Gorilla trekking is worth a life time experience that many travellers want to encounter despite being the most expensive tourists activity in Africa, gorilla trekking can only be done in four national parks that is Volcanoes national park in Rwanda, Virunga national park in Congo, Mgahinga gorilla national park and Bwindi impenetrable forest national park in Uganda.
Mountain gorillas live in sub tropical and tropical rainforests on mountainous areas, they have thick and long fur that helps them to adapt to their environment with very cold temperatures, mountain gorillas cannot survive in a zoo if you probably saw one in a zoo it was a lowland gorilla.
Tipping guides for gorilla treks
Tipping is always done on personal level, you can give according to what you have or how you think each individual deserves. Most guides are paid average money by the tour operator so they normally rely on tips from the people their guiding. This tipping guide applies for both gorilla trekking in Uganda & Rwanda.
There are no set rules for tipping or a particular amount of money you should give but tourists normally tip from $10-$25 for their guides and others can even add to that if the guide provided them exceptional service. Tipping is always up to you and how the guide did a great job.
During gorilla trekking, you will have the trackers, guide and a porter and eight people are allowed to trek a given gorilla family in a day, you can talk with your group members and decide on the amount each should contribute and that can be shared by the ranger guides.
Tipping is not a must in any country but its recommendable for all travellers to tip their guide, tipping is always done on the last day of the tour. Its also always advisable to always tip your guide on a game drive safari apart from gorilla safaris.
You can also tip potters, waitresses and waiters in hotels or lodges if you are happy with services given to you. Tipping is very much appreciated by the people you tip because you contribute to their welfare and some times even help their families unknowingly through tipping.
Potters are usually not paid any salary so they depend on the money given to them per trek, potters earn about $10-$20 per trek and adding on to that by tipping will be much appreciated.
Gorilla permits
To trek mountain gorillas you will need a permit licensing you for trekking s gorilla family. Uganda charges $600 per person, Congo offers $400 per person during the peak season and $200 during the low season and Rwanda offers the most expensive gorilla permits at $1500 per person.
Best time for gorilla trekking
Gorilla trekking can be done all year round but the best time is from June to September and from December to February. Trekking during the rainy season can be hard as the trails are muddy and slippery but some lodges give discounts on their rates.
What to bring for gorilla trekking
Gorilla trekking involves hiking to the top of hills in search of this great apes so you will need to bring water proof hiking boots, garden gloves, warm clothes, insect repellents, plenty of drinking water, energy giving snacks and so much more.
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