Gorilla trekking altitude and acclimatization – Is altitude sickness a possible problem during gorilla trekking?
Many travelers/ tourist have discussed how easy Gorilla trekking is and the best plus easiest Gorilla families to trek on various forums like trip advisor and lonely planet but nothing like the gorilla trekking altitude and acclimatization in Uganda and Rwanda yet many travelers have this in mind and ask tour operators this questions,
Various tourist/visitors mention Gorilla trekking a life time experience as they get different changes when it comes to hiking as they look for mountain Gorillas in Uganda, Rwanda and Congo, the change in altitude affects many and mostly altitude troubles take place usually at above 2500 meters and to a few visitor, there are chances of getting affected even below that elevation. More so in Bwindi impenetrable National Park, mountain Gorillas tend to habit on a high altitude of 2000-3000 meter that is sometimes challenging to hike as you are looking for mountain gorillas and this is one of the reasons why a minimum age is needed and a certain of level of fitness, so prior training is advise as this helps you get used to strenuous situations before you come for Gorilla trekking.
Before you plan a Gorilla trekking Safari in Uganda and Rwanda, you need to consider age and level of fitness, a Gorilla trek can be done by people above the age of 65 years if they are fit enough and sometimes we advise them to hire at least four potters to help them carry the backpackers and give them a pull or push during the hike. Gorilla trekking happens in a dense forest and the terrain could be slippery or not, this depends on your luck, plus Bwindi impenetrable National Park is a tropical rain forest, it can rain at any time of the day, making Gorilla trekking difficult, some clients say that Gorilla trekking is done in phases as the first phase you start of at the beginning point to somewhere in the jungle and then the second phase is that very difficult time before you meet the Gorillas but hiking and looking for them.
Al in all to face Gorilla trekking altitude and acclimatization, you need prior training as a minimum level of fitness is required, as Gorilla trekking experience takes place at a higher elevation, so some exercise makes you prepared and when you feel like you are not fit enough, kindly hire a porter at $15-$20 to help you carry a backpacker and give you push/a pull. Some clients think that when you spent a night in Kampala, Entebbe or Kigali cities would help you get acclimatized; the only solution to this is prior exercise before the actual Gorilla trek. great Adventure Safaris organizes gorilla trekking safaris to Bwindi impenetrable National Park in Uganda and Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda.
