What to expect on gorilla trekking day in Uganda and Rwanda? Are you asking yourself of how the start and the whole day of mountain gorilla trekking will be like? No worries. Africa Adventure Vacations will give you a highlight on what to do on the day of gorilla trekking from the start to the end. It’s clear that so many tourists that come to see mountain gorillas are very expectant and nervous on how the day can be like.

It’s obvious that some travelers have fear for the hikes, others fear walking long distances while others are so nervous and they can’t wait to meet face to face with giant silverback gorilla. Trekking to find mountain gorillas can be very long day, its starts very early in the morning and it can end in the evening. It can take 2 to 8 hours to allocate a gorilla family. The following is a guide on what to expect on gorilla trekking day in Uganda and Rwanda?

Transfer to the park headquarters for pre-gorilla trekking briefing

Early in the morning you start with your drive or a walk from your hotel / lodge or camp to the national park headquarters for registration and pre – gorilla trekking briefing. There is no accommodation that is near the park headquarters but rather at a certain distance away. It’s at the park headquarters that you are given rules and regulations while tracking mountain gorillas for your safety and that of mountain gorillas.

All people going to participate in gorilla tourism are expected to reach the park headquarters at 7:45 and this is when the briefing starts. For those going to trek mountain gorillas in Bwindi impenetrable forest national park, the park has four gorilla trekking sectors which are Ruhija, Buhoma, Rushaga and Buhoma of Bwindi impenetrable national park. It’s advised you trek mountain gorillas in the sector where your accommodation is found to avoid long drives in the morning.  While at the park headquarters, you are grouped into 8 people and every group is allocated a gorilla family to trek. Every traveler must attend the gorilla briefing session in order to trek mountain gorillas.

Transfer to the gorilla trekking starting point

Whereas some gorilla treks begin right from the park headquarters, others start distances away from the briefing point hence need you to drive there. The good thing is that this distance is not steep and it is normally short taking you roughly 20 – 30 munites’ drive. hiking begins there as you trek through the thick forest with no clear path. Thankfully to your ranger guide who will clear the forest to create a path for you with a machete. Also hiking time before seeing mountain gorillas is unpredictable. It can take 1 hour to several hours depending on many factors among which includes location, conditions of the terrains as well as season i.e. dry or wet that day. You will always follow the directions given to you by the trackers who went early in the morning to find out gorilla locations.

Encountering mountain gorillas

What to expect on gorilla trekking day in Uganda and Rwanda?  You finally reach the mountain gorillas and experience the amazing feeling of being near them a few meters away especially the silverback gorilla. You will be given 1 hour to stay with the gorilla family while enjoying their human- like characteristics, take pictures, capture videos and have fun with your lost relatives. You will witness the gorilla silverback protect its family like a human father would do, see adult females breast babies while young ones play continuously to keep the whole family lively hence an amazing adventure.

Descending to the starting point

After spending an hour with mountain gorillas, you will hike back to find your driver guide at the beginning point. Fortunately, descending back is easy compared to hiking up. You will be having memories of mountain gorillas hence find it easy to reach the starting point with in little time. Meet your drive, get your gorilla trekking certificate and get back to your lodge or drive to the next travel destination.

Book your next gorilla safari to Uganda, Rwanda and DR Congo, contact Africa Adventure vacations or booking and be part of a memorable encounter.