My first time gorilla tracking experience in Uganda
My first time gorilla tracking experience in Uganda – First time safari goers
My first time gorilla tracking experience – The day will finally come when you would get to trek in the jungle to see the rare endangered Mountain Gorillas of Uganda. It will be on your 1st time to visit Uganda and after being in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest the magnificent views of the mountains and the mist creeping over them with scenic beauty in the darkness of Africa.
The mist that sometimes makes the mountains almost invisible gives the area its nickname “the Misty Mountains”. you will arrive to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park the day before(minimum of 3 days in required) staying around up to early in the morning the next day, wake up for the short drive to the Gorilla tracking trail head. Read more about the number f days need for gorilla trekking in Uganda and Rwanda
You and the others who would trek the habituated Mountain Gorilla family that day – you will be briefed on the rules of Gorilla trekking. For example you are not allowed to get closer than 7 meters to the Mountain Gorillas so as not to disturb them and as a precaution so they want contract disease from any visitors.
Since Mountain Gorillas share almost 98% of their DNA with humans it is important to not visit them if feeling any illness. After being informed about the rules – you will be offered a hiking stick to make the walk easier and then start to climb in to your cars to be driven to the starting point of our Gorilla hike or if you are assigned a gorilla family that is close to the briefing point, you just start walking ahead of your trail heads.
Setting off in to the Impenetrable Forest it is a great experience itself to walk through the jungle looking at the nature and listening to the different bird species. At this stage it is an easy walk since there is paths/trails heads to follow and not that steep during the dry months. After walking for sometime – the ranger guide keeps giving you updates about the Gorilla family you are visiting and the current position where he seems you will find them.
Generally you will be asked to be quiet and followed the ranger guide to your promised destination. As soon as you can spot the first Mountain Gorilla – up in one of the trees above, resting on a tree branch or on the fore grounds. You can immediately develop a feeling of finally my long-time dream has come true. After a short time, you can see all the members f the family but remember, you are only allowed to be with the for only one hour.
The hike would be more demanding and strenuous as, there will be no trail path and the guide will need to use a machete to cut the way the shrubs and make a trail path for you. Despite this there will be no problem to manage the hike and the ranger guide is always there to help r you can opt to take a porter to help you carry the backpacker or give you pull or push where need be.
As you continue to witness the mountain gorillas in the natural habitat, you can even feel that time is passing by fast – the ranger guide tells you that it is time to head down the hill towards the trail path since only one hour visit is allowed.
It is an amazing experience to see the big silverback just sitting there studying you making sure his females and babies could pass safely. After this highlight you feel fine to leave the Gorilla family to be and started your hike back to the Park offices.
The walk back is just as beautiful as the one leading you to the Mountain Gorillas for our Gorilla trekking experience. It could be a bit more challenging though since it is mostly up hill. After covering almost half of the way, you will have a chance to sit down and take a snack from your packed boxes. Reaching back at the vehicle, you will confirm that – the meeting with the Mountain Gorillas has lived up to your picture of how it would be like a wonderful experience of a life time. Contact Great Great Adventure safaris to book you slot and enjoy the first time gorilla tracking experience in Uganda with the best safari company.