Comparing Gorilla Trekking in Uganda’s two Gorilla Parks
You are the Judge comparing Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest with Mgahinga Gorilla Park.
Comparing Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest with Mgahinga Gorilla Park in Uganda. Both parks are in Africa’s Premier Gorilla Destination, where safe and affordable tracking is still a reality.
Out of the three Mountain Gorilla Destinations, it is the only country that offers trekkers two distinctly different habitats to choose from.
You have the choice between Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, an ancient Rainforest, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the Park favored by CNN-Travel.
Then there is the smaller Mgahinga Gorilla Park, where you track gorillas on the Virunga Volcanoes’ sides. Mgahinga Gorilla Park is not found as a prime choice by International Travel Agencies or Ugandan Tour Operators.
We, however, think that it is a hidden pearl waiting to be discovered by the discerning gorilla trekker who wants an experience beyond the norm away from the crowds.
Comparing Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest with Mgahinga Gorilla Park in Uganda
Why should you Consider Bwindi Impenetrable Forest for your Gorilla Trek?
Most tourists automatically flock to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest for their encounter with a Gorilla Family for good reasons. When it
comes to Mountain Gorilla Trekking, Bwindi Impenetrable Forest is the holy grail destination of mountain gorillas trekkers.
The reasons for that are sound and straightforward. Bwindi Impenetrable Forest has more of what Gorilla Trekkers are looking for.
Bwindi Impenetrable Fores is home to More Gorillas than any other Mountain Gorilla Sanctuary Park in Africa. 2020 saw an unprecedented baby boom that has put the total numbers of Mountain Gorillas well over 460.
More Habituated Gorilla Families can be visited means more permits than any other park in East Africa, including Mgahinga Gorilla Park. You have more Gorilla Trekking options than Mgahinga Gorilla Park. There is the regular gorilla trekking where you are for one hour with a gorilla family. Then there is the Gorilla Habituation Experience, where you are for up to four hours with a group of Gorillas.
Bwindi Impenetrable Forest is one of the best birding locations in Africa. You have more primates, including chimpanzees which are not tracked here.
You have a more comprehensive array of lodging at the four trailheads compared to Mgahinga Gorilla Park.
Queen Elizabeth is near the northern area of Buhoma in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest and easily be combined with a Gorilla Trek.
You can see why many find the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest the ideal Park for Gorilla Tracking.
Why should you Consider Mgahinga Gorilla Park for your Gorilla Trek?
While Mgahinga Gorilla is a much smaller park than Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, Mgahinga Gorilla Park is an off-of-the-beaten tourist path destination without the crowds.
The Park has only one official Gorilla Family that you can track. That is the Nyakagezi family, which has the distinction of having several silverbacks.
Since 2019 the Hirwa Gorilla family from Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda has taken residence on the Virunga Volcanoes’ Ugandan side in Mgahinga Gorilla Park. The Hirwa Gorilla Family may move back to Rwanda or even to Virunga National Park in DR Congo, but presently the group is in Uganda.
Gorilla Trekking takes place in the shadows of the brooding Virunga Volcanoes’. At elevations higher than 2,100 meters above sea level exceeding Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. The Habitat is more open than in Bwindi Impenetrable forest with its thick underbrush.
The Park offers several activities that not available in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, such as Golden Monkey Trekking. Golden Monkeys are a beautiful species of endangered primates found only in the Virunga Volcanoes.
Hit the peaks, and climb one or more of the three volcanoes on a day-hike. There is Mount Sabinyo with its three peaks. The last one you can set foot into Rwanda, DR Congo, and step back into Uganda without a visa or passport. Mount Muhabura and Mount Gahinga offer different experiences for those wanting to hit the trails and peaks.
Mgqahinga Gorilla Park is also home to the quality Batwa Trail, a not-be-missed activity with the forest’s first people.
Lodging is limited right at the Park with the exclusive, luxury Mount Gahinga Lodge with a private short trail to the Park. Mid-Range lodges are located further afield along Lake Mutanda or Lake Mulehe.
Comparing Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest with Mgahinga Gorilla Park
Why not Trek Gorillas in both Mgahinga Gorilla Park and Bwindi Impenetrable Forest? 
Many of our past clients did not want to choose between Bwindi Impenetrable Forest and Mgahinga Gorilla Park and tracked Gorillas in both Parks. A choice that none of them regretted. Both parks were their expectations.
You can add the activities unique to each Park to the gorilla trek and spend five to six days in both parks.
If you love the great apes, love out-door activities, this is the perfect safari for you. At the end of it, you can relax and chill out at Chameleon Hill Lodge, the lodge with a million-dollar view.
Uganda is the safe, secure, affordable Gorilla Trekking Destination. Both parks have only had gorilla activities and no guerilla disturbances. Another reason that Uganda is the Premier Gorilla Tracking Destination.
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