What May Go Wrong During Gorilla trekking safari In Uganda Or Rwanda

What may go wrong on gorilla trekking safari in Uganda or Rwanda includes forgetting to book the gorilla trekking permit, arriving on the wrong date for the gorilla safari, being under age and others. Whether destined to do gorilla trekking in Ugand or Rwanda, you need to abide by the recommended rules of this adventure. Contact Us

Donot forget to carry the necessary gorilla trekking gears as the wilderness is rough. The way to find the mountain gorillas is quite steep because of the nature of the terrain of this area but have some level of fitness.

When with the mountain gorillas, donot try anything that may appear suspicious as this may cause them to charge. Mountain gorillas are known to be gentle and shy by nature but every sensitive to intruders in there vicinity.

Staring in the eyes of the mountain gorillas makes you appear suspicious before the mountain gorillas and so the dominant silverback may order the rest of the gorilla trekking family to retreat in the deeper forest. Gorilla trekking in Uganda or Rwanda may take longer than expected because finding the location of the mountain gorillas depends on factors prevailing in the forest.

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Where to Do Gorilla Trekking in Uganda Or Rwanda                  

Gorilla Trekking in Rwanda

In Rwanda, Volcanoes National Park is the only gorilla trekking destination in the country. At the moment, Rwanda has 12 gorilla families open for gorilla trekking some include Umubano, Amahoro, Hirwa and others. The maximum number of tourists accepted to visit the mountain gorillas in Rwanda is 8 as a conservation measure taken to prevent environmental degradation and stressing these primates.

The Rwanda Development Board has the mandate to sell and regulate the Rwanda Gorilla Trekking Permits. Other than the mountain gorillas, Volcanoes National Park is home to endangered primates including golden monkeys open for golden monkey trekking and other primates.

More than 200 bird species have been recorded as residents of Volcanoes National Park.  More to this is the long list of fauna and flora that have been recorded as part of the pristine Volcanoes forest.

Gorilla Trekking in Uganda

Bwindi impenetrable National Park is the home t almost half of the total population of the mountain gorillas that is in the world. According to the latest statistics over 450 mountain gorillas are residents of Bwindi forest,

The vast size of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park which is over 327 square kilometers with several highlands that form part of this topography led to dividing this park into four areas. Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is divided into Buhoma, Rushaga, Ruhija and Nkuringo areas for better administration.

When booking the gorilla trekking permits for Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, they are reserved according to the four gorilla safari areas. The area under which the gorilla permit is booked also influences where to reserve accommodation to use during gorilla trekking safari in Bwindi. This is to avoid having to drive in the dark to cross from one gorilla trekking area to another for briefing.

Other than the mountain gorillas, Bwindi forest is home to other four primate species including the endangered wild chimpanzees, olive baboons, grey cheeked mangabey, blue monkeys, red tailed monkeys and others.

The rich flora that Bwindi forest has is exceptional with more than 200 tree species registered as part of the forest. The long list of flora that is part of Bwindi forest is awed to the over 25000 years that the forest is believed to have existed. The tangled vegetation that draped over the fissured landscape including slippery valleys, high cliffs, ridges and tree trunks adds to the stunning beauty around the park.

Mgahinga National Park

Gorilla trekking is the mains activity of Mgahinga National Park even though the size of this park is the smallest amongst Uganda National Parks with a size of 33.7 square kilometers. At the moment one gorilla trekking family is open in Mgahinga National Park that is Nyakagezi gorilla trekking family.

More to the residents primates of Mgahinga National Park are the endangered golden monkeys whose physical appearance is different from the normal monkeys. The golden monkeys have a larger body structure, golden hairs on the lower bottom. According to statistics at the moment about 4000 golden monkeys are living in the entire world which places these primates on the list of endangered species.

The presence of the three mountains that is Mountain Gahinga , Sabyinyo and Muhavura that influence not only the appearance of the Mgahinga forest, its topography but condition its environment too. An excursion hike on either of the mountains gives you chances to seeing unique vegetation along the way and stunning surrounding features that form part of Mgahinga forest.

Mistakes Likely To Do During Gorilla Trekking Safari

Reporting to the Ranger Station late Before starting Gorilla trekking

Every tourists is expected to report to the ranger station before time for starting the gorilla trekking adventure for document verification. When you fail to attend briefing during gorilla trekking safari chances of being disqualified are more open. During briefing, the gorilla trekking rules are explained in details and some additional specific to particular gorilla families.

If allowed to do gorilla trekking without attending briefing, tourists are likely to make mistakes that may cost the entire group encounter of the mountain gorillas.  It is best to arrive at the ranger station early to deal with all necessary clearance

Being Unfit On the Day Of The gorilla Trekking

Having some level of fitness is recommended before gorilla trekking safari as the topography of the Virunga area is characterized by different highlands. The mountain gorillas sometimes spend time on the slopes or deep in the valleys where tourists must hike to locate them. Even the time to spend on the gorilla trekking safari is hard to determine as it varies from about 2 hour to more depending on the location of the mountain gorillas.

