Bwindi and Mgahinga Adventure Safari
Bwindi and Mgahinga Adventure Safari: This safari introduces you to Bwindi Mgahinga Conservation Area, which is in southwest Uganda and combines Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga National Park. Owing to Bwindi and Mgahinga Adventure Safari, these two gorilla parks are the only ones in Uganda that provide visitors with an exhilarating experience of gorilla trekking and habituation that is filled with back-to-back fun with the endangered mountain gorillas, particularly Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Besides mountain gorillas, Mgahinga National Park is one of the few destinations gifted with the endangered golden monkeys.
Gorilla trekking and gorilla habituation in Bwindi
Gorilla trekking takes an hour-long visit with fully habituated mountain gorillas, whereas gorilla habituation takes four hours of interaction with semi-habituated mountain gorillas. The rangers who sensitise about the activity’s rules and regulations give trekkers a briefing at the sector headquarters very early in the morning before the start of both activities. A maximum of 8 individuals can go trekking, and a maximum of 4 people can go habituating. Armed ranger guides lead the trekkers into the jungle, where they follow various trekking routes in an attempt to locate the mountain gorilla families. There is a 100% probability of sighting them in their natural habitats, and the search takes 2-4 hours.
On seeing these gentle giants, trekkers can spend an hour with fully habituated mountain gorillas and four hours with semi-habituated ones. Through these activities, trekkers can observe the members going about their daily lives, learn about their behaviours, take photos, and take videos.
The cost of gorilla permits for Bwindi
There are varying costs for gorilla trekking and gorilla habituation permits in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park. The cost of a single gorilla trekking permit is UGX300,000 for citizens of East African Member States, $800 for foreign non-residents, $700 for foreign residents, and $500 for those in the rest of Africa. The cost of a gorilla habituation permit is UGX750,000 for citizens of East African Member States, $1500 for foreign non-residents, and $1000 for foreign residents and those from the rest of Africa.
Golden monkey trekking/habituation in Mgahinga National Park
The only location in Uganda where endangered golden monkeys can be found is in Mgahinga National Park. Golden monkeys are a subspecies of blue monkeys that have darker spots on their forehead and armed legs and a golden orange patch on their back. To many people, seeing these primates is a dream come true, and Mgahinga is the sole location to do so. Golden monkey trekking and habituation begin with a briefing from the park headquarters very early in the morning, just like gorilla trekking or habituation. Trekkers receive instruction on the laws and regulations of the activity from this point on, after which they are led into the jungle by armed ranger guides to look for elderly monkeys.
In order to find the bamboo areas where the golden monkeys of Bwindi often reside, the search team follows a number of trekking trails. Tourists have the chance to mingle with the members once the golden monkeys have been found. Trekkers accompany these monkeys as they engage in various daily activities, such as feeding, hunting, mating, nursing, and playing, to name a few, because they are unable to remain in one location for extended periods of time. Trekkers are permitted to film videos and snap pictures for their records. Due to their high level of mobility, den monkeys could work longer hours. With the aid of their long tails, they may move from one tree branch to another.
The cost of golden monkey permits in Mgahinga National Park
Trekking or habituation permits are required in order to view the Mgahinga golden monkeys. The cost of a single golden monkey trekking permit is UGX65,000 for citizens of East African Member States, $80 for foreign residents, and $100 for foreign non-residents. The cost of a golden monkey habituation permit is UGX 125,000 for citizens of East African Member States, $140 for foreign non-residents, and $120 for foreign residents.
Best time to go on a Bwindi and Mgahinga adventure safari
The best time to go on a Bwindi and Mgahinga adventure safari is during the driest months of the year, which are June through September and December through February. The trekking trails are kept dry and simpler to traverse throughout these months due to the abundance of sunshine and minimal rainfall. The park’s roads are in good shape, enabling visitors to arrive on time, and the vegetation is sparse and sporadic, providing the best views of the attractions.
Bwindi and Mgahinga are more accessible to tourists on a budget during the off-peak months of March through May and October through November. Travellers should be aware that despite the inexpensive trip packages, there is little sunshine and a lot of rain. The roads are in bad shape, the vegetation is dense, making it difficult to see the animals, and the trekking tracks are muddy and slick, which could slow down hikers.