How difficult is Gorilla Trekking
How Difficult is Gorilla Trekking?
Ready to meet the Gorillas? Sure, you would want to know how difficult or hard Gorilla trekking is. Some general insights presented in this article are to help you gauge the difficulty. While Gorilla trekking is a physically demanding activity, most people can manage it with the right preparation and a reasonable level of fitness. Despite the tough treks, the rewards of seeing Gorillas up close in their natural habitat can barely be matched with any wildlife experience. It is worth all the effort, to say the least!
How difficult is Gorilla Tracking?
First and foremost, the level of difficulty experienced during Gorilla trekking can vary depending on several factors. These include the location, the specific trek route and your personal fitness level. Outstanding of all is the location of the Gorilla habitat. Mountain Gorillas in Uganda and Rwanda are found at altitudes over 1,400 meters. The more you climb, the hotter and more humid it gets. The hotness though depends on the season.
Terrain: Gorilla trekking parks in Uganda and Rwanda are typical rainforests in mountainous areas. The treks therefore, can involve steep, uneven, and sometimes muddy terrain. Some treks, like those in Uganda’s Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, can be challenging due to the dense vegetation and elevation changes, while others, like in Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park, are generally less strenuous.
Distance and Trek Duration: The trek itself can range from a couple of hours to a full day, depending on how far the gorillas have moved from their designated nesting site. Generally, trekkers can expect to walk between 1 to 6 hours. The closer the gorillas are, the easier the trek will be. However, longer treks can be physically demanding.
Altitude: Some of the trekking locations, especially in Rwanda and Uganda, are at high altitudes, which can make breathing and walking more challenging for those not acclimatized. This could be a factor for those with respiratory or cardiovascular conditions. Nkuringo sector in Uganda is considered more difficult than the rest of the sectors.
Fitness Level: While you don’t need to be an elite athlete, a reasonable level of fitness is recommended. It helps if you’re comfortable with walking on uneven ground for extended periods of time and can handle moderate exertion in a hot and humid environment.
Weather Conditions: Trekking in tropical rainforests often involves unpredictable weather. These areas are rain stimulators so be prepared for rain and slippery conditions at all times. The muddy conditions can make hiking more challenging.
How hard is Gorilla Trekking in Rwanda?
Gorilla tracking in Rwanda is easier compared to Bwindi Impenetrable Park in Uganda. This is attributed to the difference in terrain. Rwanda too would not have been considered as easier if not for the vegetation that is slightly more open in most parts than Bwindi. Just know in Rwanda, you typically hike up the volcano to find the Gorillas and then down again afterwards. This makes it also strenuous.
How difficult/tough is Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi, Uganda?
Gorilla trekking in Bwindi is rated as difficult although it has sectors with easy treks. In Bwindi Forests, you will often be on much more undulating terrain where you go down into valleys and hiking out of them again. Moreover, at several of the start points, you will find yourself hiking out of a valley at the end which can feel tough when you’re tired.
Tips on how to conquer the difficult Gorilla trek in Uganda and Rwanda
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Choose an easier trek
In Bwindi for example, there are four entry points or tracking locations. They are Buhoma, Ruhija, Rushaga and Nkuringo. Of these, Buhoma I would say is typically considered to have the best chance of an easier climb. However, as with all Gorilla treks, this is luck of the draw on the day so it is by no means guaranteed. There is also Mgahinga National Park right up near the Rwandan border. Here the experience is much more like a Rwandan Gorilla Trek. It is easier due to the much open vegetation than Bwindi.
However, the Gorillas can move, sometimes fast and far and into dense undergrowth, so requesting an easier group is no guarantee it will be easy. I would say at an absolute minimum you need to be able to hike at least 3 hours (90 minutes each way) on steep and slippery terrain, if not at an especially fast pace.
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Use of trackers
In both Rwanda and Uganda, you can request an easier trek on the day. There is an advance team of trackers who know where the Gorillas have nested the previous day. They have a good indication of where the groups are so will try to allocate you to one that suits your fitness level.
Hire one or two porters to assist you through the difficult trek. They help carry your small pack of belongings as they offer a push/pull in difficult areas of the trail. Actually, the availability of porters has made Gorilla trekking in Uganda and Rwanda doable to all kinds of people including the physically challenged ones.
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Visit at the right and best time
The best time for Gorilla trekking in Uganda and Rwanda is the dry season/months. The drier ground presents an easier trek compared to the wet season which comes with slippery and muddy trails. With other factors constant, tracking comes with a lot of difficulty during the wet months.
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Prepare well
Preparing for Gorilla trekking. Having proper gear such as sturdy hiking boots, long pants, and waterproof clothing can help manage the difficulty. Guides are also available to assist you during the trek. Additionally, build up your fitness. Prior to visiting the Gorillas, it is highly recommended to do some form of cardio. This will virtually help you conquer the would-be tough Gorilla trek.
From the above, it is clear that Gorilla trekking is doable to everyone but it is always good to know what to expect. Also, Rwanda is known to have an easier trek than Uganda but please be aware of the high cost of the Gorilla permit. A Gorilla permit in Uganda is at US$800 but Rwanda charges $1,500. If looking for an easier trek at a lower rate, it can be offered in Uganda’s Mgahinga Gorilla Park.