Best way to prepare for a gorilla trekking experience : There are less than 2000 mountain gorillas are left in the wild as of 2021 and they are only found in three amazing countries; Democratic Republic of Congo, Uganda and Rwanda. The thrill of trekking mountain gorillas is every primate enthusiast’s thought but the chance to meet face to face with these Giant Apes in their natural habitat is a once in a lifetime experience.
Like any other adventure out there, mountain gorilla trekking is not and never will be about perfection, yet that should never leave travelers with space for making excuses when things go astray. Generally as humans, we become prisoners of our own expectations that are not meant and there are other numerous things that will come into play to ruin the experiences that would have been worth remembering for a lifetime.
Therefore, we take you through some of the simple ways on how to prepare emotionally and physically for your unforgettable gorilla trek. This preparation process mainly includes planning for travelers that have already decided on the country and National Park to enjoy the adventure as well as Places to sleep before and after the actual gorilla trek.
It is a common phenomenal for travelers to have high expectations (resulting from reviews and political headlines) each time they arrive a foreign country. While you might need to listen to other people’s stories, not everything you read or come across is true or even helpful in making the final decision concerning destinations to visit and what service providers to contract. After learning all these, you can move your mind to other significant aspects, get rid of high expectations to get the best out of the trip and finally not miss out on the most memorable experiences.
Put your attention and energy on things within your capability – Mountain gorilla trekking is generally a scheduled adventure and therefore any slight changes in your entire travel plan/itinerary is likely to affect how the whole gorilla safari comes to light. Small incidences such as getting up late, vehicle breakdowns, stomach upsets, fever or anything unusual might affect your overall gorilla safari experience. Given these facts, travelers don’t need to be concerned about these small things going out of control by retiring to bed early to be able to wake up early, avoid eating new foods and always carry medication in addition to sticking to fresh fruits or snacks until the gorilla trekking adventure is done, Best way to prepare for a gorilla trekking experience.
Undertake basic exercises – It is undeniable that mountain gorilla trekking is physically demanding and requires some level of fitness but it is also true that even the elderly and disabled persons can enjoy the adventure. Exercises such as simple walks, hill/mountain hikes and jogging are important for travellers interested in undertaking these treks. If you have plans of enjoying this adventure, it is advisable to prepare your body and mind at least 7 days in advance. Half an hour of jogging each day keeps you active without being exhausted.
The National Parks sheltering mountain gorillas are marked by varying terrains and therefore travellers to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park will agree that it is more mountainous and demanding than the other three Gorilla Parks in the Virunga Conservation Area-Mgahinga Gorilla, Volcanoes and Virunga National Parks. It is for this reason that adequate preparation is essential prior to undertaking gorilla safaris.
Early preparations are fundamental – Early preparations are one of the easiest ways to prepare for your memorable gorilla trek because in doing so, the best accommodation facilities, logistics, Gorilla Trekking permits for the most favorable trekking dates and transport means can be booked on time. For trekkers of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, keep in mind that there are four trekking regions/sectors with different gorilla groups as well as places of lodging, and the most unforgettable gorilla safari will be booked if done on time.