Why Gorilla Tracking Is Therapy for depression

Gorilla Trekking is a humbling safari that gets you close to a wild family of mountain gorillas for just one golden hour. Mountain gorillas are residents of wild Bwindi Forest , Volcanoes National Park and Virunga national park

Gorilla Trekking gears

As humans, you may be depressed because of Work, family affairs, relationship issues, friends betrayal name it but trust me when you take a gorilla trekking vacation, you will never be the same again.

How Gorilla trekking is therapy for depression

Gorilla trekking requires to have booked a gorilla permit yet only a few are released each day for booking this means you have to keep trying to secure a gorilla permit.

When you finally secure a gorilla permit, it is like hitting a jack pot since you count yourself lucky to be a winner of the permit for that day. Only 8 gorilla permits are released for tourist to book on each day per gorilla trekking family. Only 14 gorilla trekking families are open for tourist viewing and the entire world has to secure permits for these few. Winning a gorilla tracking permit is also an achievement in life also.

You need to be physically fit so that you can keep up with the rest of the trekkers during gorilla trekking. This has to be done atleast before the day of gorilla tracking. By making some exercises, your mind is kept alert and awakened for some moments. This is the start of your therapeutical experience away from what is causing your depression.

Therapy When You Go For Gorilla trekking

Depression may make you feel worthless but during the gorilla trekking safari, you may start realizing your worth on every step you take into the forest and how capable you are.

Organizing for gorilla tracking the following day makes you feel stronger as this is a daring trip where you really do not know what to expect and your reaction when you are face to face with the wild primates.

On the day of gorilla trekking, you share the briefing point with other trekkers various people have different reasons for taking gorilla tracking experience like you. You may find a new friend to share this moment with.

You are divided into groups of 8 people from different origins. So as you walk with others, you keep interacting and talking. Listening to what others say is also part of your healing process. Working together and helping each other while in the forest is what makes this experience incredible.

Listen to the wild calling and breathe the freshness of the forest away from the usual noise and pollution. How rewarding is this during the moment  that you are going through. Carry on hiking and trekking through the boggy ground.

When you finally get to meet the mountain gorillas, it is an adrenaline stimulating moment yet exciting as you look into the eyes of the mountain gorillas. Everyone who looks at the picture of a mountain gorilla may think they are very violent animals but when you get to meet them,  you will be surprised by there serenity and the family cohesion they have. You will realize that despite there huge dark bodies, they are calm, work together, take care of there infants and the female are loyal to there polygamous male called the silver back.

Trust me you will return to the lodge with a changed mind and better thought for the issues you are going through.

A Gorilla Tracking Tour You Can Book When Depressed

 3 day Gorilla Tracking Tour in Uganda

3 day Gorilla trekking tour in Uganda is composed of two nights and three days to Bwindi Forest National Park.  It includes gorilla trekking but you must have booked a gorilla trekking permit prior. Prepare to enjoy 3 day in Uganda with the mountain gorillas which are wonderful giant among the apes. As free as nature provides, you may have an opportunity to encounter other primates such as black and white colobus, vervet monkeys, grey checked mangabey, red tailed monkeys the list is endless.

Day 1: Drive to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

This gorilla trekking safari starts with an early morning drive to Bwindi forest national Park.  Although the journey is quite long, it’s absolutely memorable as you spot wonderful scenery such as incredible highlands, green forest cover, meandering rivers on the valley of highlands and so much more enroute. The renowned Bwindi Forest National park is a thick ancient forest situated in southwestern part of Uganda. This breathtaking Forest is a habitat to the Mountain gorillas that are considered by UNESCO as one of few survivors of the ice age period. The forest is very thick with talk trees that form a very dense canopy at the top. Enjoy your lunch enroute and carry on passing the rolling hills of Kisoro. Arrive late in the evening and enjoy your dinner and overnight at:
Gorilla forest camp/ Gorilla Resort/lake Kitandara camp/Buhoma community Bandas

