DISCOVER AFRICA
Gorilla Trekking Altitude Acclimatization and Elevation
The terrain is frequently hilly and passes through sections with clearly delineated trails. It may be really tough; it might be a few hours or a whole day of hiking in hot, high-altitude circumstances; thus, please be prepared for this by being as fit as possible.
When it comes to gorilla trekking, each tourist has an own perspective on what this activity entails. The walk to see a group of mountain gorillas in the wild is fraught with complications, one of which is altitude. When it comes to gorilla experiences in Uganda, Rwanda, or the Democratic Republic of the Congo, altitude sickness normally occurs over 2500 meters, and other guests are more likely to be afflicted even at a lower level.
Mountain gorillas dwell mostly at high altitudes ranging from 2200 to 3000 meters, which might be difficult for people to travel through in quest of a gorilla family. This necessitates some proper preparation ahead of the walk in order for you to become acclimatized to the rigorous steep hills in the gorilla habitat. Mountain gorillas dwell in two distinct regions of Africa, in Virunga Conservation Area, which spreads across Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda, Virunga National Park in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park in Uganda.
To observe mountain gorillas, travelers must hike across mountainous terrain, which is a strenuous task. To spot a family of mountain gorillas in Rwanda, you need to be prepared to walk through dense foliage and an altitude range of at least 2500m. All mountain gorilla hikes in Rwanda take place solely in the Ruhengeri area, which is home to Volcanoes National Park (Parch Nationale des Volcans), about 2-3 hours’ drive from Kigali.
The terrain is frequently hilly and passes through sections with clearly delineated trails. It may be really tough; it might be a few hours or a whole day of hiking in hot, high-altitude circumstances; thus, please be prepared for this by being as fit as possible. Although not high enough to induce altitude sickness, hikers may suffer heavy breathing and need to take numerous pauses before seeing a gorilla family. This applies to both older and younger, more enthusiastic hikers.
The altitude will undoubtedly make the journey more tedious and arduous, although severe and multiple altitude sickness is not usually an issue for passengers. The ranger guides are highly skilled, and they always pace the walk according to the slowest member of their amazing hour in the wild with mountain gorillas. Mountain gorillas reside in high-altitude settings that might be difficult to navigate depending on the region and national park. Some gorilla locations and families are more difficult to trek than others, therefore some pre-trek preparation is often required to acclimate to the harsh steep hills.
Gorilla Trekking Experience in Uganda, Rwanda, and Congo.
With slightly more than 1000 mountain gorillas left on the planet, approximately 300 live in Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park, 100 in the Democratic Republic of the Congo’s Virunga National Park, and over 600 in Uganda’s Mgahinga Gorilla and Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Parks. A typical gorilla trekking adventure starts at 7:00 a.m. with a briefing at the park headquarters. The head guide delivers a brief explanation of a specific gorilla destination, and mountain gorilla composition, and specifies fundamental laws and regulations to be observed throughout the hunt for the assigned gorilla family during this briefing.
A gorilla walk typically begins between 7:30 and 8:00 a.m. and lasts between 1 to 8 hours, depending on how quickly one locates a family of mountain gorillas. The gorilla journey takes you through the rich and diverse montane environments, which include bamboo plantations, open grasslands, wetlands, and heath. During the wet season, the terrain may be harsh, steep, and slippery. The walk is quickly rewarded with a one-on-one meeting with a vivacious gorilla family made up of a massive silverback, playful adolescents, and compassionate moms.
Spend a beautiful hour among them, watching them play, forage, relax, and go about their daily activities. On a favorable day, the lead silverback will emerge from the bushes and pound their check quickly, demonstrating its overwhelming power and control over the whole family. This is a unique sensation that will make your heart race multiple times while also rewarding you with lasting memories.
