How Early Should I Book a Gorilla Safari

Are you planning for a gorilla safari to Africa and you do not know when you should book your permit or how early you should book for your gorilla safari? Well, in order for you to take part in gorilla safari, a number of factors have to be considered while planning for a successful primate adventure of this kind.

As you plan for a memorable gorilla tour, one of thing you shouldn’t forget is securing your gorilla permit. This must be done early enough! How early should it be done is a main question that nearly everyone asks and very significant and at end of this article, you would have got the answer to this important question.

A gorilla permit is a very important requirement for every trekker who wishes to embark on gorilla safari in Uganda, Rwanda or DR Congo. A permit is what allows you track only one habituated family and given the high demand for permits, visitors are always encouraged to book for their permits in advance to avoid any kind of disappointments. In Uganda, about 136 gorilla permits are always available for visitors to purchase and these represent about 17 habituated groups that are available for visitors to trek in Uganda Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga National Park, in Rwanda-there are about 80 permits that are always available for purchase and they represent the 10 groups that have habituated and readily available for visitors to trek then 64 in DRC which represent about 8 habituated families in Virunga National Park. Note, one gorilla group is equal to eight visitors!

Usually, visitors wishing to take part in this tremendous primate adventure are advised to book their permits at least 3-6 months earlier before the actual trekking date. However, others even book 2 years earlier. Booking a permit in advance is something of great significance. First, it gets you out of the stressful moment on the last minute booking when it becomes very challenging for one to find a permit the fact that demand for them is very high. Normally, things become worse especially during the dry season which is also regarded as high/peak season which is the busiest period in the gorilla parks. The dry season begins from June to September and December to February. However, the wet season is equally ideal for trekking and kick starts from March to May and from December to February. Besides, it allows you to plan for other things which are of great value for this adventure. Note that gorilla trekking isn’t only securing for a permit but also for you to plan for means of transportation to and fro the destination, lodges and accommodation options for your overnight stay while on safari plus meals and many other factors. By booking your gorilla safari early enough, you will have a well-planned vacation in Uganda or Rwanda that will leave a lasting memory in you.

The cost for gorilla permits varies from country to country. In Uganda, you can obtain one at $600, in Rwanda at $1500 per person while in the DR Congo you need about $400 and this also applies to those of you who wish to trek for eastern lowland gorillas at Kahuzi Biega National Park.

You can book a permit through a registered, recognized ground tour operator or company or through a reservationist at Uganda Wildlife Authority if you are to track mountain gorillas in Bwindi or Mgahinga National Park; reservationist at Rwanda Development Board if you are heading off to Rwanda. Send your email with dates you wish to track gorillas and we shall check the availability of gorilla permits for you as you sit back home. The dates you intend to track gorillas are available, we shall reserve a permit for you and you will be required to make a deposit.

In conclusion, if you are planning to take part in gorilla experience in Uganda, Rwanda or DR Congo, make sure that you book your permit early enough to avoid being disappointed due to shortages that come as a result of high demand for gorilla permits. Contact us and we shall be of great help to you!

Uganda’s Tourism Benefit Locals

Tourism in Uganda has helped a lot in improving the lives of many Ugandans including in the rural areas. The number of tourist arrivals in Uganda has increased significantly over the years and this has translated into dollars for different people involved in the hospitality industry.

Tourism however remains a foreign concept to many Ugandans despite the benefits that it is providing to this Country. Very few Ugandans have visited the different national parks in Uganda. Although the size of the British Isle, Uganda has over 10 national parks in addition to other different game reserves and conservation areas.

About a million tourists visited Uganda national parks in 2018; however by 2009 the number of tourists had increased tremendously to 145,000 arrivals.

Uganda’s tourism despite its great initial potential after independence was greatly affected by the dictatorial reign of Idd Amin in the 1970s. A large number of Uganda’s wildlife was decimated due to poaching and poor management of the wildlife.

Rhinos for instance were hunted to extinction in Uganda. This was partly due to superstition by the soldiers who believed that wearing a rhino horn made one invincible.

