Mountain gorillas of Uganda are found within two legend forests of Bwindi Impenetrable National park and the Mgahinga National Park, these are situated in the south western corner of the country straddling along its boarders with Rwanda, Uganda’s commonly Known as as the pearl of Africa because of its natural composition, the untold hilly landscape, ever green vegetation, wildlife, lakes and rivers, its major entry point is Entebbe hosting the international airport for incoming guests. Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is home to half population of the mountain gorillas they live in four sectors of the park these are Rushaga, Ruhija, Nkuringo and Buhoma, the forest was established as a way of protecting the critically endangered species of the mountain gorillas, gorilla beringei, a subspecies of the eastern gorilla, it was established in 1993 and declared a UNESCO world heritage site by the 1994.
Each Sector of the park has got habituated gorillas families for guest visit, these have been made used to human presence and will perfectly do what their daily life without feeling interrupted, the majestic gentle creatures are characterized by their gentle nature, brown eyes and brown fur, they live in families of up to 20 members led by a Male silverback, the group has black backs, juveniles and females, baby gorillas love under the care of their mothers until the game of 2 years, the nesting and where to sleep is done on the ground and it is easy to count gorilla movers by number of nests and pop found around them. Buhoma sector in the region was the very first place to spark off the gorilla trekking activity.
Mgahinga National Park is home to the Nyakagezi gorilla family, this one is known for it mobile nature and never settles in one place, the national park is an extension of the great Virunga volcanic region connecting with the Volcanoes national park of Rwanda’, it amazing environment is mouth dropping by the look of the backdrop of mountains,, this region is the smallest of the Uganda conservation areas, you will find the more to the ensemble species like the Golden monkeys.
Gorilla trekking activity takes place on daily in the national parks, it begins with a morning briefing from the park rangers, about the dos and do nots while with the mountain Gorillas, through explaining about the forest creatures, it takes 2 or more hours depending on how far the species have moved, enjoy the forest, the terrain might be tough but all this will fade away once you get to see the gorilla species, take pictures as long as you maintain the gorilla rules and regulations, trekking is done in groups of eight per Gorilla family, on a lucky day you might be chanced to see other forest creatures like the forest elephants ,giant forest hogs, first duikers, black and white colobus monkeys, L’hoest monkeys to mention a few.
What to pack during the trek safari includes gaiters, long sleeved shirts and trousers, insect repellent, huts, water proof covers for phones and jackets, to mention a few, doing the activity requires on to have bought the Gorilla trekking permit which can be accessed from the Uganda wildlife authority through your operator, the Uganda permit is at $700per person for foreign non residents, foreign residents pay $600 per person and the East African citizens do pay 250,000 shillings. Each of the sectors has got available accommodation for travellers that ranges from the best budget to Luxury.