WC Travels:Why Clay Travels: SAFARI, “GORILLA VIEWING ”

BY CLAY LARROY

Traveling can be a great way to meet new people and experience other cultures. New friends are waiting to meet you in places you have only dreamed of traveling. It can be a wonderful way to see all that the world has to offer. Travel can be a hobby and an adventure that will lead you to unexpected places. When you want to plan a vacation contact me!

Travelers are well advised to book a mountain gorilla safari as far in advance as possible, especially because of the limited number of gorilla park permits, which are needed for tracking. This will allow plenty of time to get the best possible airfares and rates on guides, as well as to make appropriate preparations for vaccinations against indigenous diseases, such as malaria, hepatitis and yellow fever.

Travelers planning a safari have many options. First, you need to decide if you would like to track animals other than the gorilla. There are tours designed for tracking several gorilla varieties as well as chimpanzees and other primates. Or you may want to add larger game to your safari, such as lion, elephant, Cape buffalo, leopard and rhino, also known as the "Big Five." The itinerary is up to you. Keep in mind that as you track mountain gorillas, you should see many bird varieties and a multitude of other animals.

Gorilla tracking is offered year-round, but the hiking is much easier if you avoid the rainy seasons, March-April and October-November. Your tour operator should be able to obtain the gorilla park permits (costs vary by country), and tours of 6-12 travelers leave with a local guide each morning for an excursion that usually lasts 4-5 hours. Since the majority of that time is spent hiking through rugged terrain, gorilla trackers must be in good physical shape. Neither can travelers carry any illnesses or diseases. Most tour companies have a minimum age requirement of 18, while others lessen the requirement to 15. One hour is usually the maximum amount of time you may spend with the gorillas. Tracking for private groups can also be arranged.

Your gorilla-tracking safari can be as comfortable or as rugged as suits your preference. This is why the assistance of a good travel consultant is highly recommended. Reputable travel consultants have a variety of tools at their disposal which not only find the best possible values on the market, but which also match the traveler’s preferences to a suitable tour operator.

Most gorilla safaris include accommodation. There are hotels, lodges and campsites available near the gorilla parks. All accommodations (including campsites) run the gamut from budget to luxury. Some of the campgrounds and accommodations are in the game parks, while others are outside of the boundary of the officially designated parks. Note that not all types of safari accommodations are offered at all parks or by all tour operators.

Tented safaris are camping excursions with tents and mobile locations. There are well-defined tent areas where the parks permit camping. Tour operators sometimes offer variations of luxury in tents, from bare canvas tenting to deluxe permanent tent structures. This is the traditional mobile safari where the traveler crosses the countryside in a four-wheel drive vehicle supplied by the tour operator.

Most tours include transportation from airports to the gorilla parks. If you are traveling independently, you can ride the public bus from Uganda’s capital, Kampala, to Buhoma, and then take a taxi to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. This journey averages 10 hours. When traveling to Mgahinga National Park, you will take a bus from Kampala to Kibale (6-8 hours), then another bus to Kisoro, which is six miles from the park. If traveling independently, know the bus timetables in advance and expect delays. Traveling to Rwanda"s PNV is considerably easier. From the capital, Kigali, it is a 45-minute trip to Ruhengeri, a town just outside the park.

Travel in Africa is often unpredictable. Be prepared for delays and relax knowing that you have set off on an adventure that most only imagine.

Safari travelers should pack as lightly as possible. Safari veterans recommend bringing one backpack and one daypack. A good pair of boots will be appreciated, as will a hat and other protection from the sun. Do not forget the sunglasses and sunscreen! Loose clothing that can be layered and shed as the day warms works well. It is a good idea to take long sleeve shirts and light jackets for the evening cool and to protect against mosquitoes during the night. Insect repellent? Yes! Neutral colors help the traveler to blend in and are less likely to attract insects. "Convertible" shirts and pants are favorite garments owing to their versatility. Your tour operator will provide a complete list of recommended clothing and gear.

Be sure to bring ample camera film and batteries as there will be countless photo opportunities, although flash photography is not allowed near the mountain gorillas. It is also a good idea to keep your camera in a sealed bag to prevent damage due to water or dust. And be aware that film development in Africa is more risky than in the U.S.

Is a gorilla safari safe? Any travel entails some degree of risk. However, hundreds of lucky individuals go on gorilla treks each year without incident. Here are a few tips can ensure that you enjoy your safari with the maximum value and minimum risk:

Prepare for the trip with a visit to a doctor to make sure you are prepared physically and that you have had recommended shots and anti-malarias’.
Listen to your guide! Do not, under any circumstances over-rule your guide. Listen to them and follow their sage advice.
You will be provided with very specific instruction on how to safely view the gorillas you encounter. Any failure to follow instruction can be dangerous to you and the gorillas and may result in your dismissal from your group.
Watch other animals from a distance. You want to look neither threatening nor tasty. If you encounter an animal at close distance unexpectedly, leave it plenty of room for escape and begin walking away quietly and slowly. Stay with your guide.
Stay inside your tent at night. Enough said.
Stay hydrated. Drink water throughout the day, even if you are not thirsty.
Respect the local inhabitants. You are their guest. Again, your guide is your best friend.
As with any active vacation, travel insurance covering trip cancellation, trip interruption and medical emergencies is a good idea.