Is Gorilla Trekking Difficult?

Is Gorilla Trekking Difficult?

Some people think that  Gorilla trekking is difficult. In Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, it is generally an amazing experience, but it requires you to have some physical wellness. It is a distinct primate adventure unlike the usual game drives or a simple tour at a zoo.

Trekking to see gorillas involves holidaymakers navigating through an elevation of between 2,500 and 3,000 meters. During gorilla treks, tourists also hike through dense vegetation, steep slopes, and the overall experience can be exhausting but very rewarding.

A gorilla trek isn’t a mere walk, but rather an unpredictable adventure taking trekkers from two to six hours. While on a gorilla trek, altitude and rain are factors that should also be put into careful consideration.

Before considering traveling to Uganda, Rwanda, or Congo, visitors are advised to be well prepared for the experience. Be ready for unpredictable weather conditions, challenging altitude, and other physical demands that may arise during trekking.

Although gorilla trekking is considered difficult, at least 98% of trekkers manage to complete the trek successfully. Remarkably, many trekkers find gorilla trekking thrilling, especially when venturing into lush rain-forests or unknown territory.

While gorilla trekking is regarded as difficult, on the other hand, it is also very interesting and rewarding. There is an opportunity not only to view mountain gorillas but also to see birds, primates, mammals, and beautiful scenery.

Gorilla Trekking Difficulty in Bwindi

Trekking to see gorillas in the wild is an entirely active adventure. A day gorilla trek in Bwindi Impénétrable National Park involves navigating through the dense forest terrain. This challenging experience requires a moderate level of fitness to complete the trek and successfully encounter mountain gorillas in Bwindi.

Altitude of the Area

Trekking gorillas in Bwindi involves conquering an altitudinal range of about 1,160 m to 2,607 m. The highest peak of the park lies in the Ruhija sector and is best referred to as Rwamunyonyi Peak. Conquering the 2,607 m elevation to Rwamunyonyi is ideal for visitors on a gorilla trekking tour in the Ruhija sector, the eastern gorilla sector of Bwindi National Park.

While trekking with gorillas, there is a possibility of encountering steep slopes and, at times, muddy ground. All of these conditions require a certain level of fitness if you are to complete the walk through the park to find the gorilla family allocated to you.

Bwindi National Park’s landscape is mountainous and covered with thick vegetation, but with sufficient stamina, you are guaranteed a successful trek. Considering the demanding nature of this primate adventure, early preparation is key to helping you acclimatize to the high elevation.

How long does a trek to see gorillas take?

The length of a gorilla trek in Uganda, Rwanda, or Congo is not predictable, unlike a game drive. On average, the entire trek can take between two and six hours. This begins immediately after the briefing on gorilla trekking rules, and once you have been allocated a gorilla group.

When you finally come across a gorilla family, you are allowed to spend one hour with them. During this time, you can take photos and gain in-depth knowledge about their behavior. The longer the trek, the higher the chances of exploring different habituated gorilla groups in Uganda, Rwanda, or the DRC.

Uganda alone has two gorilla parks with 21 habituated gorilla families set for tourism. These are distributed within Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. Rwanda and the DRC have 10 and 8 habituated mountain gorilla groups, respectively.

Gorilla trekking in Uganda’s parks, as well as in Volcanoes National Park in northwestern Rwanda and Virunga National Park in the DRC, comes with its own challenges. Trekking gorillas in Bwindi, for instance, involves navigating streams, dense vegetation, and rivers. Therefore, to have an unforgettable gorilla trekking experience, it is important to prepare adequately.

Firstly, ensure you pack essential items, including hand gloves, a rain jacket, waterproof hiking boots, sunglasses, insect repellent, a hat, a long-sleeved shirt, a day pack, a sweater, and a walking stick (available at the park headquarters). Other necessities include a first aid kit, a bottle of mineral water, and energy-giving snacks.

For elderly trekkers, sedan chairs are available for hire. Porters can carry these chairs and also assist people with disabilities. Generally, this service may cost about US dollars 500. For anyone who is not physically fit enough, it is advisable to hire a porter to help carry heavy luggage.

How can you enhance your fitness level for gorilla trekking?

It is possible for you to enhance your fitness level before the actual date of your gorilla trek. Firstly, do some exercises, walk around to ensure you familiarize yourself with the terrain so that you manage to tackle the terrain in Uganda or Rwanda on a gorilla trek.

How Prepared Should You Be?

Before you board a plane to Entebbe Airport to start your gorilla safari holiday in Uganda. First, make sure that you do some exercise to keep you fit. You can do sit-ups, hiking, and more. This should be done right from the day your tour operator informs you that your gorilla trip or gorilla permit has been booked.

Aside from getting fit, you also require essential gear only for you to have a successful gorilla trekking experience. Your gorilla trekking packing list/gear should comprise waterproof hiking boots, long-sleeved shirts, day pack, a camera, first aid kit, a sweater, long trousers, snacks, water, and others.

Who Should go to trek gorillas in Bwindi

15 years and above is the recommended minimum age limit for gorilla trekking in Bwindi National Park or Mgahinga National Park. Uganda and other gorilla safari destinations. Besides age, the interested visitors also need to be free of illness or sicknesses like colds, flu, chickenpox, and yellow fever, which you need to vaccinate against before the actual visit to Uganda to enjoy up close with a family of endangered mountain gorillas.

Hire a porter or a Sedan chair.

If your levels of fitness can’t allow you to trek throughout, especially the elderly or persons with disabilities, there are options including hiring porters, sedan chairs, and you can be carried to your gorilla family the park official assigns to you. Alternatively, you can request to visit a family that is not demanding.

When is the Best Time to visit

When you plan to travel to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park to trek gorillas also matters a lot. If it is your first time or in case you are a repeat visitor, the best time to experience the most of Bwindi gorilla trekking adventure is during the dry season, June, July, August, September, and December, January to February.

The dry season is usually a period when there is limited or even no rain recorded leaving the park relatively drier. With these conditions, it becomes a bit easier trekking through the forest and steep slopes with no worries of muddy paths or slippery steep slopes. It is not the case with the wet or rainy season, which comes with heavy rainfall, dense vegetation, slippery steep slopes/terrains, and muddy ground.