How Long is Gorilla Trekking?
How Long is Gorilla Trekking? How long does it take to see mountain gorillas in the wild? Gorilla trekking is a unique wildlife encounter, frequently described as an unpredictable adventure. Normal gorilla hikes in Uganda, Rwanda, and the Democratic Republic of Congo can last anywhere from 2 to 6 hours, depending on a variety of conditions.
Trekking to observe mountain gorillas, Grauer’s gorillas, or Eastern lowland gorillas requires going through dense tropical woods, steep slopes, and possibly muddy terrain. What’s amazing is that in all the years we’ve been in tourism, none of our gorilla safaris in Uganda or Rwanda have disappointed. Visitors have 99% chance of seeing the giant mountain gorillas in their native habitat.
Mountain gorillas live in Africa’s deep woods, including Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Mgahinga Gorilla National Park in southwestern Uganda, Ruhengeri Region-Volcanoes National Park in Northwestern Rwanda, and Virunga National Park in Eastern Congo.
This implies that tracking these gigantic species in the wild can only be done when on safari in one of Africa’s four protected zones listed above.
Before embarking on a one-hour intimate encounter with the unique mountain gorillas, you will be briefed on gorilla trekking procedures at the park headquarters. A hike into the jungle to see mountain gorillas takes 2 to 6 hours. Key elements that determine this include:
Location of the Mountain Gorillas
Mountain gorillas, like other species, are never stationed in one location. Because they are wild animals, they travel to many locations and often reside at high elevations. However, because to trackers’ efforts and habituation exercises, trips to see them have become more manageable.
Before a party of tourists enters the forest to search for assigned gorilla families, trackers are deployed to determine where they may have spent the night. They may be traced using a variety of indications, such as nests. The main park guide and trackers will constantly be in touch, making the entire procedure a bit smoother.
Nature of Terrain
Mountain gorillas, unlike the big five wildlife, reside at elevations of 2500 or higher. As the name implies, these apes live in montane settings, which normally require a high degree of physical fitness. Rain can occur at any time of day, causing the entire environment to shift from normal to muddy; steep slopes may become treacherous; and during the wet season, vegetation may be thick, necessitating clearance. All of these elements require time before you see mountain gorillas.
Your Level of Fitness.
There’s a reason why gorilla trekking is only open to anybody above the age of 15. This is not your typical nature walk, but rather an exciting experience in which you will hike across steep hills, perhaps muddy/slippery ground, dense foliage, and so on.
To stay healthy, you must exercise regularly, and this allows you to become used to difficult terrain. Your driver guide from Explore Rwanda Tours will assist you in finding a good gorilla family for your needs.
How to prepare for your gorilla trekking experience?
Stretch before going gorilla climbing in one of Africa’s gorilla national park which include Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park in southwestern Uganda, Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda and Congo’s Virunga National Park.
This can help you improve your mobility and prevent minor injuries. Walk or trek great distances while still in your own country, or if you arrive early at your destination, there are various hilly spots to exercise in Kampala or Kigali.
When is the best time to go gorilla trekking?
All gorilla tours in Uganda, Rwanda, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo can take place at any time, day, or month. However, excellent weather conditions prevail throughout the dry season, making it the ideal time to visit Uganda or any other gorilla tour location for gorilla trekking. A protracted dry season is frequently encountered from June, July, and August to September, followed by a brief dry season in December, January, and February.
How much is a gorilla permit in Uganda, Rwanda and Congo?
Purchase your gorilla permits at least two to six months before your vacation to Uganda, Rwanda, or Congo. Foreign non-residents in Uganda pay USD800 for a gorilla permit, foreign residents pay USD700, while East Africans and Ugandans pay UGX300,000. If you want to visit Rwanda, gorilla permits cost USD1500 per person, whereas permits in the Democratic Republic of the Congo cost USD400.
What to pack for gorilla trekking?
A good gorilla trekking tour needs careful planning and preparation, including how you pack. A good gorilla trekking packing list includes waterproof hiking boots, sunglasses, camera without a flashlight, long trousers, safari hat, long sleeved shirts, waterproof daypack, sweater, waterproof rain jacket or poncho, high-energy snacks, bottled water, insect repellents, first aid kit, gorilla permits, toiletries, and more.
Rules and Regulations for Gorilla Trekking.
While on a gorilla safari in Rwanda, Uganda, or Congo, you will be instructed on a variety of gorilla trekking guidelines, which must be followed. Some drawbacks include a limited one-hour interaction with mountain gorillas.
• The maximum number of visitors per gorilla family is precisely eight, and this is done once a day.
• All gorilla trekking trips are led by expert park guides. They are allocated to each group of eight tourists.
• Valid gorilla permits are required for all gorilla safaris in Uganda, Rwanda, and the Congo.
When trekking mountain gorillas or Grauer’s gorillas in Africa, keep a 10-meter distance.
• To prevent the transmission of illnesses like flu to gorillas, all tourists should be healthy. When interacting with gorillas, keep your mouth and nose covered, especially if you cough or sneeze.
• Maintain a quiet voice while trekking gorillas in Congo, Rwanda, or Uganda.
• Do not touch gorillas when trekking, even if they approach you and brush against you.
In summary; It should be noted that mountain gorillas and Grauer’s gorillas coexist in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, but in separate habitats. Virunga National Park in Congo is for mountain gorillas, while Kahuzi-Biega and Maiko National Parks, among others, preserve Eastern lowland gorillas.
