Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi Vs Mgahinga
Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi Vs Mgahinga: Gorilla trekking in Uganda majorly takes place in two national parks which are close to each other. These national parks are Mgahinga Gorilla National Park and Bwindi Impenetrable National Park although most gorilla safaris take place in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage site found in the district of kanungu, kisoro and kibale. It’s a home to over 400 mountain gorillas that accounts for half the world’s population of the apes. The number in Mgahinga is relatively low thus making Bwindi forest a number one destination for years. The two national parks are always available to give an opportunity to visitors who would love to encounter the day to day life experience with the endangered primates for a full hour under normal gorilla trekking and 5 hours when carrying out gorilla habituation.
Mountain gorillas can as well be seen along the virunga conservation Area which is apparently shared by Rwanda’s volcanoes National Park and Congo’s World Heritage site – Virunga National Park.
WHY BWINDI?
Bwindi impenetrable national park has about ten habituated mountain Gorilla families in total whereas Mgahinga has only one habituated family called the Nyakagezi family.
Bwindi impenetrable national park has four gorilla trekking sectors and these include; Rushaga, Buhoma, Ruhija and Nkuringo and each sector has their own gorilla families. This gives tourists an opportunity to choose between sections and also rewards a much more diverse experience should any trekker opt for more than one trek. Besides mountain gorillas, the national park is a home to 120 animal species such as giant forest pigs, African golden cat, the side striped jackal, African civet, chimpanzees, black and white colobus monkeys and the L’hoest monkeys among other primates within the park.
The vast woodland is a home to over 220 butterfly species and 310 bird species. These include African green broadbill, brown necked parrots, Frazer’s eagle owl and white-tailed blue flycatcher among others
Bwindi national park has 98% more lodging options compared to Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. These accommodation facilities that range from budget to mid-range and luxury with a wide array of equally good options to select from.
On the other hand, Mgahinga National Park is the smallest national park which is located at the base of three dormant volcanoes that is Mount Gahinga, Mount Muhabura and Mount Sabyinyo. The endangered mountain gorillas and golden monkeys is the major draws. Other activities within the park are trekking primates, forest/ nature walks, mountain climbing and birding.
However, spotting the gorillas within the park is not guaranteed since these gorillas tend to move to neighboring countries back and forth. The Nyakagezi family is known for crossing into Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Those who enjoy exploring caverns can have the gorilla trekking in Mgahinga. The Garamba and Muhavura caverns which were originally utilized by the Batwa for food storage, royal residence, collecting and preparation for war thus making mgahinga worthy.
However, both national parks charge the same price for a gorilla trekking experience. The gorilla permits in both parks charge 700$ per trek and per person. Both national parks have the same identical gorilla trekking guidelines and restrictions. These help to safe guard gorillas from human infections and anger caused by the presence of humans. Only 8 visitors are permitted to spot the gorilla troop in a single day for an hour. To undertake the gorilla trekking in both parks, one must be at least 15 years old.
Bwindi is closer to queen Elizabeth national park and kibale forest national park which is a home to a number of primates and thus being called the primate capital. Therefore, in case one is done with gorilla trekking, they can participate in game drives where they can spot the tree climbing lions within the ishasha sector and trek chimpanzees at the kyambura gorge or visit the salt mine that is next to the park.
