Uganda is one of the best safari destinations in Africa where travelers from Malaysia can engage in gorilla trekking safaris. Uganda has almost half of the world’s population of mountain gorillas. Malaysia is located in southeastern Asia covering parts of the Malay peninsula. Uganda gorilla safaris from Malaysia have become a trend recently. This has resulted in many tourists from Malaysia visiting Uganda for both gorilla trekking tours and wildlife safaris. If you are in Malaysia and you are planning an amazing gorilla trip or safari in Uganda, we can help you make the dream come true. Native Africa Tours organizes Uganda gorilla safaris from Malaysia and other parts of the world.
Where can I track gorillas in Uganda?
Are you planning Uganda gorilla safaris from Malaysia, and perhaps wondering which places to add to your bucket list? Below are the best gorilla trekking destinations in Uganda.
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is located in southwestern Uganda at the border of Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo. It is one of the largest protected areas for mountain gorillas. In this park, there are over 25 gorilla-habituated families that Malaysian tourists can encounter on a safari. Malaysian tourists are allowed to spend one hour in the presence of mountain gorillas. Alternatively, they can take part in the gorilla habituation process. The habituation process of the mountain gorillas takes about 2 years for the gorillas to get used to the human presence.
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is divided into 4 sectors which include Rushaga, Nkuringo, Buhoma, and Ruhija. In the Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, there are about 172 gorilla trekking permits each day that travelers can encounter on their safaris. There are also about 12 gorilla-habituation permits that also available each day.
Mgahinga Gorilla National Park
This is the smallest park in Uganda that is located in southwestern Uganda at the border of Uganda, Rwanda, and the Democratic Republic of Congo within the Virunga region. A tour of Mgahinga National Park allows you to see scenic views of the Virunga Volcanoes. These Virunga ranges include Gahinga, Muhavura, and Sabyinyo. There is 1 habituated gorilla family that travelers can encounter on their safaris. Most of the gorilla families in Mgahinga are not habituated yet. The park is one of the best Uganda gorilla safari destinations that tourists from Malaysia should look up to.
How is gorilla trekking in Uganda done?
While on a Uganda gorilla safari, travelers start with a morning transfer to the park headquarters for a briefing about gorilla trekking. In this briefing, travelers are highlighted the dos and don’ts about the gorilla trekking. This briefing helps to ensure successful gorilla trekking. Later on, you are grouped in groups of 8 people since each gorilla family is visited by a group of 8. Gorilla trekking will take about 2 to 7 hours of the day to see the gorillas. Upon meeting the gorillas, you will have one hour to view them and then later transfer back to the starting point. At the starting point, you will be rewarded with a certificate that indicates that you tracked gorillas in Uganda. Imagine being part of such a story on a Uganda Safari!
How much is a Uganda gorilla permit for Malaysians?
A gorilla permit is a legal document that allows travelers to see mountain gorillas. Gorilla permits are purchased from the Uganda Wildlife Authority through reliable tour operators only like Native Africa Tours. The cost of the gorilla trekking permit for travelers from Malaysia is 800 USD for foreign nonresidents. For travelers to engage in gorilla habituation, they are supposed to acquire a gorilla habituation permit. A gorilla habituation permit for Malaysians costs 1500 USD per person.
How to book a gorilla trekking permit in Uganda from Malaysia?
While planning a Uganda gorilla trekking safari from Malaysia, travelers are supposed to book a gorilla trekking permit since these permits are limited in number. Travelers in booking the gorilla trekking permit are supposed to book a gorilla trekking permit to ensure availability during the safari. All you need is to contact a reputable tour operator and share information about travel dates. The team will design a detailed itinerary that involves gorilla trekking. Read through and confirm the dates. You will make payment using a Visa card or direct bank transfer. The team will reserve you a gorilla permit and send you a confirmation email.
What to pack for gorilla trekking in Uganda?
While on a gorilla trekking safari from Malaysia, travelers are supposed to pack the following;
- Waterproof clothing
- Sturdy hiking shoes
- Cameras and binoculars to capture good moments on the safari.
- Hiking sticks that enable stability while hiking.
- Water bottle to keep hydrated.
- Dull-colored clothing that isn’t attracting the gorillas.
- Insect repellents to protect the skin from the bites of tropical insects.
Accommodation options for gorilla trekking in Uganda
While on the Uganda gorilla safaris from Malaysia, there are several accommodation facilities that travelers can stay in. These accommodation facilities are ranked budget, midrange, and Luxury facilities. All these facilities are situated around the parks that are home to the mountain gorillas and they include; Gahinga Lodge, Volcanoes Lodge, Traveler’s Rest Hotel, Chameleon Lodge, Lake Mutanda Lodge, Nkuringo Lodge, Katara Lodge, Rushaga Gorilla Havens Lodge, Gorilla Sanctuary Lodge, Buhoma Lodge, Ride 4 a Woman Lodge, Bakiga Lodge, Ruhija Community Lodge, and many others.
How to get to the gorilla destinations in Uganda?
The gorilla destinations in Uganda are all within southwestern Uganda and they are all accessed by road and air transport. While using air transport, travelers can use the domestic scheduled flights from the Entebbe International Airport or Kajjansi airstrip to the Kisoro airstrip or Kihihi airstrip which are all near the park.
When using road transport, travelers will take about 8 to 9 hours of the day to reach either Bwindi Impenetrable National Park or Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. Travelers can also engage in road transport from the Kigali international port to the park through Cyangungu or Katuna border which will take about 6 to 7 hours.
What is the best time to plan Uganda gorilla safaris from Malaysia?
Uganda is open throughout the year for travelers interested in the Uganda gorilla safaris. The best time is during the dry season (June to September and December to February. During this time, there are fewer chances of rain, and gorilla trekking becomes easier. Rainy seasons are best for budget travelers.
