Checklist for mountain gorilla trekking
Checklist for mountain gorilla trekking : It’s true that for every 100 safaris booked, 80 if not 90 are mountain gorilla trekking safaris. Hence this safari season we anticipated that over 1000 people will be taking one mountain gorilla trekking either in Volcanoes National park in Rwanda, Virunga National park in the Democratic republic of Congo and in Uganda at the Bwindi National Park and Mgahinga National park.
These parks welcomes Trekkers all year round but it’s been noted that in the months of June, July and August that’s when the largest number of treekers come to the parks.
Well since this is the time for the mountain gorillas trekking high, here is a check list of the things you should miss on your list as you go for that mountain gorilla trekking experience.
- Mountain gorilla trekking permits
Take it from us, you will not access the mountain gorilla trekking park, without a mountain gorilla trekking permit. So make sure you have purchased your trekking permit and have it with you on the day of your trekking. Also the trekking permit indicates which part of the mountainous forest you will be trekking on that especially if you are trekking the Bwindi sectors.
Mountain gorillas trekking permits cost 1500 us dollars for Rwanda, 700 Us dollars for Uganda and 400 us dollars for the Democratic republic of Congo.
Its advisable to purchase your tickets at least 3 to 1 month in advance.
- Trekking attire
Mountain gorilla trekking is not like any other Uganda safari activity it involves climbing up and down a mountainous forest so you need a specific attire for the activity. First as you already know your clothing should be kept neutral to avoid incidences where you irritate the gorillas and cause them to react in a rude way. So you should have neutral colored clothes, khaki clothes are better, thick enough to endure forest branch scratches but also light and comfortable for the trekking adventure; long sleeved clothes are great. For foot wear think of boots better still hiking boots will work best.
You can add some shades but not the very dark ones, because you need to see clearly are you move into the forest. Then gloves for the hands and hats for protecting your face against the sun. Basically that should be your attire for trekking.
- Other accessories
You will need a camera to take the photos of the animals and your trekking experience, maybe a phone to record but not necessarily to make calls because the forest had no cell service.
You will need a pack for a snack and a water bottle for the water you will carry to keep rehydrated as you trek.
If you have any medicines you take, you can also carry them. Though people who are ill, will not be allowed to trek the mountain gorillas.
Generally those are the things you need to have, however, you may also have others you want to add; please add them for as long as long they don’t harm the gorillas or the rangers in any way. Go ahead. You should also consult with your tour operator to cross check if you have every thing you need for a successful trekking experience.
