Why Gorilla Trekking is One Hour

Why Gorilla Trekking is One Hour

Why gorilla trekking is one hour has so many factors to it, and we shall delve into them along the way.

In the world, mountain gorillas are habitats to the Regions of Volcanoes National Park of Rwanda, Virunga National Park of The Democratic Republic of Congo, Mgahinga Gorilla National Park of Uganda and Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park.

Over the past years, we have seen an increase in the number of surviving mountain gorillas and they have recently risen to over 1050 existing mountain gorillas; thanks to the great efforts of Virunga Conservation Community, Uganda Wildlife Authority and Rwanda Development Board; with their established regulations for the protection and conservation of the mountain gorillas, and the increase in the number of newly born mountain gorillas for each year (seen through Kwita Izina).

Mountain Gorilla Trekking is one of the most trending tourist activities in Africa; to the countries of Uganda, Rwanda and The Democratic Republic of Congo.However, these endangered giants are only enjoyed for One Hour, a time too short for their visitors. It has always been a wonder to several travelers; why the limited time spent with the mountain gorillas.

On the eventful, gorilla trekking day; visitors assemble at the various park offices ( e.g  Bwindi Park Offices at 7:00AM) for the usual registration and morning briefing on the Do’s and Don’ts when trekking for the giants. Following morning briefing, tourists embark onto their gorilla trekking adventure through the thick rain forests of Bwindi National Park, Volcanoes National Park, Virunga National Park and Mt Mgahinga National Park , hiking for the mountain gorillas, not forgetting the Eastern lowland gorillas at Kahuzi Beiga.

On locating the gorillas, tourists, in groups of 8 individuals, get to enjoy an Hour’s stay with a particular gorilla family group; taking photographs, video recording, studying and interacting with the gorillas as they go about their day’s activities like playing for the Juveniles, nurturing and feeding young ones. However, this is very limited time in comparison to the cost of a single gorilla trekking permit. In Rwanda, a gorilla permit is obtained at $1500pp, $700pp in Uganda and $400pp for The Democratic Republic of Congo.

It should be noted that the trek for mountain gorillas starts off with morning briefing and registration at the Park offices but it’s determined by quite a number of other factors such as; the day’s movement of mountain gorillas as they search for succulent food, shelter, water and peace; one’s physical fitness, and weather conditions – incase of rains, the hike tends to be tougher than during the sunny days.In that case, the time spent by visitors hiking before finding the mountain gorillas may last from 30 minutes to several hours.

There are quite a number of reasons behind the One Hour Spent by tourists with the mountain gorillas as discussed below;

Reasons For Spending One Hour With The Mountain Gorillas

The Need to reduce the risk of mountain gorillas contracting Human Diseases: 

is one of the major reasons for an Hour’s stay with the gorillas once located. Mountain gorillas are 98% DNA to Human Beings and can easily contract human diseases like; Flu, Colds, and end diarrhea among others. For the safety of mountain gorillas, tourists are permitted  to only 1 Hour stay is these endangered species of wildlife.

Due to The Conservation Program: 

The respective bodies of Uganda Wildlife Authority, Rwanda Development Board, and Virunga Conservation Committee; among their regulations for the protection and conservation of the endangered mountain gorillas,   is “One Hour Stay with the giants”. Much as they are habituated animals and can easily coexist with humans, they are still wild animals and do need a Break away from Human beings for their ME TIME; to avoid stressing them as this can indirectly affect their natural status. In order to give them the wildlife feel in their natural habitats, tourists are limited to One Hour’s Stay in the presence of the gorillas.

Need for Privacy: 

I guess in the world, every living thing deserves privacy so are the mountain gorillas. In order to limit the rate of interruption from their daily activities; sleeping, feeding and nurturing young ones, playing and teasing each other. An Hour’s Stay with the mountain gorillas gives them extra time to themselves away from human beings.

For travelers wishing for longer hours of stay with the mountain gorillas; can always opt for Gorilla Habituation Experience. This can be enjoyed at the Rushaga sector of Bwindi Impenetratable Forest National Park and is offered at $1500pp.

Gorilla Habituation Experience allows visitors to stay with the mountain gorillas for 4 Hours as compared to the 1 Hour’s stay of Gorilla Trekking. Gorilla Habituation Experience involves tourists directly participating in the process of training the wild mountain gorillas into taming them  to coexisting  with human beings. This is done through studying, observing ,  interacting and researching  on their behavior in the presence of human beings. This is usually done in the presence of researchers, park rangers, conservationists and tourists; it usually lasts between 2 – 3 years training the mountain gorillas on how to coexist with humans.

Gorilla Habituation Experience is enjoyed in groups of 4 Individuals per day and these permits are issued by Uganda Wildlife Authority.

In conclusion, the time spent with mountain gorillas; it be 1 Hour or Several Hours, cannot have an impact on the total satisfaction derived from an encounter with these wonderful creatures.Tourists can enjoy Mountain Gorilla Trekking Trip and Habituation Trip by directly Booking for Gorilla Trekking permit at $700pp and Gorilla Habituation Experience permit at $1500pp at Gorilla Safari Consultants.