However also during the 1990s there was war in northern by the Lord’s Resistance Army – LRA as well as south western Uganda by the Allied Democratic Forces – ADF and media reports about these incidents negatively affected the country’s image.

One of the worst of these incidents was the massacre of tourists in Bwindi national park who had gone on a gorilla safari in 1999 by the ADF rebels. Gorilla tourism is the leading foreign exchange earner for Uganda’s tourism. Almost all Uganda tour packages feature gorilla trekking in Bwindi as a must do activity included in the itinerary.

The other notable incident was the killing of students from the Jimmy Sekasi Institute of catering and hospital by the LRA in 2001 in an area of Uganda’s largest national park – Murchison falls national park in northern Uganda.

In order to realize the goal of conservation, conservations have poverty alleviation as one of the key objectives of conservation of wildlife. Uganda Wildlife Authority has for years now made it a point in its revenue sharing program to ensure that 20% of the annual revenue collected from any national park goes back to the communities surrounding the national park or tour attraction.

In total there has been over $2 million that the Uganda Wildlife Authority has given back to the local communities in the national parks through their local governments and the money is often used to provide services to the community as well as start projects for the locals in the area.

There are over 30 districts found around Uganda’s national parks and protected areas. All these districts under their local government have identified projects under the revenue sharing scheme that the Uganda Wildlife Authority can partly finance.

These locals have identified projects such as constructions of classrooms, teachers’ houses, clinics, roads, irrigation schemes, community halls and centers etc.

In addition to this locals benefit from tourism activities directly, for instance the locals around Bwindi Impenetrable forest national park as well as Mountain Rwenzori national park earn more in a month than most civil servants earn in a year from being porters to the tourists when doing gorilla trekking and Rwenzori mountain climbing.

Tourism and the Gorillas

Tourism is travel for recreational, leisure or business purposes. Tourism involves travel of people” and staying in different places of there interest. Many people travel to Africa to see mountain Gorillas and gorilla trekking is the major tourism activity in Uganda. As must do for every visitor to Uganda, Rwanda or Congo whether for the first time or not and is the largest generator of revenue from tourism.

Apart from Uganda being home to almost half of the world’s population of the endangered mountain gorillas, there is a lot to see and do in Uganda. There are lots of birds, wildlife, natural scenery, rich culture, mountains and many more. Conservationists in Africa are looking forward to a bright future for the protection of mountain gorillas because according to a census conducted last year, Uganda’s endangered apes have increased in number from 302 to 480 individuals, hence the total number of gorillas in Africa is now at 1000. According to the Ministry of Tourism, the increase proves without uncertainty that Uganda’s conservation efforts are paying off and is testimony to the sound natural resource management policies that are being implemented in the protected areas,”

Both gorilla conservation and gorilla tourism is intertwined! Tourism relies on availability of gorillas yet tourism is also crucial in generating the funds that are used in supporting conservation works within the gorilla habitats.

Gorilla tourism has also helped in getting the local communities on board in protecting the mountain gorillas. By putting some of the revenue into local projects, converting formerly hostile groups into friendly advocates for the gorillas’ survival, Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) officials have been able to build successful partnerships with local communities.

The endangered mountain gorillas have their home in two known national parks; Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. Both national parks are found in the south western part of the country. Mgahinga is the Ugandan part of the Virunga Conseravtion Area that extends into Rwanda as Volcanoes National Park and the Democratic Republic of Congo as Virunga National Park.

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is recognized by UNESCO as a world heritage site given that it hosted three great apes; chimpanzees, mountain gorillas and humans. A gorilla trek is one of the most interesting adventure activity that can be done in Bwindi Forest. Currently gorilla tourism is highly controlled and the number of visitors tracking the mountain gorillas is limited. There are 17 gorilla groups that have been habituated for gorilla visits. Every group is visited by a maximum of eight visitors.

A gorilla trekking permit goes for USD600 per person in Uganda, USD400 in Virunga National Park of DR Congo and USD1500 in the Volcanoes National Park of Rwanda.

