Gorilla trekking myth and realities in Uganda and Rwanda.
Although many ideas and legends about the mountain gorillas in Uganda and Rwanda have been spread over the globe, the real reality is found in embarking on a gorilla trekking trip. Now you may now participate in the gorilla habituation experience, where semi wild gorillas get used to human presence.
Only one hour is permitted to be in the presence of the gorilla when you encounter him throughout the trip across Uganda and Rwanda. Given their typical vegetarianism, this gives them time to eat.
Mountain gorillas eat more than three hundred pounds of vegetation every day to sustain their pure bodies both during night and during day. The mountain gorillas find it difficult to conceive even with people around.
The mountain gorillas reside in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga National Park in Uganda, Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda, Virunga National Park D.R. Congo worldwide. Right now, only around 1000 mountain gorillas are still alive.
About Trekking on Gorillas Uganda and Rwanda
To take part, you must save a gorilla trekking permit. Only maximum of eight gorilla trekking permits are permitted daily to satisfy a particular gorilla family. This aims to lower the number of potential tramped-on vegetation-loving hikers. Many visitors to the park tread on the foliage, therefore limiting the food supply that would enable mountain gorilla survival.
Usually vegetarian, the mountain gorillas live on bamboo there delicacy, delicate stems, leaves, fruits, and sometimes add ants to their diet.
Though physically striking, mountain gorillas are reclusive creatures in nature. Their black coat of fur covers their body and their dark brown eyes have sunken. Mountain gorillas get about via knuckle movements. With age, the grayish saddle of hair on the rear of the silver backs changes.
Living in families under the direction of the dominant male with autocratic control are mountain gorillas. He demands respect from all family members, even the men, and has all the authority over the ladies in the house. Only one man thinks he has a right to procreate with the women. He battles to the last dot to protect his family from assaulting wild tribes and therefore preserve his liberty.
The mountain gorillas feed their young mammary gland for a duration comparable to people and have a gestation period similar to that of humans.
Most successful silverbacks who formerly dominated and former dominant male murder their newborns so they may begin their own line of descent.
The mountain gorillas spend their evenings in nests they build, then de-nest around daylight to go about their daily business.
Sometimes the gorilla family runs a black back spy network to maintain security within the mountain gorilla family.
Mountain Gorillas: How aggressive are they?
As was already established, mountain gorillas are calm animals even if they have frightening appearances. None have ever been recorded becoming victims of the mountain gorillas’ hostility.
This does not imply, however, that you harass them on the gorilla trail. Every visitor pays for their gorilla trekking permit and seeks value for money. Agitating the mountain gorillas might cause them to hide, therefore lowering the projected one hour view of the mountain gorillas.
Mountain gorillas often pound their chests, pull grass around them, walk on one leg and hoot when enraged. Usually, they hide a means of escape from anything questionable in there.
Try not to stare into the black eyes of the mountain gorillas while gorilla treking as this disturbs them. If one surrounds the mountain gorillas, they might feel attacked.
It is strange because the forest is usually calm and only sounds of birds or monkeys the gorillas are acquainted with alien noise. In case you cannot remain silent when you come among the mountain gorillas, every hiker is urged to speak softly or silently. Using a soundproof camera is encouraged when photographing; Flash photography is not advised. This helps one avoid producing strange sounds among the mountain gorillas.
After seeing the mountain gorillas, carefully withdraw away without upsetting the gorilla trekking family members.
Where in Uganda and Rwanda should one go for gorilla treking?
In Uganda
On the southern Western edge of Uganda is Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. About eighteen gorilla trekking families exposed to visitors call this home. Locally Bwindi means Impenetrable, and in fact this tropical rain forest is suitable for this twofold meaning.
Living among others like black and white colobus, red tailed monkeys, blue monkeys, grey cheeked mangabey, L’Hoest’s, olive baboons, chimpanzees, and others are the mountain gorillas.
Without visiting Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, birding experiences in Uganda cannot be complete. Here among more than 350 species are 23 species of around 24 Uganda Albertine endemics. Particularly the Mubwindi marsh, Ruhijah region is the principal birding site of Bwindi impenetrable National park.
Gorilla trekking Booking lodging in Bwindi impenetrable National Park or in the location where your permit is booked will pay well.
Currently home to one gorilla trekking family, Nyakagezi, Mgahinga National Park in Uganda The mountain gorillas are free ranging creatures without understanding of political borders, hence this gorilla family used to wander into Rwanda. This explains why its gorilla permits were booked on ground depending on mountain gorilla availability.
With three of the five Virunga hills as its background, Mgahinga National park boats of its magnificent views. Rising on the northern slopes of Mountain Muhavura, Mountain Sabyinyo, and Mountain Gahinga, the park forms a regional background.
Among other species, Golden monkeys, black and white colobus, red-tailed monkeys, grey-cheeked mangabey, blue monkeys call this park home.
