If organized well, Gorilla trekking for Pregnant women is not hard to organize. Walk on the wild side to get up close with one of the world’s rarest primates, the mountain gorillas. They are only found in Uganda’s Bwindi Impenetrable National Park (home to half of the world’s total population) and the rest are found within the Virunga region, which encompasses three iconic national parks: Mgahinga Gorilla, Volcanoes, and Virunga National Parks in Uganda, Rwanda, and Congo respectively.
These dense jungles, some of which are UNESCO World Heritage Sites, are now home to over 1000 mountain gorillas, plus an awe-inspiring biodiversity comprised of an array of bird species, fauna, primates, and abundant flora.
Are you pregnant and need to meet the mountain gorillas?
It is absolutely possible to trek mountain gorillas when pregnant! Don’t let pregnancy hinder you from having a wonderful wilderness encounter with these special primates. Many women have asked whether it is safe and easy to trek while pregnant.
However, it should be noted that those with pregnancies beyond 7 months are not recommended to travel for gorilla trekking. For pregnant women, various factors must be considered before undertaking a gorilla tour.
Accommodation & Meals
Pregnant women are always advised to stay in luxury accommodation, as these offer maximum comfort and safety. Though some upmarket mid-range lodges are comfortable and safe, careful consideration should be taken before choosing one. Budget lodges, hotels, campsites, and backpacker lodges should be avoided by pregnant women.
The type of meals offered depends on the chosen category. Luxury lodges and some mid-range ones provide excellent food that is safe even for the most vulnerable visitors. In some instances, these lodges go the extra mile to inquire about visitors’ preferences and prepare meals accordingly.
Visit during the High & Peak Seasons
Traveling during the dry season is comfortable and makes treks easier than traveling during the wet season. Gorillas reside in impenetrable jungles, requiring treks through steep slopes and sometimes slippery paths, which becomes more challenging in the wet season.
Dry season months include June – early October and Mid – December to February.
Use Sedan Seat Stretchers
Sedan seats and bamboo stretchers have come to provide solutions for those who, for various reasons, cannot venture deep into Africa’s impenetrable jungles, including pregnant women. This is especially recommended for pregnancies between seven to nine months.
A team of 12 able men is assembled to carry you either using a modern sedan chair or a local bamboo stretcher; both options are equally safe. They will carry you and trek alongside other visitors until a gorilla family has been sighted. This service comes at an extra cost of $350 – $500, depending on the person’s weight and the trekking duration.
Selecting an accessible and easier Gorilla Trekking region (For Uganda) and gorilla family
There are specific gorilla regions that offer easier treks, such as Uganda’s Bwindi National Park. These sectors are accessible with easier treks. Bwindi National Park has 4 gorilla regions: Buhoma, Ruhija, Rushaga, and Nkuringo. Among these, Buhoma and Rushaga have families that are easier to trek, while Ruhija is more accessible from the main highway than any other gorilla family.
Additionally, inform the park rangers in the morning of the trek after the briefing, and they will allocate you a gorilla family that is closer, so pregnant mothers don’t have to cover long distances.
Transportation
Instead of lengthy road drives to gorilla destinations, pregnant women are advised to book scheduled or charter flights. Uganda has the longest journeys from the airport to gorilla parks; for example, the drive from Entebbe Airport to Bwindi National Park takes about 9 hours, while it is only a 2-hour drive from Kigali to Volcanoes National Park. Therefore, for such long drives, especially in Uganda, a scheduled flight should be arranged for pregnant women.
