Why Gorilla Trekking is One Hour.
There are several reasons why gorilla trekking takes an hour, and we will examine them all as we go. The practice known as “gorilla trekking” involves hikers searching for mountain gorillas through a verdant jungle. Since their numbers have increased to around 1,063 worldwide, mountain gorillas—apes that were formerly classified as critically endangered—are now just designated as endangered.
There are only four places in the world where mountain gorillas may be found: the Congo’s Virunga National Park, Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park, and Uganda’s Mgahinga Gorilla National Park and Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.
Bwindi alone is home to more than half of the world’s mountain gorilla population; the other three national parks that comprise the Virunga massifs house the remaining mountain gorillas. In order to undertake gorilla trekking, one must get a gorilla permit, which costs $800 in Uganda, $1500 in Rwanda, and $400 in Congo. Because gorilla trekking is in such great demand, reservations should be made in advance.
Depending on the gorillas’ location and the physical capabilities of the guests, gorilla trekking might take anywhere from 30 minutes to 6 hours or more. After encountering the mountain gorillas, visitors are only permitted to spend an hour with them. The following are some of the reasons gorilla trekking is limited to one hour:
With just 1063 individuals worldwide, mountain gorillas are an endangered species that may be found in the rainforests of Bwindi, Mgahinga, Virunga, and Volcanoes National Parks. Since they share 98% of their DNA with humans, mountain gorillas are particularly vulnerable to human-transmitted illnesses like cough and flu. The goal of gorilla trekking is to spend one hour with them in order to reduce the likelihood that they would get such diseases from people.
Because of the necessity for conservation, the Rwanda Development Board and Uganda Wildlife Authority, who are in charge of protecting and conserving mountain gorillas, have decided to limit visitors’ interactions with habituated gorillas to one hour.
Gorilla trekking is limited to one hour per day per eight guests because, despite their accustomed lifestyle, gorillas are still wild creatures who need and prefer their privacy away from humans. When people spend a lot of time around mountain gorillas, they get stressed and uncomfortable. For the sake of mountain gorilla conservation, gorilla trekking is therefore restricted to one hour.
Another reason gorilla trekking is limited to one hour when mountain gorillas are seen is to allow them to continue with their regular activities. Gorillas have regular rituals that they adhere to from as early as six in the morning till dusk.
Gorilla trekking lasts only an hour to allow the gorillas to continue their regular activities, which include feeding, grooming, resting, napping, playing around (especially for juveniles), building nests, and many other things. Spending longer time with the gorillas causes them to tamper with their schedule.
The following are some guidelines for gorilla trekking that are primarily intended to protect mountain gorillas:
keeping a minimum of seven meters between you and the gorillas if you come into contact with them. In order to prevent the transmission of any contagious illnesses from humans, this will reduce direct contact with the gorillas.
Gorilla trekking is not recommended for tourists who are suffering with any contagious ailment. For the sake of the gorillas’ welfare, if someone becomes unwell on the day of the hike, kindly offer to skip the activity. If your schedule permits, you may postpone your permit.
The mountain gorillas must not be touched by tourists.
Keep your voice quiet while in the woods and among mountain gorillas. They don’t like loud noises and might misinterpret your sounds. Keep in mind that they have over 25 different vocalizations as well.
Avoid littering the gorillas’ home since your liter can endanger them.
In the event that you need to use the restroom, dig a hole that is 35 cm deep and cover it completely.
Those who want to spend a lot of time with mountain gorillas might choose to gorilla habituation as part of their gorilla trekking safari or as an alternative to gorilla trekking.
The process by which wild mountain gorillas are conditioned to accept human contact is known as “gorilla habituation.” Although some gorilla families may be acclimated in as little as 15 months, the gorilla families that trekkers see are completely habituated and have undergone the habituation process, which takes two to three years.
People who have the opportunity to go on a gorilla habituation experience get to spend four long hours with the mountain gorillas, helping the researchers and gorilla experts study and deal with the gorillas by learning their behaviors and stressors, naming the gorillas, and collecting their stool for medical examination, among many other things.
You may obtain a gorilla habituation experience permit at the Uganda Wildlife Authority offices or from a reliable tour operator for about $1500. Since there are only four people allowed each gorilla family and there are only two available in the Rushaga section of Bwindi, reservations must be made in advance.
However, the duration of one’s visit with the gorillas shouldn’t be an issue. Whether you spend an hour or longer with the mountain gorillas in their natural environment, you will undoubtedly experience an incredible emotion that many people find difficult to describe. To arrange the ideal gorilla trekking safari and spend time with these endangered creatures, get in contact with a reputable travel operator.
