Top Activities to Do with Gorilla Trekking
Few have enjoyed an encounter with the rare Mountain Gorilla species. If you have never enjoyed this memorable experience, Uganda should be your next drop off destination.
Popularly known as the Pearl of Africa, this amazing destination is one of the three localities that treat visitors with an incredible gorilla safari encounter. It is located in East Africa and home to two gorilla National Parks that host more than half of the world’ Mountain gorilla total population.
One of these two national parks is Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. The world famous Bwindi Impenetrable forest is tucked far in the South western part of Uganda. Most of its area is occupied by the impenetrable rainforest. This stretch of trees, shrubs and other vegetation types is home to not only Mountain Gorillas, but also to Wildlife, different Bird species, insects and reptiles.
There are many reasons why most tourists consider Bwindi Impenetrable forest for gorilla trek other than Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. One of them is the wider-angle of gorilla families. Almost 95 percent of Uganda’s gorilla population is found in the four sectors of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.
The trekking is offered in four sectors that include Buhoma, Ruhija, Rushaga and Nkuringo sector. Each sector is home to not less than three Gorilla families. With this variety, you can do multiple trekking expeditions by visiting a different Gorilla family per day. For the best gorilla photos, this is your destination.
For one to be able to track these gentle creatures, a tracking permit is a must have and at the moment its costs US$700 per person per day alongside a clear bill of health. Physical fitness, age (you must be 15 years and above) and free from infectious diseases. Apart from Normal Gorilla trekking which allows only 1 hour of public viewing, below are some of the other interesting activities to keep you occupied while in Bwindi Impenetrable forest National park for a few more days.
Gorilla habituation experience; Only Bwindi Impenetrable forest National Park offers this exceptional treat to spend more time with Gorillas in the Jungle. It is almost similar with Gorilla trekking, but what differs is the time spent in the viewing, in the company of the gorillas and cost for the permit. For habituation gorilla experience, visitors are allowed to spend about four hours in the company of the gorillas, as they move, they are allowed to follow their movements in the Jungle for only 4 hours. This time is enough to take multiple photos and videos of these apes. The tracking permit for this experience at the moment costs $ 1500 USD per person per day which is more than twice the normal gorilla experience.
Bird watching; Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is a mecca for bird watchers. It is recorded with hundreds of unique bird species. Therefore it easy to understand why most birders prefer it while in Uganda. One of the major hot spots you shouldn’t miss for birding is the Mubwindi swamp. It is advised to arrange for these excursions either early in the morning when these species are dispersing or in the evening when there are congregating for night stays.
Batwa community visit; the Batwa community visit is another interesting activity to do in Bwindi impenetrable forest National park. This pursuits lets you to meet with the Batwa people also known as people of the forest in their communities as they share their experience through cultural performances like singing and dancing. This activity is offered to the Batwa community. These people were forest dwellers and hunters, but where later relocated to the local community by the Government of Uganda. Apart from traditional performances, it also covers walks to different villages, basket weaving for ladies, agricultural, and demonstrations of use of traditional music instruments and hunting tools.
Forest Walks; later in the evening or for those with a free day don’t miss the forest walks in Bwindi Impenetrable forest. These guided expeditions are offered in groups following the well-established trails with a guide to give an insight about the numerous wildlife and plant species within the forest. Forest walks in Bwindi Impenetrable forest are not only good for your health, but also award in panoramic views of rolling hills, towering volcanoes and different species of tress, reptiles, insects and so much more.
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Experience the Local Culture on a Uganda Safari
With the wide diversity of tribes and cultures, tourists to Uganda can enjoy unforgettable cultural experiences. A cultural tour to this country takes you through some of Uganda’s interesting traditions and practices that can never be experienced in any other country in Africa. On your next Uganda Safari, you can spice up your tour by incorporating some of the best local cultural experiences into your journey plan.
This small East African country is endowed with both Centralized Monarchical Kingdoms and Chiefdoms of the pre-colonial times and even with the high rate of development and globalization, the cultural heritage in some Kingdoms has been maintained overtime hence tourists enjoy an authentic cultural experience. Kingdoms such as Bunyoro, Buganda, Busoga and Tooro are regaining their well established systems while the chiefdoms such as the Kooki and the Northern tribes such as the Acholi chiefdom have regained their status and working diligently to revive and maintain their lost glory.
The once powerful and significant kingdoms in Uganda that are now defunct such as Ankole Kingdom have not been restored yet also have wonderful sites of cultural and heritage significance such as the Nkokonjeru Royal Tombs are significant for unforgettable cultural experiences in the country.
Cultural safaris are very popular in Uganda because the East African country, referred as the pearl of Africa has numerous magnificent ancient historical sites that have always been at the heart of International archeology.
It is believed that the Bachwezi people were semi-gods due to their magical super powers displayed in spectacular powers and works that were shown during the excavation of earth works such as the Nkusi earth works, the underground Caves and tunnels such as the Akariza Ngumba K’ Kyabagyenyi as well as the popular long horned cattle that are undoubtedly kept by the Tutsi people of Rwanda and the Banyankole of Western Uganda.
Most interestingly, cultural tours in Uganda offer opportunities to explore some of the diverse cultures and traditions that range from the Northern Uganda tribes to the far Southern Uganda tribes that are divided by Lake Kyoga although the people are related by the interaction brought in by trade, intermarriages and working together.
The Northern tribes such as the Acholi and Langi tribes always dominate the region with the extension of the Pokot, Karamojongs and the Dodoth within the North-eastern Uganda, the Alur, Madi and Lugbara in North west (West Nile) have interesting cultures and traditions that will fascinate you during your cultural safaris in Uganda.
When you travel to eastern Uganda, you will encounter the Bagishu people who are known for the Imbalu Ceremony-Public circumcision of males as a way of transitioning from boyhood to manhood. Although illegal, you will also learn about the Sabiny who practice Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) which will only give you an-sight of why it used to be carried out. The Basoga people with their Obwakyabazinga Monarchy together with Buganda Kingdom feature a number of wonderful heritage sites that include Wamala Royal Tombs, Kasubi Royal Tombs, Bulange Palace and Naggalabi Coronation Site among others. Kasubi Tombs is found within Kampala City and was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2002.
The western region is a home to several Kingdoms that include Ankole, Tooro and Bunyoro although Ankole Kingdom has never been restored when the other Kingdoms in Uganda were revived. The Banyankole are known for their long-horned cattle, the Bakiga are known for their invigorating dances, inhabit and cultivate the steep hills of Kigezi and the Batwa, considered the former forest dwellers all offer interesting cultural encounters in Western and South-western Uganda. All these combine to make your cultural safari in Uganda unforgettable and worthwhile.
Therefore, Uganda is an important destination to enjoy cultural safaris due to the interesting traditions across the country. The eastern region is known for the Imbalu Ceremony of the Bagishu, the central is known for the Baganda Kingdom with numerous cultural sites such as the kasubi Tombs and the Naggalabi Coronation Site among others.
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