Comparing Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi and Mgahinga.
One of the most amazing wildlife encounters is gorilla trekking. Only four national parks provide this highly sought-after activity for ape lovers: Mgahinga Gorilla Park in Uganda, Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda, Virunga National Park in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in Uganda. Because half of the surviving mountain gorilla population lives in Uganda’s two national parks, Bwindi and Mgahinga, the country is unique.
Due to its high level of biodiversity, Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park has been a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1994. In addition to mountain gorillas, Bwindi is home to 120 different kinds of animals, such as African Golden Cats, African Civets, Giant Forest Pigs, and tiny antelopes. The park is home to a variety of primates, such as chimpanzees, L’Hoest’s monkeys, and Black/White Colobus monkeys.
This vast forest is home to 310 different species of birds and more than 220 different kinds of butterflies. The African Green Broadbill, Brown-necked parrots, White-tailed blue flycatcher, and Frazers Eagle Owl are a few of the noteworthy bird species.
The other location in Uganda where tourists may go gorilla trekking is Mgahinga National Park. It is located at the base of three dormant volcanoes and is Uganda’s smallest national park. In contrast to Bwindi, Mgahinga is a part of the larger Virunga region and conservation area, which also contains Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park and Congo’s Virunga National Park.
The rare mountain gorillas and golden monkeys are the main draws. Other activities available to visitors include birding, hiking in the mountains, taking nature or forest walks, and seeing smaller primates and animals. What is the difference between Mgahinga and Bwindi gorilla trekking? In the upcoming chapters, we will go into more depth about it.
To begin, it is important to recognize that Bwindi is distinct from all other gorilla parks in that around 45% of the remaining mountain gorilla population lives in the impenetrable forest. At 321 square kilometers, it is a far bigger park than Mgahinga. There are about 35 gorilla groups known to exist in Bwindi, 15 of which are habituated and accessible for gorilla trekking.
There is just one habituated gorilla troop in Mgahinga that is accessible to tourists. Additionally, Bwindi offers four distinct park sectors for gorilla trekking, each of which is home to many gorilla groups. Only four visitors are permitted to spend four hours with the gorilla family in the two groups that are open for the gorilla habituation experience in the Nkuringo and Rushaga areas.
Only Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park offers this exceptional experience. It differs from traditional gorilla trekking, which only permits eight tourists to spend an hour with a gorilla family. For some, the argument should be settled by these first evaluations alone, but is that all? As we shall see later, there must be something unique about Mgahinga as well, and there could be even more reasons to support Bwindi.
In Mgahinga, it wasn’t always possible to see the gorillas, but today it’s a given in both parks. The Nyakagezi gang, who are now residents of Mgahinga, were known for stopping all gorilla trekking operations in the park by crossing into Rwanda and occasionally the Democratic Republic of the Congo. It’s impossible to predict when they will choose to start traveling across borders again.
In order to find the gorilla families, gorilla trekking in both Bwindi and Mgahinga can be challenging, requiring traveling across rugged and hilly terrain. On a three-day gorilla trip, it is widely acknowledged that the Nyakagezi group in Mgahinga is a far simpler group to follow. Their range is narrower than that of the majority of Bwindi’s gorilla groups.
Because Bwindi is a huge forest, tourists may need to venture farther into the forest to find some of the gorilla groups. However, it takes less than two hours to locate some of the Bwindi gorilla populations that reside close to the starting places. Did I mention that there aren’t as many people doing gorilla trekking in Mgahinga? Indeed. Some people may feel that they have more privacy to explore the stunning surroundings of the park because there are fewer people around during the briefing and after gorilla trekking.
Rwandan silverback gorilla
The fact that Mgahinga is the only park in Uganda where tourists may see both the endangered golden monkeys and mountain gorillas gives it a distinct edge over Bwindi. This suggests that tourists can combine tracking golden monkeys with gorilla trekking. However, while Bwindi has chimpanzees, Mgahinga is not completely outclassed by possessing the adorable Golden Monkeys.
Chimpanzees can be seen along the paths in Bwindi during gorilla trekking. There are no chimpanzees in Mgahinga. In contrast to Bwindi, Gorilla Trekking in Mgahinga offers guests the chance to engage in mountain climbing, as was previously said. Mount Muhavura, Mount Sabinyo, and Mount Gahinga are the three volcanoes in Mgahinga from which to pick.
Visitors who ascend any of these volcanoes will be rewarded with breathtaking views of Mgahinga National Park as well as chances to see primates including Golden Monkeys, birds, and forest creatures along the routes. Bwindi doesn’t allow mountain climbing, hence Mgahinga wins hands down.
Gorilla trekking in Mgahinga may be something to think about for those who enjoy exploring caverns.
Gorilla hiking at Mgahinga is beneficial if you visit the Garamba and Muhavura caves, which were originally utilized by the Batwa for gathering, storing food, and preparing for war. During their stay in either park, guests are permitted to see the Batwa people. Before they were tragically forced to leave the park in 1991, the Batwa Pygmies were the original and dominating inhabitants for thousands of years.
