Combined Uganda Gorilla and Kilimanjaro Hiking on a Safari
Combining Uganda Gorilla Trekking with Mt. Kilimanjaro Hiking
Combined Uganda Gorilla and Kilimanjaro Hiking on a Safari. When one talks about combining gorilla trekking in Uganda and the Mt Kilimanjaro hike expedition, tourists tend to have a lot of questions. Especially, they’re curious about how long the safari can take, what to expect, and what is needed for the combined safari. They’re also curious about when to go, and how to get to the different destinations. The safari can take about 10 safari days depending on other activities that you wish to engage in. The period also depends on the hiking route you use when hiking on Mount Kilimanjaro.
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Getting to the two destinations which are Mount Kilimanjaro and Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in Uganda is now easy. To access gorilla destinations, You can either use road or air transport to connect the two countries. You can easily connect to Kigali International Airport from Kilimanjaro International Airport. You can even do a vice versa or connect using the land borders. Driving from Kigali to Bwindi Impenetrable or Mgahinga Gorilla National Parks takes 3-4 hours. You can also land in Entebbe, which takes 8-9 hours of driving to the two gorilla parks. You can also schedule a 1.5-2 hour flight to one of the airstrips near these parks to reduce the long hours of driving.
In this article, we are going to discuss how to combine the two safari destinations, Uganda and Tanzania. You’ll also know what to expect on the combined safari and what to pack. Also, you’ll learn about the dos and don’ts of this safari.
Gorilla trekking in Uganda
This is one of the top safari activities that take place in Uganda. Mgahinga National Park and Bwindi Impenetrable National Parks are the only safari destinations where gorilla trekking takes place. Bwindi Impenetrable and Mgahinga National Parks are in the southwestern part of the country. Bwindi has more than 500 mountain gorillas while Mgahinga has about 15 gorillas. Also, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is home to 23 habituated gorilla families ready for the trekking exercise. Mgahinga on the other hand has one gorilla family ready for trekking daily.
You will need to purchase a gorilla trekking permit and this will give you an hour with the primates. Since 8 tourists visit each group, there are 192 gorilla trekking permits available daily. These are few in comparison with the demand, especially during the peak season. This thus requires booking in advance to partake in this activity.
About the gorilla permit and how to obtain It
The gorilla trekking permit in Uganda is the property of the Uganda Wildlife Authority. It issues them to all-age trekking tourists intending to participate in the exercise. We can easily help you purchase the gorilla trekking permit from UWA. All you have to do is get in touch with us with all the details that we may need from you. These include your passport number and a copy of the passport to prove that you are above 15 years old.
We also need to know the dates of trekking and the number of permits that you wish to purchase. After contacting us and confirming that the permits are available on the dates you wish to trek, you will be required to make payments and once we confirm the payment has been made, we will proceed and make the purchase on your behalf and as proof of purchase, we’ll send a copy of the permit we’ll have purchased.
You must purchase Gorilla permits at least six months before the trek date. This allows proper planning and avoids last-minute inconveniences. The Uganda Wildlife Authority issues 192 gorilla permits per day, and since they are always in high demand in the dry and wet seasons, you have to purchase them in advance to participate in the exercise.
The permit cost for tourists and foreign non-residents is $800 per person and $700 for foreign residents. It costs $500 for African nationals, and Ugshs300,000 for East African residents.
Gorilla trekking in Uganda comes with trekking rules and regulations that help in protecting the gorillas and all trekkers are to follow the rules.
Gorilla Trekking in Uganda’s Bwindi
Some of the trekking rules and regulations
- The trekking age in Uganda is 15 years and above
- All sick tourists will not trek Mountain gorillas to avoid infecting the gorillas.
- You have to cover your mouth when you sneeze or cough when with the gorillas, and you also have to turn away.
- Groups of 8 are to trek a gorilla family per day and not more.
- Keep a distance of 7-10 meters from the gorillas when you locate them
- Never feed the Mountain gorillas
- Turn off Your flash at all times when taking photos of the gorillas.
- The national park has to be kept clean at all times and avoid littering
- Use/dig a hole (30cm) deep to use as a toilet and cover it up properly so as not to infect the Mountain gorillas.
- Loud noise disrupts the Mountain gorillas, so if possible, avoid it and communicate in low tones.
- Always keep with the trekking group and do not wander off because the park has other wildlife.
- Spotting Mountain gorillas in Rwanda is a must with about a 98% chance. This is because of the arrangements and proper organization of the exercise.
Mount Kilimanjaro hike expedition
The highest mountain in Africa is one of the best places on the African continent to go hiking for all adrenaline junkies. Planning a Mountain Kilimanjaro hike with a gorilla trekking safari is one of the best safaris one can organize. Mount Kilimanjaro is the highest point on the African continent and you can visit it all year round. However, the best time is during the dry season when the hike routes are easily accessible.
Located in Tanzania, this dormant volcano is at a height of 5895 meters. It has three volcanic peaks including Kibo, Shira, and Mawenzi. The national park also has different climatic zones including the cultivation zone, Rainforest zone, and heath and moorland. It also has the Highland and Alpine Desert and Arctic Zone. All the different zones give you a different experience worth experiencing.
