What Happens During Gorilla Trekking In Bwindi Forest?
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Uganda is one of the lucky African countries home to almost half of the remaining mountain gorillas in the World. Although there are two places that hosts the Mountain gorillas in Uganda, Bwindi impenetrable forest national park is popular for offering the best gorilla trekking experience of a lifetime. The park harbors about 500 mountain gorilla populations and 19 habituated gorilla families that are open for gorilla tourism.
In this article, below, we take you through what happens during the gorilla trekking in Bwindi forest;
On the day of trekking, wake up as early as 6 am for your morning breakfast and later drive to the park headquarters. Here you are given briefing about dos and don’ts during the trekking exercise. At this point, you are grouped into groups of 8 people and assigned park ranger guides and trekker to accompany your trekking adventure.
It is important to note that only a person above 15 years of age is allowed to participate in the trek. And travelers with communicable diseases like Colds and Flu are not allowed to go gorilla trekking since these endangered species can easily catch human diseases that can affect their population.
After briefing, before you transfer to the starting point to begin the trek at 8:30am, feel free to request for a porter at an extra fee to assist you carry your back pack during throughout the trekking exercise in the thick forest. The Porters earn by a tip and they are always around the park.
The time frame for trekking depends on the movement of the Mountain gorilla family and its not a grantee that guides always perfectly know where the gorillas have shifted. Expect some hiking since Mountain gorillas are found in the high-altitude areas. However, the esteemed time is about 2-6 hours depending on where you will locate the gorilla family. At times you will be able to locate some gorilla families in a short time whilst others you might take long to find them.
Upon locating the gorilla family, you are allowed to spend one hour with these beautiful creatures while observing them, taking as more photos and videos as you can but minding about the professional distance as earlier told during briefing. Cameras with Flash cameras are not allowed since they make the gorillas uncomfortable and cause them to charge and attack you thinking you are an enemy to them.
The recommended distance that all visitor is supposed to keep away from the gorilla family is 7 meters. And if the gorilla family starts moving towards you, you are advised to step backwards slowly as you follow the safety instructions from your guide.
After the awesome thrilling experience with the endangered species, you return the park headquarters. And after the great job done by the trekkers and guides, you can appreciate them with a tip of about 15-20 USD per trekker. At the park headquarters, you are awarded a certificate of participation appreciating you for taking part in the conservation of the endangered Mountain gorilla species in Bwindi Impenetrable forest national park. You will then meet your driver guide who transfers you to the lodge.
Are you planning a gorilla safari this season in Uganda and you are still wondering how to achieve your dreamlife adventure in Bwindi forest? Don’t hesitate to contact our professional and experienced reservation team for an affordable quotation. To book a gorilla tour in Uganda with us, simply send an email to info@kampalacarrentalservices.com or call us now on +256-785231603 / +256-758540071 to talk to us.