Gorillas Increasing in Numbers

According to Mike Cran-field of Gorilla Doctors, “The mountain gorilla is the only non-human great ape that is actually growing in number and the growth of the mountain gorilla population can be attributed to the intensive conservation and collaboration between multiple conservation groups and government authorities.” The increase in population growth was partly due to “extreme conservation” methods such as daily ranger monitoring in the forest, this is according to the conservation group Gorilla Doctors. Think of African Beauty with the Gorillas in their natural habitat.

The Forgotten Uganda Pyramids

Pyramids are probably one of the most unique architectural endeavors of ancient history that we can still see today. The pyramids of Egypt are very astounding in design and are probably the most known world-wide. However the number of pyramids in Sudan far out numbers those in Egypt by 85. Sudan has a great number of pyramids and is testament to the rich culture the Country had in its history.

There is however a pyramid in Uganda that is little known by the locals even in those living in the District of Maracha where it is located. In 1911, after the signing of an agreement between the then British Protectorate and the Belgian, the latter built a pyramid in Alikua village located in today’s District of Maracha. The Belgians built the pyramid to signify that they were the first white people to settle in the region.

It is believed to have a bottle with a paper in it on which is written the year in which they first settled in the area before the British colonialists. The Pyramid is 5 meters tall and is made of mud and stones. The structure is however now cracking and the plaster around it is worn out with old age. It was well protected about 3 decades ago as it was being funded by the Belgian government but is now rapidly being destroyed due to neglect. Some years back the structure was vandalized by people who thought mercury had been buried in it. Its caretaker is a 34 year old young man Mr. Alikua Oku who is not being paid a cent for his work.

The locals consider this a cultural heritage and one school in the region has it has its emblem. Early during the colonization by the British, the pyramid was heavily guarded by the protectorate soldiers when West Nile became part of the British Protectorate. The West Nile region was initially part of the then Zaire (now Democratic Republic of Congo) which was a colony of the Belgians. According to a local Mr. Gatabua, Weatherheads who was the District Commissioner during the British rule was killed when he and his soldiers attempted to carry out a cattle raid from the locals. He was shot and killed by the locals and buried just about 200 meters from the pyramid.

This is an example of how Uganda has failed to take advantage of its tourism potential. Tourism in Uganda is one of the fastest growing sectors at a rate of 21% and has grown by 50% in the last 10 years. Currently we have put more emphasis on gorilla tour in Bwindi impenetrable forest, with gorilla trekking bringing in over $3m annually.

Places to Go for Chimpanzee Habituation in Uganda

Uganda being a Wildlife & Apes Destination in Africa, Chimpanzee Tracking is among the top Safari activity to be enjoyed by travelers visiting Africa for a Uganda Safari. Primate Safaris Rwanda has designed the Complete destination guide for Chimpanzee Tracking adventures. Book a Uganda primate Safari with us to visit top Destinations in Uganda for Chimpanzee Habituation.

Habituation refers to the process of teaching and training the wild chimpanzees in the forests to be approachable by humans through various interactions like feeding, non verbal communication in which you will get to know about their ways and behavior etc. This takes place in various destinations around Africa especially in the East African countries of Uganda with many destinations i.e like Kibale Forest National Park, Ngamba Island, Kalinzu Forest, Budongo Forest in Murchison Falls National Park, and Kyambura Gorge at Queen Elizabeth national Park etc. Visit any of these destinations for a very exciting habituation experience.

Kibale Forest National Park

Travel to the beautiful Kibale Forest National Park to experience full-day Chimpanzee Habituation Experiences (CHEX) where you will be provided with an opportunity to spot these primates embrace their habitat/ forest through feeding, playing, hunting as well as resting in the branches. However, those that track the chimpanzee early in the morning will see the primates leave their nests from 6:00 to 6:30 am before hunting, conjugating, feeding, resting, breastfeeding, leading etc. These are always in groups with the dominant males leading the group called Alpha males followed by females who take care of the young ones. They are herbivores for they feed on leaves, roots, shoots, ants etc. Don’t miss out on this exciting unique experience and encounter for it is worthwhile for all that take part during holiday safari vacation in Uganda.

