THE HAVEN OF THE MIGHTY MOUNTAIN GORILLAS IN UGANDA
Uganda is the pearl of Africa because of its natural wonders, its endowed with a variety of biodiversity, tourist attractions, people of different cultures that are so hospitable to everyone, and it receives favorable climate and weather throughout the year.
Uganda is also a home to the mighty mountain gorillas and it’s the most selling tourism product in the country; Mountain gorillas are the world’s largest living creatures they can weigh up to 210 kilograms, they are heavily and powerful built aggressive great ape with a large head and a short neck. An adult male mountain gorilla its known as silver back can be up to three times as bulky as its average human counterpart.
In Uganda mountain Gorillas are found in two localities namely in Bwindi impenetrable national park and Virunga mountains of Mgahinga national park, which is shared between Uganda, Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda, any time you pay a visit to these places you will find mountain gorillas in abundance comfortably resting in their natural habitat.
BWINDI IMPENETRABLE NATIONAL PARK
Bwindi Impenetrable national park this is the best place where mountain gorillas are found in the entire world in large numbers. The park lies in southwestern Uganda on the edge of the rift valley, found in three districts of Kanungu, Kisoro and Rubanda it covers an area of 321kilometers squared approximately between 1160 meters and 260meters above the sea level.
The park was gazette in 1991 and declared as United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) Natural heritage sitein1994, the park is famously known for the mountain gorilla, which number around 400 individuals that split across 25-30 troops according to the most recent survey.
While at Bwindi impenetrable national park these mountain gorillas can be spotted in various locations namely, the Buhoma in the northwest this is the oldest trail head, Rushanga in the south west, Ruhija in the east and Nkuringo in the south west. Each of these four bases functions as a self-standing gorilla tracking venue, and in case one wishes to engage in to gorilla habituation it’s also offered at the park.
HOW TO GET TO BWINDI IMPENETRABLE NATIONAL PARK
BY AIR TRANSPORT
By air Bwindi impenetrable national park can be reached from Entebbe international airport or kajjansi Airfield near Kampala city, using the Fly Uganda and Aero link and the flight takes about 1hour and 30minutes minutes to Kihihi airstrip, then the driver guide will transfer direct to the park
BY ROAD TRANSPORT
Traveling using road transport it is more tiresome than using air transport driving from, Kampala to Ntungamo to Rukungiri to Kihihi then Buhoma this is the easiest and quickest route to Bwindi impenetrable covering approximately 240miles.
WHEN SHOULD I VISIT THE BWINDI IMPENETRABLE FOR MOUNTAIN GORILLAS
One should visit Bwindi impenetrable national park to see the mountain gorillas during the dry seasons, which typically run from December to February and from June to October . During these periods the weather is more favorable for outdoor activities, with less rainfall making the forest trails easier in navigate and the wildlife more visible. The cooler dry climate makes the view of gorillas clear, allowing you to fully immerse yourself in the lush beauty of the rain forest.
Another locality where mountain gorillas are found it’s the Mgahinga national park
MGAHINGA NATIONAL PARK
Mgahinga gorilla national park is situated in the south western region of Kisoro district bordering with Rwanda and Democratic Republic of Congo. This is the only park in Uganda where silver meets gold, it was gazette in 1930 as a gorilla game sanctuary to protect the endangered mountain gorilla. Mgahinga National Park covers an area of 33.7kilometers approximately, on compasses three in active volcanoes namely Mountain Muhabula, Mountain Gahinga and Mountain Sabinyo
Mgahinga is also arguably the most scenic park in Uganda, offering panoramic views that stretches north ward to Bwindi and a southern skyline dominated by the step volcanic cones of Virunga where most of the mountain gorillas are found.
The park has few mountain gorillas compared to Bwindi impenetrable national park with only one group the Nyakagazi that is habituated.
HOW TO REACH MGAHINGA NATIONAL PARK
BY AIR TRANSPORT
By air transport Mgahiga national park can be reached from Entebbe international airport or kajjansi Airfield near Kampala city. The flight takes approximately one hour and thirty minutes to Kisoro airstrip, then you will be transferred by the driver guide to the park.
BY ROAD TRANSPORT
Using road transport, you are advised to use 4×4 tourist vehicle because of some roads are in poor conditions and the drive is to take approximately 8 to 10 hours depending on the traffic starting from Kampala to Masaka, Mbarara, Kibale to Kisoro and then drive to Mgahinga national park.
WHEN SHOULD ONE VISIT THE MGAHIGA NATIONAL PARK TO SEE GORILLAS
Mgahinga national park can be visited all year round however, mostly good during the dry seasons of June to October and December to February, because during these periods the weather is more favorable for outdoor activities, with less rainfall making the forest trails easier to navigate.
IN CONCLUSION
In Uganda Mountain gorillas are found at Bwindi impenetrable national park and Mgahinga national park in the Virunga mountains, pay a visit to these unique places and explorer the wilderness that is so rewarding.