How tough is gorilla trekking in Uganda, Rwanda and Congo is always a concern for most travelers booking gorilla safaris to Africa. Upcoming travelers coming to trek gorillas often ask the ease and difficulty of trekking gorillas in Bwindi Forest, Mgahinga, Volcanoes and Virunga National Parks. Well, the trek to see mountain gorillas is undeniably a challenging experience, which is not for the faint-hearted. it entails hiking up and downhill through thick forests which can at times be slippery. The conclusion of how difficult is gorilla trekking is quite challenging. Some travelers find it fun trekking for long while others find it a challenge. Magical Africa Safaris brings you information on the difficulty of gorilla trekking in Uganda, Rwanda the Democratic Republic of Congo to ensure you get the very best gorilla safari in Africa. The difficulty of gorilla trekking depends on various factors some of which are unavoidable. The factors that determine the difficulty and ease of gorilla trekking in Uganda, Rwanda, and Congo include among others:
1. Location of the gorilla group
How easy or difficult is a trek to see gorillas depends on the location of a gorilla family you are given to trek. Different gorilla families live in areas of different altitudes. Some families live near (few meters from the starting pint)_ while others live uphill’s. For this mater gorilla trekking is categorized into short, medium and long treks depending on the location of a gorilla family. During gorilla family allocation, the elderly and physically unfit travelers are given short treks while the young and energetic are given long treks. the ease and difficulty of gorilla trekking, therefore, depends on where the gorilla family you are visited is located.
2. Travelers physical fitness
Trekking to see gorillas
The traveler’s physical fitness and hiking abilities determine whether the gorilla trek will be easy or difficult. Energetic and physically fit travelers never find gorilla trekking difficulty at all. On the other hand, the physically challenged travelers even find the short gorilla trek to be a difficulty. Future travelers planning to trek gorillas are therefore advised to do physical exercises o ensure physical fitness and avoid difficulty in gorilla trekking when the time comes.
3. Weather conditions
Trekking in the rainy season between the months of March, April, May, October, and November is difficulty compared to dry season between the months of June, July, August, September, and December through February. During the rain season, forest grounds become so slippery and muddy making it difficult to hike through. Travelers planning gorilla safaris in the wet season are reminded to be ready for tough hikes but worth the effort.
4. Gorilla national park
Trekking mountain gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable forest National park is challenging compared to other gorilla parks (Volcanoes in Rwanda, Mgahinga and Virunga park in Congo). Gorillas in Bwindi forest especially in Nkuringo and Buhoma sector hike to areas of higher altitudes, which make it difficult to trek them. The adventurous experience is, however, the best for the young and physically fit travelers who seek to have a challenging experience.
Gorilla trekking tips
• Hire a porter and walking stick
Walking Stick
In order to minimize the difficulty of gorilla trekking, make sure you hire a porter to help you carry the baggage. This makes you lighter easing your treks. porters are hired for$15 a day but their services and a helping hand is worth the penny. Also, porters help to hold a traveler’s hand through slippery forest grounds hence preventing the traveler from falling. More so, ensure to hire walking stick support up and downhill. Walking sticks are found at the p[ark headquarters and can be hired at a very low cost.
• Wear hiking boots/shoes
Footwear for gorilla trekking
A traveler wearing hiking boots/shoes will find less difficulty in trekking gorillas. Hiking shoes ease movements through slippery muddy forest grounds which at the time making it difficult for those who do not have. Also, hiking boots protect your feet from getting dirty and soaked in mud. Make sure your hiking boots are light and waterproof. However, do not bring brand new and light-colored snickers into the jungle, they will get dirty and worn out.
• Carry enough drinking water and energy-giving snacks
Endeavor to carry enough bottled drinking water to quench the thirst that comes along with gorilla trekking. More so, carry energy-giving snacks, bread, bananas, eggs and the like to keep you strong throughout. a packed lunch is a must-have for everyone trekking to see mountain gorillas. The trekking time to see gorillas is not certain and can last for between 30 minutes to a full day depending on where gorillas will be located that day.
The right answer to how difficult is a trek to see mountain gorillas in Uganda, Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo depends on the client. However, despite the difficulty of gorilla trekking, an encounter with these endangered species remains an exceptional experience, which no traveler should miss on his/her gorilla safari to Africa. Contact African Apes Tours & Travel today, book your gorilla tour and enjoy this lifetime experience.