Those who are physically impaired may use sedan chair service during gorilla trekking and this gets you to the location where the mountain gorillas may be hanging out for the day. Advance booking is recommended so that all necessary preparations can be made in advance.

Donot forget to carry a first aid kit in case need arises while taking part in the gorilla trekking safari or an emergency.

 Forgetting to carry a gorilla trekking permit

The gorilla trekking permit is the only ticket that allows you entry to attend but you may forget to carry the gorilla permit. Presenting the gorilla trekking permit is the only evidence to show in order to be accepted to join the search for these primates.

Before attending briefing at the ranger station, tourists must present some of these documents for verification before gorilla trekking with the necessary documents.

Booking Accommodations To Use During Gorilla Trekking

It is best to spend the night before starting the gorilla trekking safari within or closer to the destination where this adventure is to happen. For gorilla trekking in Uganda specifically Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, it is best to book accommodations according to these areas. This is because connecting from one gorilla trekking area to another is hard because of the impassable features that make part of this topography.

Gorilla trekking in Rwanda or Uganda starts early morning and all necessary clearances have to be done.

Moving Far From The Rest Of The Gorilla Trekking Group

Every gorilla trekking group is led by a ranger guide who follows the pace of the slowest trekker so that no body is forgotten in the jungle. No body is expected to divert away from the rest of the gorilla trekkers as you may get lost in the dense wilderness. The search for the mountain gorillas requires some level of patience

It is best to keep up with the rest of the group so that you are not lost in the wilderness. When you wish to have a short or long call while on the gorilla search, notify the ranger guide so that you are not forgotten. The ranger guide will dig a 30 centimeters hole for you to have the long call and cover well beyond recognition.

Vehicle getting stuck Before or After Gorilla Trekking Safari

The way to and from the gorilla trekking adventure gets slippery especially in the wet season. Donot expect a smooth drive on the way to because the roads are bumpy and get quite slippery in the severe rainy season. It is recommended to book a 4×4 wheel drive vehicle in good condition and have a professional and experienced driver guide.

Ensure to have full tank vehicle before moving deep to the gorilla trekking destinations as it is hard to find refueling stations around or close to these destinations. 

Being Under Age On Gorilla Trekking Tour

The gorilla trekking tour has age limits that is in Uganda tourists aged 12 years and over and 15 years and beyond in Rwanda. The age limit was set with the aim of giving opportunity to those capable tourists to endure the rough terrain of the gorilla trekking adventures.

During the search for the mountain gorillas time of finding them is hard to determine because they are free to move in any part of the forest. The way to find the mountain gorillas is quite rough which may quite uncomfortable for children below this age. Gorilla trekking has rules which every tourists is expected to abide by but children under these ages may find it difficult to abide by each and every rule.

Even when the gorilla permit is booked for an underage it is hard to let them join other tourists for gorilla trekking adventure.

Witnessing Gorillas Charge During Gorilla Trekking

The mountain gorillas can charge when provoked but naturally they are shy and serene primates. Some of the signs of  charging mountain gorillas include chest thumping, hooting, pulling vines and much more.

Note that not all the time that mountain gorillas show case some odd behaviors that they are angry with you during gorilla trekking safari. The mountain gorillas may be having family feud, power struggle, playing and others.

Wait for the ranger guide to find the factual cause of the matter then advise on the possibility solutions for the to harmonize the situation including pretending to chew foliage, submission and others. Every person is required to be cooperative in order to show the mountain gorillas that you visit with good intentions.

Forgetting Packed lunch or snacks During Gorilla trekking    

Since you may not know return time after gorilla trekking it is best to carry packed lunch or snacks. Breakfast is taken too early to last the entire time you are with the mountain gorillas. During the search for the mountain gorillas, you may get the chance to take breaks to enjoy snacks before finding these primates.

The ranger guide will also ask for lunch break for all tourists in case it is time to enjoy some meals.

When is the best time to do gorilla trekking in safari

The best time to do gorilla trekking safari in Uganda or Rwanda is the dry season even though this adventure is available all year. The dry season which is normally June to September is characterized with dry conditions that favor the free movement of the mountain gorillas in the wilderness. The dry season in the wilderness has less food available to all inhabitants even the mountain gorillas normally spend most of the time closer to the ground.

Note that there are normally more tourists visiting for gorilla trekking safari in Uganda or Rwanda in the dry season so expect competition for the limited gorilla permits available. Ensure to reserve accommodation to use during gorilla trekking safari early because they sell out in advance. Prepare to share the gorilla trekking adventure with other tourists. The wet season is open for gorilla trekking and seeing the mountain gorillas is guaranteed too. The wet season is normally March to May and late October to November but the mountain gorillas are present. The gorilla family may seek shelter from the heavy down pour but finding them is a sure deal. Donot forget to carry the necessary gorilla safari gears as it rains in the Virunga area any time without warning