Day 2: Gorilla Tracking day

After your early morning breakfast, move to the ranger station for briefing. Carry a light backpack with the relevant gorilla tracking gear including packed lunch. For the safety of your skin, dress up in long trousers because there are stinging nettles in the forest. Join others for briefing at the station by the Uganda wildlife Authority ranger guide who will later lead you into the forest to start searching for the gigantic brown eyed mountain gorillas. Although the time you take to find these apes is not definite, the walk is rewarding as you may have an opportunity to meet other primates  like baboons, vervet monkeys, red tailed monkeys, grey tailed mangabey, black and white colobus monkeys the list is endless. After this remarkable encounter crown it up with a visit to the Batwa land probably if you are not so worked up. These are pygmies whose life full depended on Bwindi forest for survival till the early 90s when conservation of the mountain gorilla habitat by the government became reason to relocate them. To keep there ancient cultural candle burning they demonstrate there past way of life to there visitors through amazing stories and unique traditional performances. Return to the lodge for dinner and overnight.

Day 3: Return Home After Gorilla Tracking

Finally after the 3 day gorilla trekking drive to Entebbe Airport to catch up with your flight back. In Uganda, this is the shortest gorilla trekking safari you can book.

Carrying a flashless camera is key because the mountain gorillas are normally scared by flash lights. It may also cause them to get angry and may think you are enemies.

Carry more Gorilla trekking gears like a rain coat, tracking boots, garden gloves

What Is Gorilla Trekking

Gorilla trekking is the act of moving in the forest to find the mountain gorillas without using a gadget to trace them ( not a dictionary definition) Mountain gorillas in the entire world are residents of Uganda, Rwanda And DR Congo. They are estimated to be about 800 mountain gorillas that are still surviving. CONTACT US

Gorilla trekking Safari

What Makes Mountain Gorillas Unique

Mountain gorillas have existed since the ice age period but Bwindi Forest, Volcanoes National Park and Virunga forest are the only forests where they can call home as of today.

Mountain gorillas are very large and tall primates which make them fierce at first sight but guess what, despite there sheer size, they are serene and calm animals.

It is quite un believable that they feed there huge bodies on foliage only.

Mountain gorillas live in families under the leadership of a silver back which is the dominant male

When an infant is born, it is raised by the entire family. They guard it jealously especially the Silverback

When mountain gorillas loose a family member, they mourn like human being. The family becomes dull, may disappear from sight for some moments to mourn, they dissert the area close to where there member has passed.

The Silver back is the overall and autonomous leader of the family. Any Gorilla  wishing to undertake his authority calls for trouble because he is met to defend the entire family. He will fight to death to defend his power

How to Book for Gorilla tracking

We have a team of experienced staff that have worked on Uganda and Rwanda safaris for some time. They are ready to get back to you about any questions concerning, your gorilla tracking safari. State the date and all will be done with your help to form a tailored Uganda gorilla trekking tour or Rwanda gorilla tracking vacation.

Rules Of Gorilla Trekking

Do not Feed the mountain gorillas

When trekking to see the gorillas, lower your voice so that you do not scare them.

No dumping in the forest to keep the environment clean

Mountain gorillas are susceptible to human disease in case you have any communicable disease, you are requested to volunteer not to go so that the mountain gorillas are kept safe from disease.

If you need to ease yourself while in the forest, request your guide to make a hole for you and burry everything beyond recognition.

On one hour is permitted to be with the mountain gorillas. They were habituated to be in the presence of humans for just that one hour.

Below is an itinerary of a gorilla trekking safari you can book

3 Day Gorilla Tracking in Uganda

During a 3 day gorilla tracking safari, you entirely enjoy Gorilla trekking. Driving to Bwindi forest National Park is an incredible ride as you have the opportunity of seeing enroute highlights like the meandering rivers, highlands covered with varying vegetation.

