Are you a nature enthusiast looking for the ultimate safari experience? The pearl of Africa – Uganda is the best decision for this once in a life-time adventure that involves a combination of gorilla trekking in the misty rain forests of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest or Mgahinga gorilla national park and then wildlife viewing in one of the savannah national parks in the country.
Uganda, located in the eastern part of Africa is known for its rich biodiversity, spectacular landscapes, and rare wildlife species that make it the perfect destination for a bucket-list safari. In this article, we will explore the highlights of a combined gorilla trekking and wildlife safari in Uganda, providing essential insights into the best times to visit, where to go, and how to plan your trip.
Where to go for a combined gorilla trekking and wildlife safari.
Uganda’s appeal lies in its unique ability to provide both jungle and savannah experiences. From the moment you step foot in the country, you will find yourself immersed in lush greenery, vibrant ecosystems, and some of the most extraordinary wildlife encounters. Uganda is home to half of the world’s remaining mountain gorillas, as well as the iconic Big Five – lions, leopards, elephants, buffaloes, and rhinos. Besides the well-known animals, Uganda boasts over 1,000 bird species, rare primates, and various mammals, reptiles, and amphibians. For this incredible combo, there are different national parks that one can visit and these include; Mgahinga, Bwindi Impenetrable, Murchison Falls and Queen Elizabeth National Park. These parks offer diverse habitats and landscapes, providing visitors with an unparalleled mix of forest and savannah safari experiences.
Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Bwindi is a UNESCO World Heritage site and one of the few places on Earth where you can come face-to-face with endangered mountain gorillas. Nestled in southwestern Uganda, Bwindi’s thick montane forests are home to about half of the world’s mountain gorillas and that can be seen during the gorilla trekking experience.
Gorilla trekking is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that involves trekking through dense forests to find and observe a habituated gorilla family for one hour. It’s an awe-inspiring experience as you sit among these primates, watching them play, groom, and go about their daily lives.
Gorilla Trekking Encounter
The gorilla trekking adventure begins early in the morning after a briefing by park rangers, who will guide you on safety measures and trekking expectations. Trekking can last anywhere from 1 to 8 hours depending on the location of the gorilla family you are tracking, and the terrain can be challenging, with steep hills and dense vegetation. However, the reward of standing just a few meters from a mountain gorilla family makes every effort worthwhile.
During the trek, you will be accompanied by an experienced guide and armed ranger for protection, as the forest is also home to other wild animals like forest elephants and buffaloes. Once you find the gorillas, you will have one magical hour to watch them interact in their natural habitat. Photographing these incredible creatures is permitted, but flash photography is prohibited to avoid startling them.
Queen Elizabeth National Park
From the incredible mountain gorilla species, you will start your journey to the wildlife destinations and one of them is the great Queen Elizabeth National Park. This park, located in western Uganda, is known for its diverse landscapes, including savannah plains, tropical forests, crater lakes, and wetlands. Standing as the second largest national park after Murchison falls national park, Queen Elizabeth is home to a wide range of animals, including elephants, lions, leopards, buffaloes, and over 600 bird species.
The park is also known of for the unique and rare experience – that is the opportunity to see the famous tree-climbing lions in the Ishasha sector. Unlike most lions that prefer to stay on the ground, these lions have adapted to spending a good part of the day resting in fig trees, which offers a fascinating photo opportunity. Game drives through the Kasenyi plains will also give you a chance to spot large herds of elephants and buffaloes, as well as antelopes, warthogs, and hyenas.
Besides game drives, you can also spot several wildlife species within Queen Elizabeth during other park experiences like boat safaris on Kazinga channel, a natural waterway that connects Lake Edward and Lake George. The channel is one of the best places in Uganda to spot hippos, crocodiles, and an array of bird species.
Murchison Falls National Park
Also ranked among the best wildlife destinations, Murchison falls national park is located in the north-western part of Uganda and is known for protecting the world’s most powerful waterfall. The Nile River squeezes through a narrow gorge, creating a thunderous roar as it plunges down 43 meters. Murchison Falls National Park offers a variety of activities, including game drives, boat safaris along the Nile, and hikes to the top of the falls for panoramic views.
The park’s savannahs are home to a wide array of wildlife, including giraffes, elephants, buffaloes, lions, and Uganda kobs. The boat safari to the base of the falls is a fantastic way to view the wildlife along the riverbanks, including crocodiles basking in the sun and large pods of hippos submerged in the water.
Best Time for a combined Uganda Gorilla and Wildlife Safari?
The best time to visit Uganda for gorilla trekking and wildlife viewing is during the dry seasons, which fall between June to September and December to February. During these months, the weather is generally dry, making trekking easier and wildlife viewing more rewarding as animals gather around water sources. However, Uganda’s equatorial climate means that rain can fall at any time of year, and the forests, including Bwindi, are always lush and green.
If you prefer fewer crowds, the shoulder months of March, April, and November also offer good opportunities for gorilla trekking, but these months are wetter and can make the trek more challenging.
In conclusion, a combination of Uganda’s gorilla trekking and wildlife safari offers a unique and thrilling experience for any traveler. With careful planning and an experienced safari operator like Primate Safari Experiences Limited, your Uganda safari will be a dream come true, giving you the chance to witness some of the most incredible creatures and landscapes Africa has to offer.