How to Choose a Gorilla Family to Trek In Uganda
Coming face to face with the majestic mountain gorillas is a thrilling wildlife encounter that many long to experience. And for those that have gone for this adventure in Uganda, Rwanda or the DRC, testify of fantastic gorilla trekking trips and describing them as life-changing adventures.
As tourists arrange for a Uganda gorilla trekking safari adventure, they often ask for the easiest gorilla family to trek. On the other hand, a few people that wish to experience a more adventurous hike seek to track gorilla families that are harder to find; those known to be more mobile and at high altitudes. Note that a group of only eight visitors is allowed to visit a gorilla family per day and it is the management of the gorilla park that is responsible of allocating tourists to these families. In some situations, the tourists can choose which gorilla family to trek. In this article, find the factors that will determine which gorilla family to trek.
Location of mountain gorillas
Of the three countries where mountain gorilla trekking takes place, it is only Uganda with multiple sectors where the majestic apes are found; Buhoma, Ruhija, Rushaga and Nkuringo. You can read details of these sectors on the internet, know the gorilla families in each of them and make a choice of where you wish to go for trekking.
Movement of the mountain gorillas
Mountain gorillas only survive in their natural habitat. Gorilla national parks; Bwindi Impenetrable forest national park, Volcanoes national park, Virunga national park and Mgahinga Gorilla national park are wide and the gorillas move to any locations of the parks making it tricky to allocate tourists a gorilla family days before their tracking day. Because of their mobility, rangers visit the gorillas every evening to find out where they are spending their nights. This way, they know which gorilla families to track the next morning and where to allocate the different tourists.
Physical fitness
Physical fitness is one of the things considered when allocating tourists a gorilla family to trek. It is important to disclose your physical fitness to your tour consultant, guide or ranger so that you are allocated to a gorilla family that suits your physical fitness. Gorilla trekking hikes are categorized as short, medium and tough depending on how easy or tough it takes to find the primates. While some gorillas can be spotted easily because there are at lower altitudes, there are those at higher altitudes and are difficult to trek and find. Tourists who are physically fit and still young are considered to be energetic and therefore allocated to any gorilla families while seniors and any other category that may seem unfit.
Availability of gorilla permit
Gorilla trekking is one of the most sought safari adventure and this makes gorilla permits competitive throughout the year. In addition, the limited number of tourists to each gorilla family if limited to 8 permits per day. When permits to a gorilla family are fully booked, there will be no extra permits to it. Therefore, travelers are advised to inquire about gorilla permit availability of the sectors and gorilla families they wish to trek early enough (at least 3 months early).
Location of your accommodation
If there is a specific accommodation you want to stay during your gorilla safari, then it is helpful also to choose to trek in a sector that is near the lodge. This way, you will not have to rise up very early to transfer to your trekking location. Trekking within a hailing distance from the lodge enables you to have a short morning transfer to the starting point of the adventure. Whether you want to stay in budget, mid-range or luxury lodge, Bwindi and Mgahinga have a wide range of accommodations in these categories for you.
Gorilla trekking is a life changing experience; gets you in front of a silverback together with his whole family and you encounter a totally unique view of the natural world. Trekking a gorilla family of your choice rewards you with a much more incredible gorilla trekking experience. This is not an experience that you can purchase in a store!! Book your gorilla safari today with Mumwe Global Safaris. Contact us through info@mumwesafarisuganda.com or call our travel consultants on +256-700135510/ +256-414699459.
