Gorilla Trekking Safari Period | Time take for a gorilla trekking Experience
Gorilla Trekking Safari Period is the time it takes for the trekkers/travelers to go through the whole gorilla trekking experience. Gorilla trekking is quite an unforgettable experience where trekkers can be accompanied by experienced tour guides and armed rangers to forest trail heads through hiking in various forest trails covered with thick bushes in search of habituated gorilla families which are ready to be trekked. However, the activity is termed as a full day encounter with these great apes, but no one can tell the exact gorilla trekking safari period. The Gorilla trekking safari period depends on where mountain gorillas were left the previous day and since they keep on moving from place to another you cannot tell the exact time taken. For you to engage in gorilla trekking activity you need to be physically fit in the body because it requests you to hike sometimes long distances to meet a gorilla family to spend within the midst of the forest in order to enjoy your trekking activity.
Note that, Mountain gorillas survive in the rain forest of Bwindi impenetrable national park, Mgahinga national park both found in the south-western region of Uganda, Volcanoes national park in Rwanda and Virunga national park in the Democratic Republic of Congo. In Africa, gorilla trekking can only be done in three countries namely Uganda, Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Gorilla Trekking Safari Period
The Gorilla Trekking Safari Period can take about 2 to 8 hours or even a full day depending on where gorillas were allocated the previous day. The activity can be done with the help of an experienced guide or ranger who knows information concerning about the gorilla trails and what gorilla family must be trekked in. Like Bwindi impenetrable national park which has four gorilla sectors in this park a guide must be knowing which sector to go too could be Nkuringo or Buhoma sector which is the best sector for trekking gorillas. In case of the disabled one like the lame who have to use the wheelchair during trekking for them are recommended to trek in nearby sector or gorilla family near to their accommodations in order to allow them enjoy the time of encountering the gorillas in their natural forest like that one who are strong and physically fit in the body and can trek for longer distance. The Gorilla trekking experience starts early in the morning after briefing and the meeting point takes place at the park headquarters before commencing the trek.
As your trekking, there is a high chance of seeing other primates like white and black monkeys, red tailed monkeys, blues monkeys, spot birds, tree species mammals to be viewed elephants, buffaloes, antelopes that inhabits in the montane rain forest and mountainous areas and many more just the time of excitement. And Once a habituated gorilla family is allocated, trekkers are given one hour to observe them while learning physical description, feeding, playing, grooming as well as taking photographs with your closest cousins which are said to be 98% human genes. Since the trekking time is unpredictable you are advised to carry your packed lunch which can eat in the midst of the forest if you’re caught off the lunchtime in search for gorillas. Note that, children below 15 years of age are not allowed to trek. Gorilla trekking experience is an everlasting memory that stays for years.
How to prepare for your gorilla trekking activity
One to be able to engage in gorilla trekking experience. It requires you to the first book for your gorilla trekking permits before six months in advance during the high season. Because without holding permits you cannot be allowed to participate in this fantastic activity.
In general gorilla trekking permits in Uganda go for USD600 and effectively by 1st July-2020 it will be costing USD700 per person per trek still cheaper to Rwanda gorilla permits which cost USD1500 which is equivalent to gorilla habituation permits in Uganda and gorilla trekking permits in Congo cost USD400. Note that permits should be booked at least three months in advance or six months in order to obtain the permits in time and once you delay and pay at the last minute, permits tend to be on a higher demand mostly during high season.
Trekkers are advised when are booking for their accommodation facilities, they should always book a nearby accommodation to one of the gorilla sectors intended to trek. For instance, if you choose to trek gorillas in Uganda, trekkers should notice that Bwindi has four gorilla sectors and each sector has nice looking accommodation facilities available for the trekkers for example Nkuringo sector, you are free to book your accommodation facility in Nkuringo region to easy your search for that particular gorilla family in the sector.
On your gorilla trekking activity, you need to carry hiking boots, insect repellents, garden gloves, hat, sunglasses, blouses, long socks, long sleeved clothes, packed food, mineral water bottle, energy snacks, raincoat since it is trekked in rain forest, worm clothes and many more that should be carried.
Travellers should always carry enough money to hire porters at the park headquarters who can assist you in carrying your luggage in case of any needy. For instance, you may fell to hike hilly trails and porters are the ones to push or pull you in order to make your trek successful.
Mountain gorillas can be trekked throughout the year, especially in the dry months of July to September and December to February. During wet seasons from the month of March to May and September to November forest trails and mountainous areas can be slippery and roads are impassable.
Lastly, the time taken during gorilla trekking will never be denied by anyone because gorillas keep on shifting from place to place looking for food. You can imagine spending time almost a full day in the midst of the forest with primates and an activity that requires you to carry your packed lunch with enough mineral water bottles. Gorilla trekking can be enjoyed in three countries namely Uganda, Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
