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January 15, 2025
Rwanda Gorilla Trekking Trip with a French-Speaking Guide
January 15, 2025Uganda Gorilla Trip with a French-Speaking Guide
Are you a French speaker planning a gorilla trip to Uganda? Whether you’re from France or simply prefer traveling in French, Uganda is an excellent destination for an unforgettable safari experience. Known for its incredible wildlife, Uganda offers an array of activities on a budget-friendly safari that allow you to explore the country’s rich biodiversity, from gorilla trekking to wildlife safaris and cultural experiences.
In this guide, we’ll share the best Uganda safari offers, especially tailored for French-speaking travelers, highlighting the top things to do on a low-budget camping safari in Uganda.
Top Things to Do on a Budget-Friendly Safari in Uganda
Uganda is a haven for primates, wildlife, and cultural experiences. Whether you’re tracking gorillas, chimpanzees, or golden monkeys, Uganda has something for everyone, with affordable options available for every type of traveler. Here are some of the best activities to enjoy on a low-budget safari in Uganda:
Primate Tracking in Uganda
Primate tracking is one of the top activities for any Uganda safari. Uganda is home to several primate species, including Mountain Gorillas, Chimpanzees, and Golden Monkeys.
Key activities include:
- Gorilla Trekking
- Chimpanzee Trekking
- Golden Monkey Trekking
These treks are conducted in small groups of 8 tourists, following COVID-19 safety protocols to ensure the health and safety of both visitors and primates.
Gorilla Trekking in Uganda
Uganda is one of the best places in the world for gorilla trekking, especially in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park.
- Gorilla Permits:
- USD 800 for foreign non-residents
- USD 700 for East African residents
- USD 80 for East African citizens
These permits give you a chance to spend one hour with the mountain gorillas. For a more immersive experience, you can opt for the Gorilla Habituation Experience, where you spend 4 hours with the gorillas. This experience costs USD 1500 per person and is available in Bwindi Forest National Park.
Chimpanzee Trekking in Uganda
Uganda also offers some of the best chimpanzee tracking experiences. You can track chimpanzees in several areas:
- Kibale Forest National Park
- Kyambura Gorge (Queen Elizabeth National Park)
- Kalinzu Forest
- Budongo Forest (near Murchison Falls National Park)
Chimpanzee permits are priced at:
- USD 200 for foreign non-residents
- USD 150 for East African residents
- USD 30 for East African citizens
You can also opt for the Chimpanzee Habituation Experience, which gives you a half-day encounter with the chimps in Kibale Forest National Park.
Golden Monkey Trekking
For a unique experience, try Golden Monkey Trekking in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. Golden monkey tracking permits cost:
- USD 100 for a one-hour encounter
- USD 140 for a Golden Monkey Habituation Experience, which allows you to spend 4 hours with the golden monkeys.
Gorilla Habituation Experience
For a deeper, more immersive encounter with gorillas, consider the Gorilla Habituation Experience in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park. This experience involves trekking through the forest to find semi-habituated gorillas, which are not yet accustomed to human presence. Once you find them, you’ll spend four hours with these gentle giants, learning more about their behavior and conservation efforts. The experience is limited to just four visitors per group.
Wildlife Viewing in Uganda’s National Parks
Uganda also offers exceptional wildlife viewing in some of its most popular savannah national parks, including:
- Kidepo Valley National Park
- Murchison Falls National Park
- Lake Mburo National Park
- Queen Elizabeth National Park
Here, you can enjoy game drives and see a variety of wildlife, such as:
- Tree-climbing lions
- Buffaloes
- Elephants
- Warthogs
- Giraffes
- Zebras
- Leopards
Experiential Tourism Activities in Uganda
When planning your safari in Uganda, don’t miss out on the experiential tourism activities that offer up-close encounters with wildlife in their natural habitats. These activities include lion tracking, mongoose tracking, hippo census, and bird counts, all of which take place in Queen Elizabeth National Park. Depending on your schedule, you can participate in one of these immersive activities, giving you a unique perspective on Uganda’s wildlife and the chance to witness animals in their natural surroundings.
Cultural Experiences in Uganda
Uganda is renowned for its rich cultural diversity, with more than 50 ethnic tribes and languages. As part of your Uganda safari, you can enjoy authentic cultural experiences by visiting local communities near the national parks. These interactions will give you insight into how communities live alongside wildlife and the efforts they make to peacefully coexist with nature. You’ll also have the opportunity to enjoy traditional dances and learn about the local customs and traditions that make Uganda so culturally vibrant.
Mountain Hiking and Cycling Adventures
For those seeking a bit more adventure, Uganda’s diverse landscape offers exceptional opportunities for mountain hiking and cycling. With numerous mountains and highlands, including Mountains of the Moon, Mount Sabinyo, Mount Muhavura, and Mount Rwenzori, Uganda is a top destination for hiking enthusiasts. Whether you’re trekking to the peak of a mountain or cycling through the rolling hills, the stunning scenery and challenging terrain make Uganda an adventure lover’s paradise.
Bird Watching in Uganda
Home to over 1,000 bird species, Uganda is considered one of the best birdwatching destinations in Africa. It boasts a variety of migrant birds and Albertine endemics, with the Shoebill Stork being one of the must-see species. The top birding spots in Uganda include Bwindi Forest, Mabamba Swamp, Kazinga Channel, Bigodi Wetland, and Mubwindi Swamp in Queen Elizabeth National Park. You’ll also spot various species during game drives across Uganda’s national parks. Some of the incredible birds you can see include:
- Gray Crowned Crane (Uganda’s National Bird)
- Shoebill Stork
- Palm-Nut Vulture
- Pel’s Fishing Owl
- Secretary Bird
- Abyssinian Ground Hornbill
- Giant Kingfisher
- And many more!
Boat Safari Excursions
Uganda is home to several stunning lakes and rivers, making boat safari excursions an essential part of any safari. Explore the Kazinga Channel in Queen Elizabeth National Park, take a River Nile cruise to the top of the falls, or visit the Delta in Murchison Falls National Park. These boat safaris offer the chance to see wildlife up close, including various water animals and birds, making it a memorable part of your Uganda safari.
What Is the Best Time to Visit Uganda?
The best time to visit Uganda is during the dry months from December to February and June to October. During these months, the weather is relatively drier, making it easier to navigate the parks and enjoy wildlife viewing. Uganda’s climate is modified equatorial, with two rainy seasons: from March to May and November. The rainy season can make trails slippery and difficult to traverse, especially for wildlife viewing. Thus, visiting during the drier months is highly recommended for optimal safari experiences.
Why Book Your Uganda Gorilla Trip with a French-Speaking Guide at Excursia Adventures?
At Excursia Adventures, we are dedicated to ensuring the well-being of both our guests and staff while making a positive impact on the communities and wildlife we work with. We offer French-speaking guides for your Uganda gorilla trip, ensuring a seamless experience for French-speaking travelers. Our eco-friendly approach and commitment to preserving Uganda’s wildlife make us the perfect partner for your unforgettable safari adventure.
Contact us today to start planning your Uganda gorilla trip with a French-speaking guide, and let us help you create memories that will last a lifetime!