Gorilla Trekking Safaris Rwanda, Uganda and DR Congo
Gorilla trekking in Africa is one of the most prominent safari activities carried out by numerous tourists that visit the main countries i.e Uganda, Rwanda and DR Congo on holiday safari adventure. Book a Gorilla safaris to experience the best encounters with the vast apes.
About Mountain Gorillas
Mountain Gorillas refer to large endangered species which inhabit thick forest vegetation in countries of Uganda, Rwanda and Congo. These are vegetarians hence feed on fruits, vegetables, and small insects throughout. Their number has rapidly grown after increased invention of conservation projects funded by a variety of individuals/ organizations around the world. These live together hierarchically in groups with a Silverback who leads the group and defends it from any danger, an adult female, black backs and then young gorillas which are followed by the juveniles. The silverback beats its chest whenever he wants to communicate with other members in the group for example when a female is producing, when there is an attack from another group etc. Only eight visitors and children above 14 years old whose health is good are allowed to track a group of these primates in an hour’s time. However, one is advised to keep a distance of about 7 km from these primates for they can easily be provoked hence causing harm to humans.
Gorilla trekking is a process that involves moving through the thick forests in search for the endangered species of mountain gorillas as according to their movements from one place to another. The search is easier in company of an experienced guide who follows tracks in the soil, noise, broken trees and leaves dropped by these primates while moving hence making the whole activity of tracking them flexible. After locating the Gorillas, one has to keep calm/ quiet around them. In Uganda, the endangered species of Mountain Gorillas can be tracked in two National Parks i.e Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National park and Mgahinga National park due to their dense green tropical rain forests. In Bwindi National park there are 12 groups of Mountain Gorillas and these are located in different sectors i.eBuhoma sector - Mubaare, Rushegura and Habinyanja, Ruhija sector- Mishaya, Nshongi, Busingye, Kahungye and Bweza, Rushaga sector-Bitukula, Oruzogo and Kyaguliro and the Nkuringo sector with the Kuringo Gorilla group. Mgahinga has the Nyakagezi Gorilla group. In Rwanda, there are ten Gorilla groups at Volcanoes National park and these include; Susa group, Umubano, Ugenda, Sabinyo, Hirwa, Karisimbi, Amahoro, Bwengye, Kwitonda and Group 13 “Agasha group”. In Congo, there are six Gorilla groups that can be tracked at Virunga National park and these include; Kabirizi, Humba, Rugendo, Mapuwa, lulengo and Muyanga Gorilla groups.
When preparing to Go for Gorilla trekking, pack and carry the following trekking gear to enable you enjoy your entire trekking experience.
- When preparing to go trekking, one should move with a denim shirt or a t-shirt with long sleeves to cover the arms so as to protect them from wild plants, bush thorns, insects, and morning mist/chill. These can also dry up so easily incase of rain.
- A Rain Jacket because it rains almost all the time since these countries are situated close to the equator. So tourists are advised to come with a cheap poncho and a light jacket which are very essential during trekking.
- Long pants that are not jeans since jeans get too heavy after getting wet while trekking for gorillas since this includes movement through the wet and thick forest vegetation. The long thick dry pants are recommended due to the fact that they would offer protection from thorns, branches.
- Light weight Boots; this involves wearing those that cover your ankles since the trekking involves moving through muddy areas or one can ask for gum boots also called knee high rubber willies. While hiking one needs to wear hiking boots so as to flexibly trek along the steep terrain full of vines according to the family gorilla being trekked. The socks should be woolen so as to provide warmth.
- Building/Gardening gloves; these should be made of cotton and padded along the palms and fingers since touching the various vines is inevitable.
Note: One should also carry with them the following;
- Cap/hat
- Waterproof plastic bag; this to help keep the camera/film
- Camera without a flash
