Here is a Step by step guide into booking for a group gorilla trekking safari; a lifetime adventure and experience in the continent of Africa. Group trips are the most ideal way of saving money, having fun, networking, and escaping boredom. Each group member has what to contribute to the success of the vacation, from the start to the end of the day. It can be a large or small group of friends, schoolmates, workmates, primatologists, researchers, and so much more; reuniting with Man’s cousins- sharing over 98.7% human-like DNA.
Gorillas are shy and gentle creatures, so social, and lovely to watch. Their entire body is covered in black fur, with only the fingers, eyes, and nose saw without hair. A close look at a Gorilla’s hand justifies why scientists regard these species as man’s closest relatives; sharing the same ancestry.
The Gorillas spend most of their time moving and feeding on foliage, on the tree branches, and underneath. A group is known as a troop, led by a dominant silverback whose role is to protect the members and leadership. Other family members include; black backs, infants, mothers, and juveniles among others. It can be a group of the same or different people with the same wish of encountering the Gorillas.
Steps of Booking for A group Gorilla trekking safari
Step1: Location Identification
It is a wise idea to research the destination with the Gorillas, and the availability of trekking permits. Bwindi impenetrable national park in Uganda has four sectors; and the largest concentration of mountain Gorillas. Multiply the permit cost by the total number of people in the group. Disability is not the inability
Step2: Contact the Tour operator for Permit
After deciding on the destination to do the tracking; contact a trusted tour operator for booking, and permit purchase. For those deciding to do it themselves, and then reach out to Uganda Wildlife Authority headquarters in Kampala city.
Step3: Make payments and receive the Permit
After deciding on the destination and getting a tour operator; go ahead with the payments. The person in charge will let you know how long to wait, before receiving a copy of the trekking permit. You will be asked the full details of all the trekkers, thereafter verification process to the last point of receiving the document.
The Gorilla trekking destinations for Group safaris are only on the Continent of Africa, around the vast Virunga chain of Mountains. These include; Virunga National park in the eastern part of DR Congo; Volcanoes national park in the northern part of Rwanda; Bwindi and Mgahinga Gorilla National park in the southwestern part of Uganda.
A group arrives at the park entrance at sunrise, gets registered, and is briefed by the expert park rangers, who are in charge of the daily activities and operations of the Parks. Depending on how far the Apes have moved and your trekking speed, about 1-6 hours can be for the search of the Apes, and then a maximum hour for photography, and listening to the briefing by the guide. During the briefing the guide will explain these dos and don’ts; don’t Litter the park, stand about 7 meters from the Apes, no looking straight to the eyes of the Apes, speaking on a low torn, no touching the Apes, and not littering the park.
A GROUP OF HOW MANY PEOPLE CAN TRACK THE GORILLAS
Each gorilla group is tracked by a maximum of 8 people, aged 15 years and above, free from any infectious disease, and with a valid trekking permit. This is to ensure that the jungle is left intact, the Apes not stressed, and sufficient space is created. On finding the Gorillas, you are given an extra hour of Photography, and interaction with the ranger guide.
How much is a cost of a group Gorilla trekking Permit
A gorilla trekking permit costs 400usd in DR Congo; 1500Usd in Rwanda; and 700Usd in Uganda per person aged 15 years of age per day. The cost includes park entrance and ranger fee but excludes accommodation, transportation, meals, and any fee of extra activity.
Best months for a Group gorilla trekking safari
June to September and December to February are the most ideal months for visiting the Jungle as a Group. It is dry and the weather is so lovely.
In conclusion; booking a gorilla trekking group safari is possible and so easy if done the right way, with the right authority. The Gorilla permits are scarce during the peak season thus the need to book at least 3 months in advance. Only a group of 8 people can track a gorilla group at a time.
