Going on a gorilla safari must rank as one of the best wildlife experiences left in the natural world. Many people describe it as an overwhelming and awe-inspiring experience and worth every penny they spent on making it happen. But it doesn’t necessarily have to cost the earth.
You can organise and plan your own trek far cheaper than it would cost if you used a safari company as they need to work through the applicable wildlife authorities in each country to obtain gorilla permits anyway and you can do the same if you know how.
The trade-off is that it will be more inconvenient for you because you will need to organise all the logistics yourself whereas with a gorilla safari company you just turn up and go along for the ride.
If you are a do-it-yourself traveller, here is what you need to know to make it possible and save yourself some money…
Where to Find the Gorillas
Mountain gorillas are highly endangered and there are isolated pockets of them left in Uganda, Rwanda and the Congo. It’s estimated that there are less than 650 mountain gorilla left in the world.
Travel to the Congo is considered risky because of the political and military instabilities that exist there but Uganda and Rwanda are perfect for a gorilla safari.
Your chances of seeing the gorillas are excellent in both Uganda and Rwanda because they are tracked each day by experienced trackers so their locations are known down to the last 24 hours. It’s possible but quite rare for visitors not to see the gorillas.
In Uganda the big apes live in the Bwindi National Park and in Rwanda they can be found at the Volcanoes National Park.
There are three habituated gorilla groups in the Bwindi forest and a total of eighteen permits are issued every day at six per group.
In Rwanda there are four habituated gorilla groups and eight permits are issued per group bringing the total per day to thirty two.
There are some simple rules that apply when visiting these great apes: Don’t go if you are sick because you might infect them and they are very susceptible to human diseases, no flash photography, maintain a seven metre distance, don’t eat or drink around them and each group can stay for a maximum of one hour.
Best Time to Go on a Gorilla Safari
Bwindi is a rainforest so you can expect precipitation most of the year with the heaviest rains occurring in March - April and September - November while other months are reasonably dry. Annual precipitation is between 1130 mm and 2390 mm.
The annual temperature ranges between 7-20 degrees c with the coldest period between June- July.
The climate in the Volcanoes National Park is changeable and you can generally expect both sun and rainfall during the day. At 1,700m above sea level it is generally quite cold particularly in the evening so warm clothing is advised.
The park receives a high amount of rainfall, over 70 inches (1,800 mm) per year and daytime temperatures average about 70F (21C). The dry season occurs mid-June-September and December-March.
Rain is an inconvenience on a gorilla safari but it’s not an insurmountable obstacle. Just make sure that you take a good pair of hiking boots with you because it can become very muddy and some parts are pretty steep which can cause you to slip.
Travel and Accommodation
Bwindi in Uganda can be reached from QENP in the north (2-3 hours), from Kabale to the south (1-2 hours), or from Kampala via Mbarara (6-8 hours). The roads meet at Butogota, 17km from the Buhoma entrance gate.
Two up-market tented camps, a lodge, community-run budget rooms and camping are available near the Buhoma entrance gate for accommodation the night before the gorilla safari.
In Rwanda the day before the gorilla trek you can take a 2 USD minibus to Ruhengeri (2 hours) or a 2 USD Virunga or Okapi bus from Kigale. Buses leave every hour (on the hour) from near the gare routiere/bus station. If you want to leave early in the morning from Kigale it might be a good idea to buy a ticket the day before, but if you leave in the afternoon, you might buy a ticket in the morning.
In Ruhengeri you can stay at any of the decent guesthouses ranging from Home d’Accueil at 5USD, to Muhabura which is clean with private bathroom at 20USD. The expensive Gorillas nest is at Kinigi, a taxi car drive out of town.
Archive for July 14th, 2008
When you just can’t take another day at the theme parks on your Orlando vacation consider these suggestions:
Book a Spa Treatment - What better way to soothe fragile nerves and sore feet than a session at one of Orlando’s resort spas. On Disney property there’s the Grand Floridian as well as the Saratoga Springs Spa where one of their luxurious treatments are a perfect addition to your vacation. Off property you can’t do any better than the ultra luxurious Ritz-Carlton Spa or the Gaylord Palms Canyon Ranch Spa. Those staying at a Universal Resort should consider an exotic Javanese treatment at the Mandara Spa at Portofino Bay Hotel.
Relax At Your Resort’s Pool - Orlando’s resort pools are justifiably renowned for their spectacular theming. Disney offers some of the best, particularly Stormalong Bay at the Yacht and Beach Club, a 3-acre mini waterpark, or the boulder lined beauty at the Wilderness Lodge featuring waterfalls and its very own geyser. Off property, the Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress’ fantasyland pool is cooled by twelve waterfalls and at the JW Marriott’s “Lazy River” you can float to your heart’s content. And at Universal Orlando’s Hard Rock Hotel is the coolest (and I don’t just mean the water temperature) pool around with an underwater sound system, sand beach, and poolside cabanas.
Spend Time On Disney’s Waterways - Disney has miles of lakes and lagoons to explore. You’ll find that most Disney resorts have a marina where many types of watercraft are available for hire. Sailboats, pontoon and canopy boats, Sea Raycers, even a 48-foot yacht. Take your pick. Perhaps the biggest bang for your buck is to be had at the Contemporary Resort where in addition to the above you’ll also find parasailing, waterskiing, tubing, and wakeboarding on beautiful Bay Lake.
Cool Off at a Disney Waterpark - Disney has two wonderful waterparks: Blizzard Beach, a perfect place for daredevils, and Typhoon Lagoon where you’ll find a whopper of a surf pool along with tamer attractions. Spend your day hopping from one crazy waterslide to another or just kick back and relax on a lounge chair for the afternoon.
Shop Till You Drop in The Mall at Millenia - For one of Orlando’s best shopping experiences head to this fabulous new mall just minutes from Universal Orlando. Here you’ll find only the best with stores such as Neiman Marcus, Gucci, Jimmy Choo, Louis Vuitton, and Tiffany. But fair warning: this trip could end up costing a pretty penny. Those with great taste but thriftier intentions will love the Orlando Premium Outlets Mall located just across I-4 from Downtown Disney where designer outlet stores such as Hugo Boss, Armani, Escada, Ermenegildo Zegna, and Burberry won’t break the bank.
Head to Downtown Disney - For a change of pace there’s Downtown Disney. Here you’ll find over 70 shops, restaurants, and nightclubs plus a 24-screen theater, Disney Quest with five floors of virtual games and adventures, even a Cirque du Soleil. Adults will want to pick a great restaurant for dinner like Wolfgang Puck or Portofino Yacht Club and then head to Pleasure Island to party down until the wee hours of the morning.
Swim With a Dolphin - Perhaps the most unusual experience in Orlando is Discovery Cove. Spend up close and personal time with your very own dolphin friend, snorkel with tropical fish and rays, even feed birds right out of your hand. Then relax on a sandy beach with little or no crowds. Definitely a day to be remembered.
Make the Rounds Resort Hopping - Spend a few hours ogling at Disney’s wonderfully themed resorts. And best of all, it doesn’t cost a thing. Board the monorail at the Ticket and Transportation Center and hop off at each of the three Magic Kingdom resorts. First the Polynesian, a tropical wonderland, then the Grand Floridian, Disney’s flagship resort, and lastly the Contemporary where you’ll enjoy the Grand Concourse with the monorail silently gliding overhead. Out back you can catch a boat to the Wilderness Lodge, Disney’s most beautiful resort modeled after an early 1900s national park lodge. Then catch a boat to the Magic Kingdom and a ferry to the TTC where you started. It’s a grand circle that can’t be beat.
