In Uganda, the Bwindi impenetrable forest is the sanctuary for almost half the world's population of Mountain Gorilla's ( About 330 of 600 ), which is the rarest race of Gorilla. Established as a safe habitat for several families of mountain gorilla, it is now the location of an important scientific conservation programme. Gorilla Tracking visits are limited to small groups.

Gorilla

Travel & Tourism in Uganda, Rwanda and Congo: National Parks & Game Reserves

Uganda is an elegance of adventure. During one of his safaris to Uganda in 1907, Sir Winston Churchill famously described the country as a Pearl of Africa.

Indeed, Uganda is one of the most beautiful countries in Africa, with fantastic natural scenery; half of the world's remaining mountain gorilla population is found in Uganda. Mountain Gorilla tracking exploration is a must do for every visitor to East Africa.

Uganda also offers world-class white water rafting at the source of River Nile and fantastic game-viewing in her national parks. Bwindi Gorilla Forest and Mgahinga Gorilla Park are the ideal destination for tourists who love tracking Gorillas.

A network of 10 national parks and other protected areas offers wildlife enthusiasts a thrilling opportunity to experience Uganda’s biodiversity: mesmerising tracts of thorn-bush savannah teeming with antelopes, buffalos and elephants one tends to associate with Equatorial East Africa, shimmering lakes and rivers heaving with aquatic life, lush expanses of tropical rainforest, and the glacial peaks of Africa’s tallest mountain range.

The Uganda Wildlife Authority is in charge of management of 10 National Parks, 12 Wildlife Reserves, 14 Wildlife Sanctuaries and provides guidance for 5 Community Wildlife Areas.

Gorilla Tourism at Parc National des Volcans, Northern Rwanda
The Parc National des Volcans, in northern Rwanda is home to the world’s largest number of endangered mountain gorillas. Numbering in the hundreds, the gorillas live in a protected area, free from poachers. The gorillas can be viewed in their natural mountain habitats at a fairly close range.

A gorilla visit can entail anything from a 1 to 4-hour trek through the forest, led by experienced trackers who have spent their entire lives living in or close to the forest. Your trek through the forest will be enchanting as you weave through overhanging vines, moss covered Hagenia trees and giant Lobelias that thrive in the tropical climate of the forest. You will spot golden monkeys swinging from the bamboo, or see wild buffalo, bush duiker and a wide variety of bird life.

To minimize human disturbance to the gorilla groups, visitors must maintain a distance of 7m proximity to the gorillas, the duration of each visit is limited to one hour and maximum number of visitors is 8 people per group.

Guidelines for a gorilla visit:

	Spitting in the park is strictly prohibited, especially when close to a gorilla group.
	Once with the group should the occasion arise that you need to cough, please cover your mouth and turn away from the gorillas.
	When with the gorillas, please keep your voice level low and only talk in whispers.
	If you get stung by a nettle, please refrain from crying out load and try not to make any rapid movements that may frighten the gorillas.
	If a gorilla should charge or vocalize at you, then do not be alarmed, stand still and look away and certainly never run, the guides may ask you to move slowly away if necessary.
	Never make any rapid movements and do not disturb the vegetation when with the group, there may be a gorilla hidden behind the leaves.
	Please do not leave litter anywhere in the park.

Best known for its wealth of primates, Rwanda also has one of Africa’s richest bird life. A staggering 670 different bird species have been recorded in Rwanda. For botanists, the gorgeous wildflowers of the forests and mountains are capped by more than 100 orchid species in Nyungwe alone.

The Kinigi Guest House on the foot of Mount Sabyinyo was recently fully refurbished, and is now open. It offers very comfortable accommodation in cottages for two, four or eight people. It also offers a good restaurant and bar. Hotel Muhabura in Ruhengeri town also offers comfortable accommodation in reasonably priced single and double rooms. The hotel also features a reasonable restaurant and bar and fax and telephone facilities.