Imagine Uganda without Gorillas! Gorillas are a major pillar to Uganda tourism. You cannot talk of Uganda tourism and forget to talk about gorillas.  Gorilla trekking is a daily activity in Uganda’s Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga National Park. The current cost of Uganda Gorilla permit goes up to US$700 making it the most expensive tourist activity.

According to the last census, Uganda hosts over 400 mountain Gorillas making Bwindi and Mgahinga the most visited parks. In this article, let us asses Uganda tourism without gorillas.  Can it progress? Can Uganda still maintain the number of tourists received per annum? Are there other activities which can substitute gorilla trekking?

Yes, Uganda tourism can survive without gorillas. Uganda is gifted with a variety of other attractions that can attract a considerable number of tourists. If you would not like to fork out US$700 for a Uganda gorilla safari, there are many other adventures that you can include in your next Uganda safari holiday Below are some of other tourist attractions on which Uganda can depend apart from the gorillas. ;

Chimpanzees – regarded as our closest relation sharing 99% of our DNA. Trust me, Chimpanzees are amazing because they are intelligent and capable of using tools to perform their daily activities. Chimpanzees are interesting to see – they can use stones, stick and pods among others during their daily activities. Chimpanzee trekking occurs in Budongo Forest, Kibale National Park, Toro- Semuliki game reserve, Kalinzu Forest and Kyambura Gorge.  Chimpanzee permit is cheaper than Gorilla permit and the lowest is US$50 to US$200.

Golden Monkeys – Guests can visit Mgahinga National Park to see the amazing Golden monkeys. The current cost of Golden monkey trekking is US$90 and no need to pre-book. Once you visit Mgahinga, expect to hike to meet gorillas in the Mgahinga uplands. Golden Monkeys move in troops of about 50 members and offers a single trek compared to Gorilla trekking.

The savannah parks protect a variety of attractions – including animals, birds, relief, drainage features among others. Savannah parks in Uganda includes Queen Elizabeth National Park, Murchison Falls National Park, Kidepo Valley national Park, Lake Mburo national park and Semuliki National Park. The major tourist activity in such parks include Game viewing and boat trips. While in Uganda savannah parks, expect to see elephants, Antelopes, Lions, Giraffes, Zebras, Antelopes and Buffaloes among others.

Without Gorillas, Uganda can depend on Mountaineering – Mountain Rwenzori in western Uganda and Mountain Elgon in Eastern Uganda offers the best mountaineering services in Uganda, East Africa and Africa at large. The famous Mountains of the moon (Mountain Rwenzori) is interesting with snow capped peaks and lots of other attractions surrounding the mountain. Climbing Mountain Rwenzori will not only reward you the views of glacial features but also gain expertise and physical fitness.

Without Gorillas, Uganda can depend on boat trips – there many water bodies like Lake Victoria, Lake Kyoga, Lake Edward, Lake Gorge, Lake Albert among others. Rivers include Nile, River Katonga and so on.  Boat trip rewards the view of water loving mammals and birds- visit different islands- spend some period on the islands is amazing. Oh! Don’t forget boat trip on Kazinga channel to see water loving birds and mammals like crocodiles, Hippos, Monitor Lizards among others.

Uganda without Gorillas, can survive on culture – Uganda is among countries with rich culture. The country with many tribes offers unique cultural songs, dance, musical instruments, dressing codes among others. Such community is interesting to visit – do not forget to explore the unique culture of the IK (North Eastern Uganda) and the Batwa of south western Uganda.

Uganda is a basket of primates – Kibale National Park alone protects 13 primate species including Chimpanzees, Vervet monkeys, Black and white colobus Monkeys, Red-tailed monkeys, LHoest Monkeys, Grey checked Monkeys, Olive Baboon, Uganda Red Colobus, The potto, Patas Monkeys, Uganda Mangabey and so on. You can also meet primates in other parts of the country like Busitema (Olive Baboon), Uganda Wildlife Education centre (Former Entebbe Zoo) and Ngamba Island on Lake Victoria – for that case, Uganda welcomes primate lovers.

Historical sites like Uganda Museums, Uganda Martyrs shrine Namugongo, Kabaka’s Lake, Kasubi Tombs and so on. Such sites keep the historical tools, clothes among others.

In conclusion therefore, Gorilla trekking earns Uganda a lot of foreign exchange but the country can as well depend on others activities like Chimpanzee trekking, Golden Monkey trekking, Game viewing, Boat trip and Cultural tours among others.