Tips and Advice for Families going on a Gorilla Trek
Gorilla trekking is a distinctive and rewarding activity for families as it presents an exceptional occasion to see such majestic creatures in their natural settings. However, there are several factors worth considering in order to have a safe and fun filled family trip.
Most gorilla tracking destinations like Uganda and Rwanda have set the minimum age limit at 15 years due to the physicality involved along with other aspects of this experience. One should assess the physical fitness levels of each member of their family because treks may require passing through thick forests or climbing steep terrains. Read more about required fitness levels for gorilla tracking here.
Create awareness among your children regarding local customs so that they can respect them together with wildlife too. Encourage eco-friendly practices such as reducing waste generation and understanding wildlife regulations.
Teach kids about gorillas and their habitats before going on a trip like this. Let them participate in the process of packing by ensuring that all necessary items are included in their luggage. Curiosity should be aroused throughout the hike making it both educative and unforgettable.
When travelling with older children or people who are not physically fit, choose shorter routes which do not require much strength. We would be glad to advise you on which groups would suit you, taking into account distance as well as terrain difficulty among other factors based on our knowledge of different regions visited during treks.
Select hotels where families can easily access rooms next to each other or those with bigger space inside one room for convenience purposes. Plan for breaks between various journeys so that every family member gets enough rest time while having maximum enjoyment from the whole safari.
View some suggested lodges for gorilla trekking here.
Make sure that your travel insurance policy caters for activities like tracking gorillas. Carry necessary drugs e.g. those used to treat altitude sickness as well as any allergies and remember to consult a medical practitioner on any health precautions which may be specific to anyone in your family.
The safari of choice for primate enthusiasts, this epic journey will give you the chance to track both mountain gorillas and western lowland gorillas on six separate trekking excursions (with the possibility of a seventh trek added in for good measure).
Track endangered western lowland gorillas, observe forest elephants, bongos, and mangabey monkeys, and join the local Ba'Aka tribe on a net hunt in the dense rainforests of the Dzanga Sangha reserve.
The opportunity to visit Rwanda's three main wildlife hotspots whilst staying in the most luxurious accomodation and transferring vy helicopter, from tracking the world famouns mountain gorilla and meeting the doctors of the mountain gorilla vetinary project, to tracking the cheeky chimpanzee in Nyungwe and searching for a multitude of wildlfie on game drives in Akagera National Park.
Always follow the guidance of the trek leaders and maintain a calm demeanor to avoid startling the gorillas. Keep your voice low and refrain from sudden movements.
Gorilla trekking is a profound experience that can instill a love of nature and wildlife conservation in children and adults alike. With the right preparation and mindset, it can be a cherished family adventure that creates lasting memories and fosters a deep connection to the natural world.
