With an estimate of about 1004 mountain gorillas left in the world, Uganda is one of the few countries where one can go and have a closer look at these wonderful primates. The country hosts numerous visitors from different corners of the world who come specifically to look at these great apes in their natural habitats and as you read this, gorilla tracking is the leading tourism activity in Uganda. The country acts as a home to over 500 mountain gorillas habituated in 17 families. There are specifically two parks where mountain gorillas are found in Uganda including Bwindi Impenetrable and Mgahinga National Park. Among these, Bwindi hosts the highest number of trackers annually because of the inconsistency of the gorillas in Mgahinga. The highest number of these elegant primates is found in Bwindi which make it a premier gorilla tour destination. Best facts to consider before going gorilla tracking in Uganda.

Best time to travel
Although gorilla tracking can successfully be conducted at any time of the year in Uganda, there are best months to do so especially if you are interested in a more adventurous experience. The most preferred periods by the tourists are from June to September and December to January.
During this time also termed as “the peak season”, the traffic to various parks increases and there is increased competition when it comes to obtaining the gorilla permits. Other months are called “low seasons” and during this time, the cost of gorilla permits is reduced. At Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, gorilla tracking is carried out at any time of the year irrespective of whether it’s a low or peak season. Therefore, it’s up to the tourist himself to decide what is best for him or her.

How to obtain a gorilla permit
Before a tourist is allowed to trek the mountain gorillas, he/she is required to obtain a tracking permit. This acts as an authorizing document which signifies that one has met the requirements for viewing the primates. Currently, the majority of the sold permits are for Bwindi simply because of the inconsistency of the gorillas of Mgahinga national park. A gorilla permit costs US$600 for foreign nonresidents, $500 for foreign residents and 250,000shs for East African residents. Gorilla permits are issued by the Uganda Wildlife Authority at their offices in Kamwokya, a Kampala suburb. Well, this may sound a bit tricky for intending tourists in other countries but the best way to obtain them is through a safari agent who can obtain them on your behalf. Visitors are required to obtain these permits in time to avoid inconveniences due to the high competition from numerous tourists who also want to have a glance at the primates. According to the recent reports, about 73 gorilla permits are issued out on a daily basis to Bwindi. This means that the competition to obtain one is high and therefore one has to book at least a month before the actual safari date.

What to expect on a gorilla safari to Uganda
A visitor should expect a lifetime experience full of breathtaking natural wonders. A day spent with the mountain gorillas in the tropical rainforests of Bwindi and Mgahinga is a hard-to-forget experience. Spend an hour with a gorilla family witnessing how they truly behave and how they associate with each other and get a story to tell when you get back to your home country.

In general, Uganda is the best gorilla trekking destination sheltering a high number of mountain gorillas in the world. Book a gorilla safari to Bwindi Forest and Mgahinga gorilla national park to see gorillas for a memorable experience.

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In a bid to promote the country’s tourism, the government puts lots of effort to diversify tourism activities each year. In the year 2012, there was the launch of birding tourism, of the Congo Nile Trail along the shores of Lake Kivu, the restoration of Royal heritage sites, and the opening up of the Musanze caves for visitors, which today have contributed to the Rwandan tourism success story, still showing growth when the sector began to falter in other countries in the region. For Rwanda’s economy, tourism remains the country’s main foreign exchange earner hence lots of effort have been geared towards its diversification so as to attract large numbers of travelers into the destination.

As of 2011, there were indications given by officials that the Gishwati National Forest was earmarked to be turned into a national park, similar to Nyungwe, which has become a real crowd puller in part for having East Africa’s only canopy walk in a rainforest on offer. It was now reliably learned that a bill to facilitate this transition will be tabled in parliament soon, which when passed, will also support the national environmental and forestry policy to increase the country’s forest areas to 30 percent over the coming years.

Bodies governing tourism in the country have already approved the move and fully support the government effort saying it will give the travel sector an added attraction. The park is easily accessible through Gisenyi along the Congo Nile Trail. The adjoining Mukura forest will also be made part of the new national park, raising the overall area to nearly 3,500 hectares under close protection by the Rwanda Development Board’s Tourism and Conservation Department.

The government reports that, by the time of the biggest Rwanda tourism annual ceremony – the Kwita Izina, the annual gorilla naming festival in late June, the new bill is likely to be either before parliament or may even have been passed, which would be a prime opportunity for Rwanda to tell the global media present for the event of the new development. Home to an isolated group of chimpanzees and other primates, conservationists consider the linkage between Gishwati, Mukuram, and Nyungwe crucial to the survival of the species, and this latest development is bound to raise excitement in their circles, while also offering tourists over the coming years yet another place they can visit when in the “Land of a Thousand Hill.”

