Gorilla trekking can only be done from three countries in the world where the endangered apes can be found and that is Bwindi impenetrable forest national park and Mgahinga gorilla national lark in Uganda, Volcanoes national park in Rwanda and Virunga national park in Congo.
Mountain gorillas share 98% DNA with humans and maybe that’s the reason most travellers to Africa want to encounter the great apes although it’s the most expensive tourist activity in the continent. Gorillas are giant calm and shy Apes but can easily become very aggressive when disturbed.
Mountain gorillas are stronger than humans but rarely attack humans or their predators, they first warn with threatening signs like screaming and making loud hoots, throwing and tearing vegetation, walking on two legs and grunting, if their predator persists them they will eventually attack and can cause bad injuries that can lead to death.
Mountain gorillas are primarily herbivores animals with over 70% of their diet composing of fruits, leaves, bamboo shoot, stems, bark, pith, seeds and sometimes compliment their diets with insects, ants, termites and soil.
Gorilla trekking certificate
A gorilla trekking certificate is a certification document received by tourists after trekking mountain gorillas in any national park. The certificate indicates the national park you trekked gorillas from, the date and the gorilla family you trekked.
Gorilla trekking is not an easy activity like game viewing, this involves hiking mountain gorilla habitat in search of a particular gorilla family and it requires person that are physically fit but the elderly and disabled also have chances of trekking mountain gorillas and receive certificates by using Sedan stretchers with the help of porters who carry you to the mountain gorillas and bring you back to the starting point.
What to carry for gorilla trekking
Mountain gorillas live in tropical rainforests that sometimes receive rainfall even during the dry season so tourists should come with water proof hiking boots, garden gloves, rain coats, warm clothes, insect repellents, plenty of drinking water, sun screens, binoculars, hats and energy giving snacks.
Best time to go for gorilla trekking
Rwanda, Democratic Republic of Congo and Ugandan gorilla national parks are all located in the same climatic zone sharing dry and wet seasons. The best time to visit the gorilla trekking national parks is from June to September and December to February when the trekking trails are in good condition and the roads leading to the parks are easily accessible.
Gorilla permits
Mountain gorilla trekking permit prices vary depending on the country you are trekking gorillas from, Uganda charges $600 for gorilla trekking and $1500 for gorilla habituation experience, Rwanda charges $1500 for gorilla trekking and Congo offers the lowest prices of $400 per person during the peak season and $200 during low season though you should check with the security status of the country before travelling there. Children under the age of 15 years will not be allowed to trek mountain gorillas in gorilla national parks and also people with infections because mountain gorillas are vulnerable to human diseases like flu and cough.
