Challenges likely to be faced during gorilla trekking in Uganda and Rwanda.
The experience of gorilla trekking is a dream come true for every adventurer in Africa; yet, there is a possibility that you may face difficulties along the way. Utilizing the services of an on-ground tour operator such as Katland safaris is necessary in order to lessen the likelihood of encountering any of these difficulties. Some of the difficulties that you can have throughout the process of making preparations for gorilla trekking safaris in Uganda and Rwanda are our responsibility.
The Virunga region is characterized by its volcanic geology and dense forest cover, which necessitates the use of hiking trails in order to identify mountain gorillas and other forest inhabitants. Mountain gorillas are the most popular tourist destination in the Virunga region; but, in order to interact with them, you will need to get a gorilla trekking permit from either Uganda or Rwanda.
It is necessary to make reservations for gorilla permits at least six months in advance of the date of the trek. Gorilla trekking has a schedule that includes all of its activities, some of which involve briefing time that begins as early as 7:30 in the morning. only to name a few examples. In order to avoid missing out on the opportunity to go gorilla trekking in Africa, some of these visitors need to be aware of the following information before they go there.
What are the best places in Uganda and Rwanda to go gorilla trekking?
Bwindi Impenetrable national park.
Locally, the word “Bwindi” means “impassable,” and this dual meaning is a perfect match for the national park known as “Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.” A total of around ten different species of primates call this biosphere reserve their home. These primates include mountain gorillas, chimpanzees, black and white colobus, vervet monkeys, and others.
Despite the fact that it has been there for a long time, this forest doesn’t seem to have been one of the surviving relics of the dry conditions that existed during the ice age. Over the course of time, the flora in the Bwindi forest has become tangled, and it now drapes over a profoundly fissured environment that consists of steep, slippery valleys and high, draughty slopes.
Around eighteen gorilla families have been identified as currently residing in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. These families are spread out around the park in a variety of locations. In order to accommodate the vastness of this park, the Uganda Wildlife Authority has divided the process of booking gorilla trekking permits into several areas. The Buhoma region, the Ruhijah area, the Rushaga area, and the Nkuringo area are the four gorilla trekking locations that are located inside the Bwindi Impenetrable National Park territory.
Mgahinga National Park.
Only one gorilla trekking family, known as the Nyakagezi, has been found in this national park so far. This family was once thought to be mobile due to the fact that it used to travel into Rwanda or the Democratic Republic of the Congo. This national park is the smallest of the four mountain gorilla habitats.
There is nothing that prevents mountain gorillas from searching for new feeding sites in the bush without taking into consideration political borders. Mountain gorillas are animals that are free-ranging primates.
The undulating mountains of Mountain Muhavura, Mountain Sabyinyo, and Mountain Gahinga provide a backdrop for the breathtaking beauty that can be seen at Mgahinga National Park. Uganda, Rwanda, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo are all separated by these beautiful regional backdrops. It is feasible to trek for a whole day on any of these breathtaking mountains; however, you will need to be accompanied by a ranger guide.
Volcanoes National Park
In Rwanda, this region encompasses around 160 square kilometers of territory and is the site of gorilla trekking adventures. For the time being, around thirteen gorilla families have been made available for visitors to see inside this park. The terrain of this forest is characterized by five volcanic mountains, which contribute to the overall rugged topography of the forest. Mountain Bisoke, Mountain Gahinga, Mountain Karisimbi, Mountain Muhabura, and Mountain Sabyinyo are some of the mountains that fall under this category.
The American scientist Dian Fossey, who began her studies in this park in 1967 at the Karisoke studies Center, was the first person to advocate for the gorilla trekking experience. The situation of mountain gorillas was brought to the attention of the whole world as a result of her efforts. She and her colleagues conducted a census, and they found that there are around 300 mountain gorillas that are still living in the globe.
Numerous conservation organizations in Rwanda and organizations from other countries began working to preserve mountain gorillas; nevertheless, this endeavor required financial support. This worthy cause to rescue this endangered ape species was supported in a number of different ways, one of which was by going on gorilla trekking.
Dian Fossey was brutally assassinated by unknown killers in 1985, but her bones are still in Volcanoes National Park, where they are buried beside the mountain gorillas to whom she devoted her whole life.
