Why Do Gorilla Trekking in Low Season
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The gorilla trekking in either Uganda or Rwanda is an all year round adventure but the low season that is March to May and October November is great booking time for a number of reasons.
In Uganda, Bwindi Impenetrable National park and Mgahinga National Park are the only gorilla trekking destinations. Volcanoes National Park is the Rwanda gorilla trekking destination.
What is true about gorilla trekking is no matter when you visit, you are 100 % guaranteed of finding the mountain gorillas. You just need to follow the rules of gorilla trekking given during briefing to enjoy the entire experience.
The gorilla trekking destinations of Africa are a blend of adventure, relaxation and tranquility all packaged in the same location. Of late the world is loosing most of its natural habitat and its dwellers to other activities but the Virunga area is still one of the thriving natural habitats.
Timing for any safari in Africa is very important factor to consider before planning traveling but gorilla trekking is a different experience all year round. Whether gorilla trekking in the peak season or low season, the feeling of standing before the huge giants is unmatched.
Highlights of Why Go Gorilla Trekking In Low Season.
Less chances of obstruction during gorilla trekking
Chances of Discounted prices for gorilla Safari Components
Limited competition for Gorilla Trekking permits
Less noise from Other Vehicles and Tourists during Gorilla Trekking
Solo Gorilla Trekking Safari Chances
Finding Infant Gorillas
Can Make a choice For where To do gorilla trekking
Birding Experience with Gorilla Trekking
Less chances of obstruction during gorilla trekking
Low seasons come with fewer tourists travelling worldwide for holidays so is the demand for gorilla trekking safaris. Everyone would like to have no one obstructing them from taking clear pictures of the mountain gorillas. In case you wish to capture the best pause for any mountain gorilla family go for the low season.
Since only one hour is allowed to be with the mountain gorillas when you locate them, everyone would like to maximize there chances of shooting the best mountain gorilla positions.
Even those travelling for filming the mountain gorillas can use the low season to get the best content with less noise of humans in the background. The filming gadgets can be turned around freely without inconveniencing anybody.
Chances of Discounted prices for gorilla Safari Components
Sometimes the bodies that control wildlife in Uganda and Rwanda that is Uganda Wildlife Authority and Rwanda Development Board offer discounted gorilla permits in the low season. this however is not guaranteed per year because its dependent on the administration’s order.
You need to enquire from your tour operator about chances of obtaining discounted gorilla trekking permits in Uganda and Rwanda. This is incase you are travelling during the low season.
Limited competition for Gorilla Trekking permits
Because few travelers are heading for Africa safari holidays, even the demand for gorilla trekking permits is not so high but this is not all the time. If you wish to travel, make memories together and trek the same gorilla family or in the same area, you can use the low season to book this remarkable Africa Safari.
Even those who wish to do exclusive gorilla trekkingadventures can use the low season, as chances of finding a day with no one booked on a certain gorilla family area or park are high. You can close off the day for you to do the exclusive gorilla trekking tour with no intruders.
Less noise from Other Vehicles and Tourists During Gorilla Trekking
With a small number of tourists visiting, if you wish to have tranquility and serene surrounding, you can select the low season for gorilla trekking. There are less vehicles and population of tourists is low too.
If you wish to get away from the chaos of the busy cities, crowded destinations and holiday competition for accommodations, the low gorilla trekking season is apt for your choice.
You only listed to the jungle calls and have almost all the lodge staff attentions to yourself. It’s a quiet time for you to refresh, wind and unwind from the noise of urban cities and taxing workplace.
Solo Gorilla Trekking Safari Chances
If you wish to attend gorilla trekking family by yourself or with a few trekker in your company, the low season is the right time to select. You may be chanced and no one is booked on the day you trek so you take the gorilla trek by just you. Although this may hard at times, its possible too.
You have the gorilla family fun by yourself and only the company you know. You receive a more personalized treatment at the lodge and service is faster for you.
Finding Infant Gorillas
Because there is less interference from humans visiting, the mountain gorillas have time to make babies so finding an expectant female gorilla is high. Even many births are received during the low season as observed so far.
In case you would wish to visit a gorilla family with some infants, its best to use the low season.
In Rwanda, the Kwita Izina function which is the gorilla naming ceremony happens in the high season but these births occur in the low times.
Can Make a choice For where To do gorilla trekking
In case you have particular interest of what you wish to see during gorilla trekking like a gorilla family with many members, a historical gorilla family, a recommended gorilla family and others. You have a chance to place this choice during low season.
During high season, all trekker are randomly given where to trek depending on age and physical ability. You have limited chances of influencing where to do your gorilla trek.
To make an impact on the choice of where you wish to trek, the low season that is March to May or November give wider chances.
In Uganda gorilla trekking permits are booked according to area. Each gorilla area has habituated families that are open for tourists visits.
In Rwanda the gorilla trekking permits are reserved according to family and random distribution is used to divide the tourists into groups of maximum 8 tourists to trek.
