9 days chimpanzees, gorillas and lions safari

The minimum age for visiting the gorillas is 15 years. A certain level of fitness is required for the gorilla tracking, and you may not be allowed gorilla trekking if you fall sick.

In all gorilla destinations, tracking permits allow travelers a maximum of an hour with a habituated gorilla group. However, due to a few inconveniences like if you had a long trek to reach your gorilla family, your guide may allow you a few more minutes. Mountain gorillas are wild and they prefer being in their own company doing their wild activities like eating, playing and mating rather than being surrounded by humans for a long time. This is why the time is restricted to one hour.

Today Mountain gorilla tracking is only available in Uganda and Rwanda whereas tracking in the Democratic Republic of Congo is still on hold due to political instabilities that antagonized the security of Virunga national park, which was the other destination with mountain gorillas. Gorilla trekking can be done throughout the year though best experiences happen in the dry season between June and September and December to February. In Uganda, mountain gorilla tracking is more paramount in Bwindi Forest National Park with about 12 gorilla families that can be tracked. Mgahinga gorilla national park is Uganda’s second gorilla tracking destination with one gorilla family of Nyakagezi though the Park receives visiting gorilla families at intervals. Rwanda has got one mountain gorilla-tacking destination in Volcanoes national park, which is also part of the Virunga Conservation Area.

Your curiosity and enthusiasm to track the mountain gorillas is the first engine that will keep you moving on. You must be willing to take on a hike in rough terrain and in any weather to see the gorillas in the wild. Even those who consider themselves very old and don’t think they are hikers or adventurous can also successfully visit the gorillas. This can be done through hiring personal assistants to carry your daypack also to assist you in difficult areas. Besides, the parks’ management also works tirelessly to help you trek the gorillas successfully regardless of all your setbacks. This is done in many ways including assigning you to park guides and rangers to make it as easy as possible to track and photograph the gorillas and also ensure your security while in the wild. Your contribution as a tracker to ensure a perfect and fantastic gorilla tracking experience is called up in what you need to carry for this trip including a pair of gloves and clothing that protects your arms and legs from thorns and nettles. You may also need to do a few workouts to ensure you have a good balance which is very helpful in gorilla tracking as trails may tend to e slippery at times

Water: Chimpanzee trekking can be very tiresome and you need to refill your tank as the trek goes on. It is advisable to park a few water filtrations tablets before you come for the trek.

Boots: You will need good waterproof comfortable shoes. Sometimes it rains during the trek, so skid proof shoes can come in handy.

Rain Jacket: You are advised to carry rain jacket because if rains very often in Queen Elizabeth National Park

Snack: You can carry a light snack to give you some energy during the walk in the forest
Trouser and Shirts, forest is covered with thick undergrowth,  therefore light trousers and long sleeved shirts are advised.

Socks: You will have to tuck in the trousers into the socks to avoid insects crawling inside.

Gloves: You will need Gardening gloves because you will be grabbing tree branches, leaves, name it, and some can be thorny.

Camera: Carry a good camera (no flash ) to capture this lifetime experience

When with the chimpanzees, the following have to be done

Chimpanzees can catch diseases, you must not enter the forest if you’re sick

Do not leave litter in the forest

If you need to urinate or defecate, do so off the trail, bury your waste in a hole (30cm deep) along with any toilet paper.

Keep as quite as possible in the forest, you will see more

Keep at least 8 meters (25ft) from the Chimpanzee at all times

Do not mimic Chimpanzees’ vocalization

Do not chase the Chimpanzees

Do not eat near the Chimpanzees

Pocket money
Sun screen
Rain coats
Closed shoes
Mosquito repellents