There are several challenges that might be encountered when gorilla trekking, but one of the most notable ones is hiking to find mountain gorillas.
When it comes to gorilla trekking, breaking the rules
During or before to gorilla trekking, the risk of contracting a communicable illness such as Covid-19 occurs
Having a minor status prior to going on a gorilla trip
Keeping a safe distance from the gorilla forest while hiking
Inability to finish making payments for a gorilla permit payment
The time of the unknown gorilla’s location
Having failed to get a permission to go gorilla trekking
Being absent from the gorilla hiking expedition
Failure to attend the briefing before to gorilla trekking
In search of the mountain gorillas, hiking took place.
The geography of Uganda and Rwanda is volcanic, which makes it difficult to find mountain gorillas in those countries. There may be moments when you will have to go on a trek in order to find the mountain gorillas. It is common for them to relocate to higher elevations during the periods of intense rainfall, which allows them to avoid the muddy and soft terrain below them.
To prepare our customers for the possibility that the mountain gorillas are located in more remote parts of the forest, we recommend that they do some basic exercises in order to extend their muscles a little bit more. It is not necessary for you to be always present in the gym; nonetheless, you should do some exercises at home that will stretch your muscles a little bit more.
Having the appropriate safari shoes that are able to handle slippery slopes and swampy areas without inflicting any damage to your feet is a significant benefit while you travel.
When it comes to gorilla trekking, breaking the rules
When it comes to gorilla trekking, there are laws that regulate its operations, and in order to be successful, you need to observe them very carefully. For the purpose of avoiding the last-minute rush to get a gorilla trekking permit, you are need to make your reservation in advance.
If you are in the presence of mountain gorillas, you should avoid creating any disturbance in the jungle. This is because the gorillas may go into hiding, and it would be pointless to try to rekindle them so that people may see them.
For the purpose of avoiding being disqualified from gorilla trekking or causing the mountain gorillas to feel irritated, it is imperative that you adhere to all of the laws that govern gorilla trekking.
During or before to gorilla trekking, the risk of contracting a communicable illness such as Covid-19 occurs
When mountain gorillas are infected with a contagious disease, visitors are not permitted to see them. In the event that you catch it prior to going gorilla trekking, you are required to demonstrate that you are clear of it by carrying out a PCR test that is negative and taking it 72 hours before you are scheduled to go gorilla trekking.
Due to the spread of the Corona Virus, it is mandatory to wear a mask whenever you come into contact with gorillas when you are on a gorilla trekking excursion.
It is quite possible that you will not be permitted to see the mountain gorillas, even if you are suffering from a cold or the flu, due to the fact that mountain gorillas are sensitive to human infectious diseases. It is possible that a communicable disease might have a significant impact on the populations of mountain gorillas that have been preserved up to this point. In this way, the conservation efforts that have been made up until now are being reclaimed.
Having a minor status prior to going on a gorilla trip
In the event that you hire a person who is under the age of 18 to be a member of your gorilla trekking group, that individual will not be permitted to join the other trekkers. One must be at least 15 years old in order to participate in gorilla trekking.
This is due of a lot of things that take place in the jungle, such as the fact that a youngster of this age may find it difficult to control their excitement when they first get a glimpse of mountain gorillas.
It is possible that you will have to climb across various slopes and plateaus in order to reach the mountain gorillas since the geography of the area where they dwell is volcanic. A youngster who is less than 15 years old could find this to be challenging. If you have transported that fur into the forest, it is not just a matter of breaking the voyage and going back to the lodge instead of continuing on.
Keeping a safe distance from the gorilla forest while hiking
You are need to be familiar with the region in Uganda where your gorilla permit is obtained if you are going to schedule a gorilla safari on your own. This is attributable to the fact that gorilla permits for Bwindi Impenetrable National Park are reserved in accordance with locations.
It is imperative that the lodging that you reserve for gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is located in close proximity to the location where you have reserved your gorilla permit. It takes a significant amount of time to go from one location to another in order to go gorilla trekking, and the possibility of huddles may prevent you from moving from one location to another. In the event that you fail to attend the briefing, there is a possibility that you will be taken out of the gorilla trekking program.
