Why gorilla trekking is one hour

Why gorilla trekking is one hour : Gorilla trekking is an adventurous and most popular activity where visitors move into the dense tropical rain forests in search of the endangered mountain gorillas and once found spend one hour with them in their natural habitat. Gorilla trekking is carried out in five African destinations namely Mgahinga gorilla national park and Bwindi impenetrable forest national park which harbors half of the mountain gorillas in the world both found in Uganda, Volcanoes national park in Rwanda, Virunga national park and Kahuzi Biega national park in Democratic Republic of Congo. A visitor who wants to engage in gorilla trekking in any of the gorilla destinations must have a gorilla trekking permit which is a document or card that is issued to any visitors above the age of fifteen allowing him or her to trek the endangered mountain gorillas.

Reasons why gorilla trekking is one hour

Gorilla trekking takes about 2 to 7 hours depending on the location of the gorillas and once they have been found visitors spend one hour with them in their natural habitat taking photos, recording the moments and learning about their lifestyle, behaviors, habits among others. Visitors are therefore allowed to spend one hour with them due to various reason including

Gorilla trekking in Uganda, Rwanda and Democratic Republic of Congo is one hour because gorillas are vulnerable to human diseases therefore the more time visitors spend with the gorillas the more chances of humans spreading diseases and in order to prevent disease transmission, visitors are allowed to spend one hour with the mountain gorillas in their natural habitat.

Visitors are allowed to spend one hour with the mountain gorillas because there is need for conservation of the mountain gorillas and when visitors spend a lot of time the endangered gorillas taking photos, watching them carry out their daily activities like feeding makes the gorillas stressed and in order not to stress the gorillas government officials in charge of tourism in Uganda, Rwanda and Democratic Republic of Congo implemented a policy where visitors are allowed to only spend one hour with the mountain gorillas.

Mountain gorillas live in families of about 10 to 35 individuals and the families are comprised of females, juveniles, babies, and the dominant silverback. due to the fact that they live in families they have daily routines where they day starts at around 6am and their routine includes feeding, moving from place to place in search of food, resting, social life where they interact with each other and the time for constructing nests for another night therefore visitors only spend one hour so that the gorillas continue with their daily routine without destruction.

Visitors who want to spend more hours with the gorilla in their natural habitat can opt for gorilla habituation experience which is a process where the mountain gorillas are trained so as to get used to human presence. Gorilla habituation is only carried out in Bwindi impenetrable forest national park in Rushaga sector and the process takes a period of 2 to 3 years. Gorilla habituation process is conducted by a team of researchers, park rangers, guides and allows a maximum number of four visitors to engage in the process. During gorilla habituation process visitors are allowed to spend four hours with the mountain gorillas as they monitor, observe their behaviors, habits and also participate in naming of the gorillas.

Gorilla trekking destinations

Gorilla trekking is carried out in various destinations which offer unforgettable experiences such as Bwindi impenetrable national park which is the most visited gorilla destination in Africa due to the fact that it harbors about half of the words mountain gorillas. The national park is located in southwestern Uganda in Kanungu district and a home of 19 habituated gorilla families which are found in four destinations that is Rushaga, Nkuringo, Buhoma and Ruhija sectors. Mgahinga gorilla national park is another gorilla destination located in southwestern Uganda in Kisoro district and a home of 2 habituated gorilla families namely Nyakagezi and Hirwa families, volcanoes national park which is located in northwestern Rwanda in Musanze village and a home of over 15 habituated gorilla families, Virunga national park which is located in Democratic Republic of Congo and a home of 8 habituated gorilla families and Kahuzi Biega which harbors 5 habituated gorilla families.

Cost of a gorilla trekking permit

A single gorilla trekking permit in Uganda costs $600 for foreign non-resident, $500 for foreign residents and UGX 250,000 for East African citizens. However the gorilla trekking permit in Uganda was increased by $100 therefore effective 1st July 2020 a gorilla trekking permit for foreign non- resident will cost $700 and $600 for foreign residents. In Rwanda a gorilla trekking permit costs $ 1500 for all nationalities and in a gorilla trekking permit costs $400 and a discounted permit at $200 during the low season.

A gorilla trekking permit should however be booked 3 to 6 months in advance before the trekking date in order to avoid disappointments because permits are competitive and usually get sold out especially during the peak season.

When to go for gorilla trekking

Gorilla trekking can be done anytime throughout the year though the best period is during the dry season in the months of June to September and December to February. during the dry season there is less rainfall therefore access roads to the gorilla destinations will be passable and the gorilla trekking trails in the jungle will be dry and passable compared to the wet/rainy season when the trails are muddy and slippery making gorilla trekking difficult.

What to pack on your gorilla trekking safari

Visitors going on a gorilla trekking safari are advised to pack gorilla trekking essentials such as hiking shoes which will keep your feet dry, long sleeved shirt and trousers to keep you warm, rain jacket to protect you from rain in case it rains, warm sweater, backpack to carry your essentials, energy snacks, walking stick, camera among others.

Gorilla trekking is a thrilling activity that will give you breathtaking and lifetime experiences on your safari as you spend one hour with them in their natural habitat. In case you are interested in gorilla trekking you can contact Achieve global Safaris for gorilla trekking packages.

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