With around 115 species of birds so far identified and continuing under development, Mgahinga National Park has an outstanding bird list. Among the species you could find to see are Dusky Tutle Dove, Alpine Chat, Malachites Sunbird, Montane Double-Collared Sunbird, Rwenzori Turaco, Lagden’s Bush Shrike, and more.
With around 13 gorilla families reported so far, Volcanoes National Park is the gorilla trekking destination for Rwanda. Five of the Virunga volcanoes in the park are Mountain Bisoke, Mountain Karisimbi, Mountain Gahinga, Mountain Muhabura, and Mountain Sabyinyo.
Purchased from Rwanda Development Boards ( RDB), a gorilla trekking permit for Rwanda allows one to wake up for a briefing on ORTPN in Volcanoes National Park.
From gorilla treking, the golden monkeys call Volcanoes National Park home. These are a rare species of primates whose body size exceeds that of typical monkeys. Their hair around the stomach, bottom, middle and lower back is golden brown. In the forest, they keep you on alert and are really swift and thrilling to observe.
Blue monkeys, grey cheeked mangabey, red tailed monkeys, black and white colobus, olive baboons and others all call Volcanoes National Park home.
How much is safaris for gorilla trekking in Uganda and Rwanda?
The cost of the gorilla trekking safari varies on many elements, including the cost of gorilla trekking permits, which in Rwanda is $1500 per person, in Uganda $800 per person.
The minimal number of days anticipated on safari—that is, in Uganda—three days gorilla trekking is the number you want to spend. At least two days gorilla trekking is believed to be the minimum amount of time spent on safari in Rwanda.
The cost varies also depending on if you combine gorilla trekking with other pursuits as game drives, chimpanzee trekking, white water rafting, birdwatching and others.
Additionally adding to the expense of gorilla trekking are the amount of individuals with you. Gorilla hiking safari has less cost per person the smaller the group; hence, the cost increases.
Sometimes the season you schedule your gorilla trekking expedition determines its cost. Usually, the peak seasons draw expensive expenses on safari elements like lodging, transportation, ranger guides, and other elements. Gorilla trekking is highly sought after in both peak and low seasons; low seasons can draw decreased prices on the components of the trip.
The kind of premium, middle-class, or budget package you choose for gorilla trekking also affects your overall trip cost. These packages have many inclusions and exclusions that define them.
When Should One Plan a Gorilla Trekking Safari?
Though all year long gorilla trekking trips are accessible, the dry months draw more visitors. More visitors visit the mountain gorillas from June to September and from December to January.
Many have opportunity to utilize these vacations, so the festival season is a gorilla trekking high season. Book as least six months in advance if you want to conduct gorilla trekking during this time. Some even set aside a year ahead.
Less rain in the Virunga region around this time might also let visitors enjoy a seamless journey. This area is well-known for getting early showers that could continue whole day.
Trekkers are recommended to pack a poncha or raincoat to guard against conditions like these. You have to bring them even during the dry season because, in this location it rains without notice. It is rather crucial to pack some warm attires for the bitterly chilly mornings and nights.
The low seasons, which fall between March and May and November, result in fewer visitors, therefore less opportunity to impede your ability to get the greatest pictures of mountain gorillas. Services in the lodges are less completed; so, there may be cheaper rates on other activities like gorilla treking packages.
How challenging is gorilla treking in Rwanda and Uganda?
The gorilla trekking experience takes place in a demanding surroundings, hence you should be somewhat physically fit. Given this is a volcanic region, the soils are soft yet rain falls there often. The area’s rich river network floods sometimes to provide a marshy terrain. Walking calls for the proper gorilla trekking boots to protect your feet from pricking surfaces.
You must be somewhat fit if you want to really appreciate the experience. You should engage in some basic workouts to prevent muscle pools before gorilla trekking. You should be patient before you locate the mountain gorillas as the date of their discovery is uncertain.
What should one bring for Gorilla Trekking in Rwanda and Uganda?
For your African safari, packing light will be very beneficial and you won’t have to worry about who is going to assist you with luggage handling.
The gorilla trekking safari packing list calls for some of the following items:
Safari boots have sharp surfaces that might puncture you to wear in the woods.
A bigger brim folding safari hat to hide your hair from dripping water from the leaves.
Insect repellent so smear your body and keep away stinging insects in the outdoors.
Toiletries to have on hand should the lodge not provide.
Two binoculars will let one observe far-off animals more clearly.
The flash-less camera lets you remember encounter with the mountain gorillas.
A water-proof rucksack to load your stuff so that it stays dry or lost upon a fall.
Two pajamas to wear in the evening should it turn really chilly.
Garden gloves will shield your hands from pikes and slippery creepers you land your palms on to get a firmer hold.
Since solar is the primary energy used, a torch should be used when the lights go off at night.
An additional battery to swap in case of first run low
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