What Country Provides the Best Option for Seeing the Mountain Gorillas? – Comparing Uganda and Rwanda
This is quite a tricky question since they are all-mountain gorillas living in the forest. Almost same environment
Comparing Uganda to Rwanda
It is not a good idea to compare the two since Uganda has more wildlife than Rwanda. Besides the mountain Gorillas, you can visit Murchison falls, or see other primates in Kibale Forest National Park.
If it’s about the costs, please note that; Gorilla permits within Rwanda were recently increased up to $1500 per individual and then in Uganda, they go each for $700
The permit offers you an hour with gorillas in a group of 8 people. In case you are threatened by the price look at it from this point of view that you’re contributing to the conservation of mountain Gorillas and as a form of thank you, they will reward you with an hour in the midst observing and enjoying their company
Keep in mind that just 80 people are allowed to see the gorillas in their natural habitat each day.
Because their habitat is very fragile, every time you walk in their forest you leave a footprint. In conclusion, Uganda is the best place to see Gorillas
Where can you see Mountain Gorillas in Africa?
You can have the chance to see gorillas in Uganda, Rwanda, and Congo. However, note that gorillas are mainly divided into;
- Mountain
- Lowland
Others are a couple of sub-species in that. We suggest Rwanda, Uganda for views of the mountain gorillas, and the republic of congo the lowland Gorillas.
It’s also possible to find mountain gorillas within the DR of Congo however due to instabilities within the country, it has been challenging in some areas
Some tourists think that you can find gorillas even when you opt for safaris in Tanzania, this is wrong, however, Tanzania and Kenya can be a great addition to your safari tour, especially during the great wildebeest migration where herds of animals cross the Mara river into Serengeti plains
Generally, the lowland gorillas are smaller and brownish-gray for coats and a distinct brown ridge, whereas the mountain gorillas are the most uncommon primates in the entire world with less than 800 surviving in the African wilderness. On the contrary, there are more than 100,000 lowland gorillas just in the republic of Congo
Where to go for Gorilla trekking in Uganda?
Uganda has 2 sections for gorilla safaris namely, Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park.
In total there are 18 gorilla groups or families and you can only track only one group a day
Bwindi Impenetrable Forest has 17 gorilla groups making it the best place or park where you can see the gorillas in the wild.
Bwindi an ancient forest has 90 mammal species, 11 primates including the black and white colobus monkeys
Bwindi Gorilla Trekking Groups
Ruhija trek: with Gorilla families, mukiza, oruzogo, Bitukura and Kyaguliro
Buhoma Trek: Habinyanja, Katwe, Mubare, Rushegura,
Nkuringo Trek: Christmas Nkuringo, Bushaho
Rushaga Trek: Kutu, Bikingi, Mishaya, Bushigye, Kahungye, Rwigi, Bweza, Nshongi Mucunguzi
Mgahinga Gorilla Family
In Mgahinga Park, you can track the Nyakagezi group which is surrounded by the slopes of Virunga Volcanoes, Mt Muhavura (4,127m) mt Gahinga (3,474 m) Mt. Sabinyo (3,645m)
Packing list for Gorilla Tours in Africa
Waterproof hiking boots
Day pack
Insects repellents
Lightweight rain jackets
Poncho
Camera
Binoculars
Bottled water
Boots: hiking boots,
Gloves, old pair of gardening gloves
Long pants or trousers
Energy snacks