Mountain Gorillas in Uganda are found in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, these two parks are both found in the Western part of Uganda. Uganda the Pearl of Africa is located in the Eastern part of the African Continent hosting most part of the World’s Gorilla population.
When you compare Uganda’s gorilla population Bwindi impenetrable National Park has more than Mgahinga Gorilla National Park which got one gorilla family and the gorilla safari in both parks is so amazing with the difference that the Bwindi is so dense and the Mgahinga is more lighter and suitable for gorilla photography experience.
Mountain Gorillas in Bwindi
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is known to be the top gorilla hosting destination in Uganda; it’s located in the Western part of Uganda characterized with thick impenetrable forest. It hosts the most part of Uganda’s Gorilla Population, these mountain gorillas are grouped in four sectors named Nkuringo, Buhoma, Ruhija and Rushaga sector.
Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park has over thirteen gorilla families including twelve for trekking and one for habituation experience.
Nkuringo Sector: This sector is located in the south Western part of Bwindi and it has only one habituated gorilla family for trekking named Nkuringo Gorilla Family.
Buhoma Sector: This sector is located in the North Western part of Bwindi; it has three habituated gorilla families for trekking named Mubare, Rushegura and Habinyanja gorilla family.
Ruhija Sector: This sector is located in the North Eastern part of Bwindi with about three habituated Gorilla families for habituation named Bitukura, Oruzogo and Kyaguriro gorilla family.
Rushaga Sector: This Sector is located in the South Eastern part of Bwindi known to be with more Gorilla families for trekking named Nshongi, Mishaya, Kahungye and more. It has about six habituated gorilla families for trekking.
Although Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park has variety of gorilla families for gorilla trekking but its very tire some as compared to Mgahinga Gorilla National Park most especially when you have booked for a gorilla family which is far from your hotel of residence therefore you need to be keener when booking your permit and always its better you book your permit with a local tour operator.
Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park also has one gorilla family for habituation experience which usually cost $ 1500 USD per person and it goes for a full day, the trekking activity costs $700 USD per person and after discovering these apes in the Jungle you are allowed to stay around with them for one hour while experiencing their ways of living and behaviours.
Mountain Gorillas in Mgahinga
Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is the Second Gorilla hosting destination in Uganda located in the western part of Uganda inclusive of the Virunga Massif. It has only one habituated Gorilla family for trekking named the Nyakagezi Gorilla family. In Mgahinga there is no gorilla family for habituation as it is only done in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. It is characterized with bamboo forests where Golden Monkeys usually live and feed.
When you compare gorilla trekking tours in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, the one in Mgahinga is less tiresome than that of Bwindi as it is characterized with thick and impenetrable forest and most of the gorilla families are far from the starting except that you will be able to see a variety which is not the same case to Mgahinga Gorilla National Park.
Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park are close to each other so if you aim at doing a double gorilla trekking both in Bwindi and Mgahinga it is very possible, you will acquire a great experience for you as a traveler.