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Gorilla watching is a focus for most travelers to Uganda and Rwanda. Each day, big numbers of travelers travel deep into the jungles of Bwindi Forest/Mgahinga gorilla national in Uganda and Volcanoes national park in Rwanda to have a close encounter with the gentle giants in their natural habitat. Each traveler who visits mountain gorillas gets a different experience. Below is one of our clients travel experience with the tour to gorillas:
Just a week ago, i and my wife had a familiarization tour  to the southern sector of Bwindi Impenetrable national park. We first visited our relatives in Sembabule and later in the evening drove to Rwakobo Rock lodge in Lake Mburo national park for an overnight stay. Katie, one of the proprietors of this lodge, a very kind and loveable white lady, since morning kept checking on us as she had arranged to host us as her visitors. At 18:00 hrs, we arrived at this new magnificent lodge – as it is one of the few of its kind in and around Lake Mburo national park, one can comfortably group it under luxury lodges. Its location, is undoubtedly spectacular, just enhanced by Rwakobo granite rock with its different splendid outcrops.

Very early in the morning on 2nd February, 2013, we woke up and enjoyed a delicious breakfast prepared by Rwakobo Rock lodge; and thence proceeded via Mbarara town, made a stop-over in Rubare, Ntungamo, just to check on some of our relatives. We spent only 20 minutes here and drove off through the spectacular Kigezi highlands, commonly referred  to as ” The Switzerland of Africa”. The picturesque road, as at one point, we would turn to face behind just t see the breathtaking meanders! We were able to reach Kabale town at 14:00hrs. We did not stop for lunch as we could not see any clean food joint in the vicinity. We consoled ourselves – may be we could buy some ripe bananas along the way. It was self deceit! Nowhere in this part of the country one can find this sweet beverage. Only irish potatoes and roasted maize. At 17.00hrs we were finally at Gorilla Safari Lodge owned by Christine. This lodge is regarded as upmarket as it is the only one  in southern Bwindi costing $360.

Very late in the evening we proceeded to Wagtail Eco Lodge – just a modest eco-lodge in southern Bwindi. The reception by the staff in this lodge was far beyond our imagination. Had it not been the tight program we had, staying here for an overnight was quite befitting. A special dish ” Kanyamunyu Special” as it is commonly known was instantly prepared. We enjoyed it and we requested to leave for Arcadia Cottages in Kabale. It was now very late. Just along the way near Nshongi Gorilla Trail we encountered our 11 member group with its leader Mr Ray Taggart. We requested Ray to travel with us in our as we wanted to get a full report on how the trip had run.

At 20.00 hrs, we arrived at Arcadia Cottages. Our group of tourists had arrived earlier than us. I had good time to interact with Mr Ray Taggart whose evaluation of the trip was beyond their expectation. He promised to post a full report on tripadvisor.com.

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Gorilla trekking has presently become a priority for most travelers to Africa. Travelers to see mountain gorillas travel deep into the rain forests of Bwindi forest /Mgahinga gorilla national parks in Uganda, Volcanoes national park in Uganda and Virunga national park in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Since the start of gorilla tourism in the early 1990s many travelers have come to watch gorillas in their natural habitat while others are looking to come in the future. There are many common aspects between gorilla trekking in Uganda and Rwanda but in most cases, it’s the type of gorilla family visited that brings about the differences. Different gorilla families have different behaviors in front of trackers. Another difference is the duration and toughness of the journey before reaching where these families are plus the services offered by the park staff. But according to different tourists, Rwanda gorilla safari is more charming than the Uganda gorilla safari simply because of the various experiences a visitor is exposed to before tracking. As a visitor prepares for the adventurous activity (Gorilla trekking) in Rwanda, he/she is entertained with cultural dances as he enjoys a cup of tea. This helps to bring the African culture nearer to the visitors without struggling to find it.

In Uganda, a visitor can enjoy a number of additional safari activities after the mountain gorilla trekking adventure in the afternoon, by the various traditional groups near the park. At this time, visitors are already tired after a long day of trekking the gorillas. Though it’s tiresome, a long-adventurous journey from Kampala to Bwindi is one of those journeys that will expose a visitor to the beauty of the pearl of Africa with an optional stop at Queen Elizabeth National Park, Kibale or Lake Mburo National Park. At these parks, great views of mammals, birds, and nature are enjoyed. Not forgetting an unforgettable visit to the Equator that many people wish to see. A number of factors create the difference between gorilla trekking in Rwanda and Uganda

If a visitor is interested in other activities and not necessarily mountain gorillas, Uganda may be the best country compared to Rwanda. This is why most tourists find themselves crossing from Rwanda to Uganda after their Rwanda gorilla trek in order to supplement on their tour. They are attracted by the abundant wildlife in Uganda that is not found in Rwanda.
In Uganda, there are 10 gorilla families habituated in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and only 80 people are allowed to visit a given family per day. In Rwanda, mountain gorillas are habituated in Volcanoes National Park and just like Uganda, also 80 people are allowed per day.
Comparing prices

