Best time to visit Uganda.

Uganda is a beautiful country in East Africa, bordered by Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania, South Sudan and the Democratic republic of Congo, it is most sought of for primates, and many wildlife species distributed in the biodiverse environments of Uganda, there are 10 national parks including Mgahinga national park a home to mountain gorillas, Bwindi impenetrable national park, Murchison falls national park, Kidepo valley national park, Lake Mburo national park, Semliki national park, Queen Elizabeth national park , Mountain Elgon national park, Rwenzori national park , these are accompanied by the undeniable beauty of the Pearl of Africa from the magnificent rolling hills, Lakes and rivers, it is a beginning place to one of the world’s longest rivers river Nile.

Uganda experiences a good climatic season all year round and can be visited all year round, the angelic country experiences 2 seasons the wet and dry season, the dry season ranges from December , February and January and then June, July, August and September, the wet season on the other hand is in March, April, May, October , November. The dry season is the best time to visit Uganda, during this time there is less rains and more of the sun, the trails within the conservation areas are less slippery and easier to access. The wilderness of the savannah conservation areas gets to have shorter grasses and animals gathering around water sources to get a fresh water drink, it is possible to come across animal species for example leopards, lions, antelopes of different species, warthogs, in the primate destinations you will see the famous Mountain gorillas in the Bwindi impenetrable national park, and the chimpanzee of the Kibale forest national park.

Despite the weather being good, there has been a lot of global warming and climatic change taking place in the world at large hence it can rain anytime even in the dry season, the wet season is equivalently enjoyable, the grasses are greener, it is also a perfect time to go birding there are over 1000 species of  birds most of which are endemics of the great Albertine rift valley region, example species include the African green broadbill, Abyssinian ground hornbill, plover birds, sunbirds, pelicans, Rwenzori Turaco, grey crowned cranes among other species.

How to access Uganda is through the main entry points, from the Entebbe international airport to land borders, it is important to consider having a valid passport to at least 6 moths to the month of expiry, yellow fever vaccination card, passport photographs, a travel plan, and visa, Uganda visas can be acquired from an online portal, single entry visas are charged $50 and multiple entry visas $100.  Our company will assist in arranging ground transfers to the national conservation areas, Uganda safaris have the advantage of seeing most of the ecosystems in a few days, safaris can be 10 days , 2 days , 5 days, or even 15 days depending on the time travelers have to pay a visit to the lovely country

Dian Fossey hike at Volcanoes National Park.

The Dian Fossey grave hike is one of the outstanding activities there’s in the picturesque Volcanoes National Park of Rwanda. The hike will take the visitor through the most beautiful places of the National Park and also enable them to watch exciting creatures therein.

Visitors on the hike have the golden chance to set their eyes on most significantly the mountain gorillas and other exciting fauna species since they will be traversing through their habitat.

Volcanoes National Park as the host of the hike.

Volcanoes National Park is a remarkable destination in Rwanda. It hosts an incredible diversity of both plants and animal life. Visitors to Volcanoes National Park get immersed in the sensational beauty of the Virunga massif.

Travelers have the opportunity to indulge in a series of exciting touristic activities ranging from the most outstanding mountain gorilla tracking to hikes. Volcanoes is a host of five of the eight captivating Virunga mountain ranges.

It is located in the northwest of Rwanda and spans an area of approximately 160 square kilometers.

Who was Dian Fossey?

Dian Fossey was a renowned primatologist. She rose to fame due to her exceptional work in the Virunga massif. She undertook extensive research about mountain gorillas between 1966 to the time she was murdered in 1985 by unknown assailants.

She dedicated her entire life to studying the lives of gorillas and other primates. She would do that regularly and she deserves the credit for the booming gorilla tourism activities in East Africa today.

It was because of her works and ideas that gorilla habituation processes were undertaken in the Virunga conservation area which has led to the exciting gorilla tourism activities such as trekking that many travelers enjoy in various national parks today.

Dian Fossey started the Karisoke Research Center which is up to date used by researchers from all corners of the world who wish to study primates in Volcanoes National Park.

The researcher spent 20 years in Rwanda studying mountain gorillas and indeed her work didn’t go to waste.

She was a renowned lover of the mountain gorillas and that is why when she died, she was buried close to her friends – the mountain gorillas who had also breathed their last. She indeed deserves the credit for her achievements. Travelers from time to time have hiked her grave in honor of the legend and her legendary works.

Hiking experience to the Dian Fossey gravesite.

The hike to Dian Fossey’s gravesite is normally done in the morning. Visitors arrive at the parks office in Kinigi at around 7:00 AM when they get briefed about the activity by the Ranger guides.

 The Ranger guides provide travelers with information about the rules that govern the hike and what to do in case they meet wildlife species along the way.

The message is always about responsible travel and sustainability.

