The feeling of standing before a gorilla trekking family in Africa blows your mind. Everyone who has been to the mountain gorillas in Rwanda or Uganda says it’s a moment to re-unit with lost ancestors.
In photos and films, gorillas look quite scary and about to grab your throat in case you mess up but that feeling melts when you actually get to see them in the jungle. They look vulnerable and exciting just to watch the entire family go about its favorite day activity eating vegetables.
Most first time travelers on a gorilla trekking safari have been mesmerized by the fact that these huge giants can only feed on foliage to survive. There special black hairy body from head to toe creates that mystical belief that they are monsters which is far from there reality.
As you watch the family of gorillas during that precious one hour, you actually enjoy being in there company the more. There presence is contagious and makes lifetime travel memories.
Gorilla trekking in Uganda or Rwanda has a variety of other interesting ancient creatures and features that have survived over 25000 years. Its is one of the few survivors of the ice age era and currently protecting over 310 butterflies, half of the total number of mountain gorillas, 51 reptiles, 200 tree species, more than 120 types of mammals including 10 primates.
The great scenery that you pass-by on the way to Bwindi forest gives you chance to enjoy incredible land forms like ridges, mountains, deep meandering valleys with rivers at the bottom.
Gorilla trekking in Rwanda exposes you to lovely landforms from which Rwanda acquires its name the land of a thousand hills. The winding roads that lead you to Volcanoes National Parks are well decorated with rich vegetation cover placed on the slopes of the hills.
Rwanda’s weather brings memories of home especially for those who live equatorial climate. It may not snow in Rwanda but the chilly days drive the point home. You may not miss home while on an African gorilla trekking safari to Rwanda.
The rich wild game safaris that both Rwanda and Uganda host give you more excitement while on an African safari. A variety of game like the big five, water bucks, bush bucks, warthogs, hyenas, herds of buffalos, giraffes and so much more are residents of wild African parks.
Water and wildlife make a great marriage and taking part in some water activities while on a gorilla trekking safari in Africa won’t hurt. The launch trips in parks like Murchison falls along river Nile, Kazinga channel in Queen Elizabeth National park are highlights of an African tour.
The white water rafting on River Nile, sun dowers and sunset cruise on Lake Victoria, spot fishing in the large waters of Uganda or Rwanda make the trip magnificent.
A number of travelers want to go gorilla trekking but are afraid of the uncertainty surrounding time of meeting the mountain gorillas.
After briefing by the ranger guide at the station, you head for the forest which is dense but sometimes people find the gorillas as early as in 2 hours while others take about 3 quarters of the day.
There are 99% chances of meeting the mountain gorillas even although they are very mobile creatures. Sometimes mountain gorillas move into the deeper ends of the forest depending on the conditions in the forest but this should not scare you. This is the reason why each day a team of rangers follows the gorilla trekking families to be trekked that day earlier than your arrival.
The mountain gorillas are habituated to be in the presence of humans for an hours so that they are left alone to go on with there day activities like feeding, grooming, playing and so much more.
Mountain gorillas are residents of a mountainous environment surrounded by thick ancient vegetation. This calls for sloping down some steep slopes especially in Volcanoes National park in Rwanda. When packing for gorilla trekking choose the right gorilla trekking gears to soot the down and dirt you are about to go through but enjoyable.
The ground that you walk over is regularly soaked by the untimely rains that fall without warning yet little sunray penetration is allowed through the dense tree leaves. Walking over this ground may call for extra energy so carry energy bites.
Hire a porter to carry your belonging when you get tired as this is another way to also directly give back directly to the local community. The porter also gives you an extra push when you get tired.
Do not forget your walking stick before heading for the forest after briefing. This also gives you extra support as you hike the slopes. When it gets so wet and soggy in the forest, the gorillas move to the slopes yet the drier months push them to the bottom.
Whether trekking mountain gorillas in Rwanda or Uganda, the choice of where to overnight takes precedence in determining what package of gorilla trekking tour you are taking.
Luxury accommodations, midrange accommodation and Budget accommodations are available for your comfort during this Africa safari. Since its is one of the dream come true African tour experiences, you do not need to ruin your adventure with unsuitable accommodation.
The difference with gorilla trekking in Uganda, you need to research about the available accommodations close or within the area where your gorilla permit is booked. This is especially for those who do self-bookings.
Its frustrating to sleep in one area and trek gorilla in another since Bwindi Impenetrable forest is vast creating a big distance to travel from one area to another. When you miss out on early morning briefing before gorilla trekking, you are disqualified from meeting the mountain gorilla.
Why compromise your gorilla trekking adventure if you can select the right accommodation to stay at during gorilla trekking. An experienced safari team at Arch Safaris And Tours is ready to assist you with all this hassle so that you give no chances to missing out on gorilla trekking.