Gorilla trekking safari in Africa is a dream come true experience but chances of misfiring which leads to missing out on gorilla trekking are high. You need to follow the set up rules and regulations of gorilla trekking in order to succeed in having that encounter with the mountain gorillas.
Booking Your Gorilla Trekking Permit Late
Much as gorilla trekking is an all year round activity but the number of permits is limited to only 8 per gorilla group. For conservation reason, gorilla tracking permits are limited to this number.
Since gorillas are vegetarians, if many people are allowed into the jungle at ago they trample on the foliage on which these huge apes feed. Each day people from all over the world purchase gorilla permits which leads to scarcity in some months.
In case you wish to do gorilla trekking during peak seasons that is June to September and you book your safari late, chances of being waitlisted or counselling your safari are high.
No one is allowed to see the gorillas without the gorilla trekking permit whether in Uganda or Rwanda.
Holding An Expired Passport Before gorilla trekking tour
Holding an expired passport before gorilla trekking is very risky because you are supposed to show a valid passport to the headquarters of the parks. It must contain your right identification including the right names, nationality and all other passport details.
You are later taken through briefing by the ranger guides about the dos and don’ts of gorilla trekking.
After gorilla trekking, you present your passport again to receive a certificate.
Travelling for gorilla trekking comes with the need to pack the right gears for gorilla trekking. These must be able to be comfortable and support you on your way to see the gorillas and keep memories of your experience with the mountain gorillas
Some of what to pack for gorilla trekking include a pair of gloves, a sound proof camera, a pair of binoculars, energy treats, tracking boots and so much more.
Carrying open clothes for gorilla trekking is not a good advice as this is a jungle activity which takes you through hash conditions including stinging nettles. Long sleeved Camouflaged wear withstands the dirty conditions in the forest.
Doing Some Fitness before gorilla trekking
The topography of the gorilla trekking area is a covered with remnant of volcanic action whether trekking in Bwindi impenetrable forest or Volcanoes National park. Some level of fitness help you survive sliding back in case you need to locate the mountain gorillas on the slopes.
Some level of fitness is necessary for you to enjoy the full trip to locate the gorillas in the jungle especially during the intense rains when they feed from the slopes.
The physically disables are also catered for as sedan chairs can be privately accessed upfront once you describe your condition. This makes gorilla trekking adventure an all persons inclusive activity.
Fully Immunize for Covid-19 before Gorilla trekking
As mountain gorillas are susceptible to most of the human infections, Covid-19 is no exceptional. After the outbreak of the Corona Virus pandemic, most countries require you to present covid-19 free results atleast 72 hours before travelling.
Gorilla trekking is stricter with this requirement as this was one of the rules for gorilla trekking even before. Initially every trekker was required to volunteer to stay behind in case of any communicable infection before gorilla trekking.
An addition of a clean mask before coming into view with the mountain gorillas is necessary. This is to cover up for any chances of spreading the communicable infection just in case.
Most African safari destination offer a variety of accommodation options to choose from. These range from up-market facilities to budget accommodations.
During gorilla trekking safari in Uganda, you are advised to book accommodation closer or with in the area of gorilla trekking booked. This is because the Bwindi impenetrable forest National Park in Uganda is a huge park with the Northern sector and southern sector.
Overnighting in one sector and track gorillas in another is challenging because of the long distances between the two. Besides even the roads connecting the two are impassable especially during the rainy seasons
Some available gorilla trekking accommodations in Uganda include gorilla forest camp, clouds lodge, Volcanoes Lodge, Mahogany springs, Engage Lodge, Bwindi View Bandas and others.
Rwanda gorilla trekking accommodations also vary but you can also overnight in Kigali and trek the mountain gorillas. It’s not compulsory to overnight close to these parks although you feel more comfortable and you make memories too.
Some gorilla trekking accommodations to book in Rwanda include Sabyinyo Silverback Lodge, Virunga Lodge, Mountain Gorilla View Lodge, Kinigi Guest House and so many others.
How To Get To Gorilla Trekking Parks
Travelling by road is the most common means of transport to get to the remote mountain gorilla parks.
Gorilla trekking in Uganda gives you the biggest chances of seeing the mountain gorillas in large numbers but the distance from Entebbe Airport to Bwindi Impenetrable forest is about 8 hours on the roads.
Domestic daily flights are available at Kajjansi or Entebbe Airport to Kihihi Airstrip but you need to have secured a seat in advance. This is because even other upcountry travelers use the same flights and during the peak tourism seasons, most seats are sold off.
The domestic flights from Kajjansi to Kihihi Airstrip take about 1 hour and a half. Then about 45 minutes on the road as transfer to Bwindi Forest. Fly-in gorilla trekking option is available for you to book.
Rwanda gorilla trekking is quickly accessed by road. From Kigali airport, the drive to Volcanoes National Park takes about 3 hours. It’s a very scenic drive taking you through the rich green mountains. It is the only country in Africa where a 2 day gorilla trekking adventure can be booked.
Domestic Flying gorilla trekking in Rwanda is quite challenging because of the nature of the topography surrounding the Volcanoes Park.
Keep a distance of about 8 meters apart from the gorillas when you finally locate them.
Volunteer to stay behind if you are sick so that you save the gorillas from catching any human communicable infections.
Try not to eat while in front of the mountain gorillas because they may grab it yet they are wild animals that need to fend there meals.
Children below 15 years are not allowed to do gorilla trekking because the way to the gorillas is quite challenging which trekkers below this age may not withstand.
A guide must be your leader while in the forest while trekking the mountain gorillas. Never enter the forest without a guide because the jungle is vast you may be lost.
Never provoke the mountain gorillas because this pushes them into hiding or to some extreme they charge.