How difficult is Gorilla Trekking?

A trek to see mountain gorillas requires one to be physically well and most importantly, maintain your physical fitness before embarking on the actual trek, the rainforests where mountain gorillas live are located in Higher altitude elevations, and the trails do get slippery and muddy, the terrain is made up Steep slopes and deep valleys and usually there are Vines, stinging nettles and biting insects along the way making it difficult compared to other treks. 

How long do treks last?

A gorilla trek in Uganda or Rwanda can last between 2-7 hours and it involves hiking through the dense vegetation and steep slopes while in search of a gorilla family, visitors will be treated to 1 hour of viewing the gorillas in silence as the babies will play alongside the mum and the dominant silverback gorilla.

What do I need to do to make it?

You need adequate drinking water and some energy-giving snacks as energy boosters, a hiking stick to help you while on a hike, hiking boots with good traction and a porter to help carry your day pack, the porters are from the neighbouring communities around the park and taking one on your say of trekking will be directly supporting someone’s family hence contributing to the conservation of mountain gorillas.

Gorilla trekking in Uganda v Gorilla Trekking in Rwanda which one is Easier?

Generally speaking, Rwanda has the most accessible gorilla trekking destination in East Africa, volcanoes national park is located in the Virunga volcanoes meaning the gorillas can only move as far as the Bamboo zone making it predictable where to find the gorillas unlike Uganda’s Bwindi impenetrable which is located on the entire mountainous hills making it difficult to predict the location of the Gorillas hence some days can be long on the trek.