The great rewards for going gorilla trekking are cryptic. No one meets the mountain gorillas and does feel a ting. Most trekkers emerge out from the gorilla trek feeling unfathomable connection. A lot of tourists find if profoundly a moving encounter.
This feeling you carry with you home and indeed there remains a well deserving sense of achievement at the culmination of the long journey by air of vehicle and on foot to the homa of the mountain gorillas.
Birding Experience with Gorilla Trekking
Keen birders can best enjoy gorilla trekking during the low season when the birds are more active as they prepare for hatching season. They are more active constructing nests and nuptial dances may be observed too.
The Virunga area is an African birding magnet including the Albertine endemics on the red list of IUCN.
In Uganda, the Ruhijah area of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is the birder’s haven. You go through Mubwindi Swamp. Tourists can climb through the bamboo zone to find Afromontane vegetation and panoramic views of lake Bunyonyi and Mafuga forest.
You may get the chance to spot birds like Shelley’s Crimmsonwing, African Green Broadbill, Rwenzori Turaco, yellow Streaked Greenbuls, Red-faced Woodland Warbler, Rwenzori Batis, African Hill Babbler and others.
The Volcanoes National park in Rwanda has an array of birds that visit the forest to enjoy its freebies and spend there nights and day.
How To Book Gorilla Permits During Low Season
The date when you wish to be on the gorilla trekking safari must be at your figure tips. Must know the possible number of people you hope to travel with.
When you send us your gorilla safari enquiry, our consultant checks availability by that moment. In case there is availability, he or she gets back to you.
We suggest to all our clients to purchase there permits as soon as possible because the status of availability changes any minute.
First come first served policy is used because of the high demand for them worldwide. No gorilla permit is reserved without payment. This is the only confirmation to show your interest in taking this Africa primate adventure.
After reserving the gorilla permit, you are required to provide some personal details like your full names on the passport, nationality, date of birth, passport expiry date and others.
How Long Is Gorilla Trekking in Africa
Based on the proximity of the gorilla trekking family, the gorilla trekking take between two hours to three quarters of the day.
The proximity of the mountain gorilla food also determines how long you may take to locate the mountain gorillas.
In case the gorilla family loses a family member, they go in a somber mood and so hide in the deeper ends of the park.
During severe rainy seasons, the ground is more slippery and soggy with the gorillas feeding at the slopes. You need to hike to locate them.
The ranger guide also follows the paces of the slowest trekker and for this reason, that is why trekkers are divided into groups of 8 trekkers depending on their ability to move.
When the gorilla family you are trekking loses a battle to the wild gorilla group, some there family members may be abducted by the winning gorilla group. This may cause the gorilla family to move into deeper ends of the park.
How Difficult Is Gorilla Trekking
The topography of the Virunga area where mountain gorillas live is generally volcanic. The forest is filled with dense, tangled vegetation draped over mountainous landscape. So areas have deeply fussed valleys and steep ridges which require some hiking.
This is why some level of fitness is required to go through the hike to locate the mountain gorillas.
Even the slippery surfaces that you walk over require you to have steady movement and energy. This is why you need to carry some energy bites to munch on when you are hungry. During the trek, you take some breaks and eat some of your snacks.
The tracking boots that you pack must be in position to support you throughout the time when you search to find the mountain gorillas.
Some patience is necessary for you to enjoy the entire experience because you do not know when to locate the mountain gorillas.
You need to stay close to the people you are walking with to locate the mountain gorillas because you may be lost in the wilderness in case you part from them.
How aggressive Are Mountain Gorillas
The mountain gorillas are some of the most serene creature. There looks make them seem tough and aggressive. They have a huge body structure, dark fur, deep brown eyes and so much more.
The roles that the mountain gorillas animators show in films sometimes show how aggressive they are.
In reality, they are shy, serene and humble primates but this doesn’t suggest you provoke them.
During gorilla trekking, you must respect the rules of gorilla trekking to avoid agitating the mountain gorillas. In case the dominant silver notices something odd, he may call out the family into hiding.
Every trekker must pay some money to be allowed to view the mountain gorillas but when they are pushed into hiding because of violating the suggested rules, everybody loses.
Staring into the eyes of the mountain gorillas makes them feel uncomfortable. Unfamiliar noise from the cameras and flash photography may make them feel uncomfortable.
Surrounding the mountain gorillas is forbidden because it makes them feel uncomfortable.
What Is The Age Limit For Gorilla trekking
The age limit for gorilla trekking is 15 years and above because of the huddles that the activity may have at times.
Hiking the slopes to locate the mountain gorillas is challenging at times. It is someone with some level of fitness that may maneuver.
Some patience is necessary to enjoy the entire experience which is hard handle by children below that age.
No noise is expected to be hard during gorilla trekking but with the surprises in the forest, the child below this age may not remember this.
