The need for a porter on your gorilla trekking adventure
For the best gorilla trekking adventure, trekkers are accorded an opportunity to hire porters to help carry luggage and extra equipment to and from the park jungles while in search of the gorilla family.
Who is a porter?
A porter is any individual hired to carry some one one’s baggage. As regards gorilla trekking, porters are hired to help carry trekkers luggage and other trekking gear as you take up a trek.
Gorilla trekking though adventurous, its a strenuous activity that involves going through the steep slopes and muddy pathways to search for a gorilla family. In this situation, a porter plays an important role for one to have successful excursion.
Gorillas are commonly found in central and West African states. Mountain gorilla tracking is only conducted in east Africa in three countries that is Bwindi Impenetrable Forest and Mgahinga National parks in Uganda, Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda, and Virunga National Park in DR Congo. There are over 1080 individuals of mountain gorillas left in the world, and they are only found in the above-mentioned habitats and cannot be found in zoos.
Mountain gorillas always reside in altitudes between 2000 m and 4300 m. This means that trekkers need to be physically prepared to traverse such elevation. Trekking always lasts for about 2 – 8 hours, depending on the location of the gorillas and the hiking speed.
Before hiking, make sure you are prepared to go through the park elevations steadily with your luggage. If you are unable to carry your backpack, porters are there to assist you. Porters are always available for hire at the park headquarters, Trekkers are advised to contact them after the early morning briefing, they will help to give physical and emotional support during the trek.
Importance of hiring a porter during gorilla trekking
Help to carry the trekkers’ luggage.
As people prepare for a gorilla trek, some essentials must be carried for fruitful experience. Some of them include , drinking water, packed lunch box, rain gear to manage weather changes, sun protection equipment, insect repellents, cameras with extra batteries, binoculars etc…
At times these essentials in one luggage may be heavy for you to carry throughout your trek thus the need for a porter.
Offering support along the trek
Porters help to give trekkers support as they trek through mountainous terrain. At times the tracking trails are muddy, and trekkers can hold on to the porters for support. At times when one is tired, porters carry him/her on a sedan chair.
Performs part of the rangers’ duty.
For slow trekkers, at some point, porters help to guide you to follow the rangers’ directions. This helps you to remain part of the group and enjoy your adventure.
Hiring a porter is one way of giving back to the local community. Most of the park guides and porters were formerly poachers. So, when you give them this opportunity to earn something by hiring them as porters, it helps them to support their families which keeps them away from hunting the gorillas, and advocate for the protection and conservation of their habitat.
Cost of hiring a porter for gorilla trekking.
The cost of hiring a porter is negotiable in Bwindi, Mgahinga, and Volcanoes National Parks depending on the weight of the luggage to carry. A porter is hired at a cost between $15 – $30 to carry a simple pack as you walk along with him. If you opt for a sedan chair especially when you are elderly or disabled, it is hired between $300 – $400. depending on your weight and distance to be covered as you trek. This price includes the payment for the porters to carry you to and from the gorilla group.
Tipping porters and guides is optional, but a wise decision commonly made by trekkers as a sign of appreciation for taking them through a successful adventure.
The price of a gorilla trekking permit.
A gorilla trekking permit is a legal document that allows individuals of 15 years and above to have face-to-face interaction with the gorillas in their natural habitat.
Gorilla permits in Uganda cost $800 per foreign non-resident, $700 per foreign resident, and 300,000 shs for East African residents, In Rwanda a gorilla permit costs $1500 for foreign non-residents, $500 for foreign residents and $200 for East African Citizens and in DR Congo, a gorilla permit costs $400 per person in the high season and $200 per person in the low season.
Adventure lovers who wish to participate in gorilla tracking are advised to book gorilla permits as early as 3 months before the travel date, and this should be done through a trusted tour operator like Active African Vacations, a company with destination experts who will give inspire you and advise you on how to tailor up a successful wildlife safari to Africa.
Essentials to carry for gorilla trekking.
There are several things that every traveller ought to pack for an unforgettable gorilla trekking adventure, and they include gardening gloves, long-sleeved shirt/s, gaiters, a rain jacket, hiking boots, a wide-brimmed hat, a backpack, a good camera with enough batteries and memory space if you are a photography lover, a pair of binoculars, cotton socks, insect repellents, reusable water bottle, and energy-giving snacks. A walking stick is provided at the park headquarters, but if you have a personal stick, you are free to use it.