Travel

Visiting Uganda Gorillas: When to Visit

A trip to Southwestern Uganda to track mountain gorillas is strongly an experience that comes once in a life time. Uganda’s mountain gorillas are only tracked in the jungles of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. A 600 kilometer journey to the misty valleys of Kabale, Southwestern Uganda comes with tremendous gorilla experiences of a life time for visitors. Although it is a wish of every one around the globe to get a glimpse of these remarkable Giants in the wild, it takes visitors $600 to purchase a gorilla permit to achieve that dream. For visitors who may wish to improve on their experiences further, there is Gorilla Habituation Experience where he or she will be enjoying all the four hours with mountain gorillas in the wild.

Gorilla trekking in Uganda is described as an all year round adventure. However, visitors ought to know the best time to travel to go on a gorilla trek as each season comes with its own advantages and disadvantages.

Uganda is strategically located within Equator some thing that makes it to have 2 wet seasons; the short wet season starts in October and November while the long wet season occurs from March to May. The other months are dry but due to fluctuating weather patterns, it isn’t easy to forecast the seasonality of the country. In most cases, visitors tend to run away from gorilla tracking especially during the wet season given the fact Bwindi Impenetrable Forest receives heavy rainfall and in turn makes the gorilla habitat very muddy and slippery and hence a block to road connectivity to gorilla trail heads. Tracking gorillas becomes a bit changing for visitors but in most cases, there are visitors who come during this season.

Well, it is possible to track gorillas during the wet season given the fact that rain showers can be experienced in the course of day and at the same time it can take a short time and the sun comes out and gorilla trekking explorer can still continue. Tracking mountain gorillas during wet season is also advantageous based on the fact that there can be plenty of food at the foothills and trackers are able to view them easily. The disadvantage with this season is that it comes with reduced chances of clear views and difficulty in photo taking for the visitors due to dense vegetation cover.

The peak Season:

Most preferably, many visitors travel during this season to track mountain gorillas. Uganda’s peak season is characterized by low rainfall and it falls in the months of January, February, June, July, August, September and December. Because there are many visitors who come to track mountain gorillas, the demand for gorilla permits also tends to be high and visitors are encouraged to book them in advance. The dry season is the best for gorilla tracking as mountain gorillas can be sighted in temperate weathered areas with raised landscapes and this means that the climate remains cool throughout the year.

The Low Season:

This is the perfect time for visitors traveling on budget and many visitors have enjoyed visiting the country during this season. During this season, there are discounted permits that are offered to travelers in the months of April, May and November. The cost of permits for this season goes at $450 for foreign non residents, 400 for foreign residents and shs.150000 for East African residents. What is surprising is that, even the nearby lodges can reduce their prices.

In conclusion, gorilla tracking has no defined season, what may seem to be the best season for one may turn to be the worst time for some one else. However, it is best done during the dry season which offers travelers with incredible experiences. Come and explore what is inhabited within the tropical rain forests of Uganda and you won’t regret in life!

Uganda Road Requirements For Vehicles and Drivers

By East African standards, Uganda major roads are generally in good condition. Surfaced roads radiate out from Kampala, running east to Jinja, Busia, Mbarara Tororo, Mbale and Soroti, south to Entebbe, southwest to Masaka, northwest to Gayaza and Kayunga (and on Jinja). As a rule, however, Uganda, un surfaced roads tend to be very variable from one season to the next, with conditions likely to be most tricky during the rains and least so towards the end of the dry season. Even in this generalization, an isolated downpour can do major damage to a road that was in perfectly good condition a day earlier, while the arrival of a grader can transform a potholed 4×4 track into a road navigable by any salon car.

Driving in Uganda is interesting, a bit more challenging than other East Africa and Southern Africa countries. You definitely need to be a defensive driver. During yourself drive, just drive defensively when buses and minibus-taxis are around as their drivers are crazy. These are now the main hazard on Ugandan roads aside from unexpected potholes. Minibus-taxi drivers in particular have long been given to overtaking on blind corners, and speed limits are universally ignored except when enforced by road conditions.

