Are you planning to have a gorilla trekking trip in Uganda? The fact is gorilla trekking is such an adventure one of the most known experiences every traveler should not miss while in Uganda. However, it is very advisable for one to know some tips before planning for your gorilla safari. The gorilla trekking tips below inform you on what you need to do in order to have better memories and good experience.
Pack enough food and drinks before heading the briefing office where gorilla trekking starts from. Gorilla trekking is somehow a tiresome activity that may last for about 7 hours implicating you will need refreshment and eats during the activity. The reason why you must move with your water and drinks is because there is no any spot in the forest where you will buy eatables. And besides packing food and drinks, you are advised to have a heavy breakfast before leaving your room.
Wear the right clothes that correspond with weather. Strong trousers like jeans or tracking pants and long-sleeved shirts are highly recommended. You are advised to wear a hat and carry a rain coat with you from rain in case it falls since it is hard to take shelter while in the forest depending on the spots you might be in. Gorilla trekking gears are usually placed at respective parks for hire in case you need any.
Secure gorilla trekking permits early. Gorilla trekking is so far one of the most carried out tourism activities in Uganda with almost each and every tourist opting for it. This means the competition is quite high and it becomes hard to secure gorilla trekking permits days to your tour though it is possible in some cases especially during the low season. Gorilla trekking permit is a must have before engaging in the activity. The permits have to be secured very early especially in the peak season between the months of June to September and December to February. Each permit costs USD800.
Charge the cameras fully. Since you are in the field for an amazing experience, you probably have to write memorable experience in a recording. Always try to move with fully charged cameras to record yourself while carrying out gorilla trekking. Some tourists run out of battery and miss out on recording lifetime memories. So, if possible, try to move with two cameras.
Wear high and strong boosts. The forests are quite rough and you will need to wear extremely high and strong shoes to avoid easily getting pricked during the gorilla trekking activity.
Be attentive during the pre-briefing. Before embarking on the Uganda gorilla trekking experience, there is always a pre-briefing at the parks’ offices and the briefing usually starts in early in the morning. During this briefing session you will be informed on the precautions you have to take while trekking gorillas in either Bwindi Impenetrable National Park or Mgahinga National Park. Always try to be active or attentive and do not hesitate to ask questions about things you are not understanding.
Open up about your fitness. The gorilla trekking experience is quite tiresome especially if you lag behind fitness. Gorilla trekking is a very physical activity that requires a certain level of fitness. For that case, always be open about your fitness so that you get assigned to a group that matches your fitness. Teaming up with tourists that are more fit than you may make you tired quickly.
It is best to see Africa gorillas in the dry seasons. Both gorilla destinations have two rainy seasons from March to May and October to November and two dry seasons from June to August and December to February. You can see Africa gorillas any time of year but the best time to visit Uganda for a gorilla trekking is during the dry season because the forests receive little and less rainfall and the trekking trails are always passable compared to the wet season when the trails become impassable.
Because both Africa gorilla destinations are tropical rain forests located at high elevations, it can rain at any time of year and gorilla trekking operations will not be halted by rainfall. However, the rainy season is also a good time for bird watching because it is bird breeding season thus bird watchers will be able to see a variety of bird species.
