African Geo Parks Network

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  • Visiting the Endangered Mountain Gorillas

    Visiting the Endangered Mountain Gorillas

    Within Africa, there only three options regarding mountain gorilla treks, and that is Uganda, DR Congo and Rwanda. These great apes that are listed as endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) are endemic to the Virunga Mountains that spread over Uganda, Rwanda and DR Congo and a separate population lives in the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest of South Western Uganda.

    Within Uganda, gorilla trekking is conducted in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest or Mgahinga Gorilla National Park located in the southern part of Uganda.

    Within the Democratic Republic of Congo, the mountain gorillas are found in Virunga National Park which is a UNESCO Heritage site. And within Rwanda, mountain gorillas are trekked in Volcanoes National Park. The country is also blessed with the eastern low land gorillas (another sub species of the Eastern gorilla) which are found in Kahuzi Biega National Park and Maiko National Park. The Virunga National Park is located in the eastern side of DR Congo and borders both Uganda and Rwanda.

    The park is found in the west direction of Goma which is capital of north Kivu province. Transport from Goma to the park can be arranged by the management of Virunga National Park. Tourists travelling from Rwanda have the best option of reaching Goma and it takes 3 hours to drive from Kigali to Goma. Goma can also be accessed from south western side of Uganda at the border crossing Bunagana border where you are able to purchase a local visa for crossing. If you’re planning to track mountain gorillas in Virunga national park, you are advised to book with one of the best local tour operators and the Congo gorilla permit costing $400, Uganda $800 and Rwanda $1500.

    And within Rwanda, mountain gorillas are trekked in Volcanoes National Park.

    Today the endangered mountain gorilla is confined to the Virunga Massif, a cluster of forested volcanoes that straddle the borders of Rwanda, Uganda and Democratic of Congo. Gorilla trekking in Congo takes place in the Mikeno area, close to the Park headquarters; about two hours’ drive from the gateway town of Goma.  Compared with chimps, gorillas are very relaxed animals, but this is like no other encounter and nothing prepares you for its thrilling experience. You cannot explain the encounter mountain gorillas, there is no denying that being in the company of these great apes, meeting those searching intelligent, eyes in face that seems reflect your own, is an out of this world experience their behavioral trend just leaves you in great awe.

    Mountain gorilla trekking experience is all the same in both countries which involves hiking deep into the mountain jungles to observe a gorilla family in the wild. Tourists are led by armed park rangers with machetes to battle with the big vegetation. The park rangers help to locate a gorilla family where it slept the previous night. Both adventures in Uganda and Congo begin with morning breakfast and then transfer to park headquarters for short briefing about the gorilla rules and the forest. From there you are driven to the starting point of your gorilla trekking. In Congo, Bukima patrol post is the starting of your gorilla trekking.

    In both countries, the length of the trek entirely depends on the gorilla movements which can take from 2 to 8 hours, for some people it can take short time to find them and other much longer. Trekking to see mountain gorilla may be tiresome but when you first set your eyes on a silver back gorilla for the first time, all the fatigue is taken away, seeing mothers holding their babies, Juvenile gorillas playing, as you keep an eye out on the gorilla family as the one hour passes by, don’t forget to take pictures and videos for your life time memory. It is government law that you can only spend 1hr with a family at a time. This may seem unreasonable, as the price of the permit isn’t that cheap, but if putting a time limit on visits means that it protects the gorillas from catching any human disease and basically from being too accustomed to us. You cannot eat, drink, smoke or go to the toilet near the gorillas. Talking should be kept to a minimum also so as not to disturb them.

    The mountain gorillas of both Uganda and Congo can be visited anytime during the year. However some paths are hard to navigate during the wet season of April, May and November. Other months are better for gorilla trekking since it is dry season. When planning for your trekking excursion to see gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest and Virunga National Parks, we advise you to come with a few things that are useful for you to attain your lifetime ultimate experience that involves trekking/hiking visit mountain gorillas in Uganda and Congo.

    • You need light weight hiking boots for this activity/strong waterproof walking boots due to nature and altitude of the forest. So get shoes that have good ankle support.
    • Take a light jumper and lightweight breathable waterproof jacket/trousers as temperature is variable and weather conditions can change
    • Lightweight long wool socks which are comfortable for a mountain tropical forest
    • A few long-sleeved shirts/trousers. Please ensure that you trek in your long sleeved trousers/shirts to avoid insects such as safari ants entering your trousers.
    • Sweater for cool evenings and chilly mornings due to nature and altitude of the place
    • Please carry a hat to protect you from the strong sun rays if it is hot.
    • You may also need to carry some Sunglasses too with neck strap
    • Sun cream is also necessary
    • Video/photo camera, extra lenses and Reserve batteries. Photography is an important component of your safari and make sure that you have your camera ready, charge your batteries very well and if necessary, carry extra batteries as you will need to take many photographs in the one hour you will have with the gorillas.
    • Insect repellents to protect you from Mosquito bites as Bwindi and Virunga Park is a tropical forest so many insects are accommodated there in.
    • Garden gloves that will protect you from germs and other items that may scratch your hands.
    • A glove to grip vegetation and it’s also best to have different layers of clothes since the temperatures tend to change.
    • Energy Giving snacks. Gorilla trekking can take from 30 minutes to eight or so hours and that’s why a certain level of fitness is required. To add on that, we advise that you carry some energy giving snacks as supplements and lots of drinking water as you never know when you will return.
  • Kenya Increases National Park Entrance Fees

