How Can I Get Ready for a Gorilla Trek?
The primary “Gorilla Tracking” routes in Rwanda and Uganda are usually in better condition, but a little slow. These days, most of these roads are slow and uneven, especially as they go close to Uganda’s gorilla habitats. Thus, 4×4-wheel drive cars are always recommended for specific roads, particularly in the wet seasons.
From Kampala/Entebbe, it takes roughly eight hours to go to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. This trip gives you a general idea of African life in the regions and locations you see, passes through the beautiful green Pearl of Africa, and crosses the Equator (where you can stop and take pictures if you have time).
There is also the option of taking a round-trip ticket from Entebbe to Bwindi. The flight from Aerolink Uganda takes about one and a half hours and costs $450. In the southwest of Uganda, you will fly over the Lake Victoria Islands. Depending on where you wish to start your gorilla climb, the transfer time from Kisoro Airstrip or Kihihi can range from 30 to 1 hour.
The best choices to think about are a flight to Rwanda (Kigali) and a quick road journey if you are pressed for time and don’t like lengthy road excursions. From Kigali, the capital of Rwanda, it takes two hours to travel on good roads to Ruhengeri (Virunga) Volcanoes National Park, home of the country’s mountain gorillas. To see mountain gorillas, it is possible to drive across the border to Uganda after flying to Kigali. Compared to traveling from Kampala, this alternative will save you time on the road.
Select a Location for Gorilla Trekking.
You must think about where or which location you wish to track gorillas from when getting ready for gorilla trekking. The Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda, the Virunga National Park in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, and the Mgahinga Gorilla National Parks in Uganda are the four gorilla trekking locations you might think about.
Every gorilla national park offers a different gorilla trekking experience, and throughout your gorilla safari, you can make amazing memories that will last a lifetime. The world’s greatest place to go on a gorilla trekking safari is Uganda’s Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park, which has more mountain gorillas than any other gorilla national park in Rwanda or Congo.
The most distinctive gorilla trekking experience may be had when tracking mountain gorillas in all three countries—Uganda, Rwanda, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. This will give you a unique perspective on each gorilla park and the gorilla families that live there.
The well-known and costly activity of gorilla trekking is well worth the expense. How to best prepare is the next question that comes up after you have booked your gorilla trip and left housing, permits, and transportation to your tour operator.
What should I bring on a gorilla trek?
“What should I pack for gorilla trekking?” is a question you may have. Gorilla trekking is an exciting and daring pastime, but it requires preparation. One of the most common mistakes we observe in our expertise running safaris is tourists who have not sufficiently prepared for gorilla trekking. We observe that a number of individuals are dressed in shorts, white sneakers, and simple sandals during the briefing, which are not suited for such a demanding sport.
sturdy boots for hiking.
When going gorilla trekking in Bwindi or other national parks, hiking boots are a must-have gear. High-quality hiking boots will provide you more traction on the rugged, frequently muddy terrain. Ankle pain may be caused by low-quality boots or simple trainers. Remember at all times that gorilla trekking involves climbing steep hills at high elevations. The trails might get muddy or dangerous during the rainy season.
How Can I Get Ready for a Gorilla Trek?
When trekking with the Bwindi Gorillas, dress appropriately.
Bring long sleeves, sweaters, long socks, long trousers, jackets, and water-resistant pants when you go gorilla trekking. Wearing the right clothing will shield you from the sun, insects, and ants, as well as from getting wet.
To prevent safari ants and other insects from getting on your body, always tack your jeans to your boots. A pair of shorts for lounging at the lodge and pajamas for the chilly evenings are additional items to think about when planning your gorilla adventure. In order to keep your feet warm, wear long socks.
jacket or raincoat.
This is an essential thing to bring, particularly in the rainy season. Gorillas live in tropical rain forests, thus rain is likely to fall at any time of year. The first item on your packing list should be a rain jacket, even if you are traveling during the so-called dry season.
The jumper will keep you toasty on chilly mornings and evenings. Mgahinga and the Volcanoes National Park are high-altitude locations with several looming volcanoes that produce cold mist and winds.
Toiletries, binoculars, gloves, sunscreen, a camera and additional batteries, a hat, and sunglasses are among the other things you should bring on your gorilla trekking expedition.
In conclusion, it is always advisable to have porters assist you with carrying any extra bags. See our page on gorilla trekking for the elderly for further details on the potential usage of porters.
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