Yes, a deaf person can participate in gorilla trekking in Uganda, but with the assistance of a sign language interpreter. Sign language interpreters who help to convey the message before, during, and after a gorilla trek. Igloos Consultancy offers seasoned sign language interpreters in Uganda. We involve them from the start to the very end for any deaf person to get a perfect tour. Additionally, these interpreters are fluent in Luganda and all the local languages spoken in Uganda. Their fluency extends to Chinese, Vietnamese, Italian, French, Spanish, Swahili, Portuguese, Russian, etc.
Where to do Gorilla Trekking?
Uganda has 2 places where a deaf person can do gorilla trekking. Mgahinga Gorilla National Park and Bwindi Impenetrable National Park both offer gorilla treks daily. These forested national parks, situated in the southwest of Uganda, shelter half of the global total population of mountain gorillas. With over 23 habituated gorilla families, a deaf person can trek a majority of them in their natural homes. Mgahinga Gorilla National Park offers shelter to only the Nyakagezi gorilla family, also available for gorilla treks.
The rest of the habituated gorilla families reside in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. These families in this forest include Mucunguzi, Kutu, Katwe, Nkuringo, Rwigi, Posho, Kyaguriro A and B, Tindatine, and Muyambi, to name a few. All these families and more offer a variety of opportunities for a deaf person to do gorilla trekking in Uganda. It is also important to know that these gorilla families live in different parts of the forests. Some occupy very steep or dense parts of the forest for more challenging gorilla treks.
Cost of Gorilla Trekking?
A permit must be acquired first for a deaf person to do gorilla trekking in Uganda. This costs differently for different categories of visitors. All foreign non-residents get each of their respective gorilla permits at approximately $800 per person. Each foreign resident pays about $700 for each permit. People from the rest of Africa need to pay approximaetly $500 for any permit they need. For citizens of the East African Community, pay about 300,000 Uganda shillings to get a gorilla permit in Uganda.
The Uganda Wildlife Authority has introduced discounted gorilla trekking during the low season—April, May, and November. In the low season, rates offered include approximately $600 per person for foreign non-residents and about $500 per person for foreign residents. Did you know that in Uganda, to buy a gorilla permit, you need to do it through a registered tour operator? Therefore, acquire your gorilla permit conveniently with us. Besides this, your comprehensive tour package, designed together with us, includes accommodation, meals, transportation, and other activities.
When to do Gorilla Trekking?
Gorilla trekking in Uganda is a fantastic adventure that needs to be experienced by everyone, regardless of their physical disability. A deaf person can do this activity all year round, even on a public holiday. But we believe that it is better if you travel during the dry season. This time offers perfect conditions for outdoor activities because of reduced rain and comfortable atmospheric temperatures. Gorilla trails remain drier and less slippery when it rains less frequently. Also, movement inside the forest is better because of the less dense vegetation in dry seasons.
How to Reach Mgahinga and Bwindi?
A deaf person opts for either road or air transport to reach Mgahinga or Bwindi national parks. By road from Kampala, the scenic drive to Mgahinga covers 524km along winding roads and steep terrain. This is why we recommend a 4X4 safari vehicle for the journey to Mgahinga. You might love to reach Mgahinga much faster than this. So instead of the road, use air transport, which starts from Entebbe International Airport to Kisoro Airstrip. Scheduled flights take 1 hour and 15 minutes. Once at the airstrip, drive to the park in less than an hour.
As with the drive to Mgahinga, the journey to Bwindi by road is really long, almost 500km from Kampala. Also, it is highly recommended to use a 4X4 safari car while headed to the forested park by road. This is because of the factors quite similar to Mgahinga’s journey. Meanwhile, air transportation is a much better option to reach Bwindi comfortably. To reach the south of Bwindi, a scheduled flight goes to Kisoro airstrip from Entebbe. Kihihi airstrip, on the other hand, is nearer to the northern region of Bwindi than Kisoro. Also, like Mgahinga, from the airstrip, use road transport to reach the forest.
What to pack?
Before a visit for a deaf person to do gorilla trekking in Uganda, essential things to pack must be well-thought-out. In terms of clothes, consider a long-sleeved neutral colored shirt and a pair of trousers. Light rain jacket and warm sweaters should not be left behind. Hat, sun cream, and sunglasses when it is sunny. Refillable water-bottle, hiking gloves, first aid kit, hiking shoes/boots, and gaiters must be brought as well. Other things to bring include documents such as a gorilla permit, insurance, visa, and passport, bag pack, raincoat or jacket, hat or cape, refillable drinking water bottle, energy snacks, insect repellant, to mention a few. for more information, feel free to contact our team of experienced consultants who are always ready to help out in any way they can.