Gorilla tracking safety in Uganda -Rwanda.
Most tourists are always wondering about how safe to trek mountain gorillas of Bwindi impenetrable forest national park in Uganda and Volcanoes national park in Rwanda. If planning to visit mountain gorillas in their natural habitats do not mind about the gorilla tracking safety in Uganda and Rwanda. Because the safety of mountain gorilla tracking in these two destinations is 100%. Therefore, continue with your plan of visiting mountain gorillas in either Rwanda or Uganda and make your dream true.
The government of Uganda and Rwanda has introduced gorilla tourism for tourists who are interested in seeing mountain gorillas, a gorilla permit for Uganda costs $700 while that one for Rwanda goes at $1500. All this is done with the purpose of keeping gorilla visitors safe and secure in the jungles of Africa. This is among the reasons why a gorilla permit was increased from $600 to $700 per person per trek.
Each destination has workers who are responsible for the safety of guests like the military police, park rangers you walk with into the forests searching for mountain gorillas. In Uganda, there is also the Tourism police department. The Park rangers in Volcanoes national park, Mgahinga national park, and Bwindi impenetrable forest national park are all extremely motivated so that to keep gorilla trekking safe and secure.
Gorilla trekking is the key attraction that attracts most tourists in Africa, this forced authorities to improve safety and security for travelers who are interested in visiting mountain gorillas of Bwindi impenetrable forest national park, Mgahinga national park of Uganda, Volcanoes national park in Rwanda. Gorilla trekkers in Bwindi Forest are accompanied by Uganda Tourism police plus the armed rangers to ensure the safety and security for visitors while trekking and enjoying their natural habitat.
Apart from the security in the forest, gorilla trekking its self is also safe. Since tourists are assigned to only habituated mountain gorillas which are open for tourism. The habituation process takes 2-3 years while following a gorilla group by trackers and researchers in order to understand their behaviors before it opens for trekking. You also need to understand and follow only the instructions rangers/guides to avoid problems.
In all-natural habitats for mountain gorillas, there are also other wildlife animals which include unhabituated mountain gorillas, unhabituated chimpanzees, buffaloes, forest elephants, various monkey species, and others. Of which mountain gorilla trekking is carried out on foot and the chances of meeting such animals are 100%. This is one of the reasons why the Uganda Wildlife Authority and Rwandan Tourism Board have introduced armed rangers and tourism police in the parks so that the wild animals trying to be hostile are scared away although shooting in the air.
When to see mountain gorillas of Uganda and Rwanda.
The best time for gorilla trekking in the natural habitats of Uganda and Rwanda is unpredictable and these destinations can be visited all year round. But the fact is, a gorilla tracking tour in Uganda and Rwanda is very good during the two dry season months which are between June-August and December-February. When the circumstances are mainly good for trekking to sight the chimpanzees and gorillas.
What to pack for gorilla trekking?
Gorilla tracking safety in Uganda -Rwanda.
Gorilla trekking needs a certain level of physically and mentally prepared to face the challenges that happen when searching for endangered gorillas. These are items one should consider on the packing list while trekking gorillas as discussed briefly below: –
Long-Sleeved Shirts, it is important to wear clothes that cover the full body to protect your body from flies and tropical insects that can affect your body.
Rain Jacket, Rwanda, and Uganda are found in the rainforest so at any time we expect rain, therefore, in your packing list do not forget to carry a rain jacket just in case it rains because these areas are unpredicted
Hat and Sun Glasses, you’re advised to carry sunglasses and a hat, especially in the dry seasons.
Insect repellents help you to avoid tropical insects that may affect your body like mosquitos. You can also carry perfumes, shavers, hand sanitizers, and deodorants so that you smell and look nice for your gorilla trip.
Packed lunch, snacks, and energy drinks, gorilla trekking begins very early in the morning for about 2-6 hours depending on the speed and assigned gorilla family. You may get hungry and thirsty and you need a packed lunch, drinking water, and energy drinks. Your lodge can help you to pack lunch and drinking water or you can get them from the nearby towns in a supermarket.
Cameras with extra batteries, to enjoy gorilla trekking, one needs to have both physical memories and mental that you can show your family or friends. A camera is used to capture these unique primates, beautiful volcanoes, and forest creatures. Never use flash cameras in the presence of gorillas.
Binoculars: gorilla national park is also home to other wildlife including birds, small primates, butterflies, moths, antelopes, forest hogs, and much more. A binocular will help you spot all these creatures as you search for the gorillas.
Walking stick, you will be provided a walking stick free of charge at the starting point. To support you in the muddy and slippery trails as well as while hiking.
Porter fees, you can hire an experienced porter who will help you in hiking long distances. The cost for a porter is 15USD.
other things are guidebook, an itinerary from your tour company, travel maps, cash buying remembrance. Also, a first-aid kit and medications for any lifestyle diseases are useful.
In conclusion, gorilla trekking in Uganda and Rwanda is safe and it is a unique arrangement, there is an advanced team of rangers who go very early in the morning into the forest track them before the actual activity starts. Therefore, the guarantee for seeing mountain gorillas is high where you will get an opportunity to these endangered mountain gorillas in the wild.
