Gorilla trekking is among the top tourist attractions in the world. First of all, it should be noted that Gorilla trekking is one of the main reasons that these amazing animals are being kept safe, and well in their nature habitat.
Gorilla trekking is done in many countries especially on African continent and the famous only include Uganda, Rwanda & Democratic Republic of Congo. Other countries with Gorilla trekking include The Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Angola, Congo and Central African Republic.
It’s true, gorilla trekking is a life time event and memorable experience but on the other hand, if not well arranged, it can turn horrible to some guests, below are some of the bad experience trekkers obtain from the process:
Possibility of failing to find Gorillas – While the chances of meeting Gorillas in 90%, there is possibility of failing to meet any especially during harsh weather and when Gorillas groups are semi or not habituated. Un-habituated or semi habituated Gorillas are ever not ready to be encountered by people. They are instead move in distant areas, charge and can’t settle in on area. In some countries, you must buy a gorilla trekking permit in advance and fees are none refundable.
Long hours walk to find Gorillas – though sometimes guests meet Gorillas after a few minutes’ walk from the park headquarters, on some days, guests labour so much to meet Gorillas in their natural habitats especially when Gorillas move in distant area or move up slopes. For that case, tourists can spend more hours or full day in the forest to see Gorillas.
Harsh vegetation type which is characterized by thorns and hairy becomes hard to penetrate. Clearing it is as well time wasting hence making Gorilla trekking experience horrible. In the process of forcing themselves into bushy- thorny vegetation, some visitor gets inquired and, in the end, some can withdraw while strong ones can proceed.
Possibility of spending more in tips and extra payments to porters. Its good to tip and hire porters to help you achieve success in Gorilla trekking. Paying porters and tipping contributes to the economy of the area but if you get short of money, you may not reach gorillas especially when you have health problems and unfit. For more information, be prepared to carry more water to drink in the process of sloping valleys and climbing hills to find Gorillas.
Gorillas charge and can cause harm to visitors– Failure to observe Gorilla trekking guidelines, trekkers may end up getting harmed. When gorillas charge, its advisable to leave them and return to the park headquarter until the next day.
Insect bites – some African forest harbour insects like mosquitoes, Tsetse flies among others. Such insects bit and spread diseases to humans who attempt to go gorilla trekking in African forests. In the course of Gorilla trekking, some people fall sick after being bitten by insects found in the forest.
Early morning activity – In most of the countries, gorilla trekking requires guest to wake up at around 4 – 6 Am – report to the briefing point at around 7Am and thereafter, move into the jungle full of dew, fog and so on. In tropical forests, it can rain any time so, rain jacket and water proof clothes must be on the list of things to come with.
Unfamiliar topography – Some guests meet unfamiliar relief which needs maximum level of fitness. For that case, some give up before meeting gorillas while others hire porters to carry them at an extra cost. Sometimes gorillas hide uplands and they become hard to be found hence worth the experience.
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