Gorilla Trekking Information
Tracking the mountain gorilla in Bwindi impenetrable forest National Park ranks among the absolute highlights of African travel. In Uganda, gorilla tracking is also done in Mgahinga National Park where there is one habituated gorilla family. To be exact, Uganda is home to half of the world’s total population of the mountain Gorillas. This makes it the best destination in the world to do gorilla tracking.
The excitement attached to first setting eyes on a wild mountain gorilla is difficult to describe. These gentle giants are enormous in size up to three times as bulky as an average man; their size is even more exaggerated by a shaggily luxuriant coat.
Mountain gorillas are the largest primates but despite their fearsome appearance, gorillas are remarkably peaceful creatures otherwise tracking them would be considerably a dangerous pursuit if they had the temperament of say, Baboons and Vervet monkeys among others.
It should be noted that these gentle giants have the DNA that is 98-99% identical to that of humans. And just like humans, mountain gorillas have individual finger prints.
Gorilla tracking should not present any serious physical challenge to any reasonably fit adults whatever their age, but the hike can be tough going. Trackers should expect anything from 15 minutes to 6 hours to find the gorillas depending on luck and weather. Tourists are permitted to spend no longer than one hour with the gorillas, and may not eat or smoke in their presence.
What to carry ranges from the sturdiest walking shoes for the trek, thick trousers and long sleeves as protection against vicious nettles. It’s often cold at the outset so bring sweatshirt or a jersey. Whatever clothes you wear are likely to get dirty, so if you have pre-muddied clothes, use them! Carry also rain gear and hat, sunscreen, cameras, insect repellants, drinks and snacks.
Uganda Safaris
- 3 Days Murchison Falls Safari
- 3 Days Gorilla Trekking
- 4-Days Gorilla Encounter
- 5 Days Gorillas and Wildlife
- 8 Days Gorilla observations, queen Elizabeth and lake mburo NP
- 11 Days Gorilla observation, Kibale forest and lake mburo NP
- 12 Days Gorilla trekking, Kibale forest and lake mburo NP
- 21 Days Uganda grand tour
