Stage 1: Essentials:If you are new at packing — and let’s face it, many of us are — start at the beginning by listing the essentials. These are your non-negotiables, your go-to bare minimums, your list of ‘what can’t I leave home without?’ And there is a reason for this: if you are like us, you will need to try to have your bags weighed at the airport. Make it as easy as possible, and learn from the results. Before putting pen to paper (or rather, mixing metaphors — cross out that ‘pen to paper’) that spells out the start of your list, establish your destination and trip parameters. When it comes to packing, everything — and especially what belongs on a basic list — is relative. What is essential on a weekend trip to the Grand Canyon could be different from what you need for a trip to Moscow or a summer tour of Italy. Different regions of the world require different clothing, toiletries, and medicines, for instance. Get a handle on where you are going to ensure that your list makes sense. Before you can truly appreciate the beautiful items on your list, you need to decide what makes the essential cut. No cloths for the forlorn bottomDon’t overthink or stress over your perfect packing list. First, rate your items on a scale of 1 to 5, 1 being ‘can’t leave home without’, 2 meaning you will be miserable without it, 3 indicating you will be inconvenienced without it (‘I really want this’ or ‘I don’t want to pack this, but I really need it’), and so on. Although this might seem like a nuisance, it actually promotes better decision-making. For example, let’s say you are thinking about bringing your winter boots when you are travelling to comfortably temperate South Beach, Florida. I doubt you’d rate boots for Florida very highly.

Having created your list of essentials, take a few minutes to revel in this sense of pending adventure. Allow yourself to bask in the thrill of choosing each of these items, of knowing the memories you’ll be creating as a result of the adventures you’ll be having.

Organisation: As a key part of preparing to pack, focus on organisational techniques so your suitcase becomes the perfect place of order. Packing cubes or other packing organisers work to maximise your space while allowing you to feel at peace throughout the experience of putting your clothes away in your luggage.

And as you fold and stack your items, imagine where you’re going to be and what you’ll be doing when you get there. Imagine yourself going to the market while wrapped in that scarf, or to the beach in those shorts, or storming castles in that armour. See each item coming to life and growing a heartbeat as you place it in the suitcase, willing your trip to materialise.

Efficiency: Start by choosing the right vessel that fits your belongings. Perhaps a slick suitcase for your contents’ finest hour, or a gritty backpack that harkens back to bygone road trips? Or maybe one of those convertible duffel bags that is one dimension away from being one of those slick suitcases you rejected? Choose the piece of luggage that speaks least rudely to who you are, you know?

With packing, a deep inner efficiency expert comes out, and you begin to sort your items based on access. You want to put the freshest pair of socks on top, and the ultrasoft sweater on the bottom. Stuff you’ll need right away goes near the top, while things that aren’t used so much are tucked down deep. You might think that only your most-worn things are safe in your suitcase because you can see them and put them right where you want. But it’s a little more complicated than that. You want those closest to you, those you access most frequently, to be easily accessed. You want to get your passport, your snacks, your shampoo, your sunscreen anytime your friend points out something spectacular and says, ‘Stop the bus!’ while you’re speeding down a highway on a sunny day.

Gorilla Trekking experience in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga gorilla national park

Gorilla Trekking in Uganda takes place in two different national parks namely Bwindi impenetrable forest national park and Mgahinga gorilla national park all situated in the Southwestern part of the country, Uganda mountain gorilla trekking is one of the most demanded activities by many tourists coming to Africa. Mountain gorilla trekking is a thrilling activity that is worth every penny spent in purchasing your safari in Uganda. When it comes to mountain gorilla trekking safaris in Africa, Bwindi impenetrable forest national park and Mgahinga gorilla national park are the top destinations in Uganda.

4 Days Uganda double gorilla trekking

Bwindi impenetrable forest national park is set in Kanungu district in the southwestern part of Uganda. Bwindi impenetrable forest national park accommodates over 459 mountain gorillas, with that it makes Bwindi break the worlds’ record as the only national park with the highest population of mountain gorillas.

