How many people Trek a Gorilla Family
How many people trek a gorilla family is a factor considered by all gorilla destinations in the world. Across the world, gorillas can only be seen in three countries namely Uganda which has both Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, Rwanda which has Volcanoes National Park and the Democratic Republic of Congo which has the Virunga National Park, all of which host a number of mountain gorillas. In Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in Uganda though, the highest population of mountain gorillas is recorded, more than the total world population of mountain gorillas actually. It is only the habituated gorilla families that travellers can trek.
Gorilla trekking is an activity that involves hiking the deep forest cover in search of the gorilla family allocated, and spending time with them once encountered. It is only the habituated gorilla families that travellers can trek, not any other. Habituated gorilla families are those that have over a period of time been trained to accommodate human interaction, for a particular period of time. It these gorilla families, trained over a period of time that travellers get to visit on a gorilla trekking safari in any gorilla destination.
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park indeed has the highest number of habituated gorilla families that tourists can trek to encounter and spend time with them, more than 19 gorilla families. The rest of the gorilla destinations have less, but all welcome gorilla trekking. Mgahinga Gorilla National Park has the least number of habituated gorilla families, only one named Nyakagezi gorilla family.
The maximum number of people who can trek a gorilla family per day is eight (8) only. To answer the question how many people trek a gorilla family, therefore, only eight per group per day. On top of that, each gorilla family receives visitors for a maximum of one hour every single day. This is all done in a bid to limit the interference with the gorilla behavioural traits, as well as conserve and protect them.
Gorilla family allocation is done basing on the location of the gorillas and terrain visa vie the physical ability and sometimes age of the trekkers. The age factor however does not much come into play given that some old travellers do have the ability and strength to conquer even the furthest-located gorilla families. Gorilla family allocation is also based on one’s tastes and preferences, sometimes. For those travellers who would therefore like to do gorilla trekking along with their family members would do good to notify their tour planner such that they do arrange for this; the number however still does not exceed the recommended 8. It is also good to note now that the number of people who can trek a gorilla family at a time is uniform to all the gorilla destinations, that is in Uganda, Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
While gorilla trekking allows only one hour for travellers to encounter the gorillas, the activity gorilla habituation experience on the other hand allows travellers to spend more time with the gorillas. Gorilla habituation experience has travellers spending either half a day or full day with the gorillas, as the gorillas are being habituated by the gorilla experts and researchers. This activity is most rewarding not only for the longer time spent but travellers get to encounter the still wild gorillas, and also learn of their behaviours, characters, stress factors, and so much more. The gorilla habituation experience however takes only a maximum of 4 people, and is quite more expensive as compared to gorilla trekking. In Bwindi Impenetrable National Park for example, gorilla habituation experience takes place in both the Rushaga gorilla sector and Nkuringo gorilla sector.
Irrespective of the number of people who can trek a gorilla family per day, the number of habituated gorilla families is quite big to allow travellers booked to do the gorilla trek on a particular day. To be able to track gorillas, however, one ought to be 15 years and more, and should purchase a gorilla trekking permit in time lest they missed out on their preferred dates of travel. Again, if you do wish to track gorillas with your people, have a chat with your tour operator about it, you shall surely be sorted.
