Comparing Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi and Mgahinga.
By comparing gorilla trekking in Bwindi and Mgahinga, tourists may choose which of the two places they would most want to visit. The endangered mountain gorillas, who are also present in two other national parks—the Virunga in the Congo and the Volcanoes in Rwanda—can only be located and tracked in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park.
Selecting the ideal gorilla location is crucial since almost everyone’s dream holiday destination is to go gorilla trekking. Therefore, it is crucial that you choose well between the two gorilla places in Uganda before starting to arrange your gorilla vacation. Thus, it is crucial to compare gorilla trekking in Mgahinga and Bwindi.
More than half of the world’s gorilla population is found in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that is recognized for its contributions to the ecosystem. In contrast, Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is home to gorillas but is not a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Due of Bwindi’s recognition as a UNESCO property, the park has been well recognized and advertised, which has led to many tourists choosing it.
While Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is situated in the extreme southwest of Uganda, solely in the district of Kisoro, and is a part of the Virunga ranges shared by Rwanda, Uganda, and the Congo, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is situated in the southwestern region of Uganda, encompassing the districts of Kisoro, Kanungu, and Kabale.
More than 400 gorillas may be found in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park alone, making it the gorilla destination with the highest concentration of gorillas. However, there are only approximately 80 mountain gorillas in the Mgahinga Gorilla Park, making it a relatively small population.
This implies that Bwindi is a frequently chosen gorilla destination in Uganda and the surrounding area because it contains a greater number of gorilla families—roughly 40 in total—than Mgahinga. When comparing gorilla trekking in Bwindi and Mgahinga, it is crucial to take into account the quantity of gorillas and gorilla families in each park.
Travelers on a gorilla trekking safari in Bwindi’s impenetrable national park may see the 19 completely habituated gorilla families that are already there. However, when on a walking safari in the park, visitors may only see one habituated gorilla family in Mgahinga.
In contrast to Mgahinga, where a single gorilla family roams the whole park, Bwindi includes four distinct gorilla sectors or areas: the Buhoma gorilla sector in the north, the Ruhija gorilla sector in the east, and the Rushaga and Nkuringo gorilla regions in the south. Trekkers may encounter gorilla families in each gorilla area. Since there are 19 gorilla families in Bwindi, obtaining gorilla licenses is comparatively simpler than in Mgahinga since there are more regions to choose from.
While gorilla trekking in Mgahinga, which draws fewer gorilla trekkers, is a peaceful location that allows visitors to unwind and explore this small hidden gem on foot without being disturbed, gorilla trekking in Bwindi draws a crowd because there are many gorilla permits available each day, making the area crowded with activity.
The only place in Uganda where gold and silver meet is Mgahinga Gorilla National Park; that is, the only place where you can locate and trek both the little, very active golden monkeys and the gorillas with magnificent silverbacks. In Bwindi, this is not feasible. Mgahinga is the greatest option for tourists comparing gorilla trekking in Bwindi and Mgahinga and hoping to see golden monkeys.
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park offers a wide selection of lodging options to suit all types of budgets, from ultra-luxurious to mid-range to quite basic. In contrast, Mgahinga offers fewer choices, with the majority of the hotels located beyond Kisoro town’s park.
It is easier to combine a gorilla safari with a wildlife watching and nature safari at Bwindi Impenetrable National Park since it is more easily accessible from other parks, such as Queen Elizabeth. In contrast, Mgahinga is a long way distant.
You may be sure that you will have a terrific time gorilla trekking in either Bwindi or Mgahinga, depending on where you decide to track from.
Both Mgahinga and Bwindi are accessible by plane and car. The drive takes 8 to 10 hours on both paved and unpaved roads, but the rewards are breathtaking vistas and a taste of the countryside. If time is not on your side or you dislike lengthy road trips, you may take a charter aircraft with Aerolink or Fly Uganda.
Travelers fly into Kihihi or Kisoro airports from Entebbe or Kajansi, after which they are driven for at least two hours to their reserved lodging. As an alternative, visitors may reach both parks from Kigali. They arrive at Rwanda’s Kigali International Airport and are driven via the Katuna or Cyanika border checkpoints to Bwindi or Mgahinga, which takes at least four hours.
