A common question about gorilla trekking is if it is really necessary for one to hire and use a porter? “Do I really need to take a porter for the trek? I am an active person and feel strong enough to make it without any help!”, says a guest booking a gorilla tour to Rwanda.
First and foremost, the porter’s primary role is to take the load off you by carrying your daypack and other items so that you can utilize all your energy for the trek which can be challenging, hard or difficult depending on your fitness level (how difficult is the gorilla trek).In addition to carrying your stuff he or she can provide physical support to you such as a push or pull when stuck or overwhelmed by a climb.
Porter provides tripod support for the guest to get the perfect shot
However you may be an active outdoors person who is hiking mountains regularly, and so you would find the gorilla trek is may be an easy to moderate hike…
Well there are other reasons one may want to take a porter than just proving support.
First of all, who needs to really take a porter for the gorilla?
The older people in 50, 60’s, 70s.. should not miss a porter
Any person irrespective of age but has not been active or has not properly prepared for any hiking should take a porter
Picked up any injury or strain in your legs during your preparation for the trek please take a porter
Do you love to support the local communities? Please take porters
Supporting the local communities by taking a porter
The porters are picked from the communities surrounding the gorilla parks. When you take one you are directly giving to the local communities which is a direct benefit from the tourism.
Supporting conservation by taking a porter
Porters are potential poachers and the income from got from being porters dissuades them from poaching. They actually become custodians of the gorilla habitats.
Therefore when you take porter you are contributing to conservation of the gorillas.
How much is a porter?
The porter for gorilla trekking in Rwanda is hired for 10$
The porter for gorilla trekking in Uganda is hired for 15$
How much should I tip the porter?
After the trek and seeing how much use the porter has been you can give extra fee in terms of a tip. You can tip as much as you want or you can afford. But $10 – $20 is a fair tip for the porter.
Uganda has made cheaper the pricey gorilla trekking and chimpanzee tracking activities by introducing massive discounts on the two of Uganda’s most popular wildlife activities. The promotional gorilla tracking and chimpanzee tracking permit prices shall run for four months from December 2020 to JUNE 2021.
Uganda Gorilla trekking covid promotional prices are as follows:
Foreigners visiting Uganda -> gorilla trekking permit reduced from 700USD to 400USD
Foreign residents in Uganda & East Africa -> gorilla trekking permit reduced from 600USD to 300USD
Ugandans & other East African citizens -> gorilla trekking permit reduced from 250,000 Uganda shillings (70USD) to 150,000 Uganda shillings (41USD)
Uganda chimpanzee tracking covid promotional prices are as follows:
Foreigners visiting Uganda -> chimpanzee trekking permit reduced from 200USD to 150USD
Foreign residents in Uganda & East Africa -> chimpanzee tracking permit reduced from 150USD to 100USD
Ugandans & other East African citizens -> chimpanzee tracking permit reduced from 150,000 Uganda shillings (41USD) to 100,000 Uganda shillings (27USD)
With the tourism industry down due to the corona virus pandemic, the Uganda Wildlife Authority is aiming to make visiting and touring Uganda attractive with more affordable prices on flagship activities such as the gorilla trek. With several countries easing on covid 19 pandemic lock downs and allowing international travel, and recent confirmation of covid 19 vaccines which could be available before end of the year, this is perhaps the best time to visit Uganda and take advantage of cheap prices, absence of crowds and the nature being at its best as we come out of the wet season that leaves the environment lush and scenery spectacular. There has also been a 50% discount on access fees to several safari parks such as Murchison Falls National Park, Queen Elizabeth National Park and Kidepo Valley National Park to make a tour in Uganda very affordable.
Below is the official communication from the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) regarding the promotional prices
I know, most of us get onto the popular Murchison Falls boat cruise knowing we will see the aquatic wild but, we still can’t fully predict in which manner we will find these beautiful creatures. That’s the beauty of a boat cruise at any day in Murchison falls national park!
Whether it’s the grey skies or the bright blue skies, it’s always an amazing journey and one like no another ….you can always be assured of safety as a life jacket is provided for everyone and a little briefing right before you begin the cruise on the waters of the Victoria Nile is done to give you precautions on safety.