Bwindi impenetrable forest national park provides a mountain gorilla trekking experience to visitors who are above 15 years of age and who move into the dense tropical rainforests on foot while searching for the mountain gorillas. Mountain gorilla trekking in Bwindi impenetrable forest national park can be done in four different sectors that are Buhoma sector in the northern part of Bwindi, Rushaga sector in the southern part of Bwindi, Ruhija sector in the Eastern part of Bwindi, and Nkuringo sector in the Southern part of Bwindi.

Mountain gorillas belong to the endangered primate species that can only be viewed in different four national parks in the world that are located in three different countries including Mgahinga Gorilla national park in Uganda, Bwindi impenetrable forest national park in Uganda, Volcanoes national park in Rwanda, and Virunga national park in Congo.

Gorilla trekking in Bwindi impenetrable forest and Mgahinga

Gorilla trekking experience in Bwindi Impenetrable forest national park is majorly done in four different sectors. Visitors interested in mountain gorilla trekking in Bwindi impenetrable forest national park are kindly advised to sleep near any of the sectors for quick accessibility to Bwindi headquarters.

4 Days Uganda double gorilla trekking

Gorilla trekking experience in Uganda commences with an early morning briefing in any of the park headquarters in either Bwindi impenetrable forest national park or Mgahinga gorilla national park. Visitors are welcomed and categorized into a group of 8 people per mountain gorilla family. Each mountain gorilla family is visited by a maximum of 8 people. Grouping people are done at the park headquarters depending on travelers’ physical fitness and interests.

After a traveler has been given a mountain gorilla group, you will enter the jungle and start trekking with an experienced park ranger guide who is so knowledgeable about trekking trails to follow while moving on foot, the guide will give you all the required information about the endangered mountain gorillas. Gorilla trekking experience in these national parks takes approximately 2 to 7 hours in the forest depending on the location of these giant apes, visitors are required to carry packed lunch and energy-giving drinks. Once your allocated gorilla family is spotted visitors are permitted to spend an hour with the mountain gorillas in their natural habitat where visitors are allowed to take photos without flashlights, record the wonderful moments with the mountain gorillas and see how mountain gorillas feed and play among others.

How many mountain gorilla families are in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park and Mgahinga gorilla national park?

Bwindi Impenetrable forest national park in Uganda protects over 19 habituated mountain gorilla families which are located in four different sectors of Bwindi impenetrable forest national park namely Rushaga sector which accommodates over 8  mountain gorilla families including Nshongi gorilla family, Kahungye gorilla family, Busingye gorilla family, Mishaya gorilla family, Bweza gorilla family, Rwigi gorilla family, Bikyingi gorilla family and Mucunguzi gorilla family, Buhoma sector of Bwindi harbors 4 mountain gorilla families namely Mubare gorilla family, Habinyanja gorilla family, Rushegura gorilla family and Katwe gorilla family, Nkuringo sector of Bwindi harbors 3 mountain gorilla families namely Bushaho gorilla family, Christmas gorilla family and Nkuringo gorilla family and Ruhija sector of Bwindi harbors four mountain gorilla families namely Bitukura gorilla family, Oruzogo gorilla family, Kyaguliro gorilla family and Mukiza gorilla family,Mgahinga gorilla national park protect one mountain gorilla family called Nyakagezi gorilla family.

However, the Mountain gorilla habituation experience only takes in Uganda at Bwindi impenetrable forest national park in the Rushaga sector. Gorilla habituation experience is the process where mountain gorillas are trained by a team of researchers, guides, and game rangers to get used to human presence in their natural environment to be ready for trekking. The gorilla habituation experience process takes approximately 2 years and offers travelers a greater opportunity to spend more time with these mountain gorillas. Travelers who participate in mountain gorilla habituation experience have more time to observe gorilla behaviors and habits and enjoy them as feeding themselves, breastfeeding, juveniles while playing How much is gorilla trekking permit sold in Uganda to entertain their family among others.

