Why is gorilla trekking experience in Uganda and Rwanda for one hour

Because mountain gorillas are accustomed to being around people for that short period of time, gorilla trekking is only possible for an hour at a time. The process of acclimating wild mountain gorillas to human presence is known as “gorilla habituation.”

Gorilla trekking: What is it?

Tracing a fully habituated mountain gorilla family and spending just one hour with them is known as gorilla trekking.

There are 19 gorilla families in Uganda that are accessible to tourists and reside in Mgahinga and Bwindi Impenetrable National Parks. Both parks are situated in the typically volcanic southwest region of Uganda. Reservations for these gorilla families are made based on their geographic location. There are four regions in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park:

The northern region of Buhoma
The eastern region of Ruhijah
The southern region of Rushaga
The region of Nkuringo
Volcanoes National Park, located in the northwest of Rwanda, is home to 15 gorilla families that are currently accessible to tourists. Families that undertake gorilla trekking in Rwanda include the Amahoro, Karisimbi, Susa, Ugyende, Bwenge, and Sabyinyo families, among others.

Since mountain gorillas are among the world’s endangered primates, conservation efforts must take precedence over all other activities. Primatologist Dian Fossey conducted a census in the 1980s and found that there were roughly 300 mountain gorillas in existence at that time. Conservation of mountain gorillas began after they were designated as one of the most endangered primates.

One approach to raise money for this admirable yet enjoyable activity was to offer gorilla trekking permits in order to donate to the gorilla conservation fund. Despite all of this, conservation remained the primary concern, and as a result, the mountain gorillas were conditioned to spend only an hour with people.

Emphasize the One-Hour Gorilla Trekking Duration

Mountain gorillas were accustomed to spending only an hour with people.
For the sake of conserving mountain gorillas
To provide room for conception and to let the mountain gorillas eat
Allow time for your return after your gorilla trek.
To lessen the possibility of infecting the mountain gorillas
Reduced likelihood of upsetting the mountain gorillas
Mountain gorillas were accustomed to spending only an hour with people.

In the process of gorilla habituation, wild mountain gorillas are gradually acclimated to human presence by allowing them to tolerate people for an hour. Despite their calm demeanor, mountain gorillas are extremely sensitive.

They might not fight you, but if they think anything strange about the group of gorilla trekkers in front of them is strange, they might hide in the bushes. To reduce such odds, one hour was recommended.

You are supposed to observe the mountain gorillas and snap as many pictures as you can to preserve the memory of your encounter with them during that hour. Since they are timid primates, try not to look them in the eyes.

For the sake of conserving mountain gorillas

Only an hour is acceptable for mountain gorillas during gorilla trekking since they are primates that must be preserved in their native habitat and not become overly accustomed to human presence. All plans must move on with conservation because the mountain gorilla conservation program has required a significant amount of time and money.

The mountain gorillas rely on greenery as their primary food source, therefore if you spend too much time in the forest, you risk overtrampling the vegetation. This food must be protected and should not be trampled underfoot.

In order to provide food for the mountain gorillas

Because they are typically vegetarians, mountain gorillas eat leaves all day long to maintain their enormous body size at night. The weight of a mature mountain gorilla can reach up to 300 pounds. Although bamboo is a delicacy for mountain gorillas, they also consume soft stems, fruits, tubers, leaves, and other materials.

To lessen the possibility of spreading diseases to the mountain gorillas, it is recommended that you avoid spitting on the plants when engaging in gorilla trekking or gorilla habituation.

The mountain gorillas may pause feeding during gorilla trekking in order to pay attention to their guests. They may appear to be going about their own business, but they are actually keeping a close eye on everything, particularly the Dominant Silverback, who is tasked with defending the sovereignty of his gorilla family.

By spending an hour observing the mountain gorillas, you can shorten the amount of time they spend feeding or relaxing.

To Make Room for the Conception of Mountain Gorillas

Gorilla hiking interferes with conception since you are in the way of the mountain gorillas. The mountain gorilla conservation community celebrates more when more babies are born.

The infants of that era are given names during the annual Kwita Izina gorilla naming ritual in Rwanda. Only when the mountain gorillas are allowed time to focus on conceiving will this be possible.

According to a census conducted in the 1980s, there were only about 300 mountain gorillas in the globe; today, it is estimated that over 1000 of them reside there. Giving the mountain gorillas time to conceive in a secure setting is credited with this accomplishment.

After gorilla trekking, allow time to return.

It’s still unclear when mountain gorillas can be found during gorilla trekking. However, a lot of things depend on it, such as how close their food is, what to do if they fight with another gorilla family, the weather that day, and much more.

The location of the mountain gorillas may be delayed as a result of such situations. It is predicted that it will take two hours to three-quarters of the day to find the mountain gorillas. Depending on where the mountain gorillas are feeding, you may even climb up steep slopes at times. You have to walk back afterward since these are very taxing. It’s important to return before you become too fatigued if your gorilla family is far away.

