How to prepare for Gorilla Trekking; This is a process required for everyone planning to visit Mountain gorillas in their nature inhabits where you need to organize yourselves in comfortable way that ensures success in the activity of Gorilla trekking. Note, Mountain gorilla trekking is one of the top done activity to be enjoy by the first travelers and those who have tried it before.
Mountain gorilla trekking is one of the top done and enjoyed activity on Uganda safaris. And in the whole world can be done in few countries and parks; Uganda Gorilla trekking can be done in two national parks Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, Virunga National Park in Democratic Republic of Congo and Volcanoes National Park of Rwanda.
Generally, mountain gorillas are critically endangered animals which are found in Virunga ranges and in the thick forests. They survive in here because of their fur which help them live in coldness on the high altitude of the mountains. Gorilla trekking involves in hiking through the slippery forest trail area in search for their deep location in the forest and the hiking journey in the forest looks to be tiresome but rewarding all you need if your carrying heavy luggage’s, you can hire a porter at a small fee to help you. As you are hiking in the forest expect to view forest birds, beautiful scenic peaks of the volcanoes, evergreen forest filled with beautiful tree species among other.
Gorilla trekking offers the most memorable life experience that takes you through scenic landscape in search for them and if you locate them one hour given to you to observe them how they enjoy their lifestyle, play, feed, take photography and video for future remembrance. Tourists prefer doing this activity because it is fun and rewarding.
Below are the preparations for gorilla trekking as follows;
Know where you what to trek
Before preparing for a gorilla trekking safari, you need to know where you want to go for gorilla trekking. Note mountain gorilla trekking is an activity which is not commonly done in most of the tourist destinations in the world. It is only trekked in three countries and in four national parks and live in families where the trek takes place.
Get yourself a trusted travel agent
This is the second step to take while preparing for a mountain gorilla trekking safaris where you need to contact a trusted travel agent to help you connect to the destination of your choice. A travel agent must be trust worth experienced enough and knowing what is happening on the ground as well as helping you in preparing all the reservation of the safari which you cannot do on your own like booking a gorilla trekking permit, getting your drivers and booking for accommodation among others.
Know the rules and regulations;
You should know the rules and regulations concerning about gorilla trekking which are governed by ‘’UWA’’ Uganda Wildlife Authority. You need to be attentive about the rules given to you by the tour guide because gorillas are gentle animals but they can get defensive if threatened. Rules like do not put on your flashlight while with gorillas, do not eat in the presence of the gorillas, there is limited age of 15 years allowed to trek gorillas, do not touch gorillas are wild animals, wash your hands before and after go out to trek them many more.
Stable essentials to pack with you on Gorilla Trekking Safari;
First examine your fitness level; Remember, this is an activity that involves in lot of energy to climb through the mountainous terrain as you search for the gorillas. Before you go out for mountain gorilla trekking you need to first prepare for trekking make sure are physically fit which will enable you to climb up and slop down the slippery trails along the forest. You can start early to body exercise to keep you in good shape.
Buy a good pair of shoes;
As your preparing for mountain gorilla trekking, you need to pack your comfort rubber hiking shoes that will support you climbing into the forest trails but expect to get muddy and slippery as the forests receives a lot of rainfall that’s why we recommend you to carry a pair to help you navigate these routes. Putting on pair of hiking shoes makes your mountain gorillas more enjoyable.
Carry Gloves
Where gorilla trekking is conducted there are sharp branches which might damage your body skink like thick bushes filled with thorny, poisonous plants and leaves so to be on safe side you need to wear hand gloves to protect you from being affected, How to prepare for Gorilla Trekking.
Have long sleeved shirt and Long Pants
As you’re preparing and packing for mountain gorilla trekking never forget to carry long sleeved shirts and long pants as you expect to come across thick thorny vegetation which might danger your legs and hands.
Other essentials to pack with you include; waterproof jackets, backpack, insect repellents, energy giving snacks.
Book your gorilla trekking permits
This marks the last step in preparing of a gorilla trekking safaris bookings for gorilla permits. Booking a gorilla permit is a process which requires a help from travel agent but before the process is began. You need to provide in your passport copy, payments and the official dates you what to do Gorilla Trekking and then get ready to trek the great mountain gorillas.
Take note; We recommend you to start your bookings for gorilla trekking permits in advance like 3 to 6 months most especially in peak season which occurs from June to September and December to February.
