The joys of gorilla trekking in Uganda
Gorilla trekking in Uganda is often cited as one of the most moving and magical wildlife encounters you can experience anywhere in Africa, and unsurprisingly it features on many people’s safari bucket lists. We’re certain that’s for two main reasons: the experience itself, and the fact that Uganda is a wildly beautiful country that offers many other exceptional wildlife moments in addition to coming face to face with a silverback gorilla.
Up where they belong
If you want to you have to be prepared to climb… In Uganda, they are found in the Mgahinga Gorilla and Bwindi Impenetrable National Parks and while you shouldn’t be put off by that word ‘impenetrable’, you should be prepared for several hours of hiking through dense rainforest on trails that can be muddy and slippery, and which are bordered by some rather unfriendly (although beautiful) vegetation.
The lodge you stay at will provide all the equipment you need for your hike, including trekking poles and a good waterproof jacket. We would definitely recommend that you invest in a good pair of hiking boots or trail shoes. As for the all-important gorilla trekking permits, we’ll arrange these for you in advance.
A hot spot for gorillas
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park contains no less than half of the mountain gorillas on Earth, which makes it an understandably popular destination for primate fans. Rangers and guides keep close tabs on each family of gorillas (for research and protection purposes), so you’re all but guaranteed to have a sighting, without necessarily having to hike for too long.
They are also skilled in interpreting the body language and vocalizations of the gorillas, giving you wonderful insights into the family dynamics between the sometimes grumpy, but calm and protective males, the patient females, and the playful youngsters.
The ancient forests in which the gorillas love are also a wonderful place for spotting colorful tropical birds, butterflies and orchids, and for taking photographs of fantastically gnarled old trees with their beards of moss and lichens. You’d be forgiven for imagining yourself in a scene straight out of Lord of the Rings!
Creating a Uganda itinerary
While gorilla trekking may occupy the limelight, it is by no means the only reason to visit Uganda. Once described as the ‘pearl of Africa’, it is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful destinations we send guests to.
Kibale Forest National Park is renowned for the chimp trekking opportunities it offers. Compared to the largely sedentary gorillas, chimps are primate viewing turned all the way up to 11. In the course of your time spent watching them, you’re likely to witness a whole array of natural behaviors, including feeding, playing, climbing, swinging, fighting and even mating – chimps are not shy!
More Ugandan highlights include Murchison Falls National Park, where you may be lucky enough to see shoebill storks and you can marvel at the Nile River being forced through a narrow gap in the rocks and then falling into a precipice, and viewing the wildlife in Queen Elizabeth National Park – a vast swathe of protected savanna grassland in the west of the country.
If you really want to get off the beaten track, try paddling between the wooded islands of Lake Bunyoni, stay on a lodge in the middle of the mighty Nile, or spend some time in the delightfully chilled capital city, Kampala. If you’re partial to a cup of tea, a tour of one of the country’s lush plantations is also a very rewarding experience.
