Tips for Planning a Gorilla Trekking Safari in 2024
Looking for tips of planning a gorilla trekking safari in 2024? No worries, Maranatha Tours and Travel has got you covered. Find informative tips to help you plan an enjoyable and stressful gorilla tour in Uganda, Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Mountain Gorilla Trekking is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that has often been described as second to none, offering the golden chance to come face-to-face with one of the largest surviving Great Apes in their natural habitat. This heart-warming experience can only be enjoyed in three countries- Uganda (within Bwindi Impenetrable and Mgahinga Gorilla National Parks), Rwanda (Volcanoes National Park), and the Democratic Republic of Congo (Virunga National Park).
The endangered mountain gorillas are so far the most-visited Gorilla sub-species found in Africa and their World population currently stands at 1063 individuals (according to the 2018 Mountain Gorilla Census). Trekking these Giant Apes in their natural habitats (in altitudes of 2500 to 4000 meters above sea level) isn’t an adventure for the faint-hearted and unfit individuals but rather only for the physically fit. For this reason, adequate preparation is required, and understanding what is expected is very crucial to a successful gorilla trekking adventure. Therefore, our article brings you the important tips that will help you plan your perfect gorilla trek in 2024 and they include;
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Book your gorilla trekking safari through a credible Tour Operator
Travelers are advised to book their gorilla safaris through travel operators. Booking through a travel agent is less costly as compared to when a client books privately. The price of gorilla permits alone is high ($800 per person in Uganda and $1500 in Rwanda), and can be made more costly when you consider the luxurious accommodation options. Therefore, if you have plans of embarking on a gorilla safari, it is very advisable to undertake proper research on the different Tour Operators (for their credibility) before finally booking your trip with them thus having a gorilla trekking adventure.
There have been numerous cases of fraudsters in the tourism industry, with cases of travelers being conned of their hard-earned money or even not getting value for money after paying a lot of money. We, therefore, recommend reading reviews before making the final decision on which Tour Operator to book your gorilla safari with. By choosing the right tour operator, your gorilla permits, transportation to and from gorilla trekking destinations, accommodation, and other aspects of the trip will be properly planned for.
Book your gorilla trekking permits in advance
Uganda Gorilla Safaris
Although gorilla trekking is a costly adventure, you will be surprised that there are no gorilla permits during certain days. For the 20 habituated gorilla families in Uganda, only 160 gorilla permits are issued
each day by the Uganda Wildlife Authority, while only 96 gorilla permits are issued in Rwanda for the 12 habituated gorilla families, and also, only 64 gorilla permits are issued every day for the 8 habituated mountain gorilla families in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Therefore, you can only guarantee your perfect gorilla trek in 2014 by booking at least 6-12 months in advance to avoid last-minute disappointment.
Work on your physical fitness
Physical fitness is crucial for a perfect gorilla trek since you will be hiking through steep slopes, valleys, densely forested areas, cross streams, and generally rugged terrains to find one of the habituated gorilla families. Remember that you will be hiking areas of high altitudes (2500 to 4000 meters above sea level), hence a little practice/exercise in the form of jogging, hiking hills, climbing steps, and walking will prepare your body for the gorilla trekking adventure. This however doesn’t mean that visitors with reduced mobility or the elderly can’t enjoy gorilla trekking, because there is an option of using sedan chairs lifted by four able-bodied porters.
Follow the gorilla trekking rules and regulations
Before embarking on gorilla trekking tours anywhere (Uganda, Rwanda, and the Democratic Republic of Congo), visitors are first taken through a briefing to get acquainted with the rules and regulations of the activity.
It is advisable to follow these rules and regulations for the safety and health of both mountain gorillas and visitors. Some of them include maintaining a minimum distance of 7 meters when watching and photographing these Giant Apes, not using flash cameras for photography, watching the mountain gorillas for a maximum of one hour, and not eating/drinking/smoking while in the presence of mountain gorillas, avoiding direct eye contact with the endangered mountain gorillas, and not leaving rubbish while tracking the mountain gorillas.
Packing right for gorilla trekking adventures
First, mountain gorillas live high in the mountains (altitudes of 2500 to 4000 meters above sea level) with cold temperatures and dense vegetation. It is therefore important to prepare for such circumstances by packing a rain jacket, a warm sweater for the cold mornings and evenings, a non-flash camera, pair/s of binoculars, sturdy hiking boots, a safari hat, an insect repellant, enough drinking water, breathable and comfortable safari pants, gaiters, energy-giving snacks, long-sleeved shirts/blouses, sunglasses, a waterproof backpack, a first aid kit, and toiletries, to mention but a few.
People also Ask
How is does a gorilla safari cost?
The cost of a gorilla safari is determined by several factors. The cost of gorilla permit in Rwanda costs $1500, in Uganda it costs $800 and in the Democratic Republic of Congo, it costs $450. This is the starting cost of a gorilla safari and everyone who intends to visit the endangered gorillas must pay it. The other factors that determine the cost of a gorilla safari include the type of accommodation to stay in, the type of safari vehicles used, the number of days and the other activities included in the itinerary.
How to prepare for gorilla trekking?
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Travelers are advised to prepare for gorilla trekking in advance to ensure stress free and enjoyable gorilla encounter. Firstly, travelers intending to visit gorillas are advised to ensure physical fitness. This can be achieved by walking, hiking and doing other physical exercises. You are also advised to pack you travel bag enough so you do not forget essential things. Among the things to carry include hiking boots, pair of sun glasses, insect repellents, jeans, gardening gloves, energy giving snacks and rain jacket. You are also advised to visit your doctor for medical check up as you prepare for your gorilla trekking adventure
What not to do when encountering a gorilla?
There are several things that you should not do when encountering a gorilla. These don’ts are emphasized during the pre gorilla trekking briefing at the start of the day. They include,
- Do not cough or sneeze in the presence of the gorillas
- Do not touch the gorillas
- Do not eat or drink while with the gorillas
- Do not smoke in the presence of the gorillas
- Do not run when the silverback charges, Just step back and lie low
- Do not trek gorillas when sick
- Do not liter in the gorilla park
- Do no come so close to the gorillas. Keep a distance of 7 meters away
What to pack for gorilla trekking in Uganda?
What to pack for gorilla trekking in Uganda is one of the common asked question for travelers coming to visit gorillas. Among the things to pack for gorilla trekking include:
- Hiking boots to ease your trekking through the muddy forest grounds
- Long sleeved shirts/Blouse
- Gardening hand gloves to protect your hands
- Hat for your head and hair
- Sun glasses for your eyes
- Insect repellants
How Much is a gorilla trekking permit in Uganda?
A gorilla trekking permit in Uganda costs $800 for foreign non residents, $700 for foreign residents and 300,000 shillings for East African citizens. The gorilla habituation permit costs $1500 for foreign non residents and $1000 for foreign residents. Booking a gorilla trekking permit in Uganda is required at least 6 months before the trekking date.
