Is altitude sickness a problem during gorilla trekking? Several travelers over the past decades have endorsed the gorilla trekking experience as one of the most emotional and intimate wildlife encounters in the world. Travelers find the one-on-one interaction with these calm, adorable creatures magical and one-of-a-kind, an experience not easily found elsewhere on earth.
Mountain gorillas dwell in two distinct regions of Africa: the Virunga Conservation Area, which spans across Rwanda, D.R. Congo, and Uganda, and the Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in southwestern Uganda. This region where mountain gorillas dwell is one of the most mountainous regions in East and Central Africa, with altitudes ranging from 2,500 to 3,350 meters (8,200 to 11,000 feet) above sea level.
Although not elevated enough to cause altitude sickness, trekkers may experience heavy breathing along the trek and may require several breaks before reaching a gorilla family. This applies to both older trekkers and younger, more energetic ones.
The altitude will undoubtedly make the trek more tiring and strenuous, but serious and severe altitude sickness is not typically a problem for travelers. Ranger guides are highly trained and pace the walk according to the slowest member of the group, ensuring that everyone can enjoy their magical hour with mountain gorillas in the wild.
These high-altitude regions where mountain gorillas live can be challenging depending on the region and national park. Some gorilla regions and families are harder to trek than others, so some pre-trek training is generally essential to acclimatize to the rugged, steep slopes.
The Mountain Gorilla Trekking Experience
With slightly over 1000 mountain gorillas left on the face of the earth, approximately 300 dwell in Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda, 100 in D.R. Congo’s Virunga National Park, and over 600 mountain gorillas dwell in Uganda’s best duo – Mgahinga and Bwindi Impenetrable National Parks.
A typical gorilla trek experience begins at 7:00 am with a simple briefing at the park headquarters. During this briefing, the head guide provides a brief description of the gorilla destination, the composition of mountain gorilla families, and outlines the basic rules and regulations to be followed during the search for the allocated gorilla family.
Typically, a gorilla trek begins between 7:30 am and 8:00 am and lasts between 1-8 hours, depending on how quickly one locates a family of mountain gorillas. The trek traverses rich and biodiverse montane ecosystems characterized by bamboo plantations, open grasslands, swamps, and heath. The terrain can be rugged, steep, and slippery, especially during the wet season. The trek is soon rewarded with a one-on-one encounter with a lively gorilla family, composed of a gigantic silverback, playful juveniles, and caring mothers.
Spend a magical hour in their midst as you watch them play, forage, rest, and go about their routines. On a lucky day, the lead silverback may emerge from the bushes and pound their chest rapidly to demonstrate its sheer strength and dominance of the entire family. This is a special thrill that may make your heart pound several times but will also reward you with unforgettable memories.
While planning for a gorilla trekking encounter in Africa, ensure to book a gorilla permit in advance as they are highly demanded, especially in peak seasons. Choose the right months to travel and make sure you carry appropriate clothing to counter any likelihood of altitude sickness while trekking with gorillas.
