Grave Gorilla Trekking Safari Mistakes When Planning

The mistakes likely to encounter when planning gorilla trekking safari in Rwanda or Uganda include forgetting the camera, late safari booking, packing wrong, under estimating the gorilla trek, booking wrong accommodation and more. Gorilla trekking is on the top to do activities on the bucket list of most adventure seekers but you need to

The writings about gorilla trekking may not dig deep and bring out the actual feeling you get knowing you are just a few meters from the few leftover mountain gorillas left in the world. As history has it that by 1980s the population of the mountain gorillas was about 250 according to the then census however thanks to conservation, the numbers are growing to about 1000 mountain gorillas as of now.

Different travelers from world over are yarning to do gorilla trekking in Rwanda or Uganda but the restrictions on the number of gorilla permits which is Maximum 8 per day is the number one barrier.

When you finally confirm a gorilla permit, the least you desire to know is a possible mistake that may sometimes cost you this one in a lifetime experience in a pristine rain forest walking on the same ground on which these primates walk.

Mistakes During likely to Do During Gorilla Trekking Safari Planning

Forgetting to pack right for gorilla trekking

Carrying a hard safari suit case

Leaving out a pair of binoculars

Not asking enough questions about gorilla trekking

Limiting time gorilla trek

Hoping to be allocated the closest gorillas family

Doing Gorilla trekking Safari on a crash program

Having no knowledge of Other Safari Activities to combine with gorilla trekking

Randomly booking gorilla trekking safari Accommodation

Forgetting A gorilla Permit

Booking a gorilla Permit for an Under age    

Forgetting to pack right for gorilla trekking

Gorilla trekking has an expected list of nonnegotiable items that tourists are expected not to leave out when packing because of the nature of the environment where these primates live. Long sleeved shirt, safari hat, safari sturdy boots, insect repellant, rain proof gears, energy snacks and more.

Even though chances of hiring some gorilla trekking items before the adventure is available, having your own a better choice.

Do pack relevant  items for your gorilla safari and do not over pack especially if you are sharing a vehicle as these may be an inconvenience and most vehicle have limited storage space.

Carrying a hard safari suit case for your gorilla trek

Try not to pack your gorilla trekking gears in a hard suitcase especially when you are taking a fly-in gorilla trekking safari where most aircrafts are small and can only carry free baggage allowance of atleast 10 kilograms. A soft bag including your gorilla trekking gears is of great help.

Leaving out a pair of binoculars

Even though gorillas spend most of the day closer to the ground, they also stay in the canopies too so you need a pair of binoculars for a better view. The gorillas live with other inhabitants like birds, other primates that are not habituated to human presence so they keep a distance and watch from a far spot therefore the binoculars come in handy.

Not asking enough questions about gorilla trekking

During the preparations for the gorilla trekking safari do ask relevant question as this safari should be about you with atleast 90% your input. This is to avoid getting shocked when on ground. It is better to share your expectations about the gorilla trekking safari with your tour operators so that you can be advised accordingly.

Doing Gorilla trekking Safari on a crash program

If you have a crash program but wish to chip-in the gorilla trekking safari in Uganda or Rwanda, you are likely to make some regrettable mistakes when rushing. The least time for a Rwanda gorilla trekking or Uganda gorilla trek is 3 days giving you ample time to enjoy the adventure.

1 day gorilla trekking Rwanda is possible but all the boxes involved in preparing and planning this adventure must be ticked and ground work done perfectly to execute this safari plan.

Hoping to be allocated the closest gorillas family

If you hope to request for the closest gorilla family to trek, it is so sad that is hard to confirm. The gorilla family located closer to the briefing point the previous day may be the furthest the next day as their location is determined by factors prevailing in the wilderness. Open your mind to enjoying whatever gorilla family allocated to you no matter what information you have previously  

The mountain gorillas do not have a scheduled time for showing up so you need to bear some level of patience.

Last Minute Gorilla Trekking Safari Booking

Developing the urge to do gorilla trekking safari at the last minute may cross your mind but you must find gorilla permit availability first. The number of gorilla permits for Uganda is restricted to maximum 8 per day yet first come first served basis is used to issue these permits.

During the season between June to early October or December to early February most gorilla permits in Rwanda and Uganda sellout earlier leaving less or no options for last minute bookers. Sometimes you have to try mapping out for gorilla permits on resale which is quite taxing.

Accommodation booking for a last minute gorilla trekking safari is another hustle as majority run out of space so advance booking for this safari is recommended atleast latest 90 days to trekking date

Having No Knowledge Of Other Safari Activities To Combine With Gorilla Trekking

Rwanda and Uganda have alternative safari activities you can combine with gorilla trekking like chimpanzee trekking, water activities, birding, hiking, cultural tours, nature walks and more. Do request for assistance on the possible safari options you can do within your time while on East African safari.

Randomly Booking Gorilla Trekking Safari Accommodation

Be intentional when booking accommodation to use during gorilla trekking in Uganda and Rwanda. For Bwindi accommodation, do consider the area where your gorilla trekking permit is booked that is Buhoma, Ruhija, Rushaga or Nkuringo. These areas of Bwindi are separated hard to drive through feature to connect one area with another. Gorilla trekking starts early morning so every trekker for the day is requested to report to the ranger station without fail.

Forgetting A gorilla Permit

The gorilla trekking permit is the heartbeat of the gorilla safari so forgetting it may cost you chance to do the adventure. Before travelling to the countryside to do gorilla trekking, ensure you have the permit and do carry it to the ranger station too.

Booking A Gorilla Permit For An Under Age   

The age limit for gorilla trekking is 15years and over so do book the permit for children of the right age. It is quite challenging on briefing day to allow an underage to join the gorilla trek even though he or she has a permit. Every trekker for the day has to present some personal documents that back up your identify.

Undermining physical challenges of Gorilla trekking The Virunga area landscape is rugged with several highlands covering most parts of the forest so expect to hike to where the mountain gorillas may be spending the day. Having some level of fitness enables you to move faster and not give up on proceeding with the search to find the mountain gorillas.