There has never been any recorded tragedy during the so many cruises that have been done before. It has always been a good practice to make sure that tourists like you and i are safe during the boat cruise and therefore, great caution is always taken right before tourists get on board.
Cost & time of the Murchison Falls Boat Cruise to the bottom of the falls
The cost of the Murchison Falls boat cruise is between $30 – 35$ per person (for international tourists) & from UGX30000 per person (for East African citizens), refreshments are always available on the boat, which cost a very affordable fee. The cruises have a fixed schedule every day that is to say, you are free to choose between a morning or afternoon boat cruise. The morning boat cruise is at 8am while as the afternoon boat cruise is at 2pm.
The Murchison Falls boat cruises start at Paraa & are operated by Uganda Wildlife Authority (cheapest option) the managers of the park, Paraa Safari Lodge and Wildlife Frontiers
How long is the Murchison Falls boat cruise to the bottom of the falls and what do you expect to see along the Nile
The cruise is approximately 2hours or 3hours, all this time you will not know how the time will run so fast because you will be busy lost in the moment of beautiful pictures of Nile crocodiles, Hippos and most common on the shores drinking water, antelopes and at times even elephants. All the while, a tour guide will be explaining away the various animal habits of those that you see, how they feed, their weight, gestation period and so much more. The boat cruise is not only enjoyable but also an informative activity for all age groups. Above all, you will get to interact with other people from different parts of the world who are enjoying the boat cruise like you are and for me that’s the added excitement to this activity, meeting new people and being drawn under a common cause, tourism and more so cramped comfortably in one boat and just being able to share in the passion you both have for nature.
Another one, of the most interesting things about the boat cruise is the spot along the Victoria Nile where Ernest Hemingway, an American author of the time had two plane crushes with his wife. Having come with an intention of taking pictures of the Murchison falls, their plane crushed and another at their rescue, barely made it for takeoff when it crushed too. It’s an interesting story as the tour guide himself gives it to you in detail, you will be amazed.
The boat takes you closer to the spectacular Murchison falls, here you can get out with the help of the tour guide and take plenty of pictures with the falls in the background. That has got to be the most exciting memory to keep with you for years. Or, you can go on a hike to the top of the Murchison Falls, which is highly recommended as you will get to enjoy the best views of the spectacular waterfalls. However you must communicated with your tour driver who is supposed to pick you from the top of the falls since you do not go back with the boat cruise.
I don’t really know what you have heard or what your past experience was like but, I can assure of this, boat cruises in Murchison falls national park just get more and more interesting with every other new experience!
You can also do the Murchison Falls boat cruise to the Lake Albert Delta point
The most popular and done boat cruise safari in Murchison Falls National Park is the one up the river to the bottom of the Murchison Falls and is often combine with the hike to the top of the Murchison Falls.
However there is another boat cruise that goes the other way down the stream to the delta point where the Nile joins Lake Albert. A slow sail down the calm Nile after raging through the falls, is great for birding and watching several wildlife along the river bank. For bird lovers, the highlight is possibly spotting the Shoebill in the marshes at the Delta.
If you have been to Murchison Falls National Park and done the boat cruise safari to the bottom of the falls, you can opt for the boat cruise to the delta for a different experience.
The Murchison Falls boat cruise to the delta is operated by Wildlife Frontiers departing at 7am.
How to prepare for the Boat Cruises in Murchison Falls National Park
The boat cruises do not require much preparation. You can dress as casual as you wish. Depending on the weather (take note of weather patterns in Uganda) you can put on light clothing or warm clothing.
You may need shades.
If you have sensitive skin you can apply sunscreen.
If you will be going off the boat cruise at the bottom of the falls for the hike to the top of the falls you will need to wear closed shoes, and apply insect repellent as you will encounter tsetse flies.
Trips to Murchison Falls National Park
The boat cruise safari is done as part of a multi day safari in the Murchison Falls National Park. It is a highlight of our safari trips to Murchison Falls National Park;
Hiking is a typical hard adventure activity that is quite interesting to involve oneself in, at Murchison Falls National Park it gets even better!
