How to Book Uganda Gorilla Permits
To track/ trek the endangered Mountain Gorillas, you need to obtain a valid gorilla permit as a pass to trek the Gorillas of Bwindi Impenetrable and Mgahinga Gorilla National park. Prior, the Uganda Wildlife Authority used to allocate gorilla permits on a first come first served basis and her one had a choice to buy permits which belonged to any Gorilla family of his/her preference. In case you wanted to track the Rushaga and the Rushegura family located in Buhoma region of Bwindi Impenetrable national park, you he would go to Uganda Wildlife Authority and purchase a gorilla permit for that particular Gorilla family.
Allocation of Gorilla Permits/ Gorilla Permit allocation
During the time 2014 to Uganda Wildlife Authority began issuing out Gorilla permits not on a basis of gorilla families. The National park of Bwindi has four regions and each region has got different gorilla families which include; Buhoma in the North of Bwindi, Ruhija in the East of Bwindi, Rushaga and Nkuringo in the south of Bwindi Impenetrable National park. You will need to choose the region and you will be given a permit.
What happens at Bwindi during Gorilla trekking
After you have arrived at Bwindi Impenetrable National park on the day of gorilla trekking, you will be allocated to a gorilla family depending on your physical fitness and interest. The interests include trekking a given gorilla family of your choice and if there is space, they will have you in that group. You may wish to trek your friends on families whom you came with. This is possible if there is space and you may wish to have, medium or hard trek and depending on availability they will allocate you accordingly.
Some of the regions to track/trek gorillas
Some of the most interesting regions to tack gorillas are Bwindi in the North of Bwindi Impenetrable National park and this is the most preferred region that has three gorilla families which include; Mubare Gorilla group which has the first gorilla family to be habituated, Rushegura Family and the Habinyanja, Ruhija Region of Bwindi National Park and has three families which include Butura,Oruzongo and Kyaguriro, Rushaga region in the south of Bwindi, Kahungye gorilla family, Nshongi Gorilla group, Mishaya gorilla family, Busingye Gorilla group and the Bweza gorilla family. Nkuringo region in the south still has one of the gorilla family called Nkuringo. Most genuine tour companies will book for our clients, advice on availability of permits and which region one should choose depending on your interest.
Food of the mountain Gorillas
The food of the endangered mountain Gorillas usually depends on their habitat during the time of the year. They mainly usually feed on green plants as opposed to the low land Gorillas which eat a lot of fruit. In the dry seasons only a few juicy fruits are available and so the animals have to eat more seeds and tree bark instead. Usually the fruits grow on trees; gorillas of all ages climb these trees to harvest them. Although western Gorillas eat a higher percentage of fruit than leaves, stems, pith and shoots; they still eat markedly less fruit than do chimpanzees and orangutans. However the food range of the western gorillas is a broad since they eat about 200 plant species and they particularly like plants belonging to the ginger and arrowroot families. In the contrast, the mountain Gorillas in the Virunga Volcanoes eat only 38 different species mainly Gallium, thistles, celery and nettles. Gorillas do not kill big animals; they just regularly eat small animals which constitutes far less than 0.1% of their food.
Read MoreHow to obtain Gorilla Trekking Permits in Uganda
To obtain a Uganda Gorilla trekking permit is quite easy since it is the most outstanding tourist attraction in Uganda. They are quite a much sought of commodity and usually a small number of people are allowed to track them since they are an endangered species. To fully participate in this activity, it will take you some good time to plan as you will need to ensure an opportunity by securing a gorilla tracking permit in advance. If you wish extend your tracking session to the Democratic Republic of Congo, the Mountain Gorillas there are not very stable because their movements while the republic it easy to track because it at the border with Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. Many registered tours and Travel Company do arrange Gorilla tracking safaris and to participate in this activity, you will need to secure for yourself a Gorilla permit.
