Like most guidebooks say, gorilla trekking is an experience of a lifetime! It’s very hard to put into words how it feels like to spend time with these beautiful, gentle giants of the forest – the endangered mountain gorillas. Listed as critically endangered, there are officially 880 individuals left in the wild, although a new census is almost complete with these numbers expected to rise slightly.
Mountain gorilla tracking in the East and central Africa in Uganda, Rwanda and DRC is a very trending safari activity that adventurous tourists cannot dare to miss. Mountain gorilla tracking involves tourists hiking through the forest in search for one human’s closest relatives the mountain gorillas. Tourists heading for this great expedition are usually divided into tracking groups of 8, allocated to the guide and then head for the unforgettable adventure. The mountain gorillas that are tracked by tourists are habituated and therefore used to human beings presence. They can withstand the presence of people as they continue to mind their own business some crunching leaves or sometimes resting. Mountain gorilla tracking offers great wildlife experiences however lets look at a traveler especially those going to track for the first time should prepare for this incredible experience.
Planning a mountain gorilla trekking safari in Uganda, Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Things to know and travel tips to help you get started with your safari plans.
Acquiring A Mountain Gorilla Tracking Permit
Getting the mountain gorilla-tracking permit is usually the first and important step while heading for a mountain gorilla safari. This however depends on the country one is tracking from. The Rwandan gorilla tracking permits are sold at $750 and can be bought from the Rwanda Development Board or from through a trusted tour operator. Those for Uganda are sold at $600 and can be bought from Uganda wildlife authority or also obtained through a trusted tour operator.
Though the cost of the permits seems a little expensive, they worth it because encountering mountain gorillas is priceless and besides part of the money is used for local community development. By getting a gorilla permit means that you have also supported the local people around the mountain gorilla national park.
Choosing What To Carry
While going for a mountain gorilla safari, one has to carry some few staff like clothes, good tracking shoes, a light raincoat, and a good camera to take photographs. Tracking mountain gorillas is done in an equatorial rain forest where rainfall is very unpredictable and therefore its always better to carry a raincoat and the strong hiking shoes are needed to enable one easily move through the slopes of the forested hills.
Enough preparations are required for one to have incredible experience while on the gorilla safari.
Getting Ready For Hiking
Since mountain gorillas inhabit the forested mountains, tourists therefore hike the slopes to get to them. Hiking can be a little hectic for those who are not physically fit. It’s therefore better to start a little practice before you go for the trek.
Those who cannot hike can however hire porters to carry them up or down hill or to carry their luggage to enable them easily move as they observe the wildlife in the forest.
Hiring porters enables tourists to extend a helping hand to the local people because to some of them, this is their main source of income and the money they earn is used to support their families.
Carrying Enough Drinking Water While On The Hike
Since mountain gorilla tracking is a physically demanding activity, its advisable for tourists going to trek to carry enough water because they are likely to sweat and to be on a safe side its wise to keep on hydrating (take water).
Following The Guides Instructions While Tracking
Mountain gorilla tracking is done in a national park which inhabits many other wildlife species and therefore to be on a safe side its better to follow the guides instructions. Much as mountain gorillas are human’s closest relatives also remain wild animals that can attack or charge in case provoked. While tracking, tourists are expected to;
- Minimize noise especially in the presence of the mountain gorillas
- Keeping in the tracking groups
- Avoid using flash photography as they take photos
- Keeping a reasonable distance a way from the gorillas
- Avoid touching or imitating the behavior of the gorillas
Tourists interested in traveling with a tour operator are advised to use tour operators who are affiliated to a recognized organization like the association of Uganda tour operators an umbrella organization for Ugandan tour operators.