A gorilla trekking permit is a legal document that is issued to every visitor who is above 15 years of age that allows them to trek a mountain gorilla family in any of the four sectors located in Bwindi impenetrable forest national park. A single gorilla trekking permit in either Bwindi impenetrable forest national park or Mgahinga gorilla national park costs 250000 UGX for East African residents, $700 for Foreign Non-Residents, and $600 for Foreign Residents.

When should a tourist book their Gorilla Trekking Permit in Uganda?

Mountain Gorilla trekking permits should be booked before your travel date for example 6 months in advance before your trekking date. Bwindi impenetrable forest national park alone harbors 18 habituated mountain gorilla families in four different sectors which means there are over 144 gorilla permits issued daily hence visitors should book their mountain gorilla trekking permits early enough to avoid disappointments and mis arrangements.  Mountain gorilla trekking permits are so competitive and always get sold out faster than you may think mostly in the peak season or in the dry seasons. mountain gorilla trekking permits can be booked from either Uganda Wildlife Authority directly or through your trusted tour operator like Devine African Safaris. Booking with a tour operator is the best option because the tour company will plan your whole safari for you such as the activities that you will engage in, accommodation facilities, and all the necessary transportation needed for the mountain gorilla trekking safari in Uganda.

How to access Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park and Mgahinga gorilla national park

Bwindi impenetrable forest national park and Mgahinga gorilla national park can be both reached by either air transportation or by road.

Road transportation means

Tourists can be driven from Entebbe international airport or Kampala city via the equator in Kayabwe Mpigi, Masaka town, Mbarara town, and kabala then proceed to any of the four sectors or Bwindi impenetrable forest national park or Mgahinga gorilla national park where mountain gorilla trekking experience takes place. The whole journey from Entebbe or Kampala takes approximately 9 to 10 hours to drive on a tarmac road. Bwindi impenetrable forest national park or Mgahinga gorilla national park can as well be accessed from Queen Elizabeth national park Uganda’s second-largest national park via the Ishasha sector of Queen Elizabeth national park. Tourists can be able to view the famous tree-climbing lions relaxing on the fig big tree branches within the Ishasha sector and the journey from Queen Elizabeth national park takes between 3 to 4 hours meaning you are free to combine your mountain gorilla trekking Safari in either Bwindi impenetrable forest national park or Mgahinga gorilla national park with unlimited game drives, boat cruise on the Kazinga channel and the tree climbing lion tracking experience in Queen Elizabeth national park.

Air transport to either Bwindi impenetrable forest national park or Mgahinga gorilla national park

Visitors going to Bwindi impenetrable of Mgahinga national park can be scheduled or chartered flights through your trusted tour operator. The domestic flight can schedule from Entebbe Airport international Airport or Kajjansi Airfield to either Kayonza or Kihihi Airstrip which is just close to all the four sectors of Bwindi as well as Mgahinga gorilla national park. After landing in either Kisoro, Kayonza, or Kihihi airstrip, then your driver in a private vehicle to your booked safari lodge, and in case you had not booked your safari with a tour company you can still hire a private safari vehicle to transfer you to your private booked lodge in one of the sectors chosen by you.

When is the best time to visit Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park and Mgahinga gorilla national park?

The best time to visit either Bwindi Impenetrable national park or Mgahinga gorilla national park is in March, April, and May, or from October to November. However, tourists can always visit Bwindi impenetrable forest national park or Mgahinga national park throughout the year. The rainy seasons in these national parks are good for bird watching offering plenty of food for many bird species, these birds include forest birds, water birds, and the migratory birds that can be spotted within the forest breeding.