As a big threat as minibus-taxis these days are the spanking new coaches that bully their way along trunk routes at up to 120km/h. You will be overtaken by big buses carrying over 70 passengers traveling at excessive speeds, oncoming traffic appears to be heading straight at you. People pass in curves, on a hillside and each day one reads of accidents that result in loss of lives and sometimes in great numbers. Keep an eye in the rear-view (driving) mirror and if necessary pull of the road in advance to let the closing loony past. Other than them you won’t see much traffic outside of Kampala, except on the road to Jinja and the Kenyan border.

The best thing however is to hire a car and a driver, and not just any but a well maintained vehicle and a safe driver that follows the rules.  Not easy to find either one of those. We hire only the best driver guides who have been to almost every corner of East Africa and know the twists and turns of every safari destination, – and feel a concern for the well being of our client. Driving at night can drive you mad and you should avoid the habit of driving without lights. Most Ugandans have this habit of driving without lights. To be more perfect, hire a vehicle and a driver and enjoy your road trip in Uganda and East Africa as a whole.

You will meet lots of very friendly and helpful people. If you are unfortunate enough to have a puncture remember to get out of the way of the rush of local people wanting to help change the wheel for you. Drivers in Uganda are very aggressive and keep you on the edge of your seat. Though I’ve mainly been around Kampala, so of course driving in the city is much more intense than in the rural areas. If you do plan to drive definitely have someone go with you for the first few drives, as driving on the left side, and amidst tons of minibus taxi’s and motor scooters is crazy. Overall the people are welcoming and helpful if you do happen to need help.

If you hire a decent car you probably won’t have any breakdown problems, fuel is available all around the country and there might be an occasional roadblock at Owen Falls Dam, Jinja, and a customs one on the way to the southwest. No one will try and solicit a bribe from you, unlike some other countries. Fuel is expensive in Uganda – the equivalent of around US$1.4 per litre for petrol and slightly less for diesel. If you are arriving overland its worth stocking up before you enter the country.

Contact us for the kind of car of your choice either on line or by directly visiting our offices. All our rates are fully inclusive of insurance, local taxes on unlimited mileage basis. Our company considers value for money and also covers great rates and outstanding customer service.

How to Save on Your Next Gorilla Trekking Experience

Africa has a wide range of tour adventures but not all are pricy. However, the most pricy options hold the most powerful experience in the rain forests of Uganda and Rwanda. Tourists go on gorilla trekking safaris in four known locations; Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga National Park in Uganda and the Virunga National Park in the Democratic Republic of Congo. To experience the world’s most wildlife encounters in Uganda and Rwanda follow our tips and spend less on your next trip;

1. Don’t Visit in Popular times

You don’t have to visit a destination just because your friends and relatives are visiting but you can do it your way and save much. During the most popular times-peak season all tour essentials are high due to the demand making it hard to get discounts and promotional offers. However, this can happen during the low season and you save big on accommodation and other trip essentials like transport. Remember rates for low season months are different from those for high season months.

2. Visit a Cheap Alternative Park

Due to different gorilla permit prices, exploring a cheap alternative park is a great way to save and enjoy to your best. If you’re initial plan was to track gorillas in Rwanda, then head to Uganda the most convenient cheap gorilla trekking safari alternative where gorilla permits go for $600.Allow yourself to explore the ambience of two beautiful Africa countries  on a single gorilla trek. No need to worry about how to connect to Uganda after flying to Kigali Rwanda. This has always been the easiest way of tracking mountain gorillas in Uganda due to short driving distance.

3. Short Gorilla Tours

Though there are many gorillas trekking safari options on offer in Uganda and Rwanda short treks of 1-3 days are great for those interested in seeing only mountain gorillas. The 3 days gorilla trek unveil all the rainforest adventures like golden monkey trek, cultural trails, nature walks, volcano hikes plus a city excursion before departure at the most affordable rates ever. In case you want to check out other country famous attractions then go for a 4- 5 days gorilla safari tour at amazingly low prices.

4. Travel with a Friend

Many Adventure tour operators in Uganda and Rwanda often organize gorilla tours for two and more which bring down the price. Don’t forget to tell a friend about your travel plans of tracking gorillas so that you can share other costs like transport and accommodation. You can also join gorilla overland trips, group tours and enjoy your trek with new friends from different corners of the world.

