Things you should know before going for a gorilla trekking safari.
Gorilla tracking is one of the unique, exhilarating activities that involves exploring the wilderness in search of the innocent, endangered primates (mountain gorillas) in the different national parks. In East Africa, mountain gorillas are found in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and the Virunga conservation area that comprises Mgahinga National Park in Uganda, Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda, and the Virunga National Park in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Gorilla tracking is an influential excursion that significantly contributes to the preservation of mountain gorillas through the implementation of forestry programmers. The outcome is the gradual but consistent expansion in the population of the species over the Virunga’s, which has resulted in the establishment of many jobs in the immediate vicinity, habitat rehabilitation and development of the neighboring communities.
Gorilla tracking experience
Gorilla tracking is an exciting and memorable experience that is testified by many tourists as a life-changing adventure. It involves a wonderful moment of meeting eye-to-eye with the gentle giant apes in their natural habitat.
On the day of your gorilla trekking in any of the gorilla parks, you will receive a briefing from the park guides at the park headquarters early in the morning. Later, expert park rangers and guides will lead you into the dense forests in small groups of eight tourists who are allocated to a particular gorilla family each day. The hike into the slopes that are covered by bamboo and several plant species, where you are allowed to spend a precious and awe-inspiring hour just a few feet away from the amazing creatures, is what is referred to as gorilla tracking.
Before the trekking day, you can request for particular trek, it can be short, medium or long. The request should be through your tour operator, but there is no guarantee that you will get one as the grouping largely depends on age and physical ability. A group that is often an easy trip could become a harder journey on one day due to the groups’ movement, and vice versa.
Before embarking on your gorilla tracking adventure, there are various important things you should know, and they are outlined in the following questionnaire.
Where is the best place to go for gorilla trekking?
The best place for the gorilla tracking excursion largely depends on your tastes and preferences and budget. Mountain gorilla tracking is done in three countries in the world, that is Uganda, Rwanda and the Democratic republic of Congo. There are roughly 1063 mountain gorillas remaining in the world and over half of these gorillas is housed in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in Uganda. The other half is found in the Virunga Conservation area that is shared by Rwanda D R Congo and Uganda.
When given to choose a destination for your gorilla trek, Rwanda and Uganda are more popular more that Congo their counterpart. This is because Congo has for a long time faced a lot of insecurity from different rebel groups. You can also base your comparison on the accessibility, flexibility, number of gorilla families in each park, cost of the gorilla permit in each country, accommodation, nature of the gorilla home, and many other factors. Despite the comparisons, the fact remains that whichever gorilla park you visit for your adventure is equally rewarding.
What are mountain gorillas?
Mountain gorillas are one of the two subspecies of the eastern gorilla and are one of the largest living world and wild primates. These apes have big chests, strong arms, wide feet and hands. Their hair is longer, and their arms are shorter than those of their lowland cousins. Their bodies are covered with thick black hair that keeps them warm in cold weather
What is the habitat of mountain gorillas?
Mountain gorillas find refuge in high altitude, and the Afro-montane climate of central and east Africa. The gorilla habitat is characterized by dense vegetation at lower altitudinal levels, which becomes less dense as you hike to higher altitudes. At times the higher altitudinal levels are misty and freeze to the lowest temperatures during the night. Mountain gorillas are found in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in Uganda and the Virunga Massif that covers Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda, Mgahinga national park in Uganda and Virunga National Park in DR Congo.
What is the best time for Gorilla trekking?
Tracking mountain gorillas is an all-year-round activity because their movements are less affected by seasonal changes. The best time to track gorillas is right after the rainy season ends, when the countryside is still green and fertile. Getting this period correct is challenging due to inconsistent weather patterns. The period from June to September and December to February is considered most favorable as the tracking trails are drier, no mist, and the vegetation is not too dense, which makes sighting of the gorillas so easy. However, this doesn’t guarantee no rainfall because the forests are gorilla parks are composed of tropical rainforests where rainfall is expected at any time.
The period from October to late November and March to May is considered the rainy season. Gorilla tracking is also possible; the vegetation is all green, hence the gorillas do not have to move longer distances looking for food ( treks are shorter). The wet season also attracts fewer crowds of trekkers, discounted gorilla permits, accommodation and transport costs. The time you visit the gorilla parks is largely determined by the traveler’s interests and budget.
How to obtain a gorilla permit?
Uganda < Rwanda and DR Congo have governing bodies responsible for issuing gorilla tracking permits. In Uganda it’s the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA), in Rwanda it’s the Rwanda Development Board (RDB) and in DR Congo, tracking permits are issued by respective park authorities.
Booking a gorilla tracking permit can be done directly by sending an online application to the respective tourism body in the country you wish to have your tracking adventure.
Alternatively, you can contact a trusted tour operator who will also guide you on how to tailor up your gorilla safari. It is so important to book at least 3-4 months in advance.
