WHAT FITNESS LEVEL IS NEEDED TO TREK GORILLAS IN UGANDA AND RWANDA?

Few animals can reward senses in the world, but an encounter with mountain gorillas in the wild, is incomparably the most captivating experience of a life time. Largely, described as a most “sought after” and “breathtaking” adventure in the world. Gorilla trekking has become so intimidating that is why it crucial for visitors to take note of/ask important questions as listed below. Am I fit to trek mountain gorillas in Uganda or Rwanda? What physical fitness level do I need to have to go for gorilla trekking in Uganda or Rwanda? Other things are commonly explained and time and again they have been written by many but visitor’s fitness level is rarely discussed in many platforms not only in Uganda but across the 3 mountain gorilla destinations.

BWINDI'S MOUNTAIN GORILLA

Whereas most trekkers assume gorilla tracking to be a mere walk or visit to a zoo, the latter is not factual. A trek to view the rare mountain gorillas in the wild, involves hitting the trails, hiking the steep slopes through the jungles which entirely, demands some bit of physical fitness to complete journey. An encounter with a mountain gorilla group means that visitors venture as far as areas with no trails.  Trackers will be clearing the thick vegetation to pave way for you and this means you will be navigating through fresh trails and a reason we encourage you to be physically fit, properly dress up for safety and protection and gardening gloves, long sleeved shirts/T-shirts, long pants, light weight hiking boots have never missed out in our visitor’s packing list for gorilla trekking in Uganda and Rwanda. It is strenuous hiking through a fresh trail though other trekkers may not experience due to their physical fitness and nature of their body shape.

While trekking Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park and Uganda’s Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, visitors don’t miss to hike through the bamboo forest level and beyond. Treks range from moderate fitness level to reasonable fitness level. Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park for instance, it involves hiking up and down the steep hills and misty valleys, passed streams via intense undergrowth of the jungle. Gorilla trekking is such a breathtaking adventure but an encounter with the mountain gorillas rewards visitors with unforgettable experiences of life time. In addition, various gorilla groups also require distinct fitness levels, some of them can be simpler to trek even when you are not all that physically fit or aged. We advise our visitors to always inform or book in advance for gorilla permit and explain or request the park management on fitness level other wise you might all be allocated a gorilla family randomly. In Rwanda, trekkers start at the same place (Kinigi) where rangers choose simpler and harder treks based on visitor’s fitness. However, gorilla permits in Rwanda cost $1500 for all visitors whereas in Uganda, the Uganda Wildlife Authority together with Association of Uganda Tour Operators have agreed to maintain gorilla trekking tariffs as before up to mid 2019 that further communication will be passed.

Gorilla trekking permits in Uganda are obtainable at $600 for foreign non residents, $500 for foreign residents and shs.250,000 for East African residents. In the months of April, May and November, Uganda Wildlife Authority offers discounted gorilla trekking permits at $450 for foreign non residents, $400 for foreign residents and shs.150,000 for East African residents.

In Uganda, the Rushegura Gorilla group may not be as challenging as others may require bit fitness. Usually, we encourage our visitors to pack some, lunch, energy giving snacks and bottle of water and for Gorilla Habituation Experience, you may need at least 2 bottles of water as it takes visitors 4 hours to encounter gorillas face to face and above all, it is an all day round adventure.

Tips for gorilla trekking fitness

It doesn’t matter what your physical fitness objectives are, but getting prepared for gorilla tracking tour is so helpful for you to get the best out of gorilla trekking adventure. It is not a crime for you to do some training, make the best use of the hilly sides in your compound or town area will help you overcome that strenuous hike. Walk around, exercise and don’t forget to stretch!

Alternatively, utilize the services of a porter to help you. You simply need a day pack, to pack in your lunch 2 litters of water, some snacks and insect repellents to protect you from biting insects in the forest. Porters are helpful for long trails and they can help you get relieved from the strenuous hikes. Gorilla trek is unpredictable and it can go as far as 2 to 8 hours or even beyond depending on the location of gorilla family and visitors speed.

A walking stick is also vital for gorilla trekking. You may think trekking during the dry season, gets you without any rain showers forgetting that gorillas live in tropical rainforests where rains should be expected at any time. A walking stick can help you get through the steep slopes as offers you support on the slippery or muddy steep slopes.

WALKING STICKS

In conclusion, adequate preparation for gorilla trekking is the best way to get through the strenuous hikes in the jungles of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, Mgahinga Gorilla National Park in Uganda, Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda as well as the Virunga National Park in Democratic Republic of Congo. Adequately exercise before to get used to longer distances and ease your hike on actual trek. Never forget to pack lunch, hiking boots not saddles for the trek, bottle of water, light snacks, long sleeved shirts and walking stick can be got from visitor center or any craft shop around the park.