Bwindi impenetrable forest national park and Mgahinga gorilla national park experiences the dry seasons in June, July, August, and mid-September and from December, January, and February. During the dry months Bwindi forest and Mgahinga gorilla national receive lesser rainfalls therefore the gorilla trekking trails are passable and mountain gorillas can easily be seen because the grass and shrubs are shorter. The dry season is always the best time for go for mountain gorilla trekking and most visitors visit Bwindi, Mgahinga, and all savannah national parks in Uganda during the dry seasons. However, Bwindi and Mgahinga are located in the montane and tropical rain forests rain can be expected anytime in these national parks even in the dry season hence visitors should also focus on the packing list for gorillas trekking to make their gorilla trekking successful.

Accommodation facilities near Bwindi Impenetrable National Park or Mgahinga gorilla national park

Bwindi impenetrable forest national park or Mgahinga gorilla national park offers a variety of up to standard lodges ranging from budget lodges to mid-range, and luxury lodges, these lodges in Bwindi Impenetrable national park and Mgahinga gorilla lodge include silverback safari lodge, Buhoma lodge, Gorilla resort, Gorilla forest camp, Engagi lodge, Lake Kitandara Tented camp, Bakiga Lodge, Mahogany springs lodge, clouds mountain gorilla lodge, Nkuringo gorilla lodge, Chameleon lodge,  Gorilla safari lodge, Ichumbi gorilla lodge, Nkuringo campsite, Buhoma community rest camp, Ruhija gorilla safari lodge, Cuckoo land lodge, and Buhoma haven lodge, among others.

Conclusion: Gorilla trekking in Uganda’s Bwindi Impenetrable forest national park or Mgahinga gorilla national park offers an experience worth spending your penny on especially for those travelers interested in viewing the rare endangered mountain gorillas in their natural environment.  Gorilla Trekking gorillas in either Bwindi impenetrable forest national park or Mgahinga Gorilla national park is much cheaper than Rwanda’s mountain gorilla trekking experience in Volcanoes national park where gorilla trekking permits cost $1500 per permit per person and only Gorilla habituation experience is done in Uganda’s Bwindi impenetrable forest national park in the Rushaga sector in the whole world.

Gorilla Trekking in Volcanoes national park Rwanda

Gorilla Trekking in Rwanda is being done at Volcanoes national park which is the only protected area in Rwanda offering visitors gorilla trekking safaris. Volcanoes national park protects a total of 15 habituated mountain gorilla families with only 10 mountain gorilla families available for tourists to track.

1 Day Gorilla Trek in Rwanda Tour 

Volcanoes national park is considered among the oldest protected area in Africa with its establishment in 1925. Volcanoes national park is endowed with many bird species, plant species, mammal species primate species, and butterfly species. Volcanoes national park is one of the habitats accommodating the endangered Mountain Gorilla species surviving in the world.  the other national parks protecting the endangered mountain gorillas include Virunga National Park in DRC, Bwindi impenetrable forest national park of Uganda, and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park of Uganda.

1 Day Gorilla Trek in Rwanda Tour 

Volcanoes national park occupies an area of about 160 kilometers squared, Volcanoes national park is famous due to the rich biodiversity such as the five chained volcanoes out of the nine chained Virunga mountains, endangered mountain gorillas, vegetation zones, golden monkeys, and animal species such as forest elephants, forest buffaloes, giant forest hogs, bushbucks, and over 178 bird species among others. Volcanoes national park alone offers 178 bird species and of which the 13-bird species and 16 sub bird species are endemic to the Virunga Conservation Area and can also be located in the Rwenzori Mountains respectively.

Gorilla Trekking in Volcanoes National Park Rwanda

Gorilla trekking is a prime activity carried out in the Volcanoes national park in Rwanda. Gorilla trekking experience is an exciting tourism activity where travelers who are 15 years of age and above move on foot into the forest searching for mountain gorillas and once they are located travelers are only allowed to spend an hour with these giant apes in their natural environment. The gorilla trekking experience starts with a morning briefing at the parks’ headquarters in Kinigi, the briefing is about the expectations from these mountain gorillas and the rules to follow while tracking mountain gorillas in the jungle. After the morning briefing travelers are grouped into 8 people per group depending on their interests and physical fitness of the traveler, you will be given a park guide and then your trekking begins. Gorilla trekking experience takes approximately 1- 7 hours depending on where these mountain gorillas are located because gorillas move from place to place searching for food.

