Mgahinga gorilla trekking in the low season
Mgahinga gorilla trekking in the low season: Mountain gorilla trekking is an activity that does happen all throughout the year in Uganda. In Uganda, mountain gorilla trekking is carried out in Bwindi impenetrable forest national park and Mgahinga national park where one can see the Golden monkeys. Both of these national parks are found in the southwestern and were gazetted to protect mountain gorillas that were getting to extinction.
The low season in Mgahinga national park is that period of the year when the tourists are few. The low season period happens in March, April, May, October, and November and these months do experience plenty of rainfall. The low season is when tourists that want low-priced safaris visit the Mgahinga national park because lodges and tour packages are somehow cheaper.
Things to expect during Mgahinga gorilla trekking in the low season
A lot of rainfall. During the low season, tourists should expect a lot of rainfall at any time of the day. Rainfall can be in the morning, mid-day, or in afternoon hours. This delays the gorilla trekking activity sometimes because at times rainfall is too much, the activity pauses a bit for the rainfall to reduce.
Muddy and slippery trekking trails. During the low season, the trekking trails tend to be muddy and slippery and this is because of the too much rainfall received in the park. It rains heavily almost every day during the low season and this can’t allow the trekking trails to dry up. When the trails are muddy and slippery, the speed of trekking reduces, and one gets out of the jungle dirty.
The vegetation is tall. During the low season, there is plenty of rainfall, and this supports growth of vegetation. The vegetation is very tall and green during the low season which gives great photography but the mountain gorillas are not clearly seen. Sometimes the vegetation is tall and the rangers first clear the vegetation for the trekkers to see clearly.
Roads leading to the park are slippery. During the low season, tourists visiting Mgajinga national park should expect muddy and slippery roads along the way. From Kisoro to Mgahinga national park, the road is made of marram and in case it rains heavily, the roads become slippery and impassable. There are possibilities of the vehicle getting stuck and you will have to move out and they push it which does delay the time taken to get to the park.
How is gorilla trekking in Mgahinga national park during the low season
Chances of seeing mountain gorillas in the low seasons remain high and spotting them in a few hours is possible if they slept near the starting point. During the low season, there is plenty of food for mountain gorillas in the park meaning that mountain gorillas don’t move so far from where they slept the previous night.
Gorilla trekking in Mgahinga national park does start in the morning at Ntebeko Visitors Centre. Trekkers move here early in the morning to meet other trekkers and get briefed about the rules and regulations of the gorilla trekking activity. During the low seasons, the trekkers are always few, and those available are led by the armed ranger guides into the jungle.
Inside the jungle, trekkers should expect to find the trekking trails muddy and slippery because of the heavy rainfall. Trekkers can get walking sticks to help them go through the slippery areas. The speed is always slow but there are chances of seeing mountain gorillas in a short time in case they slept near the starting point.
Locating mountain gorillas takes 2 to 7 hours depending on the location of the apes and well as the speed of trekkers. The moment mountain gorillas are seen, trekkers are given 1 hour to be around the members and this comes with chances of learning about their habits, taking photos, and watching them do daily activities among which include nesting, mating, grooming, eating, breastfeeding, and much more.
After spending time with the mountain gorillas, the trekkers move away from the group with voices low and trek out of the jungle. Leaving the jungle comes with opportunities of meeting different animals, birds, and vegetation covers within the park. Trekkers do drive back to Ntebeko Visitors Centre where they pick gorilla trekking certificates.
Is the low season the best time to visit Mgahinga for gorilla trekking?
The low season is the best time for gorilla trekking for a certain category of people. The low season favors budget travelers who get discounted accommodation facilities and fairly priced tour packages. Apart from the offers, the low season has nothing else good to make it the best for gorilla trekking in Mgahinga national park.
What makes the low season in Mgahinga national park not the best compared to the high season is the too much rainfall received. Plenty of rainfall spoils trekking trails by making them muddy and slippery and it also supports a high growth rate of vegetation which in the end makes viewing mountain gorillas unclear.
What to pack for low season gorilla trekking in Mgahinga national park?
Low season has got rainfall almost each and every day meaning tourists need to go well packed with things to make them warm during day and night. Tourists need to pack long-sleeved shirts, long-sleeved shorts, a sweater, a rain jacket, long cotton stocks, waterproof hiking shoes, a light backpack, a camera, a pair of binoculars, energy-giving snacks, a drinking water bottle, insect repellents, and sunscreen among others.
