Gorilla Tracking Safari Tips

Gorilla trekking tour to Uganda or Rwanda is top on your bucket list of places to visit you really want a successful safari. For this reason a successful Gorilla tracking safari requires you to have initial ideas on what is necessary to make your stay comfortable in Uganda or Rwanda. agree with those who say standing face to face with the mountain gorillas is a dream come true and lifetime experience which is a must do. Before gorilla trekking, you need to know the below tips.

Save money for your gorilla trekking tour

Since a gorilla permit is key to a gorilla trekking safari, you need to secure it first even if you are to trek the following year, you can buy it in advance. Then you reserve the funds for the pay for your accommodation, transport and so much more as explained by our safari consultants.

As your travel insurance if they are covering up for your gorilla permit up front in Uganda a gorilla trekking permit for foreign non-resident costs $ 600 while In Rwanda a gorilla trekking permit costs $ 1500 per person per trek.

Test your physical fitness prior to gorilla trekking.

Mountain gorillas are residents of the mountainous Virunga area and Bwindi Forest .This means you have to hike at some point to meet the gorillas. Generally, there is no guarantee of the easiest family to trek amongst the gorillas because of there mobility as they search for food and the conditions of the forest, they may move into the deeper ends of the park. So you need to trek for about 2 to 6 hours to find them. Remember this area is at a high altitude so air gets thinner as you get up. You need to control your breath.

This doesn’t mean that the very aged or the physically hand capped cannot trek the gorillas. There is a provision of porters or the sedan chairs that can be hired. You need to advise our booking gorilla safari agent so that this can be done in advance of travel.

Take Anti-malarial prior to your gorilla trekking trip or carry your special medicine.

You need to know that Uganda or Rwanda are tropical countries where malaria is a common disease. You need to swallow anti-malarias prior to travelling because going to the jungle may deny you accesses to a better hospital. Come with your medical insurance card too so that you can we can call up for assistance in case you get ill. So to enjoy your gorilla safari, you need to follow the mentioned medical precautions. While on your gorilla trekking safari, sleep in an insecticide mosquito net provided by the lodge.

Gloves for gorilla trekking

In the forest where the gorillas live, there are stems and branches that need to be pushed away so to protect your hands from being hurt, you need to wear gloves. The forest is cold too you need to keep warm while in the forest. Read about what to carry for a gorilla trekking tour

Logistics for gorilla trekking

To keep moving and replace your energy lost during gorilla trekking, you need to have some bites like chocolates, sweets, fruits, flapjacks, nuts, sand witches and other energy generating foods. Prior to heading to the ranger station for briefing, you need to carry your packed lunch because you are not sure of your return time. Water is very important to carry so that you can quench your thirst. At least 2 litres of water are a reasonable amount to carry.

Currency and money necessary during gorilla tracking safari

In Uganda, the common currencies used are Uganda shillings or Rwandan Francs, dollars with denominations above 2000 and pounds. It is advisable to carry some cash on you and change it to local currency which you will use for purchasing on ground.

Big notes are better to change because they weigh a bigger value in local currency than the smaller denominations.

Credit cards are not commonly used in Uganda or Rwanda because of the long process of authorisation. Although some centres accept credit cards like the upmarket hotels, master cards are not a guarantee in most places. Visa Cards may apply. There is a limit to the amount that must be withdrawn from the credit card too. However for tragedy purposes, your credit card can be used for defence.

Tip after gorilla tracking

Gorilla tracking is a superb activity that gets you closer to the prehistoric primates that are the largest in the word. Several people contribute to your excitement of meeting the mountain gorillas. As a token of appreciation, tipping a ranger, driver guide, hotel staff and others who render you great service. It is the most reliable way of giving back to the community.

After gorilla trekking activities.

Uganda is endowed with a lot of attractions which you may pick interesting in while on your gorilla trekking safari. Some of them include chimpanzees, mountain climbing, visit to the orphanages, visit to Uganda wildlife Education centre (UWEC), Ngamba chimpanzee sanctuary tour, game drives and several others. You need to request the tour operator to organise these in time because some of them require advance booking. You can also request for more information about these attractions from our professional tours consultant.