Visitors then embark on the hike at around 8:00 AM starting from the base of Mount Bisoke. Walking sticks are provided at the start of the hike at a free cost by the service providers at the National Park headquarters.

The Walking sticks help support the visitor while on the hike and enable them to maneuver through the thick tropical rainforests and make their way through shrubs and mountainous terrain.

Travelers can also hire porters to help them carry their bags and personal equipment they’ll need throughout the hike.

While on the climb, visitors unveil the breathtaking views of the entire Virunga massif that are good for photography and videography which usually act as souvenirs for the never-to-be-forgotten adventures in Africa.

Visitors will set their eyes on several wildlife species along the way including primates and bird species, especially the African endemics.

The Dian Fossey gravesite is at 2967 meters above sea level and it usually takes about two to three hours of determined hiking. The speed to the summit depends on the physical fitness of the hikers.

The best time to visit and the cost

The dry seasons are the most appropriate times in which one can embark on a successful and uninterrupted hike to the Dian Fossey gravesite. The dry seasons in Rwanda occur from early June to late September and from December to mid-March.

How to access the Dian Fossey gravesite.

Esteemed travelers can drive to Volcanoes National Park. It takes only a 2 hours and 30 minutes drive from Kigali International Airport to Volcanoes National Park.

On arrival at the park headquarters, continue to the base of Mount Bisoke where the hike starts. Mount Bisoke is only a 30-minute drive away from the park entrance.

Where to Go for mountain Gorilla trekking

the reports of IUCN as of 2018. There are only 1063 mountain gorillas alive in the world today. They can be found in the Virunga massif in the Central African tropical rainforests. It is a conservation area shared among three countries due to its vast size.

The topography of the area and the overall rainforest vegetation make it a perfect habitat for the leaves of mountain gorillas to flourish.

Mountain gorillas are descendants of the ancestral monkeys and apes of Africa. History has it on record that about 8.8 to 12 million years ago, the group of primates who were to evolve into gorillas split from their common ancestors with humans and chimpanzees. That’s when the Genus gorilla emerged.

It was through that process that mountain gorillas came into existence.

Mountain gorilla trekking safaris in Uganda.

The mountain gorilla trekking safaris are such incredible adventures any wildlife enthusiast should endeavor to experience in a lifetime. The activity takes visitors through some of the most intact, untouched, and evergreen rainforests on the planet. The feeling of watching the gentle giants up close cannot be traded for any other.

The walk through the mountainous terrain and the views of the towering green forests make it even more rewarding.

Where to go for a mountain gorilla trekking safari.

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park spans a large tropical rainforest in the southwest of Uganda in the present day Kanungu district covering an area of approximately 331 square kilometers. The park lies on the edge of the Albertine Rift in the western branch of the East African Rift Valley elevating from 1160 to 2607 meters above sea level on different edges.

Bwindi is home to a large population of mountain gorillas living in its four different gorilla tracking sectors that is to say Rushaga, Buhoma, Nkuringo, and Ruhija. These gorilla sectors are located in different parts of the park.

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is home to 21 fully habituated gorillas available to help realize your dream of watching mountain gorillas up close.

Mgahinga national park.

Mgahinga National Park Is yet another incredible habitat for mountain gorillas that need not be missed for travelers seeking exceptional mountain gorilla trekking safaris. The National Park is a host to one Nyakagezi gorilla family. It is an exciting family to watch and many travelers that have been close to it can testify.

The beauty of gorilla trekking in Mgahinga National Park lies in the fact that visitors are exposed to the breathtaking views of three of eight Virunga mountain ranges that further make the trips to the park more satisfying. Mgahinga National Park is located in the southwest of Uganda in the Kisoro district.

Volcanoes National Park.

Volcanoes National Park is another mountain gorilla habitat that gets adventurers excited. Volcanoes National Park is home to 13 fully habituated gorillas and is associated with the history of gorilla habituation and the entire gorilla tourism activities.

Visitors to the park thus not only get to watch the gorillas and witness their fascinating behaviors up close but also have deep insights into how the activities came into the developments they are at today. It is indeed an area of adventure and learning! Volcanoes National Park spans an area of about 160 square kilometers in the northwest of Rwanda encompassing 5 of the 8 Virunga mountains that add up to its overall beauty.

Virunga National Park.

Virunga National Park is Democratic Republic of Congo’s only National Park with mountain gorillas. That is exactly where its overall uniqueness lies. The park is Africa’s most diverse protected area renowned for its sensational biodiversity. It is not only home to mountain gorillas but also thousands of mammals, beautiful bird species, reptiles, and amphibians.

Virunga National Park is a dream come true destination for wildlife lovers and nature enthusiasts. The gorilla trekking activities in the park make visits to the park even more rewarding.

Best time to undertake a gorilla trekking safari.

Gorilla trekking safaris are often enjoyable in the dry months of the year. The dry months in central Africa and East Africa usually occur during the times from June to September making up the long dry season and December to February for the short dry season.