Gorilla hiking takes place in deep rain forests, on steep slopes, and requires a lot of stamina. This magnificent primate trip is divided into two parts, the first of which is a short stroll from the car park to the rainforests and national park boundaries, which takes approximately half an hour or an hour depending on your hiking speed and the position of the gorilla family. The other portion takes you to the forest to search for a group of these gigantic monsters as they blend in with the lush flora, and you are escorted by a well-trained and professional park ranger guide. Normally, it is easier to tell what the first phase of the trek is because it takes you through the gentle landscape and is not that energy-demanding depending on the group you are tracking.
However, if you are tracking the Susa A family, you may need longer hours to hike through because its altitude is energy demanding, and the same is true for the Nkuringo group of Bwindi National Park which offers challenging treks. The second phase is frequently more difficult and cannot be predicted since it relies on the specific location of the gorillas during the day as well as the steepness of the land. The thickness of the foliage cover where you have to bend and crawl through the jungles in search of gorillas is another feature that determines the hardness of the terrain. This step will take between 2 and 8 hours, depending on your hiking speed and the criteria listed above.
Gorilla hiking takes place in deep rain forests, on steep slopes, and requires a lot of stamina. This magnificent primate trip is divided into two parts, the first of which is a short stroll from the car park to the rainforests and national park boundaries, which takes approximately half an hour or an hour depending on your hiking speed and the position of the gorilla family. The other portion takes you to the forest to search for a group of these gigantic monsters as they blend in with the lush flora, and you are escorted by a well-trained and professional park ranger guide. Normally, it is easier to tell what the first phase of the trek is because it takes you through the gentle landscape and is not that energy-demanding depending on the group you are tracking.
However, if you are tracking the Susa A family, you may need longer hours to hike through because its altitude is energy demanding, and the same is true for the Nkuringo group of Bwindi National Park which offers challenging treks. The second phase is frequently more difficult and cannot be predicted since it relies on the specific location of the gorillas during the day as well as the steepness of the land. The thickness of the foliage cover where you have to bend and crawl through the jungles in search of gorillas is another feature that determines the hardness of the terrain. This step will take between 2 and 8 hours, depending on your hiking speed and the criteria listed above.
Furthermore, additional characteristics such as age and level of physical fitness must be considered. To track the Susa group, you must be fairly fit and above the age of 40. Hiking through this group is more difficult and requires more energy, whereas the Sabyinyo family, as well as others like as Hirwa, Kwitonda, and Agashya, are typically easy to reach. Amahoro and Umubano may also require some extra energy. Most importantly, you may begin training and make the greatest use of your property before the actual expedition. By so doing, you get used to high altitude and by the time you get on the trek, it will be like a walkover.
Hiking during the rainy season can be difficult since it leads you over steep hills, muddy and slippery sections that all need physical fitness. There is no need to underestimate the exhausting effect of altitude, given that treks take place between 2500 and 3000 meters. Hiking during the rainy season can be difficult since it leads you over steep hills, muddy and slippery sections that all need physical fitness. There is no need to underestimate the exhausting effect of altitude, given that treks take place between 2500 and 3000 meters.
Even if a gorilla site does not have high altitude that might induce altitude sickness, some gorilla safari trekkers find it a difficult experience. In general, you may need to take some pauses before encountering a troop of mountain gorillas while on a gorilla hike. The length of the gorilla hike is usually unknown, although the workout lasts between 2 and 6 hours. This might vary depending on the trekkers’ speed of hiking, where to find gorillas, the nature of the ecosystem, and other important variables. These variables influence not just the elderly, but even the young and active. This is why you must be well-prepared to overcome altitude sickness on your Rwanda gorilla trekking trip.
Trekking to view mountain gorillas is more difficult than the usual game drives that some people do in Akagera National Park. The altitude makes the entire journey breathtaking; nevertheless, if you are well-prepared, you will not have concerns such as altitude sickness. Tourists are accompanied by an expert park guide on all gorilla treks, and while you navigate through the forest, he or she ensures that he or she stays within everyone’s trekking space–no one should be left behind. It is also critical to inform your tour operator or park official about your level of physical condition early on. This will help them allocate gorilla groups on the day you will be trained on gorilla trekking etiquette.
