Bwindi gorilla safaris from Botswana
Bwindi gorilla safaris from Botswana: Are you in Botswana and planning to trek mountain gorillas in Bwindi gorilla park? Well, in this article we are going to explain all you need to know about trekking gorillas in Bwindi where you are from Botswana. We are going to look at how to book the safari, the permits, what to pack, when to visit, and the gorilla trekking experience in the park.
Africa Adventure Vacations has well-experienced personnel that do help travelers from different parts of the country including those from Botswana to organize the safari to Bwindi. All we do ask you is the budget, interests, and the number of days you would want your safari to happen. The information shall be used in doing the total cost of the safari and in case you agree with the price, you can do a memorable safari with.
For travelers that don’t know much about Bwindi gorillas park, it was gazetted in 1991 to protect the tropical rainforest and the animals especially the mountain gorillas. As of today, the forest is home to the highest population of mountain gorillas that attract thousands and thousands of tourists. The park has 19 mountain gorilla families that are open for gorilla trekking activities in the different sectors of the park – Buhoma, Nkuringo, Ruhija, and Rushaga.
Booking permits for Bwindi gorilla safaris from Botswana
Bwindi gorilla permits can be booked directly from the Uganda Wildlife Authority but it’s better you use a local tour operator for they charge the same price. Any traveler must google for the right tour operator so that they don’t scam their money. Africa adventure vacations limited is one of the best local tour operators you should use to book Bwindi gorilla permits if you are in Botswana.
To book with Africa Adventure Vacations, you will have to contact us via email letting us know the dates of the month and year you want to travel. This information shall be used to check for the availability of the gorilla trekking permits with Uganda Wildlife Authority. If the permits are not available you will be asked to choose other dates but once they are available, you will be sent an email containing the price of the permits, and different banking details. You will send the money for the permit and once we have received it, we shall secure a permit for you which you will find with us.
parking list for Bwindi Gorilla trekking from Botswana
Price of Bwindi gorilla permits from Botswana
Travelers from Botswana must have gorilla permits in order to be part of the gorilla trekking activity. These permits are sold by Uganda Wildlife Authority at a fee of $700 for foreign non-residents, $600 for foreign residents, and UGX250,000 East African citizens. The gorilla trekking permits allow a traveler from Botswana to be around mountain gorillas for 1 hour and come with park entrance fees. Travelers from Botswana that would love to encounter mountain gorillas for 4 hours can buy gorilla habituation permits at a fee of $1500 for foreign non-residents, $1000 for foreign residents, and UGX750,000 citizens of East Africa.
Trekking gorilla in Bwindi from Botswana
Gorilla trekking in Bwindi starts early in the morning in all sectors of the park. Travelers from Botswana and those meant to trek mountain gorillas that day must wake up early in the morning and take breakfast. They will meet their driver guides to transfer them to the sector offices where they will all gather to hear from the park wardens. The park wardens teach the trekkers about the rules and regulations of the gorilla trekking activity, group members not exceeding 8, allocate gorilla families, and get armed ranger guides to lead the treks.
The search for mountain gorillas takes 2-7 hours of going through different park trails and the time taken to meet the gorilla group depends on the speed of the trekkers as well as the location of the gorilla family assigned. Trekkers get opportunities to see different park mammals, primates, and birds during the search. When the mountain gorilla family is located, travelers are able to learn about the gorilla habits, take photos, record videos and watch the members do daily activities like eating, nesting, hunting, playing, grooming, coupling, breastfeeding, and much more. Gorilla trekking is done by travelers above the age of 15 years.
Best time to visit Bwindi from Botswana
Tourists from Botswana can visit Bwindi at any time of the year but there are months that are better than the rest. The dry months are the best to visit Bwindi from Botswana and these happen from June to September and December to February. They are characterized by little or no rainfall that makes the trekking trails muddy and slippery, the vegetation is short enough and scattered giving clear views of the gorillas and the roads leading to the park are in good condition.
Tourists from Botswana most especially the budget travelers can visit Bwindi national park in the rainy season of March to May and October to November to enjoy huge discounts on accommodation facilities. However, the rainy season is characterized by little or no rainfall that makes the trekking trails muddy and slippery, the vegetation is tall and thick with unclear views of mountain gorillas, photography is bad and the roads leading to the park are in poor conditions.
Accessing Bwindi for gorilla safaris from Botswana
Bwindi can be accessed from Botswana by flying to either Kigali international airport or Entebbe international airport. Travelers that fly to Kigali international airport can access Bwindi gorilla park by crossing to Uganda using Katuna birder in Kabale or Cyanika border in Kisoro. The journey takes 4-5 hours of enjoying great views of the scenery alongside the roads as well as rolling hills.
Travelers that use Entebbe international airport can drive from Kampala/Entebbe via Masaka, Mbarara, Kabale, and Kisoro and access Bwindi gorilla park in 9-10 hours. Luxury travelers from Botswana can reach Uganda and access Bwindi by flying from Entebbe international airport or Kajjansi airstrip to Kisoro airstrip for those visiting Ruhija, Buhoma, and Nkuringo sector and those to Buhoma sector use Kihihi airstrip.
parking list for Bwindi Gorilla trekking from Botswana
What to pack for gorilla trekking from Botswana?
The packing list for travelers from Botswana should contain waterproof hiking shoes, cotton stocks, gardening gloves, a pair of gaiters, long-sleeved shirts, long-sleeved pants, a hat, sunscreen, glasses, a pair of binoculars, a camera, insect repellents, first aid kit, sanitizer, facemask, drinking water bottle and energy-giving snacks among others.
Where to stay in Bwindi while on gorilla safaris from Botswana
Accommodation in Nkuringo sector: Nkuringo Bwindi Gorilla Lodge, Gorilla Heights Lodge, Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge, Bwindi Backpackers Lodge, Mutanda Eco Community Centre, Nshongi Camp, Crested Crane Bwindi Hotel, Lake Mulehe Gorilla Lodge, and Virunga Campsite
Accommodation in Buhoma sector: Buhoma Lodge, Engagi Lodge, Sanctuary Gorilla Forest Camp, Bwindi Forest Lodge, Mahogany Springs Lodge, Bwindi View Bandas, Ride 4 women Guest House, Silverback Lodge, Buhoma Rest Camp, Haven Lodge, and Volcanoes Bwindi Lodge.
Accommodation in Rushaga sector: Rushaga Gorilla Lodge, Four Gorillas Lodge, Ichumbi Gorilla Lodge, Rushaga Gorilla Camp, Bwindi Jungle Lodge, Gorilla Valley Lodge, Lake Mulehe Gorilla Lodge, Nsongi Camp, Rushaga Gorilla Haven Lodge, Rushaga Gorilla Resort, and Wagtail Eco Safari Lodge.
Accommodation in Ruhija sector: Ruhija Gorilla Safari Lodge, Ruhija Community Rest Camp, Bakiga Lodge, Gorilla Mist Camp, Broadbill Forest Camp, Agandi Lodge, Gift of Nature Lodge, Ruhija Gorilla Friends Resort, Chameleon Hill Lodge, Cuckoo Land Tented Lodge, Ecomarvels Gorilla Lodge, and Trekkers Tavern.
