Mountain gorillas are an endangered species of the world’s largest primates and share 98% DNA with humans making them close relatives together with bonobos and chimpanzees. Gorillas are gentle and humble animals but can only become aggressive when they are disturbed.
Mountain gorillas have thick and long fur that helps them adapt to their environment of very cold temperatures, they don’t take water because most of the food they consume contains a lot of water. Mountain gorillas also fear water and hate rain they can only cross a stream if there is a log to pass on top. For unknown reason, gorillas fear caterpillars and chameleonsthe infants who are always fond of following any crawling thing give way or stay away from caterpillars or chameleons.
Training and fitness for gorilla trekking
Mountain gorillas live on sub tropical and tropical rain forests of mountainous areas, they live in social family groups and are scattered in different locations so different gorilla families require different fitness levels, some mountain gorilla families are easy to trek while others are hard to trek.
All the same gorilla trekking will require travellers to engage in training and workout before coming for gorilla trekking. Preparing for the trek helps you familiarize with the landscape that you will encounter. Sometimes the climb can become steep, slippery and muddy and it can take 3-6 hours to reach a gorilla family.
Sometimes you might be allocated to the nearest gorilla family to trek but nature can be unpredictable as gorillas are wild animals they can move and you trek for them more hours other than the expected time. So whether your trekking the easiest family or hardest you need to be in good shape.
Most tourists who have enjoyed gorilla trekking always say they got involved in some excersise back home and this made trekking gorillas more easier. You can attend fitness classes, do jogging, walk for long distances or just do any excersise that makes you fit enough so that you enjoy gorilla trekking.
Besides being physically fit on gorilla treks, you will also need a packing list and ensure to have good waterproof hiking boots, garden gloves, warm clothes, plenty of drinking water, energy giving snacks, insect repellents, sun screens, rain coats and many other things you might need.
In conclusion gorilla trekking can be done by any one a part from people suffering from infectious diseases or children under the age of 15 years old. People are are too old for the trek or the disabled can hire sedan seat stretchers for gorilla trekking. You will be carried to the jungle with a sedan seat and be put down only to observe the gorilla family and be carried back to the starting point after observation.
Best time to trek gorillas
Mountain gorillas can be trekked all year round but some months are better than other months, the best time for trekking gorillas in Rwanda and Uganda is during the dry season of June to September and December to February.
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