How Physically Demanding Is Gorilla Trekking

Gorilla trekking safari demands bearing some level of fitness because of the nature of the topography of this area which was affected by volcanic action. The Virunga area were the mountain gorillas live has six significant Volcanoes that is Mountain Gahinga, Muhavura, Bisoke, Karisimbi, Sabyinyo and others. There other ridges and plateaus in this area which you have to maneuver. Book Now

During gorilla trekking, the mountain gorillas may be spending time on the slopes or deep in the valley. Tourists are required to hike in order to find the gorillas whenever they are. Expect to meet some challenges that require some physical fitness.

The Gorilla trekking safaris are open in Rwanda, Uganda and D.R.Congo but you must have a gorilla permit. The maximum number of gorilla trekking permits open to the public per day is 8 per gorilla family per day.

Other than the highlands, the mountain gorillas live in a dense forest with fully grown figs and creepers that drape down the plateaus or ridges or tree trunks. The trails in the forest are sometimes obstructed by protruding vegetation so you need to wear he right gears. Sometimes the decomposing matter gets slippery making it hard to move fast.

Those with physical challenges can also do gorilla trekking as sedan chair or basket service is available but requires advance booking so that all necessary arrangements can be done.

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Where to Do Gorilla trekking safari

In Rwanda

Volcanoes National Park in northwestern part of Rwanda is the home of gorilla trekking. At the moment about 12 gorilla trekking families are confirmed as residents. The Rwanda gorilla trekking families include Karisimbi, Hirwa, Susa, Amahoro, Umubano and others.

Amongst the three gorilla trekking destinations, Rwanda has the most challenging experience because five of the six Virunga volcanoes are situated in this park but an amazing experience. This is why the true meaning of gorillas in the mist is represented by this park.

Other than the mountain gorillas, Volcanoes National Park has other inhabitants including golden monkeys, black and white colobus, grey cheeked mangabey, red tailed monkeys and others. More than 200 bird species are residents of Volcanoes forest.

In Uganda      

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

The gorilla trekking safaris in Uganda are done in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park which is a dense forest in southwestern Uganda. Because of the vast size of Bwindi forest and several highlands that the forest was divided into four areas that is Buhoma, Ruhija, Rushaga and Nkuringo.

When booking the gorilla permits for Bwindi, these are reserved according to these four area so note this when securing accommodation to use during gorilla trekking.

In addition to the mountain gorillas, Bwindi forest is home to 9 other primate species including, chimpanzees, black and white colobus, vervet monkeys, red tailed monkeys and others. Over 350 bird species including Albertine rift endemics are residents of Bwindi forest.

Mgahinga National Park

Mgahinga National Park currently has one gorilla trekking family called Nyakagezi that is situated in the far southwestern part of Uganda. The topography of Mgahinga forest is influenced by three Virunga volcanoes that is Mountain Sabyinyo, Muhavura and Gahinga. These highlands are the reason why gorilla trekking here is considered quite steep.

In addition to gorillas trekking, Mgahinga forest is open for golden monkey safaris, black and white colobus, vervet monkeys, grey cheeked mangabey, olive baboons and others. over 115 bird species are residents of Mgahinga forest including Albertine rift endemics.

Why Is Physical Fitness Necessary Before Gorilla Trekking

As mentioned prior, having some level of fitness is necessary before gorilla trekking because of the nature of the topography of this area. Sometimes the mountain gorilla take time deep in the forest or on the slopes necessitating hiking.

Sometimes the trail-head is situated deep in the valley where you may be required to hike to begin the gorilla search. You need to bear some level of fitness in order to complete the entire search.

Time of completing the gorilla trekking adventure is hard to determine as there position is determined by factors prevailing in the wilderness. Some of the determinants of when to find the mountain gorillas includes food proximity, mood of the mountain gorillas, pace of follow tourists and others. Some level of patience is necessary too in order to maintain the vibe for choosing to take the gorilla trekking adventure.

You donot need to spend so much time in the gym as you prepare for gorilla trekking but start with simply stride beyond the normal. You may also seek guidance from you fitness instructor on the kind of exercises to do to keep your body in shape and ready for the gorilla trekking tour.    

What Is The Return Time From Gorilla Trekking

The return time from gorilla trekking is determined by factors prevailing in the wilderness. Some tourists have found the mountain gorillas in 2 hours while other spend over three quarters of the day.

The location of the mountain gorillas contributes to the time when to find them. A number of factors including weather conditions prevailing have great influence on when to find them.  Sometimes it may rain almost the entire day and even though you find the mountain gorillas, they are more reserved and keep in sheltered spots.

No matter how long it may take to find the mountain gorillas, you are encouraged to keep a positive mind along the way. Open your mind to seeing other forest inhabitants including birds, other primates, the different plants, butterflies and much more.

When you find the mountain gorillas, only one hour is allowed with them as a conservation measure. The mountain gorillas are habituated to be before humans for atleast one hour. The presence of humans disrupts the daily running of activities amongst the mountain gorillas.

