VIRUNGA CONSERVATION AREA.
Virunga conservation area consists of Uganda, Rwanda, and Congo through sharing the endangered unique creatures mount Gorillas that are not found elsewhere in the whole world. Gorillas are known as close relatives of humans due to 98% DNA. Virunga area is rich in biodiversity with thick forests which inhabits mount mountain. Gorillas move from one place to another searching for food and due to their characters of eating, playing, producing protective of the children and many more. Virunga conservation area consists of mgahinga national park, Virunga national park, and volcano national park.
However most visitors always have many questions on their minds like where do we find gorillas, how much is a gorilla permit, what is the best place for trekking gorillas, what are the rules and regulations , how safe is the country, how do we access the park with gorillas, what to pack ?
After knowing the answers of all these questions, you’re free to starting planning for your trip in any country of your choice with the help of Uganda Wildlife Authority in Uganda, Rwanda Development Board and many more however there are entrusted companies that are registered to make your safari the best.
IN UGANDA
Uganda is the best destination for gorilla trekking and most known in the world for inhabiting gorillas in two national parks that is Bwindi Impenetrable national park and Mgahinga national park. Historically Uganda is a home for about 400 individual gorilla population in the world unlike other parks like virunga national park and volcano national park. The two parks are located in south western part of Uganda far from kampala.
Bwindi impenetrable national park inhabits 16 gorilla families in four sectors: Buhoma sector, Ruhija sector, Nkuringo sector and Rushaga sector. Visitors during trekking finds a great experience in trekking where by some gorillas are spotted near by whereas others farther. During this trekking, bird lovers will spot different bird species in the jungle and sing bird melodies and insects in the wilderness.
Mgahinga national park is a one of the smallest parks but commonly known for gorilla trekking and golden monkeys. The park inhabits one gorilla family called Nyakagezi family which adds up 17 gorilla families in Uganda.
How costly is the gorilla permit in Uganda?
Gorilla permits in Uganda are issued by Uganda Tourism Board at a cost of $700 per person however Ugandans pay 250,000 shillings. According to the procedures of gorilla trekking, visitors trek 8 individuals per gorilla family so it’s advisable for visitors to book their permits at least 6 months before the travel since their on high demand to avoid inconveniences.
How to access the park?
While in Uganda, visitors will reach Bwindi impenetrable national park by either road or flight from Kampala. By road, visitors will drive for about 9-10 hours depending on which route there are using because there is Masaka –Mbarara route and fort portal –Kasese route from Kampala. However long the distance, it is worth it due to various nature beauty spotted along the way. Although visitors may use Kigali route and have few hour drives to Bwindi since it is located in south western part of Uganda bordering Rwanda.
While by flight, visitors will use one and half hours to reach the park from either kajjasi airstrip or Entebbe International Airport. Visitors will spot the swiss of Africa where Lake Bunyonyi will be spotted, and animals in lake Mburo national park like zebras, buffalos, elephants, lions, hippopotamus, giraffes and bird species.
IN RWANDA
Rwanda Development Board manages and protects volcano national park since it inhabits mount Gorillas that are close relatives to humans. Gorillas were first discovered in Rwanda by Dian Fossel who dedicated her entire life with gorillas researching on them unfortunately she was killed by the poachers and put to rest.
Gorillas are spotted in volcano national park in Rwanda and gorilla permits are issued by Rwanda Development Board where per person pays a permit at $1500. Volcano national park is commonly visited due to habiting gorillas and chimpanzees. However the park is surrounded by local communities that are friendly to visitors where they are free to involve in traditional dances, support their local markets and many more.
Annually Rwanda cerebrates “kwita izina ceremony “where the newly baby gorillas are given names and families. The ceremony is hosted by international visitors, celebrities entertaining plus kiyarwada cultural dance.
What are other touristic attractions in Rwanda?
Rwanda is one of the most visited countries in Africa due to its touristic attractions like Nyugwe national park, Gishwati mukura national park which inhabits chimpanzees and akagera national park which is good for game drive, birding and boat cruise on akagera river.
How to access volcano national park?
The park can be accessed by either road or flight from Kigali international airport. By road it takes about 3-4 hour drive to volcano national park where by flight, it takes one hour to the park. However road or flight, visitors will spot various attractions along the way. However clients wishing to trek bwindi from Kigali takes about 5-6 hours’ drive.
IN CONGO
Democratic Republic of Congo is a best destination for gorillas in virunga national park. Besides the instability of the country, Congo is beautifully made country and cheap on their travels compared to Uganda and Rwanda.
Virunga national park inhabits chimpanzees, monkeys, baboons, cultures and a birding paradise for bird lovers. The country is rarely visited due to civil wars that have affected tourism as well as killing of gorillas in virunga national park.
The gorilla permit in Congo costs $400 per person cheaper than Uganda which costs &700 per person.
What to pack while in Virunga conservation ranges?
- Camera
- Raincoat
- Hiking sticks
- Comfortable hiking boots
- Long trouser, long t-shirt, long stockings
What is the best time for trekking in virunga conservation area?
The best time to trek gorillas in Uganda, Congo and Rwanda is during dry season where roads are safe and in the jungle the trails aren’t slippery like those in wet season. The best months to trek are June to September and December to march unlike April to May and October and November where roads are slippery and trails in the jungle are muddy which makes gorillas to be far away in the jungle in search for food.
What are rules and regulations for gorilla trekking?
- Cameras are allowed to be used without flash lights which may affect gorillas’ attention to react.
- Children below 15 years of age are not allowed to trek for safety.
- Visitors are limited to 8 individuals per gorilla family per day.
- During the trekking, visitors are briefed told to lower their voices during the trekking listening to singing birds in the jungle.
- It is briefed to visitors not to eat while there are with gorillas.
- While there are with gorillas, visitors are told to keep 7m distance from gorillas.
- Visitors are briefed to sanitize their hands and wearing masks to secure the lives of gorillas which are easily affected
- Illed visitors are not allowed to trek gorillas since gorilla DNA is easily affected by diseases like flue , cough, coronavirus and many more
- Visitors are given one hour visit while they are with gorillas.
