Mountain Gorilla Filming Tours in Uganda
Uganda poses as the best baseline for filming tours given its potential for hosting the endangered mountain gorillas. As the major factor for there are so many opportunities for Mountain Gorilla filming Tours in Uganda. Mountain gorilla filming tours refer to a different type of tourism that is solely based on capturing and recording the mountain gorillas as they go about their chores.
In simple terms, this tour is fully focused on capturing photos and videos of these endangered mountain gorilla species. These tours are one-of-a-kind experiences as they are not common, considering the mountain gorillas are not like other wildlife species in the savannah that can easily be spotted. These require utmost patience and timing, as even the wrong timing can spoil the shot and the entire tour. This is why Uganda is gifted for these incredible tours since it not only harbors mountain gorillas but also has beautiful weather patterns that visitors on these tours can utilize.
Why is Uganda the best destination for mountain gorilla filming tours?
Uganda is a perfect destination for photography tours simply because it hosts mountain gorillas. The southwestern region of the country falls under the Virunga conservation area, an area known for harboring the endangered Mountain gorillas. This area is the only mountain gorilla habitat in the world. Uganda hosts the most mountain gorillas in the world, thus not only guaranteeing that visitors on this tour encounter them but also taking the best shots and films. Over 1,062 mountain gorilla species roam the earth in the Virunga conservation area, and over 559 are in Uganda. The number of mountain gorillas in the country amounts to more than half of the entire world population. Therefore, Uganda is the ideal destination for mountain gorilla photography and filming tours.
Where can to have mountain gorilla filming tours in Uganda?
As mentioned earlier, Uganda has two gorilla destinations that are in the Virunga conservation area, and the best place to have mountain gorilla photography and filming tours. These destinations include the following.
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Situated in the southwestern region of the country, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is the largest gorilla destination in the country. The park covers an area of about 321 square kilometers stretching across districts of Kabale, Kanungu, and Kisoro.
Bwindi was established in 1991 as a national park from a crown forest reserve in the 1960s after mountain gorillas were spotted in the forest. It is perfect for mountain gorilla photography and filming tours since it harbors over 459 mountain gorillas that live in the park’s four gorilla sectors. These gorilla sectors include Buhoma, Rushaga, Nkuringo, and Ruhija. These sectors combined harbor over 50 gorilla families, and of these, 24 are habituated and ready to be trekked. This ensures that visitors on mountain gorilla photography and filming tours can have a memorable and uninterrupted time with the primates as they record and film them.
The topography of the park adds a perfect touch to the films and photos you take while in this destination. Bwindi Impenetrable National Park also offers habitation adventure experiences in its Rushaga sector. While here, visitors can spend four hours with a Mountain Gorilla Family. With Gorilla Trekking, you are allowed to spend just an hour with the Gorillas.
Mgahinga Gorilla National Park
Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is the second gorilla destination in the country. In this park, visitors can have an excellent time on mountain gorilla photography and filming tours. The park is also situated in the southwestern region of Uganda part of the Virunga conservation area. Although it is the smallest gorilla destination in this conservation area, with just 33.7 square kilometers, it offers incredible mountain gorilla photography and filming tours in Uganda. The park hosts over 100 mountain gorillas, with one gorilla family called Nyakagezi. With these numbers, visitors are assured of encountering these mountain gorillas.
How much do filming tours in Uganda cost?
There is no definite cost for Mountain Gorilla filming tours in Uganda. However, visitors can embark on a gorilla trekking or habituation experience that will enable them to spend time with the mountain gorillas. Gorilla trekking costs USD 800 for foreign non-residents, USD 700 for foreign residents, and UGX 300,000 for East Africans. Gorilla habituation costs USD 1,500 for foreign non-residents, USD 1,000 for foreign residents, and UGX 750,000 for East Africans.
When is the best time to visit the tours in Uganda?
The dry season is, without a doubt, the best season for Mountain Gorilla filming tours in Uganda. The dry season runs twice annually in Uganda, given the country’s proximity to the equator. It starts from June to August and from December to February. During this time, the country is blessed with clear, dry weather with limited rainfall and sparse vegetation. This ensures that visitors can have clear shots of the mountain gorillas without interruptions from rainfall.