Due to the long distance from Kampala to Uganda, a gorilla safari in Uganda becomes slightly more costly than that of Rwanda. The visitor has to travel for about 2 days (to and from Bwindi). However, this increase in transport costs is neutralized by a low cost of the gorilla permits ( US$600). Approximately, a 3 days Gorilla safari in Uganda can cost about US$1250 with accommodation, gorilla permit and transport inclusive while a one-day Gorilla safari in Rwanda can cost about US$1220 (transport, gorilla permit, and accommodation inclusive).

Though Rwanda’s Gorilla permit is more expensive (US$750) compared to that of Uganda (USD700), a visitor is able to track the gorillas in one day and fly back to his home.
In conclusion, it’s the visitor to determine whether to visit Uganda or Rwanda depending on their income. If one is interested in only gorilla tracking, he/she should go for a one day trek and those interested in gorilla tracking and all of it, they should go for a long drive.

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A valid visa is of one of the valid travel documents to Rwanda the land of a thousand hills. Travelers visiting Rwanda, Uganda and Congo can use a single East African Visa which can be accessed at the border to any of the three countries visited first. Some countries are allowed to Visit Rwanda without visas and these include among others:

Below is the list of countries that DO NOT requires visas to visit Rwanda. Please note that all must hold a valid passport for at least six months.

•Burundi

•D R Congo

•Germany

•Hong Kong

•Kenya

•South Africa

•Sweden

•Uganda

•United Kingdom

•United States of America

•Tanzania

•Mauritius

It should be noted that High Commission can no longer accept cash or cheques for Visa applications.

All persons applying for a Visa should deposit the fee into the Commission Consular account shown below and submit their documents with proof of payment enclosed. Please include both your names as reference when depositing the fee.

PLEASE ENSURE THAT YOU INCLUDE BOTH NAMES OF THE APPLICANT AS PAYMENT REFERENCE

High Commission of Rwanda

Consular Account A/C No. 31437933

Sort Code: 40-05-22

IBAN No. GB30MIDL40052231437933

SWIFT Code. MIDLGB22

HSBC Bank 18A

Curzon Street London W1J 7LA

VISAS AND PASSPORT FEES IN FOREIGN CURRENCY

Medical Treatment : USD 20 , EURO 18 , GBP 15

Single entry Visa, Transit/Conference (T6-1) : USD 30,  EURO 25,  GBP 20

Conference, Tourism/ Business Multiple entry Visa : USD 50  ,EURO 40 , GBP 35

Multiple entry-v-1(m):  USD 60,  EURO 45,  GBP 40

Group Tourism: USD 100,  EURO 75, GBP 65

Ordinary Passport :USD 100,  EURO 75,  GBP 65

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Do you want to know about mountain gorillas? Have you ever been on a mountain gorilla safari? we bring you facts about these endangered species. Presently, mountain gorillas are a focus for most if not all travelers on African safaris attracting the highest number of travelers from all over the world. Mountain gorillas (Gorilla beringei beringei)  are the largest living primates and the world’s most endangered apes. With only 880 mountain gorillas left in the world today. Mountain gorillas have longer hair and shorter arms than their lowland cousins.

Mountain gorillas tend to be larger than other gorillas. Gorillas can climb trees but are usually found on the ground in communities of up to 30-40 individuals. These troops are organized according to fascinating social structures. It is perhaps surprising that an animal as large and strong as the mountain gorilla is primarily an herbivore. Mountain gorillas eat over 100 different species of plants. They rarely need to drink since their diet is so rich in succulent herbs, from which they get their water. Humans and gorillas are 97.4% genetically identical.

It should be noted that the gorilla’s gestation period is about 8.5 months. Females usually give birth every four years. And usually, single infants are born with rear cases of Twins. There is a 40% mortality rate for newborns which means that an adult female usually only has one surviving offspring produced every six to eight years. Consequently, many females will only have two to six offspring in a lifetime. Female gorillas become mature enough to ovulate by the time they are 7-8 years old. While the males take longer and are capable of sexual activity only once they reach 15 years of age. All black back males are considered immature for any sexual interaction until they develop the silver saddle on their back.
It’s the females who initiate sexual courtship and not males. Which helps establish as to when exactly the female is ready. They will usually give birth to their first offspring by the time they are about 10-12 years old.
The menstrual cycle lasts for 28 days, out of which 1-3 days are fertile days.
A huge advantage female gorillas have is that their natural ovulation cycle stops temporarily for about 3-5 years after delivery, which allows the mother to focus completely on her newborn, without having to worry about further pregnancies.

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