Why Use a Porter for Gorilla Trekking?

Why use a porter for gorilla trekking? This is one of the many things, questions that many travellers ask themselves when reading about gorilla trekking in Uganda or when researching about gorilla safaris in Africa. Gorilla trekking, an activity that entails trekking through, or hiking through thick jungles, of say Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, in search of the mountain gorillas in their natural habitat is a breath taking activity that though thrilling once with the gorillas, requires one to have some physical fitness and wellness to complete it all. During planning for your gorilla safari, you shall share with your tour consultant so many things in regards to the safari, and (s)he in return, including discussing your ability to hike through many kilometers, sometimes, in search of the gorillas.

Once you do book your gorilla safari, important aspects like proper documentation come into play, packing for your Uganda safari, and for your gorilla safari, making sure to carry the essential gorilla trekking gear is important. Along the way, depending on your gorilla trekking ability, the aspect of hiring a porter comes into mind. Depending on your level of physical fitness and the amount of luggage you are to carry during the actual gorilla trekking activity, you shall discover that you actually need help along the way, thus need for a porter.

Gorilla trekking can be a very strenuous activity, preparing physically and mentally for it is very important. Given that the mountain gorillas live in high altitude areas ranging from 2200 – 4300 meters above sea level, preparing while still in your home country, physically by taking walks in hilly areas, or skipping a rope, or jogging preferably in areas with some elevation would do you good. In addition, preparing mentally is equally important, you should come for gorilla trekking well knowing it is not a stroll in the park.

Below are some of the reasons why use a porter for gorilla trekking;

• Porters help make gorilla trekking much easier and exciting for you. These porters do help you with a pull or push, during gorilla trekking, whenever necessary. This in turn helps you reach the ultimate point of encountering the gorillas in their natural habitat, as well as return to the starting point from where you meet your driver-guide with only great memories and experience.
• Depending on the amount of luggage you are to carry during the actual gorilla trekking activity, services of a porter do come in play. Hiking through the high elevated areas with a backpack full of your necessities and equipment like cameras and the like would be very tiring, making your hike all the more hard. Hiring a porter to carry them for you is a better option to consider. They also do help you carry your water, snacks and anything else that may otherwise be a hindrance to your successful gorilla trekking adventure.
• Hiring a porter is also good for the fact that it helps the locals benefit from the tourism industry, in form of employment. They are not formerly employed by the park, but do provide the services in return for a tip. It is important to note that most of the porters are former poachers who embraced tourism and its benefits later.

Hiring a porter is done at the starting point of the gorilla safari, immediately after being briefed by the park officials. Hiring a porter can cost one between USD15-20 for the whole exercise. This is their payment for the work done, tipping them at the end of the activity can also be considered. Porters carry a maximum of 40kgs, anything beyond that is not allowed.

Gorilla trekking is an awesome, thrilling and once-in-a-lifetime kind of activity that anyone can do. To make it all the more enjoyable and memorable, prepare for it adequately, and also consider hiring a porter to help you during the actual gorilla trekking activity. All you shall need to carry is your hiking stick, while your porter carries everything else for you, giving you an opportunity to greatly appreciate