While pricey, there is no better way to spend your money than trekking through the Virunga Mountains to see the mountain gorillas. You begin early in the morning, around 7 AM at base camp and then begin mountain gorilla trekking that can last from a few hours to all day through the jungle. Your guide(s) have a machete to clear the path. While quite strenuous, the trip is worth it – you come up to within a few feet of the mountain gorillas and can watch them play for an hour as you take unforgettable photographs and videos. This was, by far, the best experience in our life. We did the mountain gorillas trekking twice – the experience on the first day was so amazing that I was worried the second trekking would pale in comparison – I was wrong – both treks were amazing and unforgettable.
A few things to note:
– Be sure to purchase your gorilla trekking permits in advance 2 month prior to your visit the mountain gorillas, they have a limited number available, as per day per group is visited by 8 people so as to reduce too much inconveniences to the mountain gorillas and also to protect their habitants as detailed below.
– Get two permits for back-to-back days. There is no guarantee that you will see the gorillas but if you do not see them on the first day you get the easy or most likely to find group the next day. (I have been told that you can go the second day free of charge if you do not see the gorillas but I have not confirmed that). Either way, no two trips are the same – you will see a different gorilla family each day.
– Be ready for adventurous hiking
– You can hire a porter for $10 to carry your bag for the whole day – this not only makes your trekking easier but supports the local community and encourages the citizens not to hunt the gorillas for food.
– If you have mobility concerns, it is possible to hire a group of porters for $200 and have them carry you on a liter up the mountain and back down (be sure to tip them well!). I’m not sure if you have to arrange that in advance, but I overheard a group who utilized this service and they had a good experience.
Tracking takes place in altitudes of about 2500 meters above sea level. Thus trackers are advised to take their time. The reporting time for briefing and registration at the National park gate is at 8 in the morning.
The trekking is in high mountain tropical forests, where the vegetation is thick and where the rain is a common phenomenon. It is advisable before the gorilla trekking, to have a minimum physical preparation and fitness.
We suggest you hire a “porter” at the starting of the trekking, who will carry for you the rucksack with water and other equipment so that you can walk free and easier. Porters are available for hire from the briefing point.
In case of any physical disability and walking difficulties, there are special solutions, including hiring a special service of a stretcher with porters and this can make the dream of seen the gorillas a reality. Everything is possible in the gorilla’s national parks and everyone has hope to accomplish his dream.
The time spent in the forest is not predictable, and trekking can last from a minimum of three hours up to eight or nine hours which is the whole day.
Money for your personal expenses, strong waterproof walking boots and long socks which are comfortable for a mountain tropical forest (remember that one of the most common situations is to find the red ants along the trail), outfit with adapted colors for wildlife observation (Khaki clothes are most preferred), raingear, a few long-sleeve shirts, slippers, sweater for cool evenings, sun protection, hat, sunglasses, sun cream, video/photo camera, a 200 mm or longer lens is very useful, reserve batteries, films and a torch, insect repellants, binoculars, gloves to grip vegetation and it’s also best to have different layers of clothes since the temperatures tend to change.
The wear should be loose, fitting and relaxed in style with warm clothing for the colder evening within the park and some at the lodges. Most hotels and lodges have laundry services at a reasonable price and so an excessive amount of clothing should be unnecessary.
Gorilla permits are in high demand and need to be booked and paid in advance. Book your gorilla safari accordingly and avoid disappointment. Only when payments have been received by the Authorities (through the tour operator) then permits for gorilla tracking are purchased.
There are certain circumstances when the gorilla permits can be refunded: in case one person declares her sickness before starting the trekking, is entitled to be refunded half of the payment; in case one person does not see the gorillas during the trekking for reasons beyond her responsibility, he can be allowed to go back on the following day free of charge or can be refunded half of the permit. However if you cannot complete the trekking because of walk difficulties along the trail, there is no refund.
