A Glimpse of True Wilderness with SASO Gorilla Trips

Today we are publishing an interview with SASO ‘Gorilla Trips’ Uganda Safaris – a provider of one of the most unique wilderness experiences in the world: mountain gorilla trekking.

This is a must read for the adventurous type. This article is long and chock full of amazing details. Here we go.

Could you tell us in a few words what Saso Gorilla Trips is all about and what makes your company special?

SASO ‘Gorilla Trips’ Uganda Safaris is a trusted Ugandan based Tour and Safari Company established to deliver an enriching African holiday experience to travelers that are Uganda or Rwanda bound.

What makes our company special is that,

1. We care about preserving the environment and natural resources, respect local customs and practices, care about the needs of the local people and are dedicated to giving our guests more than the average package deal.
2. We offer a wide range of exciting tours and safaris which our guests can personalize or customize, based on their interest, budget, time scale and other requirements.
3. We put into consideration the interests of our guests to arrange the finest customized trips for them in Uganda and Rwanda.
4. We also aim at organizing trips which give our guests the best value for money.

A question on behalf of probably most people who have never seen a gorilla in the wild: how dangerous is it? Sure, there are safety measures and tips on how to behave, but does anything ever go wrong?

How dangerous is it? All gorillas are dangerous. They are so strong they can hurt you without meaning to, and if they mean to they can really hurt you. Gorillas also have impressive canine teeth and they bite. In conclusion all wild animals can be dangerous.

There are safety measures and tips on how to behave, but does anything ever go wrong?

If the people do not follow the safety measures as they have been told to them, anything can go wrong because Gorillas are obviously potentially dangerous to humans.

We are a danger to them too, not least because our genetic closeness makes gorillas vulnerable to many human diseases. But however it’s quite rare for such situations to happen.

How do people react to seeing gorillas? What do they say after the fact?

People get scared at first; because the gorillas are like humans. That is to say Gorillas have human-like hands: The gorilla’s hand looks almost identical to a human hand, with five fingers, including a thumb. Additionally, a gorilla has unique fingerprints just like humans and other primates.

So they conclude with a statement that they must have been in a zoo or a circus or something. Because, there is no big difference between a gorilla and a human being.

What are some misconceptions that people coming from far away have about gorillas?

1. Most people do not think it’s safe due to the fact that the area where gorillas are found is close to the Congo boarder
2. Most people think it’s very hard to track and find gorillas which is not the case due to the increasing number of the individual gorillas in different family and increased habituated families.
3. Contraction of diseases which is not the case. But if people do not abide to the tracking rules, of course they will get the diseases.

How does the gorilla trekking experience differ between Uganda or Rwanda? Do you recommend one over the other in certain cases?

Gorilla trekking experience in Uganda is cheaper than that of Rwanda in terms purchasing a gorilla permit and accommodation fee, I would recommend Uganda, and below are the reasons

Why Uganda

Why many tourists would chose Uganda for their Gorilla trekking, Uganda is a must visit country called the pearl of Africa. Uganda remains a beautiful country yet to be discovered one of the best places for tour and travel in Africa.

First and foremost Uganda is known in the world, for having very nice and happy people. The people of Uganda are hospitable, welcoming with happy smiles and always willing to help.

Visit one of the countries that will welcome you, visit the east to west, south to north and the central parts and meet the most loving people ever to meet.

With its 10 beautiful national parks which are unique and different from other .why would one chose Uganda for the Gorilla trekking activity? In all the countries protecting the mountain Gorillas, Uganda has one of the biggest numbers of mountain Gorillas left in the wild with over 400 mountain Gorillas inhabiting the Bwindi impenetrable national park and 40 inhabiting the Mgahinga national park.

Uganda have 14 Gorilla families which are habituated, these families are located in different sectors of the park including Ruhija, Buhoma, Rushaga, Nkuringo. And 1 family in Mgahinga National Park.

Most tourist when travelling for a gorilla trekking tour in Uganda they enjoy a beautiful encounter of different stopover such as the equator, the beautiful sceneries of rolling hills, cultivated lands, culture centers, views of the volcanoes mountain, view of the worlds deepest crate lake and many more.

In Uganda purchasing a Gorilla permit depends on first come first serve while the other countries inhabiting the mountain Gorillas the permits are based on the age, health and the fitness of the trekkers. For Uganda, the accepted tracking age is 15years and above.

When you talk about the political stability, Uganda becomes one of the 3 countries which is politically stable in the last 30 years hence this leading to a high increase of Gorilla trekkers in Uganda, since tourist always visit the peaceful countries.

Climate, Uganda is one of the countries which lies on the equator although the climate is not equatorial due to the facts such as relief, water bodies and the green vegetation ,with this beautiful climate Uganda grows fresh food and fruits which you can enjoy during your stay on your Gorilla safari holiday.

Comparing to a number of lodges, Uganda is one of the best countries with a number of lodges accommodating the Gorilla trekkers compared to Rwanda.

