Why is gorilla trekking one hour long?

In spite of the numerous hours spent looking for mountain gorillas, hikers are only permitted one hour to be in close proximity to these animals in their natural environment. We’ll discuss some of the reasons why gorilla trekking is just an hour in this piece since so many tourists have always questioned it. Trekking with gorillas is a once-in-a-lifetime experience that can only be had in four national parks worldwide. The national parks of Bwindi, Mgahinga, Virunga, and Volcanoes are where you can trek to see mountain gorillas.

The amount of time it takes to see mountain gorillas in any national park is impossible to predict since it varies depending on where the gorilla family is and how fast the trekkers are moving. Generally speaking, it takes between two and seven hours to introduce yourself to an allocated gorilla family in any of the gorilla parks. As soon as the mountain gorillas are seen, the armed ranger guides begin timing the trekkers’ proximity to these primates for an hour. In addition, tourists may observe the gorillas engage in their regular behaviors, such as nesting, hunting, grooming, mating, and patrolling, during this hour. They may also learn about the gorillas’ habits and capture photos.

Why gorilla trekking only lasts an hour

The population of mountain gorillas is at risk.

The world’s mountain gorillas—about 1080 individuals—are found in Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park, Uganda’s Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla Park, as well as the DR Congo’s Virunga National Park. Over half of the mountain gorillas are found just in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park. The IUCN removed these mountain gorillas from the list of extinction and designated them as endangered. Since it was discovered that gorillas share 98% of their DNA with humans, the Uganda Wildlife Authority chose to limit gorilla trekking to one hour. Because people are such close relatives of these apes, they may easily spread illnesses to them. As a result, they are only given one hour to minimize the spread of colds and flu to them.

The necessity of conservation

Due to conservation concerns, gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park and other gorilla parks is only permitted for one hour at a time. The mountain gorillas require time to themselves in their native environment, free from human interference. They must be able to wander around the jungle unhindered in search of food, lodging, and other necessities. Mountain gorillas become stressed when they are in close proximity to people for extended periods of time, which may lead to them charging and destroying the surrounding vegetation, which is harmful to their health.

To allow gorillas to engage in their everyday routines

Similar to humans, mountain gorillas also start their days with varied intentions. They are aware of their daily schedule and whereabouts. Mountain gorillas are given an hour to resume their regular routines after the gorilla trek. Every member of a mountain gorilla family of between five and twenty-five individuals has a job to perform throughout the day. Some gorillas do look after their young, breastfeed them, groom them, and show them how to construct their own nests. The silverbacks provide the group with protection and do offer advice on what to do. The gorillas have to relocate to different locations in search of food, a place to sleep, sticks for building their nests, and other needs.

The gorilla trek adventure

Since you are not allowed to participate in the fantastic activity without the gorilla permits, travelers who are interested in gorilla trekking must first buy them. Gathering at the sector offices is the first step in gorilla trekking. There, wardens verify the validity of trekkers’ gorilla trekking permits, their absence from communicable diseases, and other factors. The wardens teach these hikers about the do’s and don’ts of gorilla trekking, the prohibition of groups of more than eight people, and the necessity of bringing armed ranger guides with them into the forest.

The tourists who left early in the morning to find the assigned mountain gorilla family more quickly always tell the armed ranger guides the best routes to take. The search for the assigned mountain gorilla family can take anywhere from two to seven hours, depending on the pace of the trekkers and the whereabouts of the group of gorillas. Travelers can encounter various park mammals, primates, and birds throughout the search.

When the mountain gorillas are seen, armed ranger guides allow hikers an hour to interact with these primates, during which time they may learn about their behaviors, snap pictures, shoot films, and see them engage in everyday activities like nesting, hunting, eating, grooming, and patrolling. Afterwards, you only walk out of the forest, meet your driver to transfer you, and pick up your trekking certificate.

For foreign non-residents, the gorilla trekking permits in Uganda cost $800, while for foreign residents, they cost $700, and for citizens of East Africa, they cost UGX300,000. The price of a gorilla trekking license in Rwanda is $1500, while it is $450 in the DRC during the dry season and $200 during the rainy season. The gorilla habituation permits for Bwindi cost $1500 for foreign non-residents, $1000 for foreign residents, and UGX750,000 for citizens of East Africa, allowing them to spend more than four hours with mountain gorillas.

What should you bring for gorilla trekking?

We recommend bringing items like waterproof hiking boots, long cotton socks, a pair of gaiters, gardening gloves, a rain jacket, a sweater, long-sleeved pants, long-sleeved shirts, a hat, sunscreen, a light backpack, a camera, a pair of binoculars, insect repellent, sanitizer, a face mask, a drinking water bottle, and energy-giving snacks while on a gorilla trekking safari.

When should I go on a gorilla hike?

Although you may go gorilla trekking at any time of year, some months are more advantageous than others. From June to September and December to February are the ideal times to see every gorilla park during the dry season. The roads leading to the park are in good condition, there is little or no rainfall that keeps the trekking trails dry, and the vegetation is low and sparse, offering excellent views of the mountain gorillas.

Between March and May and October and November, during the rainy season, visitors, particularly those on a tight budget, may take advantage of significant savings on lodging at Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. However, the rainy season is distinguished by minimal or no precipitation, which causes the hiking routes to be slick and muddy; the route to the park is in poor condition, and the vegetation is high and dense, making it difficult to see the mountain gorillas.