As a tourist, the best, the best bet for obtaining a Mountain Gorilla is through booking with a registered and genuine tour company in Uganda. The activity will however be done with other wildlife safaris including bird watching, Chimpanzee viewing, butterfly watching and visiting the Batwa people within the Bwindi forest. Presently, the cost of a Gorilla permit is US$ 600 and for you to participate in this activity you should be above 15 years of age. These permits can be obtained for two national parks of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest and Mgahinga Gorilla national park. However, in Mgahinga Gorilla the mountain gorillas are not stable since they keep on moving from back and forth from Rwanda to the Republic of Rwanda and the Democratic republic of Congo.
The mountain Gorilla trip organized by a genuine and registered tour operator will give you an opportunity to meet and spend time with the Mountain Gorillas. After this experience, you will be issued with a certificate by Uganda Wildlife Authority. A fee of US$ 600 is seen as a step towards Gorilla tracking though it worth and upon completion there is no mention of the money. Only a satisfaction of having seen these magnificent and rare animals is rewarding to the activity.
There are discounted Gorilla permits in Uganda for low seasons which is during the Months of April, May and November. You should note that off season prices for discounted gorilla permits in 2017 is at USD 450 per person for foreign none residents and USD 400 for east African residents who do hold work permits. The Uganda Wildlife Authority in conjunction with the Association of Uganda Tour Operators will persistently continue to offer discounted Gorilla permits in Uganda during low seasons. Residents of East Africa will save up to US$200.00 since Uganda Wildlife Authority Charges them USD 400.00. This idea has been welcomed since the country looks to improve the tourist’s inflow. Voted by lonely planet as one the best destination, Uganda has got the highest tourist growth in the whole of Africa in 2012. The president of Uganda has sighted tourism as the as a sector that will drive the country out of poverty in the coming years. With the discount of the Gorilla permits in Uganda especially on the low seasons; you will only increase on tourists inflow. Uganda giving discounts to Gorilla permits; it gives a challenge to Rwanda to do the same as it persistently increased its permits from USD 500.00 to USD 750.00. Based on the fact that Uganda has a number of attractions like beautiful National parks, source of the Nile, Rwenzori and Elgon Mountains, Lake Victoria among others coupled with relative stability, infrastructural development, things seem to be going in a positive way.
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Planning a Road Trip in Uganda
In order to have a breathtaking road trip safari to Uganda here are some of the tips you must put under consideration in order to have a wonderful safari.
Always draft an itinerary
This is very important on any safari whether on self-drive or with a driver, know the number of days you will be on the safari and the destination you want to visit. Drafting the itinerary will help you to know which routes to use and when to stop for lunch or to have stopovers for sightseeing. It’s also very important to figure out the duration from point A to B, this will help you to avoid over straining yourself plus the people you are driving andit will help you to plan for your fuel estimations.
Book your room(s)in advance.
This is also very vital as road trip is very tiring so you will be tired and need abed every night. Due to this it is always advised to book your room in advance before even traveling to Uganda to avoid inconveniences. Many lodges/hotels and safari camps are located inside or close to all national parks and local attraction and at times especially during the high season they get fully booked very fast, so to avoid all these figure out which destinations you will be visiting and book your accommodation in time at least one month before arrival to avoid disappointments like missing out on your preferred accommodation, if you’ve made reservation, it’s also very important to make a phone call to those responsible for your accommodation ensuring them your dates of arrival.
Try to research about local attractions along the way
It’s not good to drive for a long journey without stopovers on the way to have a look at the local attractions. Before traveling try to search through Google and Travel guide books among others to get to know some of the attraction you will be visiting before arrival to your visit destination, however you can decide to visit the less popularly known attraction to have great experience on your safari to Uganda. Visit our website to get more information about parks, accommodation, routes and cars to rent. It’s recommended to purchase a travel map to avoid getting lost or you can download the Google maps app to help you determine your location no matter which place you are in at that particular time.
Packing list
Before travelling it’s also of important to know the packing list of the vital things needed for the safari. Always pack what is needed to avoid the big size of the luggage. Unless you are going to embark on a camping or hiking trip, it is suitable to pack light clothes and a few gadgets to get that extra room in the car boot. For those coming on a gorilla safari don’t forget to pack sturdy pair of walking shoes/boots, long sleeved shirts or blouses, insect repellent, jacket. Most safari lodges and hotels in Uganda offer laundry services so you can always be assured of putting fresh clothes.