After the 2 hour long amazing Boat Safari along the River Nile reaching at the base of the Murchison Falls the group which is set to do the top of the falls hike will get off the boat to meet the waiting ranger at the set off point!
we get off the boat to the starting place of the hike up the Murchison Falls
The hike starts right off at bakers point, here Sir Samuel Baker, a famous explorer of the time, stood on a huge rock (that you will also stand on) to declare the beautiful falls in 1864 as Murchison Falls, like they are famously known to be today.
You will begin to be so inquisitive walking in his shoes and for a moment imagine what was going through his head as he took a stroll through nature’s untouched beauty amidst the most amazing scenery.
A tour guide is always provided for the hike to explain certain features and answer all your questions.
notice the form (whitish.. milky stuff)
One of the things that intrigued me almost immediately was the white form that these falls make. For a long while since, I had been ignorantly believing that the force at which the water comes through the narrow space between the rocks was the cause of the form , but the tour guide clearly brought me out of ignorance by explaining that; Leaves fall into the water and decompose and as they mix with some rock mineral, they form that white form as water comes gushing out of the narrow plum. Standing at that point you can see clearly the Murchison falls and take lots and lots of great pictures.
Getting off the trail for a moment to enjoy the magnificent views of the Murchison Falls
After of course, a few minutes of briefing and the endless clicks of the camera, you will begin the hike, which may take from forty five minutes to one and half hours, depending on how big the group is, and needless to say, how fit everyone is.. Ha-ha. Having gone for a hike myself not too long ago, I know exactly what it takes.
Hiking to top of the falls in Murchison falls national park, could be best described as, running a huge marathon that gets you a gold medal when you do win in the end, like any other hike, you have done before , it’s no easy one . There is a long stretch of steps that you will keep ascending until you reach the top, you will feel like crawling at some point from exhaustion and yet with every step you ascend, the fall’s view gets even better and better. Even its sister fall called, “Uhuru fall” suddenly comes into clear view.
Getting sight of Uhuru fall
Uhuru fall was formed as a result of a breaking away of water from the Murchison falls, forming another fall right at the time of Uganda’s independence in 1962 hence giving it the name “Uhuru”, a Kiswahili word that means independence. The scenery at this point, is simply spectacular.
Finally, you have made it! Top of the falls. Here you will forget all the pain and toiling through the endless steps, as the cool fresh air blows away the exhaustion and the beautiful music ,quickly reaches your ears, from the falls as they join hands with huge rocks in a loud clap , and the soft splashes, almost like little drizzles from heaven fall on your face. It’s so refreshing, so beautiful. You can stay here forever!
the reward of reaching the top – simply breathtaking
The entire River Nile squeezes through a tiny space of 7 meters between the rocks, emerging with a powerful explosion and plunging 42 meters to the bottom. This is also the world’s strongest waterfall!
How difficult is the hike and what level of fitness do I need for the top of the Murchison Falls hike
The hike can be categorized as easy to moderate, literally anyone can do it without needing much fitness.
It is short distance from the bottom to the top but has some steep sections which can be challenging for the elderly and those with leg injuries, so it may not be easy or even doable for them.
Luckily it is a slow paced hike with frequent stops made along the way to enjoy views of the falls.
The hiking trail which runs along the cliff is safely farther enough from the raging water, while there are guard rails in some dangerous spots.
How to prepare for the top of the Murchison Falls hike
To better prepare for the Murchison Falls hike carry the following with you:
Closed shoes, such as sneakers will be just enough. No need for tough hiking shoes, but shoes with good traction will give you an extra advantage
Sunscreen to protect from sunburn as you walk under direct sunlight
Insect repellent to keep away Tsetse flies which are present at the top of the falls.
Waterproof bag to protect your electrical devices from splashes of water
Light clothing to keep cool as it gets quite hot during the afternoon.