To lessen the possibility of infecting the mountain gorillas

If you spend too much time with the mountain gorillas, you might begin to engage with them instead. During this encounter, you might infect these extremely fragile primates with a sickness. About 96% of human DNA is found in mountain gorillas.

Additionally, they can contract germs from people, which could cause them to die in large numbers. It has taken a long time to conserve mountain gorillas, therefore ruining it now would be counterproductive.

If you are aware that you have a contagious illness, such as the flu, cholera, coronavirus, cough, etc., you are encouraged to volunteer to stay behind even prior going gorilla trekking. Additionally, as a precaution for all primate trekking excursions following the Covid-19 pandemic, bring at least two clean masks to use while gorilla trekking.

Reduced likelihood of upsetting the mountain gorillas

To avoid upsetting the mountain gorillas, you must strictly adhere to the instructions given during the briefing. They are extremely sensitive primates, particularly when there are intruders around. As a result, avoid disturbing their tranquility, touching their babies, picking up objects in front of them, encircling them, making needless motions, and much more.

The likelihood of breaking any of the aforementioned rules increases with the length of time you may spend with them. This is one another justification for setting a one-hour restriction on time spent with the mountain gorillas. to temporarily grab their interest and then allow them to resume their regular activities.

How to Reserve a Permit for Gorilla Trekking in Rwanda and Uganda

Decide how many gorilla permits you want to reserve for the day and the date you want to go on the gorilla trekking safari.

Our safari adviser verifies availability from the Rwanda Development Board listing or the Uganda Wildlife Authority when you contact Katland Safaris. One of the few registered businesses with access to the gorilla permit daily status list is ours.

We encourage all of our clients to buy their gorilla permits as soon as possible, in case there are any available for the time you choose. This is due to the fact that anyone else can always buy them off.

Gorilla trekking permits in Rwanda and Uganda are offered on a first-come, first-served basis. The only way to express interest in going on this African safari is to purchase a gorilla permit, which is booked in advance.

We need your full passport name, nationality, birthdate, passport expiration date, and other personal information in order to issue Uganda gorilla trekking cards. Some of this information is filled out on your certificate of completion of your trek, and these are utilized for record-keeping.

How Much Does a Gorilla Permit Cost in Rwanda and Uganda?

For foreign nonresidents, the cost of a Rwanda gorilla trekking permit is $1500 per person per trek; for foreign residents, it is $500; and for East African residents, it is $300.

The current cost of a Uganda gorilla trekking permit is 300000 shs for East African citizens, $700 for foreign residents, and $800 for foreign nonresidents.

Park fees are included in the price of a gorilla trekking permit.

You must pay park entrance fees before you can access any national park. This is utilized to help with park upkeep and wildlife conservation. The price of the gorilla permit includes this charge.

Gorilla Medicine

In the event that the mountain gorillas sustain serious injuries, assistance is required. Even though they are wild creatures, the gorilla doctors may intervene to treat them when they are ill. Even though they are supposed to get medical care in the environment, this can occasionally be challenging. As a result, mountain gorillas receive regular medical examinations from gorilla doctors. You might need to raise some cash from the sale of the gorilla permits in order to pay for all of this.

Fees for ranger guides

A ranger guide can accompany any trekker as they enter the forest. Professional ranger guides have gained expertise about mountain gorillas and other forest inhabitants via their experience.

They typically impart this knowledge to visitors, fostering trust in the lives of mountain gorillas. Many people would like to share their unique experience and knowledge with the world by posting about their gorilla trekking experiences.

By monitoring radio communications with security at headquarters, the rangers also ensure the trekker’s safety. They can readily inform the appropriate parties if they need to back up.

Support from the Local Community

Because people are occasionally the victims of these animals, the local community must be active in the conservation of mountain gorillas. As a result, the town receives a portion of the yearly revenue from the sale of gorilla permits. This helps them manage their projects, such as establishing water sources and maintaining roads.

Encourage the Safety of Gorilla Trekking Locations

You need to make sure you’re safe because gorilla trekking takes place in the outdoors. Rwanda and Uganda are safe places to go gorilla trekking, nevertheless. To maintain peace and order in certain areas, the rangers collaborate with other security personnel.

Items of a personal nature are not included in the price of a gorilla trekking permit.

Since breakfast is eaten so early to sustain you during the entire journey, you are expected to pack your own lunch as the gorilla permit fee does not include any snacks, drinking water, or a packed lunch.

Absence of safari gear

To help you find the mountain gorillas, it would be ideal to have your gorilla trekking equipment with you. Packing rain gear, safari clothes, boots, and other items would be ideal.

Costs of lodging

The price of the gorilla permit does not include the cost of lodging. The price varies based on your desired spending limit.

Porter

Before beginning the hike, you must hire a porter if you require one.

Tipping

You might want to give your ranger guide a tip when you get back from gorilla trekking. The price of the gorilla permit does not include this.