How hard is a-lifetime Gorilla trekking experience.??

 

Mountain gorilla trekking is majorly done in Rwanda Volcanoes park, Uganda in Bwindi impenetrable  forest+Mgahinga National park and Congo in Virunga national park, this is the primary reason to journey there, this came after Dianne fossey ‘s activities in letting the world know the existence of mountain gorillas in these regions before her death  1985 and in her writings that has led to mass exodus to the virunga regions to put your face on the writings , this activity  involves humans trekking gorillas’ in their natural habitats with a help of special gorilla tour guides that lead small groups on foot maximum of 8 members per each gorilla family per day .Having been on several gorilla trekking trips, both In Uganda, Rwanda and Congo, clients have various perspective and feed back to themselves in regard to this life time adventurous activity it is hard to say Easy or Not easy it’s the great question of the day!!! Questions remains, un answered as such questions would be raised before going at times after the actual gorilla trekking, , how tough is the Rwanda gorilla trek, which is the hardest gorilla trek, how fit do I need to be to do gorilla trek, what is the level of fitness for gorilla trekking, what if I miss to see the gorillas? These are the common questions raised regarding this awesome child hood dream to a few but at the end of it people get to have a smiling face when they are receiving their certificate of award after seeing the gorillas, some people/ writers have compared this activity to be as hard as giving birth to a baby , others say its strenuous but in reality this is false information, most people are simply not accustomed to hiking for some reasons, being medical /health or Elderly . While the daily hiking mileages are not big to get to where the gorillas are though you may not take long to get to find these great apes but the problem would be keeping following them while you take pictures this would be the biggest challenge and some wise clients always take , porters carry their belonging including the camera bins which would have added extra load to you but some prefer to be everything just like camel hence making them sweat and cursing the trekking as being hard, but in reality gorilla family distribution is done in the morning according to ones choice and level of preference and the convincing capacity of your guide to ask for you the shortest /nearest gorilla family/ the best group,this is what is done in both Uganda and Rwanda at any gorilla trekking spot though this is not a zoo where you expect to get to see every animal on silver plate, Perhaps more importantly, there are some serious climbs and descends this activity needs your physical performance and stability The most difficult aspect on gorilla trekking for many people would be  the price of gorilla permit($750 Rwanda side, $600 Uganda ) Not every body can  afford this ,more so on the  age limit , any body bellow 15 years may not be allowed to trek gorillas also  imagine if your aged 90 years and they put you in the same group with other members who are in the age of early 20s, definitely the walking pace wont be the same , at the end they will keep on waiting for you during the trek, so its advisable to join group members within your age group, however, is the altitude please its better to first evaluate your fitness and age before selecting a gorilla group don’t chose out of band wagon effect. Know body knows your fitness better than you your self.its better to do trainings hikes at home before you go, specifically focusing on hiking up and down hills. Get to know that there’s no clear paths through woodlands as the trekking takes you over stones and uneven ground so regular practice is needed For orientation purposes just in case one opts for Ssusa this is the most lovely group ,but Every step needs an effort compared to other gorilla groups, when it comes to Uganda ,gorilla trekking in Bwindi impenetrable forest, its just a lucky day where you can meet gorillas just in minutes of walk especially when it comes to Nsongi family all year around Rushegula has been the most easiest, I would recommend for any one above 60 years of age. For people who are overweight it is important to also take more than 2 porters,As my colleague  (Kabenge Ivan) indicated it in his blog  “comparing gorilla trekking UgandaVs Rwanda” its not being so luxurious, but it means you  care for your self and to make it much easier to walk for an extra mile as they give you an hand up help.going to see gorillas is fun once-in-a-lifetime experience. and not a punishment that’s why at the end of the exercise every one is awarded a certificate with a rejoicing hands and hand shake to all the group members, is any form of fun, dancing, that’s why dead lifts exercise may not be applicable for gorilla trekking , go for normal exercise at the end you will have no excuse and what some friend may be calling it hard adventure it will be soft adventure on your side.Analysis by Billy ssali +256774819223Your next guide on the African safari.