Take a tour to Murchison Falls National Park and hike to the falls
Would you like you to experience this wonderful adventure in Murchison Falls National Park, you can book one of these trips to Murchison Falls National Park;
UPDATE: MURCHISON FALLS HIKE IS CURRENTLY (2022) NOT AVAILABLE
In 2021 the region received a lot of rain resulting in the increase in the volume of water in the Nile which expanded and burst its banks in many areas. In Murchison Falls National Park it also resulted in submerging part of the trail rendering it inaccessible. The hike is therefore closed until further notice. The park management is waiting for the water levels to drop so that another trail can be created!
In the meantime you can drive directly to the top of the Murchison Falls on a smooth paved road. Starting from the top you can hike down to a certain point along the trail and then return back to the top of the falls.
On 28th May 2016 the Uganda Bird Guides Club members (me inclusive) set out for the weekly day birding trip, and we went to Mpanga Forest Reserve which is located 36 kilometers southwest of Kampala. This was the second time this year Mpanga Forest was hosting us and I was very eager for this trip as I had missed out on the previous one. This was also my first forest birding outing of the year and was looking to add to my list of forest species which is not so impressive. We set off from Kampala at about 7am and made it to Mpanga in only one hour. The weather was not the best though! It was cloudy and humid so bird activity was likely to be very low in the forest.
After the briefing of the day’s group of about 18 birders and enthusiasts by Prossy Nanyombi who is the base guide at Mpanga forest and is also a senior member of the Uganda bird guides club and the chairperson of the Uganda Women’s Birders, we set about to look for birds. An African Emerald Cuckoo (male) had been calling, “hello baby”, since we arrived.
African Emerald Cuckoo – my mega zoom (2100) was still not sufficient to capture its beauty!
It was perched on a leafless brunch in the top one of the highest rising trees near the edge of the forest. The views were very clear and the bird stayed long enough for all the group members to see its beautiful green and gold colors! We birded in the compound of the visitors’ center, observing the forest edge and spotted a number of birds including: Black-and-white Shrike-flycatcher, Brown-backed Scrub-robin, Pied Wagtail, Vielloit’s Black Weaver, Black-and-white Casqued Hornbill, Little Greenbul, Yellow-throated Tinkerbird (heard), Green-throated, Little Green, Copper and Collared Sunbird, Yellow-mantled Weaver, White-breasted and Grey-headed Nigrofinch. A single Weyns’s Weaver showed itself briefly when it flew into forest. Didn’t get clear views! We also observed Purple Starlings flying from the forest. Looking to have exhausted visitors’ area we decided to enter the forest taking the wide trail which runs throughout the forest. As expected, because of the cloudy weather conditions, inside the forest was humid and cool and thus the birds were not out for now. We were only treated to different groups of the Black-and-white Casqued Hornbill calling noisily from different parts of the forest. The Blue-throated Roller displayed briefly from deeper in the canopy.
The Black-and-white Casqued Hornbill had taken cover too, but their gigantic sizes helped reveal their cover!
I have been to Mpanga Forest a number of times before but this time proved to be the least productive ever! We enjoyed observing other wildlife such the different tree species, butterflies, red-tailed monkeys, and a huge green millipede!!
Green millipede
before we opted to move out of and try the open cultivated areas near the forest and managed to spot quite a number of species including: Great Blue Turaco, African Pied Horbill (arriving into the Mpanga forest), Olive-bellied and Red-chested Sunbird, Plain-backed Pipit, Eastern Grey Plantain-eater, Common Bulbul, Crowned hornbill, Tawny-flanked Prinia, Western Citril, Bronze Mannikin, Blue-spotted Wood Dove, Diederik Cuckoo, Pygmy Kingfisher, Brown-throated Wattle-eye, Lizard Buzzard, African Blue Flycatcher, African Thrush, Angola Swallow.
At about 10.30am we saw a downpour approaching and so abandoned the birding and rushed to the visitor’s center and immediately we got there it started raining heavily, cutting short our birding excursion. Out of the 4 hours of birding we had had hoped for we did only 2 hour. Be we still managed to record about 50 bird species from Mpanga Forest and the cultivations.
We leave Mpanga for the downpour
We drove back to Kampala where found it hot, dry and dusty, without any sign of rain! The dry season was about to start in June when it’s most favorable to bird in Mpanga Forest, I think we shall return soon!