Don’t fear locals, ask them
Uganda is known as a country with friendly people, so in case of anything you need, don’t hesitate to ask them in any destination you will be traveling, in case you need to find where you are going, or looking for a cheap place to get food, the local people are always more than willing to help you out, many are even more eager to teach you their language, this will add fun to your whole experience in Africa.
Take Pictures
Take as many photos as you can at the site you visited, as photos are the only thing that can make your safari memorable, pose and take photos with the people you came with. It’s advisable to come with good cameras plus back-up batteries & film to ensure you don’t miss out any nice scenes.
In case you need to know more about planning a road trip or booking with us contact us at 4×4 Uganda Car Hire or call +256-751552950
Read MoreSelf Driving in Uganda – Know Your Responsibilities
Do you like self driving on your Africa Safari? For all of you out there, always remember that when you are entering into a car rental agreement for a vehicle, you should patiently and also carefully read the entire contract top to bottom as many times as possible so that you understand your rights, obligations, terms and conditions. Always remember to shop around for the best deal for your own personal circumstances. This does not only apply to car hire only, but it also applies to minibus hire and all forms of other vehicle hire.
Make sure you check the contract you are signing to find out how and when you will have to pay for any damages that you do to the vehicle, and what avenues of appeal you have if you disagree with the damage assessment given by the rental company. Please note if you have extra fees such as early, late or airport drop-off or pick-up fees, taxes and mileage charges.
Check your rights and responsibilities in the event of a single vehicle accident and also check for clauses which would leave you fully liable for any damage. Check the size of the damage excess, and in what circumstances you will be required to pay it. Make sure your license is current, and find out where you can and cannot drive the vehicle as some hire vehicles may be restricted to a fixed area or road type.
When you hire a car or locate a minibus for hire, make sure you read the policy careful, check for damage and pay any traffic offense fees you may incur during the hire term. By observing the rules and regulations set down in the contract, you will avoid complications if anything occurs that damages your car or others during the car hiring.
Read MoreRent a Car for Self Drive in Uganda
After being voted “the best travel destination to visit in 2012″, Uganda is currently receiving an enormous number of tourist arrivals. From gorilla safaris to chimpanzee trekking adventures, many tour packages are on sale being offered by many tour operators and travel agents. With the verdant rainforests that are home to the rare mountain gorillas, thousands of chimpanzees, monkeys as we;; as the interesting wildlife in the Savanna Parks, Uganda Safaris offers one-of-a-kind experience to all those who venture to this wondrous haven that was named the Pearl of Africa by the Sir Winston Churchill, one of the past adventure travelers who visited Uganda in 1902.
What kind of adventure would you like to try out in 2015? Could it be a high adventure that you seek or deep relaxation. The Pearl of Africa, one of the most beautiful country on the African Continent provides boundless excitement and ultimate pleasure for the vacation of a lifetime.
As more tourists visit Uganda, many travelers are looking for both guided and self drive tour packages so that they can adventure through the Pearl of Africa. From those looking to gorilla watching in the remote southern part of Uganda to those seeking for road trips through various parks, a lot of options are available for travelers!
While traveling in Uganda can be both challenging and fun, one need to organize his or her holiday in time. One of the best ways to enjoy your adventure is to hire a car in Uganda and travel at your convenience! Car Rental Services are available in Kampala and can even be booked online. From small vehicles to 4X4 Safari Vehicle Rentals many cars are available at many car rental companies such as Car Rental Uganda to any traveler interested in taking a self drive vacation that will allow you and your family or friends at the same time to discover the country in so many exciting ways.
How much time it really takes you to travel in the country, really depends on the road conditions, traffic and the weather. Traveling in the dry season is preferable as unpaved roads tend to get washed away during the rainy season. Given the nature of road conditions, tourists looking to self drive options in Uganda should consider great caution and respect for road signs on Ugandan roads. Those who know defensive driving will find less problems given the way the local drivers behave on the road.
Over the past 20 years, Uganda has tried to develop an excellent transportation system. As the sector grows, more and better service providers are joining the industry and today we can say that the country has good private transport agencies that can offer a good service!
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