what’s a day of gorilla tracking like? – Are you about to go Gorilla trekking? Are you wondering how the start and the entire day of the Mountain Gorilla trek will be like? No worries. Great Adventure Safaris gives you a highlight on what the day of Gorilla tracking entails from start all through to the end. It’s obvious that most travellers coming to see Mountain Gorillas are very expectant and anxious on how the day can be like.
It’s obvious that some travellers have fear for the hikes; others fear long walks while others are so anxious and cannot wait to meet face to face with a giant silverback Gorilla. Trekking to see Mountain Gorillas can be such a long day, which starts very early and sometimes ends late in the day. The following is a guide about the day of Gorilla trekking:
The day starts with you and your drive or a walk transferring from your hotel/lodge or camp to the respective National Park headquarters for registration and pre-Gorilla trekking briefing. There is no single lodge you will find at the park headquarters but rather at some distance away. It’s at the park headquarters that you are introduced to the dos and don’ts while tracking the Mountain Gorillas for your safety and the endangered Mountain Gorillas.
You are expected to have reached the park headquarters at 7:45 am when the briefing starts. For those trekking Mountain Gorillas in Bwindi forest, the park has four Gorilla trekking regions which are (Buhoma, Ruhiija, Rushaga, and Nkuringo) of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park. Endeavour to trek Mountain Gorillas in a sector where your lodge is located to avoid long drives in the morning. Also at the park headquarters, you are put together in groups of eight and each allocated a Gorilla family to trek. Any traveller who misses the Gorilla briefing session stands high chances of missing to see the Gorillas.
Whereas some treks start right from the park headquarters, others begin distances away from the briefing point hence require you to drive there. Fortunately, this distance is normally short and not steep taking roughly 20-30 minutes’ drive. Hiking starts there as you trek through the thick jungles with no clear path. Thankfully to your ranger guide who will slash a narrow path with a machete for you. Also, hiking time before reaching the Gorillas is unpredictable. It can be as short as less than an hour or take several hours depending on where Mountain Gorillas will be located that day. Endeavour to follow the directions trackers who visit Gorilla early to find out Gorilla locations and avoid bouncing.
What’s a day of gorilla tracking like? You finally reach the Mountain Gorilla family and experience that magical feeling of being meters away from the silverback Gorilla. You will spend an hour in the company of this Gorilla family enjoying the human-like characters of the Gorillas. You will see the silverback guard a family like a human dad; see adult females nurse their babies while juveniles play continuously to keep the whole family lively hence a thrilling adventure.
Trust me! You will not remain the same. The allowed time to spend with the Gorillas is strictly an hour to take pictures, capture live videos and have fun with your lost relatives. A close adventure with the Mountain Gorillas is ranked the best wildlife experience in the world, the top bucket list adventure on every African Safari.
Having spent an hour with the Mountain Gorillas, you will then hike back to find your driver-guide at the starting point. Fortunately, hiking back is not as strenuous as hiking up. You will be full magical memories with the Gorillas hence find it easy to reach the starting point within no time. Meet your driver-guide, pick your Gorilla trekking certificate and transfer to your hotel or the next destination.
Conclusively, an adventure with the endangered Mountain Gorillas will give you a new beginning. Get ready, book your next Gorilla trip to Uganda, Rwanda, Contact Great Adventure Safaris or booking and be part of this memorable encounter.