Gorilla trekking fitness-Bwindi impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga gorilla National Park

Gorilla trekking fitness – Gorilla trekking  whether at low level or high altitude will require some level of fitness this is due to different factors like Age, movement of gorilla  families to trek which are at times easier or hard to trek most especially in Uganda unlike Rwanda where tracking is less strenuous but the cost of permits are high going for $1500 compared to Uganda which are at $600-700 per person per trek and habituation experience costing $1500. therefore gorilla trekking fitness is a key area to focus on once your planning your gorilla trip.

You may need to work out before you can take a more challenging family/group trek. This is because you may be recommended to an easier and close group, but since the Gorillas are wild animals and un predictable due to their movement in their natural environment, by the time you undertake the experience this group may have moved an hour or two more deep into the forest.

So if you are not willing to do some basic hiking, cardio training, gym workouts 4-6 months before the trek then is not only not safe, but also the tracking will not be enjoyable for you. Travelers who are physically fit are therefore assured of smooth gorilla hiking tours without challenges since being fit is one of the key essentials for every successful gorilla trip

 What to carry upon the hike?

Travelers are reminded to carry enough drinking water and energy giving snacks to keep them strong during hiking, hiking boots to ease movements in the slippery muddy grounds, rain jackets for the unpredictable forest weather, hand gloves to prevent being hurt by thorny bushes, sun glasses and a hat for protection from direct sun.

What if I fail to make it to the gorillas?

There set options to those who may fail to make it during and before the trail these include Sedan chairs which are mostly used to carry the elderly and disabled where four porters can carry you along the trek and ensure that you reach and have an encounter with the endangered primates in the jungle. Hiking sticks which can be bought before the trek can as well offer extra support as you climb and slope down the slippery and muddy foot paths in the forest in search for the mountain gorillas especially in rain conditions. A traveler carried pays extra cost to pay for the porters who carry him/her to and from the jungle.

Guiding tips

After securing your permit start simple exercises like daily walking routines, hiking small mountains or hilly areas around your accessibility, running, jogging, hire a gorilla trekking fitness trainer rather than relaxing and expect to be fit on the trekking day, this will more so prevent you from getting other health problems like Heart disease, too much exertion among others which can slow your encounter with the gorillas in their natural habitat.