admin June 29, 2013

Tips for A Successful Gorilla Safari

Planning to take a gorilla safari in Central Africa? There are 3 subspecies of gorillas found in Central Africa – two lowland gorillas and the mountain gorilla.

• The Western Lowland gorilla is found in a range of forests covering Congo-Brazzaville, Gabon, Equatorial Guinea, Cameroon, the Central Africa Republic (CAR), Nigeria and Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
• While the mountain gorillas in are found in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest in Uganda, Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda and Virunga National Park in Congo.

Though there are more low land gorillas, mountain gorillas are more visited than their counterpart. More tourists visit the mountain gorillas on a gorilla safari through the jungles of Central Africa to see them in the wild. Here are the informative tips for travelers planning to take a gorilla trip.

• Book your gorilla permit at least 3 months to your actual trekking date.
• Make sure you arrange your bookings with a recognized gorilla tour operator. At least members of AUTO.
• Take time to be physically fit before your trek. Searching for the gorillas can take a full day.
• A maximum number of 8 visitors may visit a group(family) of habituated gorillas in a day. This minimizes behavioral disturbances to the gorillas and the risk of their exposure to human-borne diseases.
• Always wash your hands before you head out to the gorillas.
• Do not leave rubbish in the park. Whatever you bring into the forest should be carried back with you.
• You will be taken to where the guides left the gorillas the day before. From there you will follow the gorillas trial to find them. Look out for the gorillas nesting sites along the way.
• When you approach the gorillas, the guides will inform you when to get your cameras ready.
• Please always keep your voices low. You will also be able to observe the great bird life and other wildlife in the forest.

For more informative tips on gorilla trekking visit www.gorillatrekkingguide.com