By Matata Mercy
One of the most interesting things about the East African country called Uganda is that it is gifted by nature.
From this interesting fact, it is very clear that visiting this country is worth the effort that you will put in.
The gorrilla trekking activity can be a once in a lifetime opportunity to enjoy and explore the beauty of the pearl of africa most especially for those who might not be citizens of this beautiful country.
This adventurous experience requires some form of preparation so that it turns out to be memorable and also unforgettable.
Today I will share with you some tips that can help you to enjoy the gorrilla trekking experience and make it memorable.
1.Ensure that you choose the right location.
There are two national parks in Uganda that harbour gorrillas where the gorrilla trekking experience takes place.
i)Bwindi Impenetrable national park
This national park is popular for it's dense natural forests and diverse gorrilla groups, this park offers different trekking experiences based on difficulty and also the ease of access.
ii)Mgahinga gorrilla national park
This national park is located in the far south west region of Uganda. Although, this national park is smaller in size compared to Bwindi it can still offer an amazing experience.
2.Physical preparation before the gorrilla trekking.
Physical preparation is important before embarking on gorrilla trekking simply because the terrain of these national parks is very steep for example the terrain of Bwindi is steep and the forest is dense and therefore it is physically demanding.
And therefore preparing physically is very vital.
In order to have a memorable experience during the trek, you will need to do the following.
i)Get fit
Take regular walks, hikes or work out in the gym so that you can prepare your body and make it ready for the physical challenges involved during trekking.
ii) Make sure that you wear proper gear
Ensure that you wear comfortable clothing that can absorb moisture and also hiking boots that can keep your feet comfortable and do not forget gloves that can protect your hands from injury.
iii)Carry few things to keep you light.
Carry only the things that are essential like sunscreen,snacks,water and also a camera for taking pictures of these amazing creatures.
3.Make sure that you book in advance
One way to ensure that your gorrilla trekking experience is memorable is for you to book your permit in advance.
In Uganda, the gorrilla trekking permit costs $800 dollars for the non residents and booking in advance will stop you from panicking in the last moments as those permits are limited in number.
You should make your booking through a reputable tour company operator like Great Lakes safaris or Nkuringo safaris that are popularly known in the tourism industry.
Another easier way to obtain the gorrilla permits is by going to the Uganda Wildlife Authority(UWA) offices where they will help you to easily get permits.
4.Show respect to the gorrillas.
When you at last encounter the gorrillas,ensure that you show respect to them by following all the guidelines that are given to you by the tour guides.Some of these guidelines that are regularly offered by the tour guides are:-
i)Keep a distance away from the gorrillas.
The tour guides normally advise the visitors to keep a distance of at least seven meters at all times away from the gorrillas for the safety of both the gorrillas and also themselves.
ii)Do not make sudden movements while near the gorrillas.
When you are around the gorrillas, the tour guides advice that you should keep calm and also quiet as these animals do not enjoy noise. Since noise can make them become aggressive.
iii)Follow the instructions of the tour guides.
The tour guides will give you instructions that can help you to enjoy your gorrilla trekking experience without any harm as they have been trained how to interact with the gorrillas.
They will help you with proper viewing of the gorrillas.
5.Make sure that you understand the trekking process.
The process of gorrilla trekking involves hiking through the jungle and searching for the location of the gorrilla family that has been assigned to you.
This requires a little bit of patience and it could take from 30 minutes to even hours of walking through the jungle.
Therefore, you should be mentally prepared for the long hike and also the unpredictability of how long it will take before you see the gorrillas.
6.Hire a guide and porter
Hiring a guide and a local porter will make your experience more memorable.
A local guide will help you while navigating the terrain and give you the commentary about the gorrillas and the ecosystem.
Another importance of the local guide is that he will keep you safe.
While having a porter means that your backpack will be carried and taken care of making your trek easier.
7.Stay present and also patient
Gorrilla trekking is a very unique experience that requires patience and mindfulness.
Once you see the gorrillas, take the time to absorb the moment.
The interaction can be magical,with the gorrillas often showing curiosity and interacting with their environment.
Limit distractions with excessive photographing.
8.Respect the environment
Gorrilla trekking takes place in fragile ecosystems. Be mindful of your surroundings.
Stay on the marked trails, avoid littering and also use sunscreens and insect reppellents that are eco-friendly.
9.Plan for the entire trip
While gorrilla trekking can be one of the highlights of your visit to Uganda, however there are other amazing tourist destinations in Uganda that you can include in your tourism experience that you can also enjoy while still in Uganda.
You can also add other activities like game drives in Queen Elizabeth national park or boat safaris on lake Bunyonyi for a more rounded experience.
10.Stay overnight near the park
If you want to get the most out of your trek you will need to stay near by at a lodge or near the camp.
This will shorten the distance to the park when you are to commence trekking of the gorrillas.
Making the gorrilla trekking process to start early.
11. Have a positive mindset
Gorrilla trekking process can be unpredictable due to weather conditions, wildlife movements and also the terrain.
Keeping an open and positive mindset will help you to appreciate the gorrilla trekking experience irrespective of the challenges that you will come across.
By following these tips, you can have a memorable and rewarding experience of gorrilla trekking in Uganda.
Good luck🦍🦍
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