Did you know that you could visit and track mountain gorillas in Mgahinga gorilla national park from Kigali? YES, Uganda gorilla treks in Mgahinga are now easily done through Kigali. In fact, flying to Kigali and then crossing via Cyanika border to Mgahinga is the easiest option to visit gorillas in Mgahinga gorilla national park. The 4 hours drive through the rolling hills and endless valleys of Kisoro district make your gorilla trips in Mgahinga more enjoyable and fun. Mgahinga is one of the two gorilla destinations in Uganda together with Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park. The park covers Uganda’s share of the Virunga conservation area bordered by Volcanoes national park in Rwanda and Virunga national park in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Why trek gorillas in Mgahinga through Rwanda?
The close location of Mgahinga Park to Kigali Rwanda makes it easy to connect between the two destinations. Reaching Mgahinga from Kigali takes roughly 4 hours drive compared to 10 hours from Entebbe international airport in Uganda. Short time travelers are therefore advised to fly into Kigali and cross over to kisoro through Cyanika border. Those doing a 1-Day gorilla trek in Uganda leave Kigali at 3:00 am reaching Mgahinga at 7:00 am to catch up with the pre trekking briefing. Interestingly, a single east African visa allows you to travel within Uganda and Rwanda with no limitation.
How to get a permit
Like in other gorilla trips, you require a valid gorilla permit to be allowed to trek mountain gorillas in Mgahinga gorilla national park. A gorilla permit costs $600 for foreign non-residents, $500 for foreign residents and shs 2500,000 for East African residents. Africa Adventure safaris help you book and reserve gorilla permits saving you the hustle associated with booking permits. Alternatively, you can book for permits direct with Uganda Wildlife Authority a government body responsible for gorilla tourism and wildlife conservation I Uganda.
Gorilla family in Mgahinga
Mgahinga national park has only one habituated gorilla family named Nyakagyezi. This family was initially known for crossing over to the neighboring Rwanda and Congo, which hindered Uganda gorilla tours in this park. However Nyakagyezi has presently settled in Mgahinga and is available for trekking every day. Eight gorilla permits are available in Mgahinga each day. Travelers are advised to book for gorilla permits to Mgahinga as early as 5 months before the trekking date since permits tend to sell out quickly in this park.
What is included in a gorilla cost from Rwanda to Mgahinga?
Upon your confirmation, we give you a quote for the price you are to pay. The inclusions in the gorilla quote include among others:
• Gorilla Permit
• Ground transport
• Full-time English speaking guide
• Meals and accommodation
• Bottled drinking water
• Park entrance fee
Exclusions
The things and payments not included in the gorilla tour quote include among others:
• Alcoholic drinks
• Flight fares
• Driver tips
• Telephone calls
• Porters fee
What to carry
Endeavor to carry appropriate essential’s to ensure enjoyable gorilla trekking tours. Among the things you must carry include
• Hiking boots for easy hiking
• Garden gloves to avoid touching mud
• Rain jacket for cold forest weather
• Longsleeved shirts/blouses to avoid scratches by thorny bushes
• Energy giving snacks to keep you strong
• Hat and sun glasses to protect from direct sun
• Pair of binoculars
• No flight light cameras
• Enough drinking water
• Porters to help you carry baggage and hold your hand in the jungle
Gorilla trekking dos and don’ts
While in the pre trekking briefing, travelers are introduced to the dos and don’ts while in the presence of the endangered gorillas. These rules and regulation are put to ensure good health of gorillas and travelers. The gorilla trekking dos and don’ts include among others:
• Keep a distance of seven meters away from gorillas
• Do not through rubbish in the bush
• Keep within your groups
• Do not touch the gorillas
• Avoid flash light cameras
• Keep your voices low
• Donot trek gorillas when sick
• Avoid direct eye contact with gorillas
• Spend an hour with gorillas
In general, transferring from Kigali to Mgahinga gorilla national park offer travelers with the easiest Uganda gorilla trips in the shortest time possible. Fly into Kigali, cross over to Mgahinga and meet Nyakagyezi gorilla family with Africa Adventure Safaris your number one travel company.
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