Gorilla Tracking / trekking

Gorilla Trekking or gorilla tracking is one of an adventurous and main tourist activity that attracts a number of travellers in Africa as it’s the home of the remaining world’s giant mountain gorillas. This memorable activity can be engaged in either Uganda, Rwanda or Democratic Republic of Congo.

The gorilla trekking experience starts at exactly 7:00am with a briefing at each respective park headquarters and then by 8:30am local time you start off your tracking activity. The gorillas are always tracked in groups and each group or family can be tracked by at most 8 people. Once spotted, visitors are allowed to interact with these gorillas for a period of one hours’ time.

Gorilla trekking is an exciting but challenging experience and this needs prior preparation before going for the activity. On this note, one has to be physically fit for this exercise.

Where to go for gorilla trekking? Or Gorilla destinations in Africa.
In Africa, these endangered gentle giant gorillas can be found in 4 national parks, that is the Bwindi Impenetrable forest national park found in the south western Uganda, Mgahinga gorilla national park located in the south western region of Uganda, Volcanoes national park found in the north western Rwanda and the Virunga national park situated in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Among these countries, Uganda is blessed to host nearly half of the remaining population of the mountain gorillas. According to the Gorilla Census, Bwindi Impenetrable Forest recorded over 400 mountain gorilla individuals living in various families within this world heritage site. Today the park has 10 habituated gorilla groups that can be visited by tourists and 1 gorilla group habituated for research.

What to carry for a great gorilla trekking safari?
On taking gorilla safaris in and destination, don’t forget to bring with you the following in the packing list.

• Jungle shoes suitable for steep muddy slopes.
• Carry a rain jacket because the park is often wet.
• Earplugs for those who feel uncomfortable with jungle sounds.
• Insect repellant.
• Rain gear, thick socks and waterproof pants.
• Walking sticks, though they are also provided at the park headquarters.
• Sunscreen lotion, a hat (as the weather is fickle)
• Others like backpack, cameras, binoculars, camera batteries, etc.

Some of the gorilla trekking guidelines or rules
There are several rules and regulations that guide gorilla trekking activity in all the countries where this adventure is carried out. These rules are aimed at protecting the endangered mountain gorillas as well as streamlining gorilla tourism so that this activity can be sustainable.

• Don’t drop litter in the park.
• Keep distance of minimum 5 metres or 15 feet from the gorillas.
• No eating or drinking near the gorillas.
• Flash photography is not permitted.
• In case of an emergency toilet, dig a hole of 30cm and fill it up after use.
• You ought to stay as a tight group when near the gorillas.
• No smoking near the gorillas.
• If you must sneeze or cough, cover your face and turn away from the gorillas.
• Do not touch the gorillas.
• Your group must be no more than 6 people and all at least 15 years old.
• If you have a cold or an infectious disease, do not visit the gorillas.
• Do not look at the gorillas directly into the eyes.
• After or before the visit, keep your voices down until 200 metres away from the gorillas.

Minimum Trekking age
Before confirming any gorilla safari to Uganda, Rwanda and Congo, travelers are reminded to be sure of who is eligible to trek gorillas. For anyone to qualify for a gorilla tour, all Gorilla trekkers must be at least fifteen years old, in order to minimize risk of exposing the gorillas to childhood diseases such as mumps, chickenpox, measles etc.