    Kenya Increases National Park Entrance Fees

    Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) has raised the park entry fees by 33 per cent to $80 (Sh6,800) from $60 (Sh5,100) previously. This is the second time that the tariffs are being increased, as part of a two-phase plan first implemented in January 2011 where the rates were raised to $75 (Sh6,375) up from $60 (Sh5,100).

    The new conservation fees were aimed at encouraging safari visitation during the low season in highly visited parks and reducing congestion during peak seasons to maintain the ecological integrity of wildlife zones.

    In a press notice, KWS said the new prices would be applicable to Lake Nakuru, Amboseli, Tsavo East and West, Meru/Kora and Mount Kenya National parks during the high season months of January to March, July to August and from September to October.

    East African residents will continue to pay Sh1,000 for entry to premium parks, while non-East African citizens will pay Sh1,000 up from Sh500 as at December 31, 2011.

    The wildlife manager has defended the 20 per cent increase in tariffs, citing the improvement of infrastructure—such as securing of wildlife migration corridors and dispersal areas, opening up of tourism investment in under-utilised parks and reserves and management of specific wildlife population.

    It also cited the rising costs of staffing, maintenance, improving security and government policy implications.

    The government policy that parks should be self-financing has put pressure on KWS to turn to ways of raising the revenue it needs to cover its costs, including raising park fees.

    It earned Sh2.7 billion from park fees alone in 2010, which accounted for 96.4 per cent of its total Sh2.8 billion turnover for that period.

  • Ecotourists find Uganda as a New Hotspot

    Ecotourists find Uganda as a New Hotspot

    Tourism in Uganda is becoming a booming business! More and more people see Uganda as a holiday destination as more tours are being offered in the region. In 2012, Uganda was voted among the 10 best destinations to visit by the Lonely Planet.

    Compared to the more developed neighboring countries, Kenya and Tanzania, this troubled nation has been a slow starter in the region. Attributed to both domestic wars and political instability Uganda has not been visited by the mainstream tourists who have been taking safaris in Tanzania and Kenya.

    In 1998 a fatal tragedy shocked the country and the world, when several Western tourists were killed in a hostage drama near Bwindi Forest National Park by the Interahamwe Rebels from the neighboring Rwanda. After this incident, the Uganda government has done a lot to tighten its security along its borders and in the past 14 years much has changed in the country. Tours are offered throughout Uganda and tourist explore the beauty that this unspoiled country has to offer. Uganda is eco-holiday destination number one.

    A Uganda safari has it all. Stunning natural areas surrounded by cloud-covered mountains. Dropping valleys and gently sloping hills with flourishing green vegetation.

    With all that beauty you might be worried that it will all get lost if mass-tourism hits Uganda. But that is where Uganda is one step ahead of the rest. The government puts nature preservation before tourism, to keep the nature unspoiled and beautiful.

    All this talk of stunning beauty has gotten you curious, hasn’t it?

    Two random examples of an amazing holiday in Uganda that you can go on are an expedition on the Nile, or visiting the mystical mountain gorillas on a gorilla trek in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.

    But there is much more!

    Many birders have visited Uganda! This country hosts more than 1065 bird species including rare birds like the Shoebill stork.

    So don’t hesitate! The beauty will blow your mind away!

    Many travelers ask questions about Uganda

    What is the safety factor for traveling in Uganda, working with villages, gorilla trekking etc.?

    Uganda is a safe destination. Just like other destinations around the world, take caution while traveling through cities where there might be pick pocketers, thieves, etc.

    What is the best time to visit Uganda?

    Uganda can be visited all year round. Travelers can visit the gorillas and enjoy game viewing all year round though many prefer to visit the country during the dry season.

    What is the best way to enjoy Safaris in Africa?

    With reference to the gorilla safaris – They are still going and have done without problems, but please bear in mind these are well organized group tours and are secure.

    What is the minimum age for gorilla trekking?

    The minimum age for Gorilla Trekking is 15 years of age and applies to ALL of the protected areas. You can find any information on gorilla trekking from www.gorillatrekkinguganda.com

    How safe would you say white water rafting is? and what injections would you need for there if u were camping for most of the time?

    The rafting is a Grade 5 designation which means it can be pretty tough. A couple of different companies run the rafting in different spots and although the safety record and equipment used is good it is still a ‘extreme sport’. All care is taken obviously but nothing can be guaranteed when it comes to this type of activity.

    It is advisable to contact your local GP or Travel Clinic for the latest updates on required immunizations for Africa. I would recommend Yellow Fever (don’t forget to get the certificate) and some malaria protection at the least.

    Happy travels to Uganda, the Pearl of Africa!