How much is a gorilla trekking permit?
A Uganda gorilla permit costs $800 for foreign non-residents, $700 for east African residents and 300,000shs for east African residents. Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA), a government body responsible for gorilla tourism and wildlife conservation issues gorilla permits in Uganda.
Rwanda gorilla permits cost $1500 for foreign non residents, $500 for foreign residents and other East African nationals and $200 for Rwandan citizens.
A gorilla permit in DR Congo is $400 and the only park to track mountain gorillas is Virunga National Park.
Is seeing mountain gorillas a guarantee?
Every trek carried out leads you to a gorilla family, it is not 100% guarantee to see the mountain gorilla but from the time tracking activities started in the respective national parks, there have not been any complaints from trekkers that they didn’t see the amazing primates. This is because well trained trackers go into the forests at dawn to trace for these exciting and interesting mammals using radios and GPS then connect with the game guides who lead trekkers into the park jungles to meet a particular gorilla family as per allocation.
How many people are allocated to trekking group?
Whether in Uganda or Rwanda or DR Congo, the maximum number of people in a trekking group is 8 without considering the porters, guides and trackers. Each trekking group is led by an armed ranger guide into the gorilla residence. On encounter, with the gorilla family, trekkers are allowed to spend one hour with the amazing gentle giant apes.
How long does it take to find the gorillas?
At the park, rangers and guides have an idea of where to locate the gorillas with the help of trackers. Therefore, visitors have a choice to opt for short, medium or long treks. The old people are at times not strong enough to take longer treks and are always advised to choose shorter treks. If one is physically fit, he /she will go for a long trek though it’s a bit tiresome but greatly rewarding because you can catch sight of other wildlife creatures other than gorillas. You may see monkeys, chimpanzees, forest elephants, baboons, birds, insects, snakes and also feel the cool breeze of the forest. Gorilla treks always last from 30minutes to 6 hours depending on the location of the gorilla family.
What happens when you find gorillas?
If you happen to go for gorilla tracking, you are allowed to stay in presence of the mountain gorillas for only one hour. If you choose gorilla habituation, you are allowed a 4 hour stay with the interesting animals. In these two activities you watch the gorilla’s behavior, how they feed, play, groom, react to each other and to human presence. It is also advisable not to get too close, watch them when seated/crouching to prevent them from seeing you as strangers and always follow orders from your ranger guide.
Is it safe to stay close to gorillas?
The gorillas are wonderful wild creatures because after habituation, they prove to behave dormant, gentle, shy but remain strong and aggressive when irritated. However, never take advantage of this, follow the guidelines, rules and regulations, maintain the required distance of 7m away from them for your safety and a successful excursion.
Is Uganda and Rwanda safe for gorilla trekking?
Both Uganda and Rwanda are stable and have not had any guerrillas for the past 20 years. Trekkers must go for tracking activities with trained and armed game rangers to avoid any animal attacks in the wild. Rwanda and Uganda gorilla parks authorities ensure compliance with rules and regulations to ensure safety of both the trekkers and wildlife. All this renders the parks safe and accessible for trekking.
Can one take gorilla photos?
Taking photos is very possible if you follow the rules and regulations. Keep distance of about 7meters from the gorillas and use flash less cameras. Follow the one- hour rule of staying in presence of the gorillas, limit your movement and sounds to avoid drawing the attention of the gorillas, and obey rangers’ instructions all the time you are in the jungle.
What is the weather like on a gorilla trek?
Before setting off for a gorilla trek, you should bear in mind that gorillas always have their habitats in montane dense rainforests. Such forests are always characterized by being cold all year round and rain pours are unpredictable. You should therefore be prepared with protective gear like waterproof jackets and umbrellas.
What should I wear for a gorilla trek?
What to put on depends on the weather but you should always be prepared with the best tracking gear including light weight clothing, long sleeved shirt / blouse, trousers, rain jacket, long thick socks and sturdy hiking shoes. Hiking boots are recommended for easy movement on the slippery surfaces, you may opt for gaiters to stop water from entering the boots.
Apart from what to wear, what should I pack for a gorilla trip?
Notably, you should be prepared with a camera to take photos as a memory for your trip. Insect repellant to avoid insect bites and stings in the forest. Garden gloves to avoid pinches of vegetation, a walking stick to give you extra support when you are tired or hiking through muddy and steep terrain and ruck sack to carry your essentials. Don’t forget packed drinking water and lunch to keep you hydrated and energetic along the trek.
Can I hire a potter for my gorilla trek?
Hiring a potter largely depends on your strength (physical fitness), weight of your backpack and trip budget. A potter is always paid $10 – $15 per hike. It is wiser to carry few but major equipment for your trek to avoid inconveniences.
For a successful gorilla trek and awareness of what you should expect on your gorilla safari opt for a responsible tour operator to guide you and take you through the whole journey for a memorable adventure.