Volcanoes national park accommodates over 15 habituated mountain gorilla families of which one mountain gorilla family called Hirwa relocated to Mgahinga Gorilla national park in Uganda by October 2019 leaving Volcanoes national park with only 14 mountain Gorilla families. Gorilla trekking safari in Volcanoes national park allows a maximumly 8 people to trek a habituated mountain gorilla family and once they are located tourists are only allowed to spend an hour with these mountain gorillas observing their behaviors, feeding, playing, and taking photos with these mountain gorillas among others which makes your mountain gorilla trekking experience extraordinary adventure activity memorable in a lifetime.

Rwanda’s cost for a Gorilla Trekking Permit in Volcanoes National Park.

Rwanda’s mountain Gorilla trekking permit for Volcanoes national park costs $1500 per person for all nationalities, Rwanda gorilla trekking permits is the most expensive compared to other three national parks offering mountain gorilla trekking experience example  Bwindi impenetrable forest national park of Uganda and Mgahinga gorilla national park in Uganda offers gorilla trekking permit at $700 for Non-Foreign Residents and $600 for Foreign Residents while Virunga national park in Congo gorilla trekking permit costs $400 per person for Foreign Non-Residents. Mountain gorilla trekking permit in Rwanda is worth a tourists’ money because it allows tourists to spend an hour with these giant apes in their natural environment and the permit is valid for one day just like any of the other mountain gorilla destinations which give tourists the best mountain gorilla trekking experience on your adventure safari in Rwanda.

Accommodation facilities are available in Volcanoes National Park.

Volcanoes national park is lucky to have numerous lodges offering the best services to tourists visiting Volcanoes national park these facilities range from budget lodges, mid-range lodges, and luxury lodges which include Virunga Lodge, sabyingo silverback lodge, Bisate Lodge, Kinigi guest house, Mountain Gorilla View Lodge, mountain gorillas nest lodge, Da Vinci Gorilla Lodge, and Muhabura Hotel among others. Volcanoes national park lodges offer comfortable shelter, great sceneries of Volcanoes national park, these lodges all prepare both international and local dishes for guests, their other services range from the sauna, free internet, massage, swimming pool, and library among others which enlighten your mountain gorilla trekking experience safari in Rwanda.

Best Time to go for a mountain gorilla trekking safari in Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda.

Volcanoes national park can be explored throughout the year however, the best time to visit is in the dry months of June to September and from December to February when there are fewer or no rainfalls in the forest, the grass is shorter which makes it easy for tourists to view mountain gorillas, the trekking trails are dry among others. Although mountain Gorillas can also be visited during the wet months between March, April, and May and from October to November however there is always heavy rainfall in the above months which makes trekking trails difficult due to the wet, slippery, and muddy grounds.

How to access Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda.

Volcanoes national park can be reached by road from Kigali city or Gisenyi town. All nature safaris to Volcanoes national park start from Kigali International Airport.  travelers then enjoy their two hours’ drive to Kinigi the park’s headquarters. Volcanoes National Park is close to Kigali City which makes it the most convenient tourist destination for short tours.

Other activities to do in Volcanoes National Park.

Volcanoes national park doesn’t only offer mountain gorilla trekking safari but offers other activities such as golden monkey tracking, hiking Mount Bisoke, hiking Mount Karisimbi, hiking to Dian Fossey tomb, bird watching safaris, guided nature walks, and local community cultural tours like the visit to the Iby’ iwacu Community Village.

Tourists always prefer to combine their gorilla trekking safari in volcanoes national park with chimpanzee trekking safari in Nyungwe Forest national park and a guided canopy walk on the bridge of Nyungwe forest national park.

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