Tips for gorilla trekking : Going on foot through the tropical jungle in pursuit of habituated mountain gorillas and then spending an hour with them in their natural habitat is known as gorilla trekking safari, and it is an exciting and unusual adventure. Gorilla trekking safari is possible in a number of locations, including Bwindi Impenetrable and Mgahinga Gorilla national parks in Uganda, Volcanoes in Rwanda, Virunga, and Kahuzi Biega in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. In order to successfully organize a gorilla trekking safari expedition, this article will highlight many gorilla trekking tips.
Book gorilla trekking permits in advance.
Gorilla trekking permits should be reserved 3 to 6 months prior to the trek date because they are in high demand and frequently sell out quickly, particularly during the peak season in the months of June, July, August, September, December, January, and February. Making an advance reservation will help you avoid last-minute disappointments.
Rules and regulations during trekking.
There are a lot of guidelines that tourists should adhere to while trekking in order to see gorillas, and these include:
Washing hands before heading out in the jungle to see the gorillas.
Keeping the voices low during trekking and while in the presence of the gorillas.
Not leaving rubbish in the park during gorilla trekking safari.
Only 8 visitors per day will be permitted to observe a habituated gorilla family.
Keep at least 7 metres away from the gorillas to reduce the chance of disease transmission.
Do not eat, drink, and smoke while in the presence of the mountain gorillas.
Do not touch the mountain gorillas as they are wild animals.
Do not use flash light cameras when taking photos.
You are permitted to spend an hour with mountain gorillas while you are in their presence.
You are not permitted to trek the gorillas if you are not feeling well since they are susceptible to human infections.
If you feel the urge to sneeze or cough when in the presence of the gorillas, you can turn your head away and cover your nose and mouth so as to minimize the spread of bacteria.
In case you need to use a toilet while in the forest, you ask the guide to dig for you a hole which you will fill with sand when you finish.
Cost of gorilla trekking permits.
Visitors above the age of 15 are granted gorilla trekking permits, which are legal documents that allow them to visit habituated gorilla families and spend an hour with mountain gorillas in their natural habitat.
A gorilla trekking permit in Volcanoes national park in Rwanda costs 1,500 USD per person for all nationalities, a gorilla trekking permit in Virunga national park and Kahuzi Biega national park costs 400 USD per person for foreign non residents and a gorilla trekking permit in Bwindi impenetrable national park and Mgahinga gorilla national park costs 700 USD per person for foreign nonresidents, 600 USD per person for foreign residents and 250,000 UGX per person for East African citizens.
Best time to go for gorilla trekking.
Although gorilla trekking is possible all year long in the national parks of Bwindi Impenetrable, Mgahinga Gorilla, Volcanoes, Virunga, and Kahuzi Biega, the best time to go is between the months of June and September and December to February, which is known as the peak season. During these months, there is less or little rainfall in the national parks, so the gorilla trekking trails will be dry and easy to navigate.
What to pack for your gorilla trekking safari.
When going on a gorilla trekking safari in Uganda, Rwanda, or the Democratic Republic of the Congo, tourists should pack or carry a few essentials, such as hiking boots to support your ankles and keep your feet dry, insect repellent to keep you safe from biting insects, long-sleeved shirts and pants to keep you warm, energy snacks and water to keep you hydrated, a camera and extra batteries for taking pictures, a pair of binoculars, a waterproof rain jacket to keep you
Gorilla trekking experience.
One of the main attractions for travelers visiting Africa is gorilla trekking safari, which begins very early in the morning with a briefing on the rules and guidelines to adhere while during gorilla trekking. After the briefing, you will be divided into groups of eight, with each group being assigned a habituated gorilla family to hike and a knowledgeable park guide who is familiar with the various trekking routes. From there, you will begin your jungle journey. Because mountain gorillas prefer to travel from one spot to another in search of food, gorilla trekking safari in Uganda, Rwanda, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo might last anywhere from thirty minutes to seven hours, depending on the location of the gorillas. While trekking, you’ll have the chance to see a variety of wildlife species, and once the gorillas are found, you’ll be able to spend an hour with them in their natural habitat, where you can observe them going about their daily lives, learn more about their habits and behaviors, and take pictures and videos with a flash-free camera.
Other activities to engage in during the safari
After the thrilling gorilla trekking safari experience, tourists can partake in various safari activities including bird watching, cultural excursions, narrated/guided nature walks, mountain climbing, golden monkey trekking, chimpanzee trekking, wildlife viewing, and more.
How to book gorilla trekking permits.Â
You can reserve gorilla trekking permits directly from the park headquarters by contacting the Rwanda Development Board (RDB) in Rwanda, the Virunga offices in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, or the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA), a government agency in charge of tourism in Uganda. You can also reserve gorilla trekking permits in Uganda, Rwanda, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo by getting in touch with a reputable travel agency like Primate Holidays and telling us when, where, and why you want to see gorillas.
For more information about tips for gorilla trekking, kindly reach out to us at Primate Holidays your safari will be intriguing.