Hiring A Porter for Gorilla Trekking

Trekking the endangered mountain gorillas in their natural habitats is one of the most fulfilling, rewarding experiences any traveler can undertake but it is also challenging. These Giant Apes live high on the mountains between 2500 and 4000 meters above sea level of four National Parks- Mgahinga Gorilla and Bwindi Impenetrable National Parks in Uganda, Virunga National Park in the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda. Their habitats high on the mountains coupled with the rugged terrains and dense vegetation makes trekking the mountain gorillas a difficult but a worthwhile experience.

Although gorilla trekking is doable without a porter, we highly advise visitors to hire porters from the Park Headquarters/briefing point as it is crucial to enhancing safety and experience, and offering physical and emotional support during these treks. In this article, we shall provide you some of the reasons why you need to hire a porter for gorilla trekking, how to select the right porter, and what to anticipate when you hire a porter.

Reasons for hiring a porter for gorilla trekking

Mountain Gorilla 

Trekking the endangered mountain gorillas in their natural habitats requires a considerable amount of physical and mental preparation. The walks/hikes can be long and arduous, often lasting between two and six hours and it’s easy to lose breath and this is where the significance of hiring a porter comes into play.

It is the duty of the porter to carry your backpack and camera equipment, thus leaving you free to put your focus on admiring the irresistible beauty of the Forest and its incredible residents (birds, primates, butterflies and others), as well as the physical demands of the gorilla trekking adventure. Therefore, peace of mind is the main reason why you need to hire a porter for gorilla trekking hence knowing you are in good hands. These porters are also local residents of areas around these Protected Areas thus make your trek more fun and enjoyable while sharing information on the local culture and customs of the area (where required), and the forests themselves.

We cannot ignore the role porters play in providing physical and emotional support during gorilla trekking adventures. There are instances when visitors wish to give up due to the difficulty of gorilla trekking but porters keep encouraging them, holding their hand when hiking to higher elevations and offering a hand during falls. While Ranger guides can hold your hands while hiking, it will become difficult to divide attention to 7 other visitors you are tracking with and at the same time provide the important information about the Park, and unique attractions. This is why you will need to hire a porter for gorilla trekking.

How much does it cost to hire a Porter for gorilla trekking?

It is okay to negotiate the cost of hiring a porter for your gorilla trek in Bwindi, Mgahinga, or even Volcanoes National Park. However, porter hiring services range anywhere between $15 and $20 per person per day. You can also tip these incredible people and anything from $10 to $15 at the end of the gorilla trekking adventure will go a long way in helping them support their families.

What are the essentials to bring for gorilla trekking?

There are a number of things that every traveler ought to consider 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, reusable water bottle, and energy-giving snacks.