Trekking gorillas in the summer is the best time to encounter these incredible primates. This is because the summer offers favorable conditions for tracking these endangered primate species. With the changing time zones in each of the two hemispheres, North and South, summer time rotates in different months. Summer time is characterized by hot and humid temperatures of long daytime and short nights.
This is the best time for outdoor activities since the environment is dry and brightly green. The summer time corresponds perfectly with the dry season in Africa, especially countries crossed by the equator or even close areas. Summer takes place in different months throughout the entire year, such as in June, July, August, and September. This same applies to the dry season in the gorilla trekking destinations, like in Uganda.
Why is summer the best time for gorilla trekking?
As mentioned earlier, the characteristics available during summer offer perfect conditions for gorilla trekking. Below are some of the reasons why summer is the best time for gorilla trekking.
Dry trekking trails
The top characteristic of summer is the humid temperatures and the dry weather. This is attributed to the low rainfall patterns received during this time. With no or little rainfall present, the trails in the gorilla destinations are left very dry. This ensures a smooth navigation to the gorilla habitats. It is worth noting that the gorilla destinations are mountainous and have steep terrains that challenge even the most experienced trekkers. The dried-up trails reduce the load and challenge, unlike they would be in the wet seasons.
Clear sighting or visibility
Summer provides better and much clearer sighting or visibility of these endangered mountain gorillas. As the gorilla destination receives dry weather conditions or limited rainfall, the vegetation is left sparse. This helps visitors to have a better visibility of these primates even in the canopies. The gorilla destinations have a montane vegetation type with relatively tall trees and very thick undergrowth canopies.
Scenic beauty
The bright sky provides a colorful shade of light on the gorilla destination. This offers a stunning scenic view of the vegetation and adds to the gorilla trekking experience. The gorilla destinations appear clearer and brighter in the summer due to the dry weather. The wet season or winter comes with fog and mist that can reduce visibility in the morning hours of trekking.
Easy navigation
With dry weather conditions in the summer, the trekking trails are left dry. This eases navigation across the gorilla destination during a mountain gorilla trekking adventure. The sparse vegetation also helps in easing navigation since there is a clear pass identified.
What is gorilla trekking?
Gorilla trekking refers to the act of traversing the dense jungles searching for mountain gorillas are spending an hour in their presence. Gorilla trekking is basically the best way to encounter these primates. Unlike other wildlife species, mountain gorillas dwell in mountainous regions, thus their name. This is why tourist activities like game drives are not applicable for encountering mountain gorillas.
Among the many primates in the world, mountain gorillas are considered an endangered primate species. This is because in the entire world, mountain gorillas can only be found in the wilderness of the Virunga Conservation Area. Their endangerment is highly attributed to habitat loss, human-wildlife conflict, and poaching.
Gorilla trekking offers the best possible way for visitors to spend time with these primates. An hour is always awarded to visitors after encountering these mountain gorillas in their gorilla trekking adventure. Visitors use this hour to watch these primates go about their daily chores of playing, especially the juveniles and infants, feeding, and resting. Gorilla trekking always kicks off with a quick recap on the rules and regulations of this activity in a pre-trekking briefing. This briefing helps to prepare the visitors for this amazing encounter with the mountain gorillas.
What are the gorilla destinations?
The gorilla destinations are the countries that are limited to the Virunga Conservation Area. This conservation area is the remaining natural habitat of mountain gorillas. These destinations include the following.
Uganda
Uganda is considered by many as the top gorilla destination since it hosts the largest population of these mountain gorillas among other destinations. With only 1,062 mountain gorillas left in the wild, Uganda has over 559 mountain gorillas. Uganda has two national parks that harbor these mountain gorillas are which are Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park.
These parks are both located in the southwestern region of the country, close to the border with Rwanda. Uganda, as a gorilla destination, has a recorded total number of 51 gorilla families, with only 27 gorilla families habituated and available to be trekked.
Rwanda
The slogan identifying Rwanda as a land of a thousand hills is accurate, and a reason why it is a gorilla destination. It is also part of the Virunga Conservation Area, stretching from the Democratic Republic of Congo. Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park is the only park in the country that hosts mountain gorillas. Over 300 mountain gorillas inhabit this area, dwelling in over 10 habituated gorilla families. This park is the oldest gorilla habitat in the Virunga Conservation Area after it was gazetted in 1925. It also became famous after it hosted Dian Fossey, a renowned primatologist and conservationist.
Democratic Republic of Congo
The Democratic Republic of Congo is the starting point of the Virunga Conservation Area and all the gorilla destinations. Congo hosts its mountain gorillas are the Virunga National Park, which is the largest park among all the gorilla destinations. Hosting over 200 mountain gorillas, trekking in this park was halted following a series of insecurity.