The Batwa’s presence in the park was partially blamed for the ongoing decline in the number of mountain gorillas, golden monkeys, and other park animals. It was decided that moving the Batwa to a new location was essential to advance gorilla conservation initiatives. Because the Batwa have never completely assimilated into their new homes or their surrounding towns, this decision was not advantageous to everyone.
In general, Mgahinga National Park offers a more thrilling and satisfying experience of the Batwa way of life. Unlike in Bwindi, the Batwa route in Mgahinga gives tourists the opportunity to spend almost five hours in the park experiencing the Batwa way of life.
While showing you to their culture, old caves, previous war hideouts, holy sites, gods, dances, language, traditional stories, manner of clothing, and hunting techniques, certain Batwa in Mgahinga are permitted to serve as local guides in the forest. After gorilla trekking in Bwindi, guests typically spend a little period of time outside the park to view the Batwa.
Tourists may go on nature hikes in both national parks, although Bwindi may have the advantage here once more. There are a number of well-established routes for visitors to Bwindi Forest to stroll on, including the Rushura trail, the Bamboo trail, the Muzubijiro loop track, and the waterfall trail. Additionally, one may visit the local towns surrounding Buhoma to learn about the language, dances, and beer production practices of the area.
For both national parks, the price of a gorilla trekking safari is comparable. The cost of a gorilla permit at Mgahinga National Park and Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is $600. However, depending on the standard of lodging and transportation, the total cost of the gorilla trip might range from $1600 to $1900.
Queen Elizabeth National Park, one of Uganda’s biggest and most well-known wildlife parks, is well situated close to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. After gorilla trekking, visitors may see elephants, crocodiles, hippopotamuses, the Uganda Kob, antelopes, buffaloes, and the rare tree-climbing lions in the Ishasha area of Queen Elizabeth National Park with just two hours of driving.
Additionally, if one missed the chimps when gorilla trekking, one may do chimp trekking at the unique Kyambura Gorge or see the stunning Flamingo birds at the salt mining lake next to the park. Because of its close proximity to Queen Elizabeth National Park, guests may effortlessly combine game drives with gorilla trekking, creating an incredible African wildlife safari experience.
Both Bwindi and Mgahinga are subject to the same gorilla trekking laws and guidelines. These guidelines were created to assist shield the gorillas from illnesses and annoyances brought on by extended human presence.
A gorilla troop may only be tracked by eight people each day, and only for a maximum of one hour. In order to undertake gorilla trekking in both parks, you must be at least 15 years old. Being ill with contagious illnesses is not allowed. Both Bwindi and Mgahinga prohibit smoking, using flashlights, and making undue noise when gorillas are around.
The packing lists for Mgahinga and Bwindi gorilla trekking are identical. You will need to bring long-sleeved shirts, jeans, hiking shoes that are waterproof, long stockings, a shelter, sunscreen, and a walking stick, whatever of the park you select. Prescription medications, a camera, binoculars, water, and a snack are all necessary for a comfortable gorilla trekking experience in both gorilla parks.
In terms of transportation, you may go by car or plane from Rwanda’s capital, Kampala, to both Mgahinga and Bwindi National Parks. But compared to Mgahinga, the trip to Bwindi is shorter. You can take public transportation or a private vehicle if you’re traveling by road. There are a number of routes you may take from Kampala.
It takes almost seven hours to go from Kampala to Kisoro, the biggest town close to the two parks. You may reach both Bwindi and Mgahinga by plane from Kampala, Uganda, or via the shorter (4-hour) travel from Kigali, Rwanda, if you feel that the trip from Kampala to Kisoro is too long. From Kajjansi in Kampala and Entebbe, Aerolink and Fly Uganda offer flights to Kisoro Airstrip, which is close to Bwindi.
In fact, those who go gorilla trekking in Bwindi may land right at Kihihi Airstrip, which is close to the Buhoma or Ruhija sectors. Are you still unsure about which Ugandan national park is ideal for gorilla trekking? To make everything obvious, let me give you a summary.
Half of the world’s surviving mountain gorilla population may be found at Bwindi, a World Heritage Site.
There are fifteen habituated gorilla families in the park, and visitors may follow the primates or participate in the gorilla habituation experience while also seeing chimpanzees. Excellent paths and well-organized nature hikes may be found in Bwindi. It takes less time to get from Kampala or Kigali to Bwindi than it does to get to Mgahinga.
Primate fans may enjoy a full African safari in Bwindi because of its proximity to Queen Elizabeth National Park. There is just one gorilla family at Mgahinga, which is arguably the largest habituated group in all mountain gorilla parks. While golden monkey trekking, mountain hiking, and a more thorough encounter with the Batwa pygmies are available to guests, there are less crowds during gorilla trekking in Mgahinga. That’s all. You have the last say.