A safari to Uganda can’t be interesting and memorable when you left out some of the major tourist activities like chimpanzee tracking and gorilla trekking. These are done on various national parks and wildlife reserves in the country.
Gorilla trekking
Trekking mountain gorillas is done in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest and Mgahinga Gorilla National Parks found in the southwestern part of the country. Gorilla trekking brings you nearer to the only remaining mountain gorillas in the world which can only be done in Uganda, Rwanda in Volcanoes National Park, and the Democratic Republic of Congo in Virunga National Park. They have a dark court that protects them from coldness all year-round. In spite of their huge size, they are mostly veggie lovers and their best delicacy is bamboo shoot.
Baby Gorilla Bwindi Forest – Uganda
For you to participate in gorilla trekking, you must obtain a gorilla trekking permit that costs USD650 in Uganda, USD 1500 in Rwanda, and USD 450 in DR. Congo. Uganda hosts almost half of the remaining population in the world and has over 12 gorilla groups/family and only 8 gorilla permits are released per day per gorilla group. This is another reason why it is advisable to book your gorilla permit in advance at least 6 months before the trekking date.
Gorilla trekking time is unpredictable as it might take between 2 to 7 hours depending on where these animals spent the last night. You are given a maximum of one hour with the gorillas since they are habituated to have a human presence for only one hour.
Chimpanzee in Kibale Forest National Park – Uganda
Chimpanzee tracking
Chimpanzee tracking is another interesting and exciting tourist activity to enjoy in Uganda. Chimpanzees are found in Kibale Forest National Park, Kyambura Gorge, Kaniyo Pabidi Forest, and Ngamba Island. To participate in chimpanzee tracking also you need to book a chimpanzee permit in advance. Chimpanzee tracking is done twice a day that is the morning and afternoon.
Chimpanzees are said to be the closest relatives of the man in the animal kingdom. They share 98% of human genes.