorilla permits in each month can be booked for two years in advance by the Association of Uganda Tour Operations (AUTO) members only. Foreign tour operators will book through local tour operators. Each tour operator (AUTO) shall book up to only 20 permits for that particular month on the day the booking opens, which is the first working day (Monday to Friday) of the month.

Short time booking (three months in advance) in Uganda

Individual trackers can buy from Uganda Wildlife Authority not more than 2 permits for the month. There is no guarantee, which dates or how many per day will be available. Booking can be done on the day the booking opens, which is the first working day of the month.

Are there Gorilla permit limits in Uganda!

Gorilla Permits not sold on the day the booking opens will be open for sale the following day with no limits on the number each tour operator would buy.

Uganda’s Gorilla Permits Refunds/Cancellation Guidelines

50% tracking fee shall be refunded by UWA, if the visitor fails to track due to illness, this will be at recommendation of the Warden in Charge and this clause only applies to visitors who have already tracked BINP or MGNP.

Visitors who fail to track the gorillas (MGNP) as a result of their movement to the neighbouring country shall receive a full refund on their permits. However, those who would have tracked the whole day and failed to view the gorillas for one reason or another will be refunded 75% of the tracking fee. All refunds shall be affected through the Reservation Office at UWA Headquarters in Kampala.

UWA will retain the following percentages upon cancellations;

0 – 8 days to tracking date – no refund

9 – 45 days to tracking date – 75% (25% refund to client)

46-90 days to tracking date – 50%

91 days and above to tracking date – 25% (75% refund to client)

Any refund to be made on the 30% deposit shall be at the value of the permit. Permits must be sold at face value, whoever sells at higher value will be penalized. Primary sale of permits by individuals or tour companies anywhere is illegal. All permits MUST be sold by Uganda Wildlife Authority only.

Payment for gorilla permits must be made directly to Uganda Wildlife Authority.

Reschedules of reserved Gorilla trekking permit  in Uganda

Reschedules of Permit reservations are not permitted, except if it is more than 91 days to tracking date and is within (7) seven days of rescheduled date.This will attract a reschedule fee of 20%. Any other charges of the date will be considered as a cancellation and a re-booking. A cancellation policy will therefore apply and re-booking a new date at the full cost of a permit.

Payment Terms in Uganda

The acceptable payment methods are: Cash (Uganda Shillings, US dollars, GB Pounds, Euros), Note: 1. US$ notes below $100 should be 1990 & above 2. Us$100 notes should be 1997 & above Bank Transfers (net of the bank charges) Traveller’s Cheques (Present receipt of purchase at point of sale & 1% charge)

Are there Tracking Time Limit in Uganda?

The tracking time is limited from 8:30 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. All visitors are expected back at the campground by 7:00 p.m.

 Gorilla Trekking safari Rules and Regulations in Uganda

Before leaving for Uganda Gorilla trekking

In Uganda a maximum of 8 tourists may visit a group of habituated mountain gorillas in a day. This is done to ensure minimal behavioural disturbance to the gorillas and the risk of their exposure to human-borne diseases.

1. Make sure that you wash your hands before your tracking exercise

On the way to the gorillas:

1. Keep your voices low. You will also be able to observe the great bird life and other wildlife in the forest.
2. DO NOT litter rubbish in the park. Whatever you bring into the forest should be carried back out with you.
3. You will be taken to where the guides observed the gorillas the day before. From there you will follow the gorilla’s trail to find them. Look out for the gorilla’s nesting sites along the way!
4.  The guides will inform you to get ready when you approach the mountain gorillas,

When you are with the gorillas in Uganda:

1. A 7 meter (21 feet) distance should be observed at all times from the gorillas. The further back you are, the more relaxed the group will be.
2. You must stay in tight group when you are near the gorillas.
3. Keep your voices low at all times. However, it is okay to ask the guide questions.
4. Do not smoke, drink or eat when you are near the gorillas. Probably eating or drinking inevitably will increase the risk of food/drink morsels/droplets falling, which could increase the risk of transmission of diseases.
5. Sometimes the gorillas change. Follow the guides example (crouch down slowly, do not look the gorillas directly in the eyes and wait for the animals to pass). Do not attempt to run away because that will increase the risk.
6. Flash photography is not permitted! When taking pictures move slowly and carefully.
7. Do not touch the gorillas. They are wild animals.
8. The maximum time you can spend with the gorillas is one hour. However, if the gorillas become agitated or nervous, the guide will finish the visit early.
9. After the visit keep your voices down until you are 200 meters away from the gorillas.

General health rules for mountain gorillas tracking in Uganda:

Remember that mountain gorillas are very susceptible to human diseases. The following rules are ways to minimize the risk your visit might poses to them:

1. Respect the limits imposed on the number of visitors allowed to visit the gorillas each day. This minimizes the risk of disease transmission and stress to the group.
2. If you are feeling ill, or you are carrying a contagious disease, volunteer to stay behind. An alternate visit will be arranged for you, or you will be refunded your money.
3. If you feel the urge to cough or sneeze when you are near the gorillas, please turn your head away and cover your nose and mouth in order to minimize the spread of bacteria or viruses.
4. Always stay 7 meters (21 feet) away from the gorillas. This is to protect them from catching human diseases.
5. Do not litter rubbish (e.g. food wrappers) in the park; foreign items can harbour diseases or other contaminants.
6. If you need to go to the toilet while in the forest, please ask the guide to dig you a hole with his panga. Make sure the hole is 30 cm deep and fill it in when you are finished.

What to bring on your Gorilla trekking Safari tour in Uganda:

Wear comfortable hiking shoes suitable for steep muddy slopes. -Put on ear plugs for those who feel uncomfortable with the jungle sounds. -Carry a packed food and enough drinking water. – Carry rain gear, sunscreen lotion, a hat (as the weather is unpredictable) and insect repellent. – Bring a photo of film camera. Using flashlight is not permitted so we recommend using films of 400-800 ASA.

Uganda Gorilla safari tour / Gorilla trekking Uganda  / safari necessities in Uganda

Hiking boots

Gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park needs hiking therefore tourists need to have some light boots to enable them pass through the forest.

Garden Gloves

As you hike in the forest looking out for the gorillas you will need to hold on the plants, soil and the gloves will protect you from the germs.

Rain Jacket

Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park is a tropical rain forest and therefore it rains some times, tourists carry jackets in case it may rain.

Long sleeved shirts/Brouse

Tourists are advised to put on long sleeves because there are always thorns in the forest and insects therefore the sleeves can save you.

Energy giving snacks

Since gorilla tracking takes 2 to 8 hours tourists needs to carry snacks and a lot of water so that they may get energy to track the gorillas.

Cameras and Extra Batteries

You need the cameras because you will take photos of these gorillas together with other primates. However zoom lens which do not scare away gorillas.

Hat and Sun glasses

You will carry these because sometimes the forest is too hot and tourists may need them

Pair of Binoculars

These will help you have clear views of the forest, wildlife attractions and also animals like the buffaloes, lions, leopards and so many others.

Walking sticks

These can be hired at the park and can help you walk through the forest.

Potters for your trek

The potters are just students that may be chased for school fees or they are vacists and if used you help support their studies. These help push you through the forest since some people get hardships and they also carry yours.