Day 1 Drive to Bwindi Forest National Park

Following your breakfast, embark on the journey to Bwind Forest national park. This national park is located in south Western part of Uganda. Enroute, have a stopover at the Equator to stand at both sides of the earth at the same time. Perform the water experiment which is mesmerizing. Enjoy lunch enroute and carry on to Bwindi Forest. This park is the only one in the world where chimpanzees and Mountain gorillas share a home. Although the chimpanzees are not habituated for tourist viewing. As you drive through the lush vegetation cover of Kigezi, enjoy the incredible view and lovely bird species that roam around. The valleys are awesome as majority have meandering rivers at the base. You may not realize the time you take on the road. Arrive and check in to your reserved Lodge.

Accommodation: Gorilla Forest Camp/ Engage Lodge/ Wag tail Lodge

Day 2: Gorilla trekking

Rise up for early morning breakfast and head to the ranger station to join other trekkers. The ranger guides will brief you on what is to be done during the trek and later divided into groups of 8 to trek each gorilla family. Walk through the trail where the gorillas were seen the previous day. The ranger guide follows the pace of the slowest trekker. There are several other primates like the vervet monkeys, black and white colobus, grey tailed mangabey to mention but a few. Bwindi forest is the haven for a variety of rare birds. When you finally get to meet them you are allowed to take there photos, but stand at a distance of 7 meters from there presence. Enjoy them playing and interacting with others. Return to the lodge and relax.

Optional After Gorilla Trekking Activities

In case you are not so tired, take a walk to the Batwa pygmies where you will learn about the ancient cultures of these people. They will show you how they dance, sing, hunt, harvest honey and so much more.

You may also opt to go bird watching in Ruhijah which is the birder’s haven. A variety of albertine endemics are residents here. Take a walk to see the colorful butterflies that decorate the jungle.

Visit the Bwindi hospital too in case you are interested.

Day 3 Return to Entebbe

After having great time with the mountain gorillas, it’s time to return home carrying only the memories of the jungle. What refreshment.

What You Have to Know about Gorilla Trekking Safari

 You must have a gorilla trekking Permit

Gorilla tracking gears must be part of what you have to pack for this great holiday.

You may opt to do a road trip or a fly-in gorilla tracking safari.

Book accommodation in the area of your gorilla trekking permit because you are reserved in a particular family. This means, you must book where to stay which is close to this family.

Mountain gorillas are serene animals despite there sheer size.

Mountain gorillas are susceptible to human diseases so be kind and declare your sickness in case it’s a chronic able disease. Participate in there conservation for generations.

How Wild Game In Uganda Celebrate Mothers Day

A game drive in Uganda Queen Elizabeth National park was the most amazing mother’s day holiday I took with my friends. As mothers, we were booked on a Gorillatrekking and Wildlife Safari in Uganda for 5 days but by the end of this safari, we wished it could not end. This was a memorable holiday as our itinerary was sent as below
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Day 1

On the first day, we drove through the eye captivating villages and we could breathe some fresh air away from the town chaos. We left Kampala city early in the morning, had breakfast at the equator where we took photos standing on both sides of the earth. The water experiment was so mesmerizing.

 We continued passed several baboon troupes that entertained up with there acrobatic moves. The drive was quite long but very entertaining as we arrived late in the evening to check in to our room.

Day 2

GorillaTracking Experience

As a group, we woke up early for breakfast them proceeded to the ranger station for gorilla trekking briefing. Since we were already 8 in the group, we were lucky to trek one gorilla trekking family. Our Ranger guide Albert was so knowledgeable about the forest and he also requested us to hire some porters to carry our baggage. As we trekked into the forest, we were greeted by a number of birds that Albert our ranger guide could identify by name.

The monkeys also differ as there blue monkeys, vervet monkeys, grey tailed mangabey, red tailed monkeys to mention but a few. Some of our group mates were botanists and they could ably identify the tree species we passed by. This was an amazing trip to each of us.

As we got closer to the mountain gorillas, we heard them murmur and pull some grass that was close. When we finally got up close, our guide request us to lower our voices and start taking some photos. Luck was by our side and we trekked a gorilla family that had babies. Each of us was touched by how these apes take great care of there little ones. They feed them on breast milk and protect them so highly. 

Gorilla Trekking in Uganda

The mothers also comb the hairs of there infants and keep checking for any pests. Another mother carried her toddler on her back and marveled into the close by bushes. This was one of the highlights of our mother’s day.