Uganda is the only country with the habituation experience this is done in the Rushaga sector of Bwindi.

Cost of Gorilla tour.

When one wants to trek the Gorillas, you must need a gorilla cost to know what is required to plan a Gorilla tour in Uganda.

In Uganda a gorilla tour can be planned for a minimum of 3 days. Gorilla tour cost breakdown depends on 3 things, accommodation, permits and transport.

Accommodation aspects when trekking in Bwindi impenetrable national park, you must plan for the accommodation.

Where you will stay at least to or three night, before and after a Gorilla trek in Uganda .all the sectors protecting Gorillas have lodges ranging from budget, midrange and luxury rate.

Transport fact about the cost of Gorilla tour, when you’re going for a Gorilla trekking one has to choose either to drive or fly.

Any of the two means of transport has a cost. Although it’s expensive to fly to the national parks and avoid encountering with the traffic jam in order to save time.

When you chose to drive there different means of transport you can use including vans, land rovers and land cruisers depending on your budget.

Permits in Uganda:  a must pay cost if you want to trek the mountain Gorillas in Uganda. A permit is part of a cost of a gorilla tour. A gorilla permit is a document that allows you to access the mountain Gorillas; it costs a standard fee of $600 USD. And a cost of $1500 per person who wants the habituation experience.

Permits in Rwanda, a gorilla permit in Rwanda costs a standard fee of $ 1500

Other than the unique gorilla trekking experiences, to somebody visiting Africa for the first time, why would you recommend coming to Uganda over other countries?

Below are some of the reasons why l recommend coming to Uganda over other countries

Why visit Uganda

Think about it: For the lonely planet to rank and declare Uganda a world’s number one tourist destination country of the year 2012, there must be something so special about this country.

Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA), a semi-autonomous government agency that conserves and manages Uganda’s Wildlife for the benefit of the people of Uganda and the whole world, is now encouraging visitors to embrace nature in Uganda by exploring the amazing country along its less trodden trails in order to experience the true essence of this country. To be witness of this unspoiled wildness of an ever green country.

Queen Elizabeth National Park: Many people have seen lions, but few have seen Tree Climbing Lions. And this is the reason for you to visit QENP in Uganda. For herds of Uganda kob in mating arenas (leks), elephants, lions, hipos, topi, giant forest hogs, hyenas and chimpanzee. Watch birds ranging from water, forest, to savannah.

Kibale National Park: Thirteen primate species in 795km2 of rainforest. Of these Chimpanzee and Red Colobus Monkey have both been assessed by IUCN as endangered or critically endangered. While on a forest walk here, expect to see up to 71 species of mammals, 375 of birds including the African pita, and 250 of butterflies.

Murchison Falls National Park: You might have seen a lot of waterfalls the world over, but you have never seen the most powerful of all. With this, you have to visit Uganda to see Murchison Falls, “The world’s most powerful fall’’, the only falls of its kind on R. Nile. You will also get a chance to see Nile crocodiles, hippos, giraffes, lions, and watch birds ranging from migrants to residents.

Kidepo Valley national park: Eighty species of mammals have been recorded, 28 are not in any of our other National Parks. Regional endemic and globally threatened species including Roan Antelopes, Greater and Lesser Kudus, Dikdiks, Hunting dogs, Cheetahs, Striped Hyenas, Aardwolf, Caracal. 486 bird species, including the ostrich.

Mount Elgon National park: You have to see for yourself “The World’s Largest Mountain Caldera’ ’Apart from the special sceneries that include waterfalls, gorges, mesas, cliffs, caves, calderas, & hot springs, the unique fauna and flora. 42 species of mammals, and 312 of birds have been recorded.

Lake Mburo National park: Its diverse habitats of open savanna, thickets, forests, lakes, rivers and swamps has provided suitable ecosystems for a range of Wildlife. 325 bird, 68 mammals’ species. Zebras, impala, dwarf-mongooses, buffaloes, warthogs, bush-bucks, eland, sitatunga, and leopards freely roam here.

Mgahinga Gorilla National Park: This Uganda’s smallest national park could be the biggest reason for you to visit Uganda. Made up of 3 of the 7 skyscraper Virunga volcanoes, is the only park you can track Mt. Gorillas and Golden Monkeys. A park “Where Gold Meets Silver” At least 127 bird species, 76 mammal species.

Semuliki National Park: The only geopark in Uganda. A representative of the vast Ituri forests of D.R Congo, extending to E.Africa some of the world life species of w. African countries. The true birders’ Haven, for a great diversity of birds thrives in this tropical paradise.447 bird species recorded, 216 true forest birds.

Rwenzori Mountains National Park: The mystical challenge. A UNESCO world heritage site un like most African national parks that offer game viewing safaris, the beauty of Rwenzori lies in the spectacular sceneries and unique plant life. Supports up to 19 endemic bird species. The highest Rwenzoris are permanently snow-capped with highest peak at 510m.asl.

Visit the SASO ‘Gorilla Trips’ Uganda Safaris website: https://www.gorillatrips.net/