Why is solo gorilla trekking a myth?
Solo gorilla trekking is a myth because you cannot access the gorilla habitat alone. Expect the company of fellow trekkers, guides, and porters.
Gorilla trekking is a sensational activity where travelers move into the jungles of the thick tropical rainforests to search for habituated gorilla families, when you find them spend one hour with them in their natural habitat. the gorilla trekking excursion is done in different countries in Africa but the most popular gorilla destinations are Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, and Mgahinga National Park in Uganda, Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda, Virunga National Park, and Kahuzi Biega National Park in Democratic Republic of Congo.
As a solo traveler, you must consider the following as important factors before you set off for your safari, the country to visit for your adventure, the best time to visit for the activity, the cost of the gorilla permit, what to pack, and transportation to that country. In this situation, contact Active African Vacations to organize for you a solo tailored safari to any of the gorilla trekking destinations in Africa. Though you are a solo traveler, expect the following when you arrive at your gorilla trekking destination.
Joining the other seven members of your group
After an early morning briefing from the park guides, though you are the sole traveler its a must to join the other seven trekkers to visit a particular gorilla family. if you wish to trek with a small number of trekkers in your group, you can decide to travel in the low season(rainy season ) which often has few trekkers. Alternatively, you can opt to buy all the permits for the other seven members who could have joined your group so that you have the whole gorilla family for yourself. This means that in Rwanda you will pay at least $12000, in Uganda $6400, and in DRC $3200.
The accompaniment and leadership of armed game rangers.
Before setting off for any gorilla trek, every group must be led by two or three armed game rangers. These will help to take you through the different tracking trails. You will also meet another two rangers in the jungle who always help to direct you on where to find the gorilla family. so even if you are a single trekker, you cannot go to the jungles alone and expect to find rangers already with the gorillas.
The accompaniment of porters
Trekkers always have backpacks containing their lunch snacks and drinking water. Though you are sole trekker, you are expected to hire a porter to help you carry your luggage as you hike through the rough terrain of the park to and from the gorillas. This will enable you have an amazing expedition as you won’t get tired easily when hiking.
Cost of a gorilla trekking permit
A gorilla permit is a lawful document that is issued to any traveler of 15 years and above to allow him/ her access to gorillas in their natural habitat. The cost of a gorilla permit varies per country. In Uganda, a gorilla permit costs $800, in Rwanda, it costs $1500and in DRC Congo it is $400 per person.
How to acquire a gorilla permit
Gorilla permits from different countries are acquired through different authorities, the Uganda Wildlife Authority in Uganda (UWA), the Rwanda Development Board in Rwanda(RDB), and the Virunga Conservation Office in DRC Congo.
Gorilla permits can be booked directly from the issuing bodies or through a trusted tour operator like Active African Vacations. Once you have planned and confirmed your travel and trekking dates, send us an email so that we check the availability of gorilla permits on that particular date and in the country you wish to travel for your gorilla trekking adventure. We shall let you know of the availability through an invoice which requires you to pay for that gorilla permit. Once payment is made, and the money is received on our account, we shall go ahead to purchase the permit and send you a scanned copy as a confirmation of your booking. Travelers are advised to book gorilla permits in advance at least 2-3 months prior to their visit.
Best time for gorilla trekking
Gorilla trekking is an activity that is done throughout the year but the drier months in December to February and June to September are considered the best as the tracking trails are dry and passable and there’s little vegetation cover. However, it’s not guaranteed that there’s totally no rain in these months because the parks are found in tropical rain forests where rain pours are expected at any time of the day.
Guidelines for gorilla trekking
These are rules that were designed to protect both the primates and the trekkers while in the park premises. some of these rules include.
Only eight people may visit a gorilla group in a day. This helps to reduce the possibility of disease transmission and minimize disturbance of the gorilla group.
The age limit for gorilla trekking is 15 years and the number of people to visit a particular gorilla family is strictly 8 per day.
Gorilla tracking involves moving long distances and searching for the gorillas. It involves climbing steep terrain and muddy trails. You need to be physically fit and in good shape for the best experience. The elderly are always assigned the nearest gorilla families and advised to hire sedan chairs and porters to help carry them up to the group if they wish.
Travelers have to present their passports to the park authorities after the briefing and before going into the forest to confirm their identity and ability for gorilla trekking.
You need to have a yellow fever vaccine certificate to be allowed into Uganda, Rwanda or Congo. Foreign visitors may also need a visa to enter the borders of the different gorilla-tracking countries.
Listen attentively and follow whatever the guides tell you as you trek to the gorillas and when in the presence of the gorillas.
Avoid loud noise while in the park jungles. If you must talk, do so in whispers. Loud noise frightens the gorillas which may disrupt your activity.
Always stay in a group with your colleagues and stand 7 meters away from mountain gorillas.
Do not smoke, drink or eat in the forest jungles in front of the gorillas. Avoid leaving any food droppings as it is a risk of transmitting diseases to the animals.
When the gorillas charge, do not run away as this may increase the risk of attacking.
You are allowed to spend one hour with the mountain gorillas as you watch them feed, play, and groom each other. Observe the dominant silverback guarding his family and the females giving care to the young ones.
Avoid leaving any rubbish in the park.
If you need to ease your self while in the park, ask the rangers who will dig for you a hole with their machetes, and make sure you cover it properly after use.
What to pack for gorilla trekking
There are essential items one should carry when going for the tracking activity in the destination of your choice. Some of these items include good hiking boots, long-sleeved shirts, trousers, waterproof jackets, warm clothing, long stockings, garden gloves, insect repellents to avoid insect bites, sunglasses, cap, hair bands, camera, and extra batteries, binoculars for photography and video coverage, energy snacks and drinking water.
Solo gorilla trekking may not be possible as some people think but as a sole traveler, you are provided with a sense of independence and have full immersion into a specific expedition. Sole travelers gain self-confidence and discovery which gives them the ability to do what they want and enjoy without any interruption.
