10 Facts About Mountain Gorilla Trekking.
In addition to being the most thrilling safari activity, there are other facts about mountain gorilla trekking that you may not have known—see the 10 Facts About Mountain Gorilla Trekking. All of your trips to the African rainforests will be made more memorable by seeing the mysterious mountain gorillas in their natural environment.
These brief excursions through Africa’s dense, sometimes impenetrable jungles are worthwhile as soon as you come upon the mountain gorilla family to engage with. The journey of trekkers is guided by forest mean game rangers who are familiar with all the forest tracks; they are the ones who will locate the mountain gorilla family that you and your companions plan to visit for an hour of an experience that will change your life. Mountain gorilla trekking is not some sort of hide-and-sick in the forest.
Mountain gorillas: what are they?
These are some rare but endangered primate species; they are roughly two classes away from the mountain gorillas’ point of extinction. Mountain gorillas are extremely rare and absent from many regions of the world due to their status as an endangered species.
The mountain gorillas are a subspecies of the large gorilla family, which also includes the lowland mountain gorillas and the mountain gorillas, Berengei Berengei. According to latest data, there are approximately 900 mountain gorillas left in the world. Only a few locations in eastern and central Africa are home to mountain gorillas. Rwanda and Uganda are home to the majority of the world’s mountain gorillas.
The Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in Uganda is home to the largest population of mountain gorillas, while Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is home to the Nyakagezi family. There are only a few families of mountain gorillas in Rwanda, and they are only found in Volcanoes National Park. They can also be seen in the Democratic Republic of the Congo’s Virunga National Park.
It should be noted that each of these locations is an extension of the enormous Virunga protected area. The lowland gorillas in Kahuzi Beiga National Park are easily located, while the number of mountain gorillas in Congo is uncertain and difficult to locate.
It is advised to visit Bwindi Impenetrable National Park if you want to have a successful and unforgettable gorilla trekking safari. Half of the world’s mountain gorilla population is found in the impassable national park of Bwindi.
There are more than 12 mountain gorilla families in the impenetrable Bwindi National Park, some of which are habituated families. Despite being wild animals, the habituated mountain gorillas demonstrate that they have become acclimated to human interactions.
Facts about trekking with mountain gorillas
Regardless of the number of times you have visited Africa for monkey safaris, there are ten facts about mountain gorilla trekking that you should be aware of before you go out on your once-in-a-lifetime adventure of trekking with the primates in the African rainforests.
Mountain gorilla trekking and game drives in Africa’s vast savannahs are similar in that they both bring you closer to the action and allow you to engage with the wildlife. Even if you have walked for mountain gorillas before, you should be aware of the following facts regarding the activity:
Trekking with mountain gorillas is a delicate activity that only a select few engage in. In all of Africa’s rainforests, including Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Mgahinga National Park, Volcanoes National Park, and Mgahinga National Park, a maximum of eight individuals are permitted to journey for mountain gorillas. A party of eight individuals visits each mountain gorilla group once, and the encounter lasts for about one hour.
Mountain gorilla trekking begins in the morning with a briefing from the game rangers in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. The forest rangers and guides are the ones who know where the many mountain gorillas may be found in the park.
Only another half hour of hiking will take you to the gorilla family you reserved for; you don’t need to be afraid of the walk because the forest will provide you with all the unforgettable experiences, from tweeting birds to cascading streams and waterfalls.
Because mountain gorillas are wild animals and live in the wild, you should be aware of their dangers and always maintain a safe distance. A distance of roughly 3 to 4 meters should always be maintained between you and the mountain gorillas.
Additionally, keep in mind that you should not mimic mountain gorillas, particularly silverbacks, but rather bend low in a humble manner when one approaches.
When trekking with mountain gorillas, it is not recommended to smoke, drink, or eat, especially when you are close to the primates. You are only allowed to eat and drink within 200 meters of the mountain gorilla family.
Trekking for mountain gorillas is prohibited for those under the age of 15. People under that age are seen as being too young to travel mountain gorillas, and it is not safe because the walk can occasionally be quite long.
When trekking with mountain gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, flash photography is not recommended. Flash photography is prohibited because it can arouse the mountain gorillas’ violent tendencies.
The dry season, when there is little to no rainfall, is when mountain gorilla trekking is most common. However, because the mountain gorillas live in dense tropical rainforests in Africa, the region has a tropical climate with year-round rains. Because of this, you should always have a raincoat on hand in case of unexpected downpours.
For an unforgettable gorilla trekking trip, keep in mind to pack specific essentials. Because the gorilla trekking experience depends on a variety of elements, such as the weather and the depth of the jungle trip to see the gorillas, it is crucial to always be prepared. It is advised that you bring bug repellents, gloves, walking sticks (which are also available at the park offices), and a camera.
When trekking for the mountain gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, the attire requirement presents a challenge. Because of the warm weather at Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, it is advisable to dress comfortably during the day. However, a decent jumper of the warm shoal is necessary because the night is really cold. Additionally, keep in mind to pack colorful safari attire, such as green and khakis, since these will assist you blend in with the bush.
Finally, the licenses for mountain gorilla hiking are actually disguised conservation and charitable donations. Tourists can enjoy the activity by purchasing permits to see mountain gorillas. The Batwa and Bakiga, two local villages who reside close to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, benefit from the money raised by the selling of permits. As a result, if you go on a mountain gorilla trekking safari in Bwindi Forest, you will not only help the mountain gorillas survive but also help a peasant or orphan who lives close to the park.