Mount Kilimanjaro has seven hike routes that hikers frequently use to reach the peak. These include the Lemosho route, Marangu route, Northern Circuit route, Umbwe route, Rongai route, Machame route, and Shira route.
When planning a Mount Kilimanjaro hike, there are a few things that you need to consider to have a good experience. Some of these include the best route to use when trekking, physical fitness, and when to go for the hike.
The routes along Mount Kilimanjaro
The Machame route
The Machame route, also popular as the whiskey route, is the most common route on Mount Kilimanjaro. It has a high success rate, offers camping as accommodation, and offers trekkers better acclimatization.
Lemosho route
The Lemosho route has a high success rate and offers good acclimatization to all hikers. Acclimatization is when you climb high and sleep low to get used to climatic zone changes. The route offers good views of western Kilimanjaro and camping services to the trekkers. It is a good route to use when hiking to the Uhuru peak.
Marangu route
Also famous as the Coca-Cola route, it is the shortest hike route along Mount Kilimanjaro to the peak. It might be the shortest but not the best route to use when hiking up the mountain. This is mainly because it has a low success rate and offers less acclimatization. It is also the only route that has dormitory-like accommodation that hikers share.
Umbwe route
The rarely used Umbwe route has a steep slope that makes it hard to hike up the mountain. It also offers poor acclimatization for the trekkers. It is remote, has camping, and has a rapid descent.
Rongai route
This route approaches the Kilimanjaro summit from the north. Many consider it the hardest route to climb up the mountain and offer less acclimatization to hikers.
The Shira
This route is not recommended because it has an extremely high starting point, a lower success rate, and poor acclimatization.
The northern circuit route
This is considered to be the best hike route along Mount Kilimanjaro offering hikers a 360-degree view with beautiful scenery. It approaches the peak from the west, offers proper acclimatization to hikers with the climb high and sleep low policy, and has a high success rate.
The cost of the Combined Uganda Gorilla and Kilimanjaro Hiking on a Safari
Several costs affect the cost of the combined safari and we have listed several factors which include:
Season of travel
There are two seasons of travel for gorilla trekking and hiking up Mount Kilimanjaro, and these are the dry and wet seasons. Both seasons are good for travel, and the dry season, also called the peak season, is the best time for the combined safari. However, it is also the most expensive time because of the cost hike with the influx of tourists. The wet/low season is a cheaper and much more affordable time to plan and travel for the combined safari.
Size of the safari group
You can either travel in groups or take solo safaris, depending on your preference. But note that small groups pay more for the combined safari compared to large groups of tourists traveling together who share costs, hence reducing the cost of the combined safari.
The number of days
These also play an important role in the cost of the combined safari. You will spend more if you spend more days on your safari, and the cost can be low or significantly reduced if you spend fewer days on your safari.
Accommodation
The type of accommodation you choose will determine the cost of the safari. Accommodation is categorized into budget, midrange, and luxury accommodation facilities; your budget will determine the type you choose.
When to go for the Combined Uganda Gorilla and Kilimanjaro Hiking on a Safari
The best time to go for the Combined Uganda Gorilla and Kilimanjaro Hiking on a Safari is during the dry season. The dry season is from December to February and June to September. The main reason why it is the best is because the trek routes in Bwindi and Mgahinga National Parks are easier to use. Also, the gorillas are easier to spot due to the thinning of the vegetation. It is also easier to hike up Mountain Kilimanjaro during the dry season. The wet season is also a good time to travel for gorilla trekking especially if you don’t want to associate with crowds. The wet season is from March to May and October to November and is not a good time to hike Mt Kilimanjaro.
What to pack for a Combined Uganda Gorilla and Kilimanjaro Hiking on a Safari
The packing list for the gorilla safari and hike on Kilimanjaro is similar. Below are some of the things that you will need to pack for the safari.
Warm and thick clothes for the cold weather and hiking on Mount Kilimanjaro due to the different climatic zones.
Strong hiking boots are recommended for hiking through the national park, tracking gorillas, and climbing Mount Kilimanjaro. The boots should fit well, be knee-length, waterproof, and sturdy.
Thick socks are used to keep warm, garden gloves are used for gorilla trekking, and warm gloves are used during the Kilimanjaro hike.
A walking stick is availed when you need it. It will help you easily trek through the forest and hike up the Mountain.
Adjustable gaiters to keep the dust and mud off of your trousers.
Waterproof rain jacket. The rain jacket will keep you safe from the rain that is experienced all year round.
Insect repellent
A waterproof day backpack.
Foldable and refillable water bottle
Sunglasses and a sunhat
Snacks, especially energy bars.
Binoculars
A camera and camera equipment including lenses, memory, batteries, portable adapters, and a waterproof water bag.
Sunscreen
First aid kit
Trousers are not jeans because they will slow you down when they get wet.
Where should I go first during the combined Rwanda gorilla and Kilimanjaro safari?
This is one of the most commonly asked questions when planning a combined safari, but with our experience, we advise our clients to start with a destination that they are comfortable with because they will still have the best safari experience. You can start with the Kilimanjaro hike and connect to Uganda for the gorilla trekking experience or vice versa.
Get in touch with us for more information about the combined safari of gorilla trekking in Uganda and a Kilimanjaro hike expedition. We shall gladly help you plan and organize one. We also organize other combined safaris, which you can check out on our website. Get started by filling out the form below.
