Comparison between gorilla trekking and wildlife safaris in Uganda
Comparison between gorilla trekking and wildlife safaris in Uganda : Two of Uganda’s most thrilling exploration safari activities are gorilla trekking and wildlife safaris. They facilitate access for tourists to a few endangered wildlife species. They do, nevertheless, differ in a few ways that set them apart. Activities related to gorilla trekking differ from wildlife safaris in a number of ways, including
While wildlife safaris offer visitors a unique chance to explore Savannah parks in search of wild animals, particularly big cats, rare and fascinating smaller species, such as spotted hyenas, cheetahs, hartebeests, and waterbucks, and larger land animals, such as African Bush elephants, African buffaloes, rhinos, and hippos, gorilla trekking safari activities take travelers through dense rainforests with the goal of accessing wild mountain gorillas.
In Uganda, gorilla trekking safari is limited to two national parks: Mgahinga National Park and Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. In contrast, wildlife safaris are offered in seven national parks. Lake Mburo, Mountain Elgon, Rwenzori Mountains, Queen Elizabeth, Kidepo Valley National Park, Murchison Falls, and Semuliki National Parks.
In these national parks, visitors can witness unique wildlife species, including visually appealing flora and fauna. During wildlife safaris, guests can also see incredibly stunning native bird species of the Great Lakes, such as turacos, Abyssinian ground hornbills, black and white casquered hornbills, black bee eaters, cinnamons, lanner falcons, owls, scavengers, kori bustards, and secretary birds.
The majority of the gorilla trekking activity involves walking, with the exception of a few times when stretchers are provided. People who are unable to sustain themselves for extended periods of time, such as the elderly, the disabled, and expectant mothers who want to know what it’s like to be near mountain gorillas, use stretchers. On the other hand, game drives during wildlife safaris can be somewhat thrilling in their own special way.
Before being permitted to trek among gorillas in the jungle, one must obtain and present a permit, which must be paid for by the authorities and approved by park officials. Wildlife safaris, on the other hand, only need payment for certain activities and park entrance.
The regulations that govern the gorilla trekking activity are distinct from those that govern wildlife safaris. One such regulation is that visitors should not go trekking while ill, especially the flu, as this can spread infections to the gorillas.
While wildlife safaris may involve multiple sessions due to activities and the search for specific animals, particularly the Wildcats, which include lions, leopards, caracals, and cheetahs, gorilla trekking can be completed in a single session. For example, game drives can be conducted all day and into the night, something that gorilla trekking expeditions are unable to do.
A wildlife safari comprises a variety of safari activities, such as hot air balloon rides, game drives, and bird watching, to name a few, while gorilla trekking simply involves travelling through dense forests to have one-on-one encounters with the gorillas.
While wildlife safaris may not always allow such opportunities due to certain animals being harsh and possibly attacking travelers, gorilla trekking allows visitors to get relatively close to the animals by observing them from a distance of about 7 metres.
In contrast to a wildlife safari, where the majority of the animals are not habituated, gorilla trekking offers visitors the opportunity to spend quality time with habituated animals while witnessing them interact in their communities.
How to combine gorilla trekking and wildlife safaris in Uganda.
In Uganda, combining a wildlife safari with gorilla trekking is one of the most thrilling safari experiences available in the Great Lakes region. Travellers can experience an expedited trip by working with tour operators to determine which of the most thrilling activities they are willing to partake in. To maintain visitor morale and interest, it’s always a good idea to save the most thrilling activity for last on the safari.
The majority of wildlife and gorilla trekking safaris are combined in Queen Elizabeth and Bwindi Impenetrable National Parks, two of Uganda’s most fascinating national parks.
The first place to visit in this scenario would be Queen Elizabeth National Park. It is renowned for amazing wildlife experiences. Along with other fascinating animals, visitors to Queen Elizabeth National Park can witness tree-climbing lions.
After experiencing all the thrilling moments in Queen Elizabeth National Park, the traveler will proceed to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. The chance to encounter mountain gorillas in their native environment the tropical rainforests they have lived in for their entire existence occurs in Bwindi.
Driving distance, hours, and separation between the two parks. It takes roughly 6 hours and 14 minutes to drive the approximate 373.6 kilometres from Kampala to Queen Elizabeth National Park. The Kampala Mbarara Kisoro road travels 501.4 kilometres, so it takes roughly 10 hours to get from Kampala to Bwindi. Using the Kabale Kisoro road, it takes roughly 5 hours and 16 minutes to cover the 106.4 km between the two national parks.
It’s crucial to remember that both parks have air transportation access as well. Visitors to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park can take off from the Kihihi airstrip, while those to Queen Elizabeth National Park can use the Kasese airstrip. From there, they can be picked up by knowledgeable guides and all-terrain vehicles to embark on their jungle adventures.
