When going gorilla trekking while pregnant, you should inform the park wardens or your tour operator in advance.
They will help arrange a suitable driver, assign you to a gorilla family, and make other necessary plans for your comfort.
Get in touch with us here if you want a smooth gorilla trek during pregnancy.
During the morning briefing, when guidelines are given and groups are being assigned, make sure to tell them that you are pregnant.
Group allocation is based on age, fitness, and pregnancy. Younger tourists may be placed in more challenging trekking groups, while older or less fit individuals are placed in groups that are easier to reach.
If trekking becomes too difficult, you can use a sedan chair stretcher.
You will be carried to the gorillas and back to the starting point. The cost for this service is $400.
You will only be placed on the ground during the one hour spent observing the gorillas.
It is also important to inform your lodge that you are pregnant. This will help them prepare better meals, special bed arrangements, and other services to support your stay.
Alternatively, you can inform your tour operator, and they will pass the information to the lodge.
If you are pregnant and planning to trek mountain gorillas, it is better to take a flight to the park, especially in Uganda.
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga National Park are about 10 to 12 hours away by road from Entebbe International Airport, and the journey can be very uncomfortable for a pregnant woman. The flight takes about 2 hours.
When you arrive at Kisoro or Kihihi Airstrip, it is best to use a land cruiser to get to your lodge. It is more comfortable, even though it may cost more.
When booking your gorilla permit, try to choose the Buhoma or Rushaga sector. These areas have gorilla families that are easier to find.
Gorilla trekking can be done while pregnant, but it must be planned very carefully because there are risks involved.
Major risks involved in trekking gorillas while pregnant
Here are some of the risks:
- Mountain gorillas live in high places with steep slopes. Trekking requires physical strength, which may be hard for pregnant women. The effort can be too much and may even lead to a miscarriage.
- Gorilla parks are in tropical and subtropical rainforests. The weather can change suddenly. Heavy rain can make the trek more risky. Wet trails can be very slippery and dangerous.
To weigh on this, gorilla trekking while pregnant is not recommended. It is better to wait until after giving birth.
However, if you still want to do it, make sure to inform the park authorities or your tour operator early so they can plan better and safer options for you.
Get in touch with us here if you want a smooth gorilla trekking experience during pregnancy.
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