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The Two Must-Haves for Gorilla Trekking are a Porter and a Walking Stick

Must-Haves for Gorilla Trekking – a Porter and a Walking Stick

Two Things that will free you on a Gorilla – Chimpanzee Trek, Hike, Climb – a Porter and Walking Stick

You cannot do without on a Gorilla Trek or the Gorilla Habituation Experience. They are the Two Must-Haves for trekking the gentle giants in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest or on the sides of the Virunga Volcanoes in Mgahinga Gorilla Park are a Porter and a Walking Stick.

A Gorilla Trek is not a Sunday Stroll in the Park.  The terrain can be tough to navigate for some.  Most of us who are moderately fit need a bit of help from a Friend. The assistance from a walking stick and the porter’s added support make the trek more manageable and doable.

The Two Must-Haves for Gorilla Trekking are a Porter and a Walking Stick. A Porter to carry your daypack and to assist you on the sometimes-slippery trails. Add to a sturdy walking stick to steady yourself during Gorilla Trekking,

The walking stick and the assistance of a porter will also help one of many hikes in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. Chimpanzee Trekking in Kibale Forest or in the Kyambura Gorge. Climbing one of the three volcanoes in Mgahinga Gorilla Park. Hitting the trails in the foothills of the Rwenzori Mountains of the Moon or as you ascend Mount Morungole visiting the Ik People.

The Two Must-Haves for Gorilla Trekking are a Porter and a Walking Stick

Using a Porter for your Gorilla Trek

Must-Haves for Gorilla TrekkingWhy do you need to use the services of a porter? The answer is simple and practical. A porter’s service allows you to focus on the Trek, your surroundings, the birds, wildlife, other primates, and the gorillas themselves.

Your daypack may not feel heavy, but carrying it for hours through the underbrush of the rainforest will quickly change your mind.

Using a porter is not demeaning to the one offering the service. The reality is that it empowers him or her to make a living at an average salary that is better than what a midlevel government employee receives here. The porter can pay his children’s school fees, pay rent, buy food, and more.
A porter’s services cost around $20, which is a small price to pay for the benefits that you receive.
Using a porter makes your trek more enjoyable, freeing you up to move more comfortably through the often-thick vegetation. Your porter remains with you throughout the Trek and will assist you personally as you cross a creek or to a stricter part of the trail.
Even if you are young and agile, use a porter and invest in life and the future. You can also concentrate on the Gorilla Trekking Experience itself instead of worrying about your load.

The use of Porters while Gorilla Trekking during Post-COVID-19 Times:

Uganda Wildlife Authority protocols during Post-COVID-19 Times the use porters are limited for only those requiring assistance on the trail. Trekkers are asked to carry their daypack and keep it light for comfort.

The move reduces the number of people with the gorillas and for their protection. This reduces the chances of transmitting diseases, including COVID-19, to the gorillas. 

Gorillas share 98.4% of our DNA and are susceptible to the same diseases that we are. Everything is done to protect the endangered gentle giants of the forest.

Those needing the assistance of a porter due to a physical condition will be allowed to do so. While this sadly reduces the opportunity for some Ugandans to earn a livelihood, the measure protects the Mountain Gorillas.

You can support the local community surrounding the gorilla parks in other ways by contributing to various non-government institutions such as Bwindi Community Hospital.

Please Note:  The no-use of porters’ restriction applies only to Gorilla Trekking, the Gorilla Habituation Experience, Chimpanzee Trekking. You can and should use porters for hikes in Bwindi Forest, Volcano Climbs, bird watching outings, nature walks. The porters that have had no income during the pandemic will appreciate it.

Please read the Gorilla Trekking COVID-19 Standard Operating Procedures.

Why use a Walking Stick on a Gorilla Trek:

The answer is a simple one. A walking stick frees you up. It steadies your time on the Gorilla Trek. It gives you balance on tricky portions of your trek and provides an income to the person, making them.

 There is the plain walking stick that most use.  It is made of bamboo and is about five feet long. The more ornamental carved walking sticks will support you on the trail and make an excellent souvenir or memento of your gorilla trek in Uganda.
You can purchase a walking stick at the beginning of your Trek, obtain it free of charge from some lodges or buy an ornamental one at a souvenir shop. In any case, we suggest that you do not trek without it
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 You can take your walking stick with you on the safari and use it for Chimpanzee Trekking or hikes and climbs while on a safari in Uganda.
You do not need to bring your hiking sticks from home.  Support a local cottage industry in Uganda.

The Two Must-Haves for Gorilla Trekking are a Porter and a Walking Stick- Because of COVID-19, a Protective Facial Mask.