Guides often know where the various families are because they are so constantly monitored and in daily contact with either researchers or hikers, so there is a 99 percent likelihood that you will see them. Although there are no certainties when dealing with wild animals, it’s possible that scouts will take up their route again shortly. A nocturnal thunderstorm or an unforeseen encounter with a predator could compel a flock to move abruptly in a whole other direction. On a gorilla trekking excursion, it is quite rare for tourists to miss the apes.

Your ranger will instruct you to abandon everything but your camera when you eventually come upon a gorilla family. Then, without endangering them, he will get you close enough to watch the gorillas closely. There are no barriers standing between you; only respect.

The gorillas have grown accustomed to human observers and are fearless when engaging in their normal activities, such as foraging, grooming, and resting. In fact, the little ones’ constant curiosity in people and their playful demeanor try the patience of their teenage gorilla babysitters. It’s lovely to witness the gorilla family in their peaceful state, but keep in mind that the family’s imposing silverback male patriarch is keenly aware of your presence. We advise you to spend some of the time taking pictures, but set aside at least 20 minutes to simply observe the gorillas; you’ll feel much more like you’ve seen them in their natural environment.

Without a doubt, no. Despite the fact that we entirely comprehend the urge to reach out and embrace a cute newborn. First off, because they are wild creatures, you run the risk of being seriously hurt because they are powerful and unpredictable. In addition to being very vulnerable to human diseases, gorilla populations are already gravely threatened by logging, poaching, and human encroachment on their natural habitat. You are not only not allowed to engage with them, but you may also be required to wear a face mask in specific situations and maintain a constant distance of at least seven meters (22 feet) from them. Make sure you are in perfect health before you visit and take steps not to pick up any diseases because you won’t be able to go on a gorilla trek if you’re sick.

To avoid upsetting the gorillas, keep in mind that you are only permitted to spend an hour with them after you locate them. The opportunity to witness these creatures in the open is quite rare, so don’t spend your entire time behind a camera. Instead, put your camera down after a few minutes and simply observe them.

Even if you are well enough to handle the terrain, altitude, humidity, and daypack on your gorilla walk, we strongly advise you to utilize a porter if their services are made available to you. You will be supplying a living for a number of villagers in the neighborhood for a small sum of money—roughly $20.

Former poachers are frequently porters. Many will be compelled to return to finding and capturing or murdering gorillas for bush meat or the illicit wildlife-trafficking trade if they can’t find work or make a living in the gorilla conservation field. Poaching syndicates’ rewards can be quite profitable for underprivileged communities with few other options for making a life. It is preferable to kindly accept their assistance, pay the cost (which will be equivalent to a few coffees back home), and contribute to the ongoing preservation of gorillas.

Keep in mind that every person in Africa with a legal job provides for seven to nine more people. Without as much participation from people as possible, conservation efforts cannot be successful, so the more porters you can recruit, the better.

Your gorilla trekking permit may cost anything from 700 to 1,500 USD per person, depending on where you go. These funds directly support the preservation of these primates and their natural habitat. Your gorilla trekking vacation’s overall cost will vary depending on a number of variables. In addition to where and when you are traveling, other expenses include your lodging, transportation, meals, and other inclusions.

It’s like asking if breathing is required to question if going to see the gorillas is worth it. Definitely, yes! Gorilla trekking is a luxury that only a select few have the opportunity to enjoy, but it is something that everyone should do!

The more fit you are, the better for any rigorous activity. However, this does not imply that in order to go gorilla trekking, you must be able to bench press three times your body weight or compete in a triathlon.

The trekkers are sorted into groups based on their age and fitness ability, and those who are older and less fit are typically assigned to the gorilla family that is closest to the beginning location. You won’t be separated from family or friends, but you will need to slow down to the pace of the slowest hikers in order to maintain the group’s safety. This is the hiking equivalent of the golden rule.

The group that is farthest away will be located by the fittest or youngest members. Your guides will pause when necessary for a break, to drink water, to take in the scenery, or even to have a snack. They are very skilled at gauging how the group is doing. Water and sometimes energizing foods like roasted cashews or peanuts, bananas, apples, chocolate bars, muffins, miniature sandwiches or bread rolls, and regional specialties like “rolled eggs,” a type of cold omelette, are included in packed lunches.

Trekking is always more convenient during the dry season. Mud can make routes slick and the hike more difficult during the rainy season. Additionally, primates may seek shelter from the rain in nests or trees, making them more elusive and difficult to spot. Bring along a pair of compact binoculars to get a clear view of their facial expressions and antics.

Additionally, some gorilla families will be moving rather than lounging around, chewing leaves, and soaking up the sun. You’ll need to be able to keep up with them because they are much more suited than we are to traveling through their jungle habitat.

Although gorilla trekking is thought to be a year-round sport because Uganda and Rwanda have similar climates, the optimum time to visit the rainforests is during one of the two dry seasons. The first one lasts about from mid-December to the end of February, while the second one lasts from early June to the end of September. While these times are the most comfortable for trekking, the weather is still very humid, wet, and muddy (so remember your gaiters!).

The tropical rainforest of the Congo Basin has three distinct seasons that are best described as wet, wetter, and wettest since rain is a crucial component of its delicate ecosystem. Congo’s “low rainfall” season, which lasts from June to September, and the “gentle rainfall” season, which lasts from December to February, are the best times to go gorilla trekking. The driest and coolest months of the year are generally regarded to be July and August.

Gorilla Trekking Packing List: Wearing long-sleeved shirts and pants is advised to prevent scratches and mosquito bites while your gorilla trek through dense rainforests. Choose light, breathable clothing because getting to the gorillas will frequently require a difficult trek.

• Long-sleeved shirt
• Warm jersey
• Long trousers, preferably waterproof
• Waterproof hiking boots
• Rain jacket
• Hat
• Multiple pairs of socks
• Gardening gloves
• Insect repellent
• Camera (but please note that flashlight photography is strictly prohibited)

The guidelines are largely the same whether you go gorilla trekking in Uganda, Rwanda, or the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Anyone who wishes to go gorilla trekking must first obtain a permit. This is done to safeguard the animals since there are a finite amount of permits available, the permitted group size is limited, and each group is only permitted to interact with a gorilla family for one hour each day.

In Uganda, a permit will set you back about 700 USD. It costs about $1,500 USD in Rwanda (as of May 2022). The money from these permits is used to safeguard these species in the respective nations.