Kalinzu Forest

Kalinzu Forest is found in the western part of Uganda near the magnificent Queen Elizabeth National Park. Tracking the rare species of Chimpanzee is availed through the Mweya area of Queen Elizabeth National Park and only requires one 2 hours to drive to this place. Children of 12 and above years old are accepted to track these primates. Chimpanzee tracking in Kalinzu Forest is better than that of the Kyambura Gorge due to the fact that spotting chimpanzees in Kyambura Gorge is a 50-50 chance and requires being extremely fit to track them. One can take on a full day tracking these primates in the forest through hiking/ following various trails from one point to another in search for the primates. In order for one to track successfully with out any inconveniences, they should pack and carry their food for lunch especially those engaging in the whole day package.

Ngamba Island

Being one of the Koome group of Islands i.e Nsazi, Kiimi, Koome, Bulago & Damba islands in the magnificent Lake Victoria, Ngamba Island is situated in about 23 km south east of Entebbe occupying an area of about 100 acres of which 95% is forested and detached from the human camp with an electric fence. There biggest portion of the island is forested with gaps of grassland occupying about 10% of the island and there is an acre reserved as camp quarters for staff and researchers maintaining the space between the forest and the out looking podium for feeding the chimpanzees during day. The Island also inhabits other wildlife species like the fish eagles, otters, spiders, fruit bats as well as monitor lizards. The Island and chimpanzee sanctuary are managed by the Chimpanzee trust which is a non-profit organization ready to manage its activities without necessarily depending on donations from individuals/ sponsors worldwide. Today, the number of chimpanzees has increased from 42-49 which has increased management and development costs. Most of the chimpanzees were victims poaching for bush meat and illegal trade on the black market to countries abroad. However, due to the existence of Ngamba Island Chimpanzee sanctuary, many have got refuge and a home to survive till 60 years of age.

How to Get to Ngamba
When traveling to Ngamba Island, one should consider their budget so as to get appropriate transportation from the shores into the lake. There are various transportation means that can be booked according to your specific budget for example, if you travel by air, you will take about 20 minutes to reach, customary motorized canoe about 90 minutes and a speed boat 45-50 minutes. Reservations and bookings are done through Ngamba Island Reservations Office or an authorized tour operator agency that will ensure you travel safely. However, one can prepare their own transport to travel.

Budongo Forest

Budongo Forest occupies an area of 793 sq kms and is found in the tremendous Murchison Falls National Park. 53% of the reserve is covered with forests and the rest grassland. The forest is filled with mahogany trees that inhabit extraordinary biodiversity including 24 different species of candid animals of which 9 are primates, 130 are species of moths, 289 species of butterflies and 359 bird species. Due to the exceptional features it has, two eco tourism sites have been established and reserved for tourism activities and these include Kaniyo Pabidi and Busingiro sites. These include habituated chimpanzees that are nurtured on how to interact with humans and whoever gets to see them should expect an encounter that is exceptional. Seeing these primates is not 100% due to the constantly changing seasons of the year i.e there is a 90% to spot them in the months of May, June, July & August where as in the months of February, March, April & September the % decreases to 70 and in October, November, December and January it is only 50% that lead to their continuous movement from one place to another. About 6 chimpanzee groups that are habituated in the Kaniyo Pabidi site although tracking them is more appropriate in the Busingiro site due to existence of a grid trail in which a 200m grid system enhances easy navigation through the thick forest. The tracking process starts at 7:00 am in groups of 6 people and children of 7 years and above are accepted to track the primates.

Kyambura Gorge Queen Elizabeth

Kyambura (or Chambura) Gorge alternatively referred to as the “Valley of Apes” is filled by River Kayambura and is about 1 km diagonal at its expansive point and 100 meters deep. The Gorge is situated in the remote corner of the magnificent Queen Elizabeth National Park in the south western part of Uganda with very exceptional wildlife biodiversity consisting of primates, wildlife as well as birds of the air. According to the records, about 16 chimpanzees are found in the valley today. Hiking or searching for these primates is quite challenging due to the fact that it requires some physical fitness so as to spot the chimpanzees. It is no guarantee that one will spot the rare species in their habitat but in case they meet them, the experience and encounter is very exciting. While searching for the chimps, you will have opportunities to spot some other wildlife species like the monkeys, olive baboons as well as the birds of the air.