Inability to finish making payments for a gorilla permit payment
Both the Uganda Wildlife Authority and the Rwanda Development Board provide the opportunity to pay for your gorilla trekking permit in installments, with a minimum commitment charge of thirty percent applied to each payment. Individuals who book gorilla permits at least ninety days before the date of their trekking trip are eligible for this concession.
Within ninety days of the date of your gorilla trekking excursion, you are required to completely top up your gorilla permit. If you fail to do so, you will forfeit your deposit since the gorilla permit will be returned to the list for other people to book.
It is not possible to reserve a gorilla trekking permit in Uganda or Rwanda without making a payment. The purpose of this is to lessen the likelihood that those who are not serious about going gorilla trekking would apply for permits and take advantage of the opportunity to do so.
Unknown timing for the location of mountain gorillas
Due to the fact that they continue to wander aimlessly across the jungle, the moment at which the mountain gorillas are located is unknown. around two hours to around three quarters of the day is the time frame during which mountain gorillas may be found. There are a number of elements that might influence their location, including the closeness of their food, the circumstances of the forest, such as in the event of a conflict with another family or the loss of a member of the family, and other considerations.
In order to have a chance of successfully observing the mountain gorillas, you will need to have something called patience. In light of the aforementioned considerations, the most effective course of action is to adhere to the recommendations provided by the ranger guide. During your gorilla trekking experience, it would be quite beneficial to keep your mind occupied and interested by concentrating on other sights in the forest in addition to the mountain gorillas.
Having failed to get a permission to go gorilla trekking
However, the number of gorilla families is restricted, with Uganda having just 19 gorilla families so far and Rwanda having only 13 gorilla families. At the moment, the number of gorilla licenses that are given each day is eight permits for each family. One may make reservations for these from anywhere in the globe.
Assuming you are a do-it-yourselfer, the headache of going through the process of reserving a gorilla permit. There is a possibility that tour operators may discover a change in the approval status of gorilla permits after they have confirmed their availability.
The process of booking a gorilla permit at the last minute is difficult since you also need to be familiar with the particular region in Uganda where you will be staying. The act of obtaining the permission for gorilla trekking on the ground on the day of the gorilla trekking excursion is fraught with danger since you cannot be certain that there will be a no-show. Due to the extent of the problem, you are need to make reservations for your gorilla trekking permits at least six months in advance and no later than ninety days before the date of your gorilla trekking trip.
Being absent from the gorilla hiking expedition
In the event that you fail to show up for your gorilla trekking excursion because you forgot the date of your excursion, you will be paid. The gorilla trekking permit is only valid until the day that it is set to expire, unless there is a possibility that you may reschedule it for an other date.
When you make a reservation for a certain day for gorilla trekking, all of the preparations for that day, including your very own, are made. Therefore, in the event that you do not show up, you should not anticipate receiving a refund in accordance with the standards provided by the Authority.
In the event that you would want to avoid going gorilla trekking on a certain day and you express your intention to do so in advance along with supporting documentation, you may be eligible for compensation in accordance with the terms and circumstances of the gorilla permit refund.
Failure to attend the briefing before to gorilla trekking
In the event that you oversleep and fail to attend a briefing without alerting your lodge to provide you with a wake-up call, you run the risk of being banned from gorilla trekking, even if you still possess a permit.
Due to the fact that it prepares you to interact with mountain gorillas, the briefing phase that comes before gorilla trekking is an extremely crucial stage. In spite of the fact that terms and conditions pertaining to gorilla trekking are available on brochures and the internet, they are rarely defined in great length.
Packing for Gorilla Trekking in Uganda and Rwanda: What You Need to Bring
In the woods, you should wear boots designed for safari. They must be completely draped over.
A camera with the ability to record and capture photographs for the purpose of preserving memories.
You should wear a safari hat so that you can prevent water from dripping from the tree trunks.
refueling snacks that may be munched on whenever hunger strikes.
Protecting your hands with garden gloves are essential.
Put on a pair of pajamas for the evening.
A water bottle that can be folded up and carried about with you in case you need to use it to satisfy your thirst.
a repellent that will keep stinging insects away from you while you are out in the outdoors.
Kit for first aid
