7 Travel Tips to Make Your Gorilla Trekking Safari Adventure : Mountain Gorilla Safaris; Well, Mountain gorillas are known as the most intelligent giant ape which only found in the African jungle area of Rwanda, Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo. More to that, there population is increasing year to year because of the great effort done by a renowned primatologist, conservationist and author Dian Fossey, this narrative helped to highlight the plight of these gentle giants. She was attached to these apes as they were in grave danger of extinction due to poaching, habitat loss as well as death in the crossfire of human warfare.
According to the WWF, currently it shows that there are over 1100 Mountain gorillas left on the planet, compared to the past decades. For that reason, the chances to go for Gorilla trekking is high now, thus becoming ultimate bucket list experience for safari goers.
Here are the seven tips you need to consider first when planning for your gorilla trekking safari through either Rwanda or Uganda to experience these magnificent jungle animals;
Remember to get a permit before you arrive on your Gorilla Trekking Safari
Be prepared for any weather on your Gorilla Trekking Safari
Take food and water with you
Waterproofing for your camera and absolutely no flash
Train before you leave and know your fitness levels
Go Gorilla Trekking during the dry season
Respect the Gorilla’s space on your Gorilla Trekking Safari
- Remember to get a permit before you arrive on your Gorilla Trekking Safari
The most aspects you need to know when you’re planning a gorilla trekking safari, is that you need to purchase a permit in order to see the gorillas in both national parks in Rwanda and Uganda;
Uganda’s Gorilla trekking permit costs at USD700 per person.
Rwanda’s Gorilla trekking permit costs at USD1500 per person.
Note; Gorilla trekking permits are sometime difficult to obtain because the experience is limited on how many people are allowed into the parks. The best way to do it, when planning your gorilla trekking safari always to book your gorilla permits in advance – especially during the peak season gorilla permits can be on high sell, peak seasons starts from June to September and December to February.
- Be Prepared for Any Weather on Your Gorilla Trekking Safari
There is a good chance of weather where you can experience both hot and humid as well as chilly and rainy on the same day. That is a great reason to be prepared for varying weather conditions when planning your Gorilla trekking safari.
So, visitors are recommended to carry or wear layered clothing that can be adjusted according to the temperature. Make sure you pack a waterproof jacket or coat, pair of rubber hiking shoes to help you hike through varied montane terrain and also advised to keep your skin covered because home for gorillas is thick area dotted with blister bushes and stinging nettles for your successful Gorilla trekking.
- Know Your Fitness Levels or Train Before You Leave
Well, both Bwindi Impenetrable Forest and Volcanoes National Park both sits high in altitude which will make Gorilla Trekking much harder, even for experienced hikers.
Make sure before visiting any gorilla destinations be in good health and physically fit. If you aren’t an avid hiker it’s advised to hit the gym to make gorilla trekking worth it. Gorilla trekking activity can last for 30minutes to 7 hours to find them.
- Go Gorilla Trekking During the Dry Season
It’s a great choice one to opt to go for gorilla trekking, an activity which isn’t limited to a season and you can visit any time of year. Though gorilla trekking is more enjoyable in the drier months as everything is little more reached out due to there being less rain and less mud.
Dirt roads will be a part of the experience and these will be easier to enjoy in in drier weather months. The dry season starts from Mid- December to early February and the long dry season is from June to September.
- Respect the Gorilla’s Space on Your Gorilla Trekking Safari
While the Mountain gorilla population is habituated and non-aggressive unless they are threatened, they are still wild animals.
Respecting their space ensures protection given from being hurt during their Gorilla trekking safari. The guides who escort you on trekking gorillas are well skilled and their duty is to conserve the life of the mountain gorillas. Respect the rules given for gorilla trekking.
- Waterproofing for Your Camera and carry no flash
Home to mountain gorillas experience the temperamental weather conditions that requires you to carry a waterproof to protect your camera along your Gorilla Trekking Safari. Water housing is essential item in keeping your equipment safe.
- Take Food and Water with You
Gorilla trekking is unpredictable, it can take half day or a full day to allocate the gorillas. The best option is to go with your packed lunch boxes right from the lodge that will help keep your energy levels up as you may be hiking for a maximum of 8hours while you search the mountain gorillas. You can pack some dried fruit, energy snacks as well as plenty of water.
Get started now! To access into awesome opportunity to enjoy the majestic Mountain gorillas in their natural environment which is quite an amazing experience of a lifetime.
