A Complete Guide to Gorilla Trekking Tips: All You Need to Know

Any individual over 15 years of age who has secured a gorilla trekking permit is granted a permit by the authorities to trek gorillas. Below are some rules and regulations for gorilla trekking. Always keep your voice low to avoid disturbing other forest species or scaring the gorillas.!

Tips on your Gorilla Trekking Safari

Secure a gorilla trekking permit before you arrive for your gorilla trekking tour

The most crucial point to know if you are considering a gorilla trekking safari is acquiring a permit to observe the gorillas in Rwandan and Ugandan national parks.

• Rwanda Permits
• Uganda Permits

Obtaining permits for gorilla trekking can be challenging due to park restrictions on visitor numbers. At Mtembezi Vacations Safaris, we secure these permits for you, and they are seamlessly integrated into the overall cost of your gorilla trekking adventure. It is crucial to plan your expedition well in advance to ensure a smooth and successful experience.

Prepare yourself for any kind of weather during your gorilla trekking safari.

Additionally, there is an opportunity for the weather to be both hot and humid, as well as slightly cool and rainy, on the same day, so be prepared for various weather conditions during your gorilla trekking safari. There is a gorilla trekking packing list that can help you with the requirements for this adventure.

Safari experts advised layering garments that can be altered based on the temperature. Prepare for rain by taking a waterproof jacket or coat for your gorilla expedition.

It is also necessary to carry a pair of high-quality hiking shoes because you will be trekking through various highland terrains. It is also recommended to cover as much flesh as possible because specific places are known for blister plants and stinging nettles.

Waterproofing for your camera with no flash

On your gorilla trekking expedition, you must waterproof your camera due to the unpredictable weather conditions. Water housing or casing is crucial for preserving your equipment.

Flashlight photography is not permitted during gorilla trekking or anywhere near the gorillas, so make sure your flash is switched off.

Ensure high physical fitness levels for your Safari

Both Bwindi Impenetrable Forest and Volcanoes National Park have high altitudes, making gorilla trekking difficult even for experienced hikers.
Make sure you know your fitness level before departing for the safari. You might spot mountain gorillas after two hours, or it could take up to ten to find them in the dense jungle.

Enjoy gorilla trekking during the dry season

Mountain gorilla tracking is not tied to a specific season; you can visit at any time of year. It is thought that you would have a more delightful experience in the drier months because everything is more accessible with less rain and muck.
Dirt roads will be part of the experience, and they will be easier to navigate and more pleasant in dry weather. The dry season runs from mid-December to early February, whereas the long dry season lasts from June to September.

Respect the gorillas’ space during your gorilla trekking safari

While the mountain gorilla population is habituated and gorillas are not aggressive or shy, they remain wild animals.

Respecting their space ensures that no one is wounded throughout their gorilla trekking safari. Experienced guides will accompany you on your gorilla trekking expedition. These guides are extensively trained and devote their lives to the conservation of mountain gorillas. Observe the 5-metre proximity rule. There are several resources available on gorilla manners, including this one. Seeing the gorgeous mountain gorillas in their natural habitat is a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

Guidelines on Gorilla Trekking Safaris

1. The trekking for gorillas starts at the park office, and only a maximum of eight visitors per day are allowed to trek.
2. During the trek, the visitors are accompanied by a guide and armed escorts, who communicate with the trackers to find the gorillas’ location.
3. Once the gorillas are found, visitors can only spend one hour with them to avoid undue stress on the gorillas.
4. People with communicable diseases are not allowed to enter the park to prevent the transmission of diseases to gorillas.
5. Visitors are advised to stay together in a tight group, refrain from loud noises or sudden movements, and crouch while observing the gorillas.
6. Eating, drinking, and smoking are not allowed within 200 meters of the gorillas, and visitors should not approach closer than 7 meters.
7. In some parks, wearing a mask is required to prevent the transmission of human germs to gorillas, and the park provides them.