Fitness Level for Gorilla Trekking
Since gorilla trekking is an outdoor tourist activity, a certain level of fitness can be crucial. The fitness level for Gorilla Trekking ensures that visitors can maneuver through the dense thickets surrounding the mountain gorilla destinations.
The level of fitness cannot be measured, however pre-trekking preparation is a great way to increase your level of fitness. This can be done through physical fitness exercises and cardio exercises that prepare not just the body but also elevate the heart rate and breathing.
Gorilla trekking is a very physical outdoor activity that involves moving through very dense and steep terrain that tires even the most athletic. Therefore, a good level of fitness can be a game-changer in the quest for encountering endangered mountain gorillas in their natural environments.
About Gorilla Trekking
This is one of the most exciting activities in Africa that sees several visitors from far flock to the gorilla destinations.
Gorilla trekking is a tourist activity that involves visitors traversing through the dense thickets while searching for these primates. Once these primates are found, you are only allowed to spend an hour with them. This is a hands-on adventure where visitors get closer to these incredible primate species that match the largest primates on the planet.
Every Gorilla Trekking experience begins with an early briefing about the rules and regulations of the activity. Visitors are also taken through the expected code of conduct around these primate species. Briefing is very important as it points out the deal breaker and emphasizes that although these mountain gorillas are habituated and can be trekked, it does not take away their wild side.
Visitors are also grouped in groups of 8 people per group and allocated a Gorilla Family to track. Each family on a daily receives only 8 people and just for an hour. This is done not to stress out the mountain gorillas with many visitors.
Where to have a gorilla trekking adventure?
Gorilla trekking is exclusive to the Virunga conservation area and not anywhere else in the world. The Virunga conservation area is the remaining natural habitat of the mountain gorillas on earth. This conservation area stretches from the Virunga National Park to Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park to Uganda’s two gorilla destinations of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. These gorilla destinations combined harbor approximately 1062 mountain gorilla individuals.
The Virunga conservation area is a fitting mountain gorilla habitat given this incredible mountainous nature with montane and tropical rainforests.
Why are Mountain Gorillas Considered Endangered Species of Primates?
With the disappearance of habitats and continued encroachment, there about 1062 Mountain Gorillas are left in the wild. This ranks them among the most endangered animal species in the world. The fact that they are only located in the Virunga area and not anywhere else tells you that species primates are on the verge of extinction and therefore endangered.
However, this should not only scare you but prompt you to work for the good of these incredibly amazing primate species through conservation efforts. Money paid by the client to see Mountain Gorillas goes to conservation and protection of these primates.
When is the Best Time to Have a Gorilla Trekking Experience?
Gorilla Trekking can be done throughout the year however can be affected by different weather patterns. These patterns of weather include wet and dry seasons which are experienced twice a year in all the gorilla destinations.
The wet season is a period of wet and rainy conditions while the dry season is considerably dry and humid. The dry season is the best time for gorilla trekking since the trekking trails are dry and navigable.
The dry season also ensures the vegetation remains sparse thus aiding the visibility of the mountain gorillas from a distance.
Requirements for a Gorilla Trekking Safari Adventure
The Gorilla Trekking Permit is a document that allows visitors into jungles of the Virunga Conservation Area to encounter these Primates.
A Trekking Permit is only purchased from Uganda Wildlife Authority through a trusted tour operator like Native Africa Tours. We ensure to not stop at purchasing the trekking permits but also organize your entire Gorilla safari tour to perfection.
