Facts About Gorilla Trekking in Africa
Facts About Gorilla Trekking in Africa: One of the most fundamental wildlife interactions in Africa is gorilla trekking; even in protected areas, there are only hundreds of gorillas, not thousands. Gorillas are so rare and one of the most endangered species that trackers can readily distinguish by their faces, personalities, and give them individual names. Seeing mountain gorillas in their natural environment is an amazing experience for tourists. These endangered gorillas can only be seen within the lush jungles of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, and within Virunga conservation Area.
Its only in Africa that you can witness the magical gorilla families led by a protective Alpha dominant male known as the silverback. These gentle giants are shiny black against the brilliant green of the jungle. For the one captivating hour you spend with them, the exertions of your gorilla hike vanish in an instant, and you begin to feel strangely familiar. Baby gorillas crawl and tumble like professional wrestlers, mother gorillas congregate in groups for grooming and sometimes chastise the young ones, while the silverback, the patriarch, watches over the area.
The big apes of Africa still reside in the last remaining intact areas of the gorilla parks and core rainforests on the continent. Populations are gradually growing due to the money made from tourists going on gorilla treks, and scouts—who may have once been gorilla and other primate poachers—now serve as their guardians, making a living by preserving the animals they once killed. It is a prime example of conservation success, and the survival of the species depends on gorilla trekking tourists.
The most life-changing and intimate close-up animal experience in Africa is unquestionably spending time with gorillas in the wild. You will be left with life-changing experiences if you get up close and personal with these magnificent gorillas in the gorilla parks of Uganda, Rwanda, and the Congo. This helpful guide contains all the information you need to know if you are considering going on a gorilla trekking experience.
Why is gorilla trekking a must-experience?
A once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to and witness Africa’s mountain gorillas in their natural habitat is presented by the fact that these creatures can only exist in the wild; they cannot be seen in zoos. Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park and Uganda’s Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park are the two greatest locations to see mountain gorillas. Their population has decreased to an estimated 900 individuals, who are surviving in these two isolated sanctuaries despite being critically threatened due to deforestation and hunting.
Despite studying about facts about gorilla trekking in Africa, in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, bush meat hunting and wood exploitation have reduced the chances of the western lowland gorilla surviving. The smaller and less hairy relatives of mountain gorillas, lowland gorillas are highly endangered and inhabit lowland swamps, primary forests, and secondary forests. People in the vicinity of Congo’s Odzala-Kokoua National Park have begun to place a higher priority on conservation as a result of gorilla trekking tourism and primate research. Communities are collaborating on research and tourist initiatives in order to strengthen the future of the Congo Basin and all of its residents, thanks to the creation of jobs and investment in the region. One of the most varied primate populations in Africa and a refuge for about 100 mammal species can be found at Odzala-Kokoua National Park.
One of the most intimate and beneficial wildlife interactions in Africa, if not the world, is sitting a few metres away from a family of gorillas and witnessing your humanity reflected in their social rituals and loving brown eyes.
What to know about Gorilla activities
In densely forested areas, gorilla trekking frequently entails spending hours on narrow, steep routes and following a scout who uses a machete to cut a path through the undergrowth. You must be adequately prepared for a demanding environment and at least walking fit—the guides make sure you take plenty of breaks. We advise knee-high pants, double-layered socks with thick outer layers and cotton inners, and broken-in hiking boots that cover your ankles. Because gorillas are very susceptible to human illnesses, please be advised that if you have a cold or any other contagious sickness, you will not be permitted to go on a gorilla trek.
Best time to go Gorilla Trekking
Although gorilla trekking is thought to be possible year-round, the two dry seasons are the ideal times to visit the rainforests in Uganda and Rwanda. The first one spans roughly from mid-December to late-February, while the second one extends from early-June to mid-September. While these are the most comfortable times to trek, the going is still somewhat humid, wet, and muddy, so bring gaiters just in case.
Besides the interesting facts about gorilla trekking in Africa, the seasons of the tropical rainforest of the Congo Basin can be accurately defined as wet, wetter, and wettest due to the rain that is an indispensable component of this priceless ecosystem. In Congo, gorilla trekking is more manageable from June to September (the “low rainfall” season) and from December to February (the “gentle rainfall” season). The driest and coolest months of the year are often regarded as July and August.