From its top to its tail, Uganda is blessed with several national parks. Chimpanzees play in the shadow of the snow-topped Rwenzori Mountains, elephants drink from the spouting waterfalls of Murchison Falls National Park, and lions and Ugandan cob graze on the wonderful savannah grasslands of Queen Elizabeth National Park.

In any case dig deeper into the nation’s southwestern corner, and you will find several types of animal. Here, in the jungles of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, half of the world’s remaining rare and endangered wild mountain gorillas roam free, and you can trek through their disappearing habitat to see them at work, rest and play.

October 2022 was the 60th celebration of Uganda’s independence from British rule, and to help protect the country’s natural future, various government activities have been pushed to the top of the political agenda. Coordinated patrols to stop poaching are increased, and profit sharing schemes – including the sharing of tourism revenue with local communities — have been rolled out.

Only 72 gorilla permits are issued every day by the Ugandan Wildlife Authority (UWA), and each must be applied for through a registered Tour and Travel Company. But starting in June, the Ugandan Wildlife Authority is expected to take after the Rwandan government in increasing the gorilla permit rate from $500 to $750 per person. While it is a fiercely debated political topic in Kampala, the capital of Uganda, many hopes the move will help further restrict human-gorilla interaction and raise funds to protect the national park’s boundaries from encroaching farm lands and ever resilient poachers.

Having similar DNA to people, mountain gorillas are highly susceptible to disease, and actually catching a common cold could wipe out a whole group. National park guests must keep a distance of seven meters from the animals at all times, and visits are limited to one hour in the company of one of three habituated families.