We took some pictures of these incredible moments.

Day 3

Queen Elizabeth National park For Uganda Wildlife Tour

Leaving Bwindi Forest with only memories of our meeting with the mountain gorillas was the talk we had throughout the journey to Queen Elizabeth National Park. As we went through the park, we got to see several animals like the kobs, buffaloes, bush bucks, warthogs the list is endless. We had an amazing welcome into the park that enjoys a beautiful back drop of Rwenzori ranges. We could see the ice tops on the mountain up high in the sky. In the evening, we rested and got ready for the next morning game drive.

Day 4

Game Drive and launch cruise

Our driver guide briefed us about the day’s activity and later drove us early in the morning to the crater lake area. We saw the earlier risers come to life while the nocturnal were rushing to get back to there hiding like the hippos. The amazing network of dry and wet crater lakes is picturesque. One of the noticeable lakes is Lake Nyamunuka with a putrid smell of rotten eggs.

As we drove, we spotted a number of birds, the vegetation variation, we were lucky to meet a pride of lions, buffalo herds, a leopard, warthogs the list is endless

After lunch, we went to the pier for a launch cruise on Kazinga Channel. Wow this is heaven on earth as a number of bird species flock the banks, wild animals are also common visitors here and this is where we meet another incredible mother elephant. She moved with a herd of several elephants with her calf. Since it was a hot day, she kept pouring water on her toddler and played with her young using the trunk. This was another incredible moment to add to our mother’s day moments.

We returned to lodge keeping only memories and photos of our safari. This was a memorable mother’s day holiday. There is no gift for mother’s day that can be equated to this gorilla trekking and wildlife safari

Day 5

Drive to Entebbe

Having completed all the activities on our itinerary, it was time to get back home. This mothers day safari was a dream come true but we had to drive to the airport to catch up with our return flight.

Gorilla trekking holiday tops most of the buckets lists of most travel addicts in the world but a few succeed in securing gorilla trekking permits because of there scarcity and conservation reasons.

The mountain gorillas are some of the still surviving ice age animals which existed with the dinosaurs, aliens and so many other fased out animals species. Meeting the mountain gorillas is one of the memorable safaris and a privilege too as you stand to be one of the lucky 8 people to be in there company that day.

What to Pack for Gorilla Trekking

Just like any other trip, you must prepare for gorilla trekking carrying the right gears.

Long trousers are a must because mountain gorillas live in the jungle where there are biting nestles as well as pricking and piercing surfaces.

A poncho or rain coat because it may rain at any time of the day without warning

A hut to cover up your head and protect it

Tracking boots to protect your feet from the rough and boggy surface of the jungle.

Gloves assist you in getting hold of the slippery surfaces and in case you fall, your hands re protected

A flash less camera is the only evidence of you holiday in the Mountain Gorilla land.

Insect repellant will save you from stinging insects

To mention but a few

How to book Gorilla Trekking Safari

Gorilla Trekking is only a sure deal when you have fully paid for a Gorilla permit. The price for a gorilla permit in Uganda is $600 while in Rwanda, the gorilla Permit costs $ 1500

 Accommodation is next to this as most of the lodges are fully booked especially during the peak season when everyone is travelling.

A 4x4 safari vehicle is another component

Safari guide must be knowledgeable to

Fuel or Gas

Book your in bound flight on for the day before the start of your gorilla trekking safari and also your outbound flight must be a night flight or a day after the Gorilla trekking  safari to avoid panic.

Best Time for Booking a Gorilla Trekking Safari

Gorilla trekking is done throughout the year but there are tourism peak seasons and low seasons. During the peak seasons the prices for all the safari packages  are very high yet during the low seasons, the prices for the packages my differ.

You need to book a gorilla trekking permit atleast 3 months in advance of travel to prevent last minute panic as only 8 gorilla permits are released for tourism per day.

Gorilla trekking in Uganda or Rwanda is open to everyone but you must be at least 15 years of age

However it’s not a good idea to track gorillas when you have a cold for conservation reasons.

