Closest Airport for mountain gorillas in Uganda
Closest Airport for mountain gorillas in Uganda
Closest Airport to see mountain gorillas in Africa – Budget Gorilla trekking safaris in Uganda and Rwanda. Fly in Safaris to see mountain gorillas in Bwindi.
This mode of safari transportation not only saves time but also allows visitors to maximize their time on the ground, as opposed to spending hours on the road.
Imagine soaring over the lush Ugandan landscape, marveling at the beauty of the African terrain from the air. This not only reduces travel time but also presents you with an opportunity to enjoy stunning aerial views, giving you a preview of the natural wonders awaiting you on the ground.
Closest Airport to see mountain gorillas in Africa – If you are planning to visit Africa to trek the Mountain Gorillas and you are searching for the closest airport to fly to it will depend on the specific location where you plan to see the Mountain Gorillas. Here are the nearest airports to some popular Mountain Gorilla trekking destinations in Africa.
Bwindi Impenetrable Forest and Mgahinga National Park in Uganda,
the closest airport is either Entebbe International Airport in Uganda, located near the capital city of Kampala, or Kigali International Airport in Rwanda. From Entebbe International Airport, you can either drive or take a short domestic flight to the nearest Airfield of Kihihi or Kisoro Airfields, and then continue by road to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park. From Kigali International Airport you can just take a drive to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park since it is much closer.
Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda,
the closest airport is Kigali International Airport in Kigali, the capital city of Rwanda. From Kigali, it is approximately a 2 to 3-hour drive to the Volcanoes National Park, where you can go and trek the Mountain Gorillas.
Kindly note that Mountain Gorilla trekking requires a Gorilla permit and it is advisable to make arrangements in advance.
Additionally, travel requirements and logistics may vary, so it’s recommended to check the latest information and guidelines from official sources or consult with a reputable travel agent for up-to-date information on the specific destination you plan to visit.
What to know about Bwindi impenetrable forest national park
Bwindi impenetrable national park is a typical rain forest located in the southwestern region of the country and it borders with Congo on the western side.
became so famous to the world because of gorilla trekking; it is one of the prime gorilla destinations in Africa harboring more than half of the worlds endangered mountain gorilla population existing in their natural habitat across world.
Bwindi impenetrable forest national park in Uganda is home to over 20 habituated gorilla families found in four sectors/regions of the park – Rushaga – Nkuringo – Buhoma and Ruhija as the main tracking gateways to the forest.
Gorilla trekking takes place from the park every day for the entire year, however you must purchase a gorilla permit to book and confirm your trekking preferred dates.
Booking for Uganda gorilla permits can be done through a trusted tour operator or directly with Uganda wildlife Authority depending on the visitors’ choice. But booking with a tour operator remains the most convenient way of doing it. Closest Airport for mountain gorillas in Uganda
Note;
Usually, 8 individuals are allowed to visit a particular gorilla family group per day therefore gorilla permits are issued matching the number of gorilla families available for tracking on a first come first serve basis.
If you’re planning to visit Uganda for gorilla trekking in the high seasons of February, June, July, August and December, then timely and advance booking is highly recommended as demand for gorilla permits can be so high and permits tend to sell out so fast.
Bwindi impenetrable forest is not only a place of mountain gorillas, it’s also home various wildlife species including birds, plants and other more animals, insects and butterflies.
Highlights of Bwindi:
Gorilla trekking
Gorilla habituation
Bird watching; The park has over 300 bird species including Red throated Alethe. Chestnut Throated Apalis, Fine banded woodpecker, Montana Oriole, African Green Broadbill, Chapin’s flycatcher, Handsome Francolin among so many others.
What to know about Mgahinga national park
Mgahinga national park where gold meets silver is Uganda’s home of Mountain Gorillas situated in the southwestern region in Kisoro district and it borders with DR-Congo and Rwanda.
Mgahinga national park happens to be the smallest parks in Uganda covering about 33.5 square kilometers and was gazette in 1991 mainly to protect the endangered mountain gorillas and their natural habitat.
Among other things and attractions found in Mgahinga national park are the rare golden monkeys which are also endangered and these can also be found in Volcanoes national park in Rwanda as part of the Virunga mountains.
Highlights of Mgahinga:
Gorilla tracking
Golden monkey tracking, and
Birding
What you need to know to prepare for gorilla trekking in Rwanda
What you need to know to prepare for gorilla trekking in Rwanda: Gorilla trekking in Rwanda is one of the best activities you can do during your visit in Rwanda. To prepare for gorilla trekking, you need to have booked accommodation a night before the day of gorilla trekking because the gorilla trekking adventure starts early with arrival at the Kinigi park headquarters in Volcanoes National Park at 7:00am for a briefing from one of the park rangers, there after you will be allocated a gorilla family to trek depending on your abilities.
You will begin your search for a gorilla family around 8:30am, and expected to return by at least 6:00pm depending on the location of the gorilla family tracked. One of the key elements in determining which gorilla family you will trek to see is the duration and difficulty of the trek you wish to undertake.
How long is Gorilla trekking?
Your trek could last anywhere from one hour to nine hours, depending on the exact location of the specific gorilla family which you’re tracking. You don’t have to be super-fit, however it does help if you have a reasonable level of fitness to enhance your overall enjoyment of the experience. The park’s professional guides and trackers will lead you through the forest trails in search of your gorilla family. The conditions in the forest can be slippery and muddy even in the dry season and it can also be very humid under the forest canopy.
The trek is fairly challenging and you may find it tough as you pass through the dense undergrowth. The high altitude and the steep, slippery trails can make the trek exhausting, but it’s definitely worth the effort to spend time with mountain gorillas in the wild. When you finally find these gentle giants, you will have the opportunity to spend up to one hour in their company, before returning to your lodge to reflect on your moving and magical encounter with the wild mountain gorillas of Rwanda.
Highlights of Mgahinga:
Gorilla tracking
Golden monkey tracking, and
Birding
Best time to trek gorillas in Uganda and Rwanda
The best time to plan for a gorilla safari in Uganda and Rwanda is during the annual dry seasons of June to September. We don’t expect rain to disrupt your gorilla trekking experience during the dry seasons, giving you a high chance to see and spend time with the primates. The trails and roads in Bwindi are dry during this time.
While planning, remember that the dry season is peak season in Uganda, and most travelers book their permits for the peak season. Therefore, ensure that you book your permit and accommodation with a trusted tour operator month before your travel date to avoid disappointments.
Packing list for visiting gorillas.
The following are the Suggested Items to pack while going Gorilla trekking;
- Insect Repellent
- Torch and Spare Batteries
- Water Bottle
- Camera, lenses
- Comfortable walking/hiking boots & socks
- Gardening gloves for gorilla tracking
- Rain Jacket
- Binoculars
Safari Vacations and Travel Services is a Local tour operator based in Uganda with its head offices in Entebbe. Moreover, Safari Vacations and Travel Services is a business for a Ugandan native, we specialize in life-changing experiences and sustainable tours and holidays to all East African countries. We are members of the Association of Uganda Tour Operators and with registration from the Uganda Tourism Board. We have a good and long working relationship with Uganda Wildlife Authority making it easy to book your gorilla permits and gorilla trekking safari. Safari Vacations and Travel Services is also high in Trip Advisor reviews.
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