How To Prepare For A Gorilla Safari
Are you getting ready for gorilla trekking safari to Africa? Wondering how best you can prepare for gorilla tour experience in Uganda, Rwanda or the Democratic Republic of Congo? No worries, Gorilla Trek Africa offers you a guide on how to prepare and get ready for your lifetime gorilla trekking experience. Over years, a visit to see mountain gorillas in their natural habits has been ranked as the best wildlife experience in the whole world. Each day, hundreds of travelers check into Uganda, Rwanda and Congo purposely to have a close encounter with the endangered mountain gorillas. An African safari without visiting mountain gorillas is undeniably incomplete. Much as gorilla tracking is magical, the trek itself I not for the faint hearted. Hiking up and down hills through thick sleepy muddy forest grounds is at times strenuous calling for your readiness. The following is how to get ready for gorilla trekking in Africa with Gorilla Trek Africa.
Choose where to go for gorilla trekking
The first thing to consider when planning a gorilla safari is to know where you want to do for this memorable experience. There are any two destinations to trek mountain gorillas. These are Bwindi Impenetrable forest National Park and the Virunga Conservation area comprised of Volcanoes, Mgahinga and Virunga National Parks. Each destination offers a unique gorilla trekking experience and worth visiting. Volcanoes National Park is the easiest to reach gorilla national park; Bwindi forest has the highest number of mountain gorillas while Virunga Gorilla National Park offers you the cheapest gorilla permit hence the best place for budget travelers. Trekking gorillas in more than one national park gives you best comparisons and chance to visit different gorilla families for an exceptional experience.
Check the availability of gorilla permits and book
After deciding on where you want to go for gorilla trekking, go ahead and check the availability of gorilla permits n you desired travel date. The responsible government bodies to contact for gorilla permits are Uganda Wildlife Authority in Uganda, Rwanda Development Board in Rwanda and Virunga Park management in Congo. You can contact them directly or else book through Gorilla Trek Africa, the number gorilla safari company in Rwanda, Uganda and Congo. GTA are specialists in tailor making short and gorilla packages to suit all travelers time and budget. Each day, Rwanda has 80-gorilla permit, Uganda has 144 permits while Congo has 64 gorilla permits available each day. The issuing of gorilla permit in all countries is based on first come first serve basis. Gorilla permit booking in recommended at least 6 months in advance for timely planning. If you want to spend extended time with the gorillas, book a gorilla habituation experience tour to Rushaga sector south of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. A single gorilla habituation permit costs $1500 allowing you to spend four hours with the gorillas.
Work on your physical fitness
The fact that gorilla trekking is no for the fain hearted, physical fitness is key for anybody visiting these endangered species. Mountain gorillas live in areas of high altitude, which require a lot of hiking before meeting the gorillas. Travelers planning to go for mountain gorillas are therefore reminded to do physical exercises to ensure fitness. Among the exercises recommended include walking, jogging, hiking, sit-ups, stair masters and downhill lunges among others.
Get your travel bag ready
Before leaving your home country, make sure your travel bag is fully packed with all the essentials. Gorilla Trek Africa gives you guide on what to carry for gorilla trekking in Uganda, Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo to ensure a peaceful, enjoyable and less difficulty gorilla encounter. You packing bag must include:
1. Hiking/trekking boots
2. Gardening gloves
3. Long sleeved shirts/blouses
4. Long pants
5. Sun glasses
6. Hat
7. Insect repellants
8. First aid kit
9. Rain jacket
10. Sweaters and Scarf
11. Energy giving snacks
Travelers are reminded to visit hospitals and health centers for check up before visiting Africa for gorilla trekking. The endangered species are susceptible to human diseases especially cough and flu. Anybody with any signs of sickness will not be allowed to visit the endangered gorillas for the safety of both parties.