Do some exercises to keep fit because the topography of Bwindi Impenetrable Park and Volcanoes National Park is volcanic. While in the jungle, you hike and get done the valleys, bypass numerous rivers as this area is a water catchment surface.

What to Do And Not To do while with the mountain Gorillas

Conservation is the main reason why few people are allowed to be with the mountain gorillas each day, you must be ready to follow the instructions.

Do not trample on the grass use the tails because the mountain gorillas entirely feed on foliage for survival.

If you eat anything while in the jungle, do not liter because the mountain gorillas may eat anything and die. This is a great loss.

In case you have a cold, be kind to these animals and say before starting the search because they are highly susceptible to human infections which may turn into death.

Keep up with the other group to avoid getting lost in the jungle.

In case you need to ease yourself, its best to ask the ranger guide to dig a hole for you and afterwards you have to cover beyond recognition to keep the environment clean and protect the animals that may be curious of what you have covered.

Keeping your voices low while you trek to see the gorillas gives you enough chances of seeing the mountain gorillas since they get to notice your presence before you do.

What to recommend for gorilla trekking in Rwanda

Rwanda the gorilla trekking haven is one of the special habitats for gorilla trekking. You must have the below to enjoy this great encounter. Rwanda is the only habitat where you can do a 2 day gorilla trekking safari especially those with limited time in Africa. Check the below recommendations. CONTACT US

Gorilla Tracking In Rwanda

• What To Recommend on Gorilla Tracking Safari Rwanda

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• Rwanda is generally a hilly country and cold for most parts of the day. You must park some warm clothes for yourself especially during the wet seasons when it gets so cold. 
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• Book your gorilla trekking permit early so that you don’t miss out this great experience. Gorilla trekking permits in Rwanda cost $ 1500 and you may go through a tour operator or visit the ORTPN which is the gorilla permit selling body.
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• Carry some hard cash on you in case you need to buy some thing or you need to make payment because in Africa, credit cards are not so commonly used. 
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• Gorilla trekking in Rwanda requires you to book accommodation early and closer to Volcanoes National Park. This will assist you to head to the ranger station in time for briefing. You will be advised on what you need to do while you trek to see the gorillas. To have success, you need to follow the recommendations given by the ranger guide because they have more knowledge about the behavior of the mountain gorillas than what you read about.

Gorilla Tracking in Rwanda

• As for the gorilla trekking clothes, you need to remember to pack the trekking boots, long sleeved shirts, long trousers, hut, camera, insect repellant and so much more. Volcanoes national Park is situated in a water catchment area so you will come across a number of rivers and the surface is water logged
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• For those who wish to do a 2 day gorilla trekking tour, ensure that you book a late night flight so that you can freshen up and catch up with your flight back home. Book a lodge or hotel closer to the Airport for easier transportation especially for the late night departures.
• Apply for a visa to Rwanda early enough to avoid inconveniences while at the airport or at the border, Even if you are connecting from one country to another. In case you have two trekking dates that is to say in Rwanda and Uganda, you may book the East African Visa that will assist you while at the border.
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• During Gorilla Trekking

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• Gorilla trekking starts early so you must remember that you need to pack your gorilla trekking gears. They are very vital for your trek to be successful but you must remember to carry your lunch box. Because the time of return is not known.
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• During gorilla trekking briefing, you are recommended to carry nothing but memories of your gorilla trek however, you need to have a camera to take some amazing shots to show your family or friends.

Chimpanzee Trekking Safari

• In case you are not sure of your fitness, hire a porter to carry your belonging and give you support when you are tired. Also Make it a point to ask for a walking stick for extra support especially when you get to the boggy ground.
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• Gorillas are susceptible to human diseases, ensure that you inform the authorities in time so that you do not affect the highly protected mountain gorillas with your communicable disease.
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• Buy a souvenir to directly support the local community but this is not compulsory.

