Endangered Mountain
Gorilla and Golden Monkeys Trekking in Mgahinga Np
Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is located in the south
western Uganda in Kisoro District. Mgahinga Gorilla National Park sits in an
area of 33.7 square kilometers which mark the park as the smallest park in
Uganda’s National Parks. Mgahinga Gorilla National Park got its name from the
local word Gahinga that means the
piles of volcanic stones cleared from farmland at the foot of the volcanoes.
The Park was first declared as a game
sanctuary in 1930 and later around 1991 the game reserve was gazetted as a
national park. This park has got plenty of wildlife with the main attraction being
mountain gorillas and others animals include elephants, buffaloes, giant forest
hogs, and bush-buck and also has over 79 bird species. The journey from Kampala
to Mgahinga Gorilla National Park takes 8 hours and 30 minutes.
Mountain Gorilla Trekking
Mgahinga Gorilla National Park has over 80 plus endangered
mountain gorillas. Mgahinga Gorilla National Park has got one habituated
gorilla group which can be trekked found in Nyakagezi with family of 9 mountain
gorillas being headed by silver-back. When at Nyakigezi family, make sure to
move with a well-armed game ranger for protection in case of anything.
Mgahinga Gorilla National Park permits are always available
because the park receives few people trekking the gorillas since most people
opt for Bwindi Impenetrable National Park which has biggest remaining number of
Mountain Gorillas in the world. Uganda gorilla permits cost USD 600 per person
while Rwanda gorilla permits cost USD 1500 per person.The Habituation
Experience is an incredible experience with mountain Gorillas where one gets to
learn from researchers, rangers, conservationists who are all part of this
process. With this experience, you get to have enough time with one gorilla
family and it is worth it. Here, the mountain gorilla gets used to human being’s
presence which costs USD 1500 per person for habituation because you will spend
the entire day with gorilla family.
Golden Monkey Trekking
Golden monkeys are found in two national parks that is;
Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park in Uganda.
Golden monkey got its name golden
from the golden orange fur and just like mountain gorilla the golden monkey are
also considered as endangered species because of poaching.
Mgahinga Gorilla National Park has the habituation
experience which is designed for tourists who are not able to track golden
monkeys in the jungle. The habituation experience will make you to spend the
entire day with golden monkeys interacting, learning their behaviors, watching
them as they play with their young ones, and taking photos. Golden monkeys are
easy to track than mountain gorillas because the golden monkeys maintain their
previous nests and do not about a lot. The golden monkey costs USD 50 per
person at Mgahinga Gorilla National Park while the habituation experience cost
USD 100 per person.
Gorilla trekking
rules and regulations
When with gorillas, keep a distance of about
7 meters [21 feet]
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Don’t drop rubbish in the park and make sure
that after eating or drinking water in the bottle keep the trash.
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Children below age of 15 years are not allowed
to track gorillas so it is better to leave them in the lodge.
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The number allowed to trek gorilla family is a maximum
of 8 visitors per group this minimizes the risk of behavioral change and
exposure to diseases.
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Anyone with communicable disease like flu and
diarrhea is not allowed to track.
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When tracking gorillas, ensure to keep your
voices low so as not to scare away the gorillas.
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Never leave your trekking group make sure you
stay in the company of your group members.
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Don’t use camera with flash light once you are
with the gorillas.
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Never try to touch gorillas they can be wild and
remember they are wild animals like any other animals.
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Avoid eating when near gorillas.
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The time allowed to spend with the gorillas is
only one hour but when the gorillas are agitated the guide will advise to leave
early.
What to carry for
gorilla trekking?
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You should carry hiking rubber boost shoes
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Carry packed lunch and enough drinking water
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Carry camera with water proofed bag
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Carry water proof jacket
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Carry garden gloves for your hands
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Put on light weight trouser
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Put on long sleeved shirt
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Carry rain gear, sunscreen lotion, hat and
insect repellent
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You should always carry first aid kit that has
re hydration sachets, anti-diarrhea medicine, cold medication, lip balm, eye
drops, antiseptic cream, motion sickness pills and band-aids.
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