What Are the Chances of Seeing Mountain Gorillas?

Which chances are there to see mountain gorillas is one of the most asked questions by all travelers planning a gorilla safari to Uganda, Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo. For any tour operator who confirms a gorilla trekking tour without a client inquiring about the chances of seeing mountain gorillas, it would surely be a great surprise. The truth is that there is no single travel consultant that will guarantee travelers an opportunity to see mountain gorillas but the chances of meeting and interacting with the critically endangered species is 99%. Since the start of gorilla tourism in early 1990’s, there is no record of any traveler who has ever failed to see mountain gorillas. Mountain gorillas are ever on move and their movements cannot be controlled but travelers are always assured of meeting and spending time with the human’s closest relatives. It would so hurting to pay 1500usd in Rwanda, 700usd in Uganda and 450usd in Congo and fail to see these world’s endangered species that were once at the verge of extinction. Though no guarantee for travelers to see mountain gorillas, there are great chances of seeing mountain gorillas and the reasons for the assurance include the following:

Pre-trekking check by the park rangers
At the start of each trekking date, a group of park rangers rise up very early and hike into the forest checking out the whereabouts of mountain gorillas. The rangers check each gorilla family to find out where they slept the previous night after which they call back the park management directing them which trails they should follow with the clients. Rangers use radio calls to inform park officials on the location of the gorillas hence saving travelers time since they follow specific routes hence great chances to see the gorillas. In Bwindi impenetrable forest national park gorilla families live in four sectors of Buhoma, Rushaga, Ruhija and Nkuringo meaning that the pre trekking group also split in the four sectors. This kind of organization has made it easier for travelers saving them time and energy.

Allocation of gorilla families based on one’s capability
Since different gorilla families live in different altitudes (low and high) travelers should expect short and long hikes depending on the location of mountain gorillas. While in the briefing before the trekking, travelers are divided into groups of eight each of which is allocated to one gorilla family. The allocations depend on the traveler’s choice and the ability to hike. Young energetic are usually allocated longer treks while the aged and sickly are given a gorilla family that lives in areas of low altitude hence requiring less trekking time. To ease gorilla family allocation, travelers are reminded to be open to their guides and travel consultants in the reservation process about their ability and physical fitness to select either simple, moderate of tough hike based on their capability. For those who cannot hike at all, there is a provision of stretchers where a traveler is carried up into the forest, sees the gorillas and then carried back at a cost of 200usd per route (going and coming back). This arrangement was pout by the park management to make sure that all travelers, the fit and unfit enjoy the life changing gorilla trekking experience.

Early booking and preparation
For smooth reservations and detailed gorilla trekking tactics, all travelers awaiting a gorilla safari are required to book as early as three months before the trekking date. Early booking help tour operators secure gorilla permits in time avoiding any disappointment of failing to get the permits at the later date. Also during the reservation process, travelers are reminded to do enough exercises in preparation for the strenuous hikes hence making them ready enough to hike through the jungle with no difficulties. In preparations also, travelers must pack essentials such as hiking boots, hand gloves, sunglasses, long pants and sleeved shirts not forgetting warm jackets to deal with the unpredictable forest weather. Dressing right for the jungle ease movements in the muddy slippery grounds, thorny bushes lose rocks and bites by ground insects which reward travelers with a memorable trekking experience.
Conclusively therefore, gorilla trekking is a life changing experience that happen once in a lifetime. Travelers are assured of meeting these gentle giants in the wild, spend time together and learn more about humans like characters of endangered mountain gorillas in Uganda, Rwanda and Democratic Republic of Congo.