Why Gorilla Trekking During Low Season is Better

August 21, 2024

Why Gorilla Trekking During Low Season is Better

Many travelers avoid gorilla trekking during the low seasons of March to May and October to November primarily because they can’t endure the rains that make environments unnavigable. However, we think trekking mountain gorillas during the rains is better because the low season has many advantages we mention below.

Cheaper Flights

The region sees fewer travelers from Europe and America, which compels airlines to lower prices for flights. In this era where everything seems expensive, you can take advantage of the cheaper flights during the low season and reduce travel expenses.

Discounted Accommodation and Transport

While some lodges may close during the low season, accommodations that stay open usually discount their room rates to attract some business.

In addition, transport costs are tremendously lower during the rainy season. During this time, service providers pack their vehicles and would prefer to keep the machines working for lower pay than let them rust away.

Any savings on travel expenses can boost your journey, allowing you to enjoy gorilla trekking and other activities on the same trip.

No Crowds, More Space

No crowds means you could enjoy services all to yourself. It’s nice to have a slice of paradise all to yourself once in a while?

Travel in the low season the advantage of enjoying activities and spaces all to yourself. The gorilla trekking visitor centers will feel deserted compared to the high volume of visitors in the peak season.

The safari lodge lounge will be virtually empty, giving you lots of room to spread your feet and enjoy the peace.

Gorilla trekking won’t feel like you’re walking heel-to-toe; you’ll be able to soak up nature with minimal disturbance from others.

Fewer people also mean a better chance of watching the primates without interruptions, allowing you to take photos at all angles and connect with your local guide.

Intimate Services

Gorilla tourism is an essential resource for locals living in communities around the gorilla parks. In the high season, the service often loses its quality due to the crowds.

When you travel to East Africa in the low season, you won’t have this problem because the natives are warmer and give a more intimate service to the tourist who visits the destination.

Traveling during the low season gives you the advantage of getting intimate and personal service from service providers, including your driver, guide, lodges, and everyone you pay.

Gorilla Permits Are Available

It’s frustrating to plan a gorilla trekking safari when you can’t secure a gorilla permit. But the low season saves you the back and forth hustle of finding permit availability, allowing you to fix your desired travel dates.

During peak season, travelers must plan their journey around the gorilla permit dates, including flights and accommodation. Low season availability allows you to book at the last minute because there are practically few travelers interested in enduring the wet season weather.

You See More

Another advantage of traveling in the low season is seeing more than in the peak seasons. Assuming you are hiking in the forest before or after your gorilla trekking experience hopping to catch sight of other inhabitants and other tourists walking the same trail.

The chances of spotting that rare monkey or bird will be minimal as they will naturally hide from the many disturbing sounds and sights.

Better Local Connections

Low seasons are also when business is out of the minds of the locals, and it is their time to unwind, so they are more open to you.

It is, therefore, a time to interact with locals and learn a thing or two about their culture and heritage. This can be challenging during peak seasons when they are engaged.

The Weather is Not That Bad

Although many travelers will avoid traveling to East Africa in April and May, downpours are intense and short, leaving lovely bright conditions for the rest of the day.

The rains usually last for about two hours, which may interrupt your trekking experience. But you have the rest of the day to finish your gorilla trekking experience in comfortable temperatures and weather.

Besides, you will be avoiding the intense heat of the dry season that makes gorilla trekking unfordable at high altitudes.

If you ad game viewing after the gorilla trek, temperatures on the plains are warm and comfortable, and the rains bring plenty of water to waterholes and rivers.

Landscapes are lush and green, rivers rush with water, and young animals frolic alongside their parents during low seasons. Low seasons are perfect for capturing photos of dramatic landscapes, and intense sunsets.

The low-season gorilla safari is a fantastic time to take photos with imposing clouds contrasting with vivid mountainous landscapes.

You Are Less Rushed

Gorilla trekking guides usually take visitors through the forest at the hiking pace of the slowest person. Everyone adopts a single person’s hiking pace in the high season, whether fast or slow. During the experience, there’s a rush to find the most rewarding position to watch the gorillas. All these demands to accommodate other travelers can be annoying for some people.

In the low season, you probably are the only tourist on the trail, having the trail and guide to yourself. It allows the guides to understand you and will enable you to experience the gorillas at your pace.

The Gorillas Are Near

During the rains, mountain gorillas forage on the lower slopes near the buffer zone because of plenty of fruit. In the dry season, they have to climb to a higher altitude where it’s colder to find their favorite food, which makes it hard to find them.

In the wet season, you will trek shorter distances and find the gorilla family, saving you hours of trekking that sometimes go beyond mid-day. Occasionally, the gorillas come into the camps during the low seasons, especially in the Buhoma Sector north of Bwindi, and excite tourists.