How I escaped from The Mouth Of a Gorilla

I worked and saved money to be part of my longtime gorilla trekking dream. I booked  gorilla permits in both Uganda and Rwanda as I desired to experience gorilla tracking in both countries. I packed my bags using the list of gorilla trekking gears that is displayed on a blog that I came across. It had items to pack for gorilla trekking as its title and some of the gears I packed included garden gloves, tracking boots, poncho, adjustable trouser with a zip, sun screen and so much more. Contact Us

Gorilla Trekking Tour

My tour operator was very helpful in updating me about the weather conditions of both countries so that I could not bring excess unnecessary baggage since one of mu segments had a fly-in safari. Iam poor at exercising but for the sake of gorilla trekking, I joined a gym and had early morning jogging so as to keep fit and ready for this trail as many seem to write that it is tedious. I did not consider my self being among those who will fail to make it after paying $ 750 in Rwanda and & $600 in Uganda. This is quite pricey.

At my age, I wished to do adventures that many have crowned difficult so gorilla trekking was another of my expeditions. I was asked to apply for a visa in Rwanda and Uganda but I considered the East African tourist Visa which would allow me travel through both countries with little disturbance at the immigration. 

Gorilla Tracking Tour

On arrival, I was picked by my safari guide who later drove me to Mountain Gorilla View Lodge where I had my overnight. As we drove, I kept gazing at the undulating hills of Rwanda and the green vegetation we passed by. I could not compare this site to anywhere else I have visited. To be sincere, it is amazing!

Finally I was checked into my room but as I lay down on my king-size bed, I started thinking about my reaction when I get face to face with the gorillas. As I had time to read about the mountain gorillas, many websites explain that they have a sheer size, dark fur covers there yes and the walk in a knuckle way. I developed goose pimples whole over my body and had a quick shiver. My room had a picture of gorillas which seemed to be complementing my imagination. 

On the day of gorilla trekking, I was still with memories of what I will do upon seeing the mountain gorillas. We were briefed with other tourists and each of us was given a family to trek in a group of 8. We progressed into the thick forest where we kept meeting steams and boggy surfaces, enchanting monkeys and birds. We walked for many hours but my heart was not yet calm and ready to meet the gorillas. As we got closer, the ranger guide warned us to lower out voices as we were in there territory.  Finally we were face to face with the huge apes but like my imaginations had not yet deserted me, they are gigantic, huge and dark. This was a family of 12 members as explained by the guide. I felt like hiding behind the ranger but at the same time desired to watch the family. 

Gorilla Tracking Tour

One of the giant gorillas opened its mouth to yawn but because of its loud noise, I had lost my mind and stood motionless not thinking about what to do next. By this time, my small body was entering through its mouth and then pushed down into its stomach, I wondered what I would be mingled with since by the look of its belly it had eaten a lot. I wanted to shout for help but who could save me from this horrible nightmare. I realized it was only my imagination my dream had finally come true as I stood face to face with the gorillas.

Gorilla trek Uganda

Gorilla Trekking Experience For The Handicapped

Although you are handicapped, you can be part of the gorilla trekking experience. Gorilla trekking involves hiking to get to the gorillas that live in the volcanic Bwindi forested area however you need to have some fitness. In case you are handicapped, you may not have this fit but you can still participate in gorilla trekking.

Gorilla tracking

How to trek to see the gorillas

Hire a sedan chair to assist you with the movement. You must know that you have to send us the detail of your deficiency prior to booking your safari. Gorilla trekking is a life changing experience as you stand in a few meters away from the huge dark hairy primates. How wonderful it is to stand in the wilderness where plenty of memorable natural life exists.

While at the ranger station, you may also book some porters to assist carry you on stretcher crafted out of natural material.  This is especially in Rwanda Volcanoes National Park where gorilla trekking is done in a fairly steep environment.

Gorilla tracking Tour

Accommodation And Vehicle

The safari vehicles normally have a high entrance but we can put some mobile steps to support you. To fulfill this, you need to inform us in advance. This also applies to the accommodation where you are booked. We need to inform them about your condition so that you are booked on close by rooms with little hindrance to your movement.

Other activities To Participate in

In case you are interested in other activities apart from gorilla tracking, you may enjoy a game drive, launch cruise, fishing, and cultural trail.