5. Book Budget Gorilla Safaris

If you dream of having a budget gorilla trek in Uganda, go for budget safari options where you will stay in good budget accommodation facilities in Bwindi Mgahinga national Park and experience the best. It can be a camping trip, backpacking or private budget tour.

6 Requirements to Hire Car in Uganda

Renting cars for self drive safari has become so popular in Uganda. many travelers wish to travel on their own to have  freedom and independence while traveling without intrusion of  a third party (driver guide). many people have become so interested in the self drive expeditions but do not know what is required to rent car in Uganda.

Here we bring to you the standard requirements of renting a car in Uganda;

Age of the client: The minimum age to rent a car in Uganda is 18 years; all the drivers to rent a car must be above that age and have valid driving permits which reflects that they are professional drivers. Please note that some car rental companies have a minimum age of 21 years in order to hire a car for self drive in Uganda.

The forms of payment that are accepted for renting a car; In Uganda electronic transfers and physical payment are acceptable. Most car rental companies prefer cash to use of electronic machines or transfers since most of the car rental deliveries are done out of the office and also some companies are still at the infant stage they cannot afford the electronic transfer system.

Returning of the rental cars; the airport locations will allow returns after hours and will have procedures in place for your early or late return. You should always check the rental location when picking up your rental vehicle for exact procedure.  Many of the car rental companies located at the airport are open 24/7 for your convenience. The vehicles should also be returned to the same location where picked unless prior arrangements have been made with the original renting location. For the non airport locations, need that their vehicles be returned during normal business hours. Always check with your branch about the Sunday hours.

What’s the company Mileage /Kilometer policy? The mileage / kilometer limits are set to accommodate the needs of most renters. In order to determine your mileage/ kilometer limitations from a specific location, you will need to begin the reservation process, and then followed by providing details of your pick up location, dates of rental and size of the vehicle, names and email address in order to be provided by prices and mileage restrictions.

The rental car insurance and many other protection products; the car rental companies offer additional protection products that you buy along with your rental vehicle. Presently the customers are given Damage Waiver, personal accident Insurance, the personal effects coverage.

Find out if the deposit is required when renting a vehicle in Uganda; most companies need the deposit amount that varies with location. For the reservation, choose your rental location. Dates and times. You can also visit the website of the rental company and make a booking online.

Will you need additional car rental equipment; most of the car rental companies offer the following car rental equipment; like the GPS, child seats, ski racks and many more.

It should be noted that these are standard requirements of renting a car in Uganda since different rental companies may have additional requirements as per their policies. Renting a car in Uganda is also simple and the limitations are so minimum and therefore if you are interested in self drive safaris in Uganda just hit the internet and hire a car of your choice.

How Much Does a Gorilla Tour Cost

To many visitors to Uganda, Seeing mountain gorillas in Africa is one of the top tourist attractions that is cherished by every travelers to the continent. As one of the most incredible wildlife experiences found in Uganda, Rwanda and Congo, it’s believed that only 900 endangered living mountain gorillas live in the three countries. The Unique opportunity of seeing gorillas in their natural home comes with some total gorilla safari cost that surprise tourists at the time of inquiry and booking. Gorilla permits, accommodation, transport, tourist Visa and tour expert are the five things that confuse tourists wondering why gorilla safari prices are high or low.

Gorilla Permits

When planning a gorilla trekking safari in Africa, it’s very essential to first book your gorilla permits with your right tracking dates before any other thing for the safari because a slight change in your tracking dates can change your travel plans and even affects your Air ticket dates. If you to track gorillas in Rwanda, gorilla permits cost $1500, $600 for Uganda and $400 for Congo. In Rwanda if you explore more other national parks of Nyungwe forest and Akagera, you get 30% Discount. Other discounts follow you if you visit Uganda and Congo in low season months. Though gorilla tracking is known by many travelers across the globe, very few have been able to experience the lifetime wildlife encounter of meeting gorillas face to face in the jungle forest. However, the cost of your gorilla safari tour in Africa depends on the choice of the gorilla trekking destination.

Tourist Visa

The majority of tourist visas can be obtained at either the boarder or international airport upon arrival and tourist  to Africa on gorilla tracking tours are advised to budget for the cost of a tourist visa at the time of trip planning so that it doesn’t come by surprised. Rwanda tourist visa go for $30, Congo tourist visa go for $100 and Uganda tourist visa go for $50 all valid for a period of 90 days. However, some travelers don’t need tourist visas to Rwanda but they must have one for Uganda or Democratic Republic of Congo if they are to track mountain gorillas in Bwindi Forest national park, Mgahinga national Park and Virunga National park.

Transport

No matter where you track gorillas in Africa, your transport means will be of key importance to your safety and leisure. There are many ways of transportation for gorilla safari tours and each depends on the tourist interest and budget. The majority of tourist use safari land cruisers with a pop up ideal for photography and wildlife viewing. Its also the best safari vehicle if you going to explore other wildlife parks in the country. Some tourists feel comfortable to go on a self driving trip, some backpacking and others flying to and from gorilla park. Be sure that all gorilla safari means of transport cost differently and are charged per day. One on a flying safari must pay a higher gorilla safari price than the one using a private safari landcruiser.Ans still the one on self drive pays much more than the one on a backpacking trip.

Safari Accommodation

All gorilla national parks, Virunga, Bwindi, Mgahinga, Volcanoes and Kahuzi Biega offer variety of accommodation facilities to all types of visitor’s luxury and budget. The choice depends on the traveler and interest but variety is surely available for everyone. Make a right choice of your gorilla safari accommodation and sleep in comfort a night before you ultimate wildlife experience in Africa. The time is now to enjoy the life time experience since it’s anticipated to more expensive in the future.

Get Discounted Uganda Gorilla Permits for 2017-2019

Is gorilla tracking top on your bucket list this year, next year or the other year and you want to track mountain gorillas with discounted gorilla permits? Uganda  also known as the pearl of Africa is the only place  to be  where huge discounts are given to all tourists  for the months of April, May and November. The introductions of discounts on gorilla permits make gorilla tours cheap and affordable for many travelers not only in low season but all year.

Be one of those to track mountain gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park by reserving your gorilla permit in time among the 120 gorilla permits sold per day by Uganda Wildlife Authority in both parks with only 8 in Mgahinga and the rest for Bwindi impenetrable. It’s during the low season when budget travelers explore the beautiful country of Uganda and experience the top tourist’s attractions without spending much. However, all tourists planning to track gorillas on budget in Africa, low season months are the best.

Forget the belief that low season months in Uganda are rainy seasons when roads are impassable and forest jungles are too muddy because it’s the opposite. Rainy seasons in Uganda are not actually rain seasons but they are just like other months of the year because it rains on just specific days and at times you may spend a full week without seeing any drop of rain. So go ahead and plan your Uganda gorilla safari tour at cheapest rates for low season that are a result of discounted gorilla permits.

The other advantage of tracking gorillas in low season months is that many tourists tend skip eyes off this period so few of them visit the country for gorilla tourism hence getting a chance to experience a marvelous feeling   in the entire jungle forest. April, May and November are the only months when gorilla permits in Uganda cost $450 per trek from the usual price of $600.Foreign tourists save $150  per trek a good amount to cater for other travel essentials like accommodation and transport. For those foreigners living in Uganda with work permit, gorilla permits cost only $400 for low season. Comparing Uganda gorilla permit prices with that of Rwanda another gorilla tracking destination in the region that sales permits at $1500 all year without low season. Uganda is simply a perfect place for cheap gorilla safari tours in Africa for all kinds of travelers- Budget and luxury.

While in Uganda, there is much more to see and experience including wildlife, chimpanzees, monkeys, culture, landscape, lakes, falls, Birds, mountains, among others. Amazingly even accommodation facilities in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park offer discounts to tourists during low season and it’s another factor that make Uganda gorilla tours cheap and unforgettable. Get a life changing experience with gorillas in Bwindi forest and Mgahinga on your gorilla trekking safari in Africa and save big for the future.