Uganda is one of the continent’s most beautiful and welcoming countries. This tiny landlocked East African nation possesses a staggering wealth of natural assets: foremost amongst these are the world-renowned primate safaris through the verdant rain forest of southwest Uganda, which lure intrepid visitors with the promise of unforgettable encounters with habituated families of critically endangered mountain gorillas and opportunities to trek in search of our closest living relatives, chimpanzees. With Kibale Forest boasting the highest primate density in the world and Bwindi home to half of the world’s remaining mountain gorillas, Uganda is a modern-day mecca for primate-lovers.
But more than anything it’s the chance to see gorillas that makes Uganda safaris excellent. Over half of the world’s remaining mountain gorillas live in Bwindi and Mgahinga Gorilla national parks where groups have been habituated to humans to allow up-close encounters. It’s one of the most amazing wildlife experiences a person can have. This unique combination of factors, not available anywhere else, is why overall, Uganda is solidly one of my favorite countries in Africa and I’ve met others who share this opinion.
Bwindi National Park is well worth every hard hike and every hard-earned dollar. My trip to Bwindi to trek gorillas was absolutely incredible, it’s a must-do for anyone traveling to Uganda. Uganda is one of only a few countries that offers this experience, it’s a beautiful and lavish country to trek in.
The staff at Bwindi is extremely knowledgeable and friendly. The trek to find the gorillas ranges in time and difficulty; a hike can take from 1-5 hours and can be strenuous depending where the gorillas are located that day. I suggest wearing your best hiking boots and bring a lot of water.
The family of gorillas in Bwindi are not threatening at all, the staff have been working with the families for years and they have become quite accustomed to people. One of my top life experiences.
Bwindi Impenetrable Forest is not the easiest place to get too but that is part of the adventure. Accommodation can be from very basic to 4 stars if you want it to be.
The ‘must see’ life experience is the 1 single hour you can spent in the wild with our so close related gorilla’s. As the venture is starting with a good hike to the last known where – abouts’ of the family, it takes you through beautiful scenery. However, as seen everywhere, Uganda hasn’t been forgotten by us humans in the major destruction of nature.
Back in the nature, and in Bwindi, you will have a perfect picture about how almost whole Africa must have looked like over a century ago. Marvelous and so impressive. With some ”luck” you will have to find the gorilla’s here, deep in the jungle. With some less restraining hike, they are just across the farmland and showing their gentle nature close by. The guides visit the gorilla’s every day, for over many years, before they may host the guest from all over the world. The relative high price to pay for the 1-hour visit is worth every dime and some is used to protect the species and land for future generations.
Trekking to find gorillas is hard work (they are mountain Gorillas after all) but you are pretty much certain to find them and it is a very special time. The Park guides are excellent trackers and you are looked after very well (if offered a porter then take one carrying all you stuff is harder then you imagine).
We went mid-year and the weather was fine although the jungle is damp most of the time. The scenery is stunning although traveling around is an adventure of its own will only mud roads to use. Some great bird watching opportunities with some really good guides. Would I do it again Yes in a heartbeat, worth all the effort.
We spent with a group 2 days at the park. The gorilla tracking was simply amazing. We thought, it is quite expensive, but afterword’s I think, it was worth every cent of it. To be so close to those animals was simply indescribable. One female even touched me. To see playing the younglings was fantastic. I really had to concentrate, that i turn of my camera and enjoy the moment. The feeling remains with me.
The park crew was very supportive, very friendly and very competent. They informed us very well what to do, what not to do. I also made a walk to the 3 waterfalls, which was also great. I always had the feeling that our guide knew what he was doing. He instructed us nicely but strictly, how to conserve the territory for another generations. I felt, that the park is not simply a financial income source, but the people really love their home and the nature.
I was thinking about the masks, and gift stores. I wished more t-shirts, and less gorilla masks. I think the tourists really wanted the traditional stuff, not the fake modern touristic things to buy. I wished for a bit longer running of the generator in the evening. The camp site was still really nice, comfortable and welcoming.