Mountain gorillas, on the other hand, are delightful to socialize with. Trekking to view them in the wild is a once-in-a-lifetime adventure. These endangered apes can only be found in the Virunga region of Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, Volcanoes National Park (Parch Nationale des Volcans) Rwanda, and Virunga National Park, with Bwindi Impenetrable National Park hosting approximately half of them. The two mountain gorilla populations that now thrive in the two places total around 1063 individuals globally. Gorilla treks in Rwanda are conducted in any of the Volcanoes National Park’s ten habituated gorilla families (Bwenge, Ugenda, Kwitonda, Susa A, Agashya, Umubano, Amahoro, Hirwa, Karisimbi (Susa B), and Sabyinyo).
Gorilla permits for Rwanda are available for reservation for US Dollars 1500 per person, and you can have one booked for yourself through our reservation staff, who can also assist you organize the finest Rwanda gorilla trip possible. When planning a gorilla trekking experience in Uganda, Rwanda, and the Democratic Republic of Congo, make sure to book a gorilla permit in advance as these are in high demand, especially during peak seasons, choose the right months to travel, and bring appropriate clothing to avoid altitude sickness while trekking gorillas.
When is the best time to do gorilla trekking in Uganda, Rwanda, and Congo?
The dry seasons, which are better suitable for hiking, are from mid-December to early February, and from June to September. Don’t be put off by the rains in November and March-May since you’ll have the woods and mountains to yourself, as well as the guides and gorillas.
What is the age limit for gorilla trekking?
Gorilla trekking only allows visitors who are above the age of fifteen years to participate in the trekking experience and each gorilla group trekked allows a maximum number of 8 people per day.
What to pack for your gorilla trekking experience in Uganda, Rwanda, or Congo?
- Hand sanitizer and two facemasks
- A good lightweight waterproof jacket
- Trousers, a long-sleeved shirt (t-shirt), and longer socks
- A pair of hiking mitts
- A pair of lightweight waterproof hiking boots
- An insect-repellent cream
- Sunscreen
- Snacks that provide energy
- Toilet paper or biodegradable tissue
- Water-resistant backpack
- Hiking staff or trekking poles
- Water bottle that can be refilled
Rules and Regulations to follow during gorilla trekking.
Gorilla trekking rules and regulations are basic guidelines set up by gorilla park authorities to enable a harmonious experience between visitors and the gorillas during the gorilla trekking experience and these include;
- Visitors should keep in groups during habituation so as not to get lost in the jungle
- Keep at least a 7-meter distance away from the mountain gorillas
- No eating, or smoking while in the presence of the mountain gorillas
- Do not touch the mountain gorillas because they are wild animals
- Visitors who have a cold such as a flue, cough among others are advised not to participate in the habituation process because mountain gorillas are vulnerable to human diseases
- Visitors should not make noise while in the presence of the gorillas
- Visitors should not use flash cameras when taking photos because you will distract them from their daily activities.
- Maintain a quiet voice at all times. However, it is OK to question the guides.
- When you’re near the mountain gorillas, you should stick together.
- Mountain Gorillas occasionally charge. Crouch down carefully, following the example of the guide. Do not look at a gorilla in the eyes, especially a silverback. Wait for the Gorillas to pass before attempting to flee, since this may increase your chances of being attacked.
- If you are already in the park and are feeling unwell or have a contagious condition, please offer to stay behind. A replacement visit will be arranged for you, or your money will be reimbursed in accordance with our reservation requirements.
In Summary; If you often suffer from altitude sickness, remember to carry along your medication prescribed by your doctor before setting off on your gorilla trekking safari. Always remember to train or do some physical exercises prior to your gorilla trekking safari in order to easily adapt to the long/ strenuous gorilla treks and high altitudes you such for the gorillas.
