Uncommon Wisdom
Experiences. Observations. Perspective. Insights. Wisdom.
Mountain Gorilla Trek
Uganda Impenetrable Forest National Park
Uganda
AFRICA
Tips & Suggestions
Suggestion #1...
Hire a personal porter. They charge $20 per day -- we paid our $60 because he did such a great job and actually helped 2 of us. But, one porter per person is not too much. The \"porter\" is far more than the title suggests. Not only do they carry your water, lunch, etc. -- they also provide help up the mountain, steady you on difficult terrain and more. The hike is strenuous -- about 6000 feet and up steep inclines with narrow pathways. The porter was for me like my electric assist is on my e-bike.
Suggestion #2...
Bring face masks. Our tour company failed to tell us that we needed face masks. Fortunately, one of the porters could run to a nearby village and get us some. But, Uganda works hard to protect their gorillas from human disease -- after all we share mostly the same DNA. Without a mask, you can't see the gorillas.
Suggestion #3...
Tip generously. The Gorilla Treks support a vast array of subsistence farming families and they are outstanding stewards of the land and of the Mountain Gorillas. What is a small amount of money for us ($20) represents a significant infusion of money and support for these people.
Suggestion #4...
Encourage travelers with disabilities. It costs about $300 extra (without tips), but these villagers have stretchers by which they will carry people who cannot walk. It may feel odd, but this is also a huge infusion of cash into the community and they actively encourage travelers to tell their disabled friends to visit.
Date of Travel:
Activity Level:
Strenuous
August 1, 2024
The Bucket List Experience
The Gorilla Trek in Uganda is an experience that defies description -- it is truly like stepping into a National Geographic article or a book written by Jane Goodall. It is not an adventure for the timid or for those with an empty pocketbook -- the location is remote, the terrain is difficult, and the permits are expensive ($800 per person for one hour with the Gorillas). But, it is also one of those experiences that burns a memory for life in your own personal story of adventure.
Once you get to the Impenetrable Forest, your Trek starts with a briefing by the Ranger and you are assigned to a gorilla "family" -- led by a dominant SilverBack and habitualized over time to allow humans to approach. Only 8 tourists are allowed in a group and each family can be visited for only one hour per day.
Before you begin your journey, trackers spend the early morning hours finding the families -- each family travels each day foraging for food. These trackers literally hack a pathway through the jungle so that tourists can get close to these marvelous creatures. The hike is strenuous -- narrow or non-existent pathways, very steep mountainsides, and high altitude (6000+ feet). You are told to be no closer than 10' to the gorillas; however, gorillas don't know how to measure distance. You cannot approach or touch the gorillas; but, THEY can touch you! And they might. On our journey, the Silverback charged me -- only to find out from the guides that he was "having fun" with me!
The hour goes by like a minute of time -- but, the memories are, indeed, timeless.
Mountain Gorilla Trek
Uganda Impenetrable Forest National Park
Uganda
AFRICA
Tips & Suggestions
Suggestion #1...
Hire a personal porter. They charge $20 per day -- we paid our $60 because he did such a great job and actually helped 2 of us. But, one porter per person is not too much. The \"porter\" is far more than the title suggests. Not only do they carry your water, lunch, etc. -- they also provide help up the mountain, steady you on difficult terrain and more. The hike is strenuous -- about 6000 feet and up steep inclines with narrow pathways. The porter was for me like my electric assist is on my e-bike.
Suggestion #2...
Bring face masks. Our tour company failed to tell us that we needed face masks. Fortunately, one of the porters could run to a nearby village and get us some. But, Uganda works hard to protect their gorillas from human disease -- after all we share mostly the same DNA. Without a mask, you can't see the gorillas.
Suggestion #3...
Tip generously. The Gorilla Treks support a vast array of subsistence farming families and they are outstanding stewards of the land and of the Mountain Gorillas. What is a small amount of money for us ($20) represents a significant infusion of money and support for these people.
Suggestion #4...
Encourage travelers with disabilities. It costs about $300 extra (without tips), but these villagers have stretchers by which they will carry people who cannot walk. It may feel odd, but this is also a huge infusion of cash into the community and they actively encourage travelers to tell their disabled friends to visit.
Date of Travel:
Activity Level: