Gorilla Trekking

On the day of the trek, the alarm clock rings very early. The goal is to spot the gorillas early in the morning before they set out on their daily walk through the mountain forests. Trackers accompany the gorillas throughout the day, so that in the morning the rangers know exactly in which direction their walk will start. After a short introduction to the most important rules of behavior and the assignment of the gorilla families, the hike in search of the mountain gorillas also starts. For a safe, relaxed and successful trekking it is important that you follow these rules. Weatherproof clothing and sturdy shoes are a prerequisite, as the weather in the jungle is unpredictable and the hike can sometimes last up to five hours.

First you will be driven to the starting point of the hike, where you will meet your guide and have the opportunity to pick up a porter for 20 USD. Porters are young people from the local community who will gladly give you a hand in difficult places and carry your backpack. So the 20 USD will directly benefit a local family and you will be glad to have some help after 2 hours of hiking.

You will hike through farmland and then through dense rainforest. As soon as the gorilla family is in close proximity, you take off your backpacks, put on your mask to protect the gorillas and equip yourself with your camera. As soon as you look into the eyes of the first gorilla, every effort of the ascent is forgotten. Now you have a whole hour to observe the gorillas in their daily routine. Whether playing, eating, grooming or sleeping - you are guaranteed an impressive experience. And a tip from me - absolutely also just put the camera away and enjoy the special moment by being part of this gorilla family. Because the hour passes, as in flight and already you have to say goodbye again and go on the way back.

In search of the gentle giants, you will make your way through dense rainforest. You will hike over uneven ground and be exposed to high humidity. To make gorilla trekking a thoroughly positive experience, the right clothing is helpful.

• Long top - For protection from plants, thorns and insects.
• Long pants - Preferably waterproof pants/ trekking pants
• Rain jacket
• Hiking shoes - Comfortable, light hiking shoes in which you have a good grip
• Hat
• Backpack - A small, waterproof backpack for water, snacks and your camera
• Face mask - Necessary when you are with the gorillas
• Passport - Important for registration at the park office

If you want to go gorilla trekking in Uganda or Rwanda, you basically need a permit. In addition, a good level of physical fitness is a prerequisite. The ground can be very uneven, steep and slippery, so you may have difficulties without a good fitness level. The altitude of up to 2,000 meters should also not be underestimated if you are not used to long hikes of several hours. This is because depending on where the mountain gorillas are on the day of the trek, the hike can take anywhere from 30 minutes to up to 5 hours. The minimum age for children is 15 years.

Another requirement is that you are healthy on the day of the trek. If you feel unwell on the day of the trek, it is compulsory to notify us. This is important because gorillas are very similar to us humans and are susceptible to illness. Even a cold can be their undoing.

A gorilla trekking is anything but cheap, but it is also a unique experience to meet the gentle giants in their natural habitat. Only the cost of a permit is 700 USD per person in Uganda and 1.500 USD in Rwanda.

This money is used, among other things, to cover the expenses of the measures to protect the animals and their habitat. 20 percent of the proceeds go to the surrounding communities to counteract poaching. At the same time, this raises awareness of tourism among the inhabitants. In addition, jobs are created, which strengthens both the residents and the economy. The treatment of sick animals is also paid for by the income from the visits.

In addition to the permits, the cost of the actual trip is then added. The cost of accommodation varies from a few 100 euros to several thousand euros depending on the standard and luxury. In addition, there are meals, transfers and the guides, so that you should plan even for a short trip to the gorillas already with about .,000 euros.

The Gorilla Permit is a permit or license to allow gorilla trekking. It is required by all tourists who want to visit a gorilla family or chimpanzee group accompanied by a ranger. The permit is available from the Uganda Wildlife Authority and the Rwanda Development Board.

The term habituation stands for acclimatization. Since every trekking represents an intervention in the habitat of the wild animals, the gorillas accessible to tourists have been carefully habituated to the presence of humans over many years. Therefore, it is important to conduct the trekking with a ranger familiar to the gorillas. When approached by a familiar person, they usually remain calm, even if a larger group of people is present. The situation is different with animals that are not used to people: Here, a sense of threat would quickly arise, which may cause a flight reflex or an attack posture.

Mountain gorillas are considered gentle and peaceful. Since they are very shy towards humans, they have to go through a long habituation period. Only the dominant male of the gorilla group has to be treated with caution: Since he always wants to have everything in view, all participants should be visible to the silverback so as not to give him the feeling of being threatened.

Basically, you should observe the following rules of conduct:

• Follow the instructions of your guide at all times and stay behind the guide during the trek in the closed group
• Keep a minimum distance of 7 meters from the animals
• Avoid frantic movements and loud noises
• Stay within the field of view of the dominant male, the silverback.
• If the young gorillas do not keep the minimum distance, keep calm and do not touch the animals.
• If the silverback comes closer or a gorilla looks directly at you - lower your gaze and adopt a submissive, crouched posture.
• Photography is allowed only WITHOUT flash and camera tripods are prohibited
• Consumption of food and beverages is prohibited within 200 meters of the gorilla.