As you get away from viewing the mountain gorillas, slowly take your leave without causing any suspension. Even though the mountain gorillas are habituated to humans presence, they still gear there natural traits and so they are suspicious with any intruder.

How difficult or easy is gorillas trekking experience

Gorilla trekking is quite challenging because of the nature of the topography of the Virunga area. The mountain gorillas sometimes take time deep in the valley or on the slopes so you have to trace them.

Sometimes the way to find the mountain gorillas is obstructed by vines that need to be trimmed so the ranger with a machete uses it to open a way to find these primates. At times you may be required to creep beneath some points to get to where the mountain gorillas may be. No matter what huddles you may encounter while searching for the mountain gorillas, when you finally find them only one hour is available with them.

Enjoy watch the gorilla family go about there daily activities and finally as the time elapses, you may feel like spending extra time with these primates.

Best time for doing gorilla trekking safari

The dry season is the best time for doing a gorilla trekking tour in Uganda or Rwanda. Note that gorilla trekking is open all year no matter the season and seeing the mountain gorillas is guaranteed. The dry season that is normally June to October and December to February is characterized with drier environment.

Even though the mountain gorillas live in rain forests expected to receive rain anytime without warning, the dry season may better. The forests have less moisture as more sunrays penetrate through the dense canopy to the ground. The dense network of rivers and streams flow within normal course

The trail heads are not normal obstructed by over grown vegetation during the dry season creating a better environment to explore the forest. More tourists are expected to attend gorilla trekking in the dry season as this is the peak tourism season too.

Demand for gorilla trekking permits is over the top in this season and so advance booking on the gorilla permits is recommended.

The wet season is also fine timing for booking a gorilla trekking safari that is March to May and November. Even though more rain is expected in the rain forests, the mountain gorillas are present and can be found. This being the low tourism season in Uganda and Rwanda, less tourists are attend ground. Chances of having the gorilla family to your self are more open.

What Guarantees Finding The Mountain Gorillas During Gorilla Trekking Safari

Any tourist desires to get value for money and assurance that seeing the mountain gorillas is guaranteed after paying for the gorilla permit. There are about 99% chances of finding the mountain gorillas during gorilla trekking because.

Mountain Gorillas are habituated first before opening the mountain family to the public a team of habituators takes them through a process called gorilla habituation. This is a process by which a gorilla family is helped to get used to the presence of humans without altering there nature. This process may take some time which varies from two year or more depending on how long this lasts.

This enables the mountain gorillas to withstand humans for atleast one hour of gorilla trekking.

Team of early ranger guides or Trackers. Each day a team of trackers that comprise of ranger guides wakes up earlier to follow up with the nesting point of the mountain gorillas . they also estimate the possible ways about of the gorilla family. These clues are what the ranger guides with tourists are availed with to help with tracing the mountains gorillas.

The ranger guide with tourists uses the trail where the gorilla family was last seen the previous day. The mountain gorillas family doesn’t normally move far from this location.      

Tourists Assist with searching the mountain gorilla. During gorilla trekking adventure, tourists may be required to assist with finding the clues left behind by the mountain gorillas such as fresh dung, listen to the murmurs, freshly chewed foliage and others.

Mountain gorillas live in families. The mountain gorillas live in families for life under the leadership of a dominant silverback. The dominant silverback works hard to maintain the cohesiveness of his gorilla members and even recruit other gorillas to join in. It is hard for family members to dissert there family unless after the death of the leader, succession battles and others.

The gorilla families stay together and occupy a certain location for sometime until food is insufficient and cannot saticify all members. This enables tourists to find the mountain gorillas for the time

The body side of the mountain gorillas. Mountain gorillas have bulky bodies that cannot move very fast or far from there previous location. This is why you are sure to find them using the fresh clues they leave behind. The fully grown male mountain gorilla may with about 180 kilogram while the females about half the weight of the male.

Can Mountain Gorillas Get Violent During Gorilla Trekking Safari

By nature, mountain gorillas are not violent primates but calm and serene. This however doesn’t mean they have no moods as they can charge when provoked. Upon witnessing some odd behavior within the gorilla family, donot panic but stay calm as you wait for new developments from the ranger guide.

Sometimes the mountain gorillas may charge because of an intruder that wants to conquer the rest of the family or may be showing off and much more. Sometimes you may be required to show submission, imitate eating foliage and much more. Donot run away from the presence of the gorilla family as this may escalate the situation.

 Why Book Gorilla Trekking with Arch Safaris And Tours

At Arch safaris And tours, we aim to provide value for money for any safari you book with us. For gorilla trekking adventure in Uganda or Rwanda, we assist reserve the gorilla permit and other necessary logistics on behalf of our clients. Our joy is to help our esteemed clients create everlasting safari memories and turn dreams into reality. Arch safaris And tours is professional company with experience of over 8 years. We always look forward to a successful safari experience as we contribute part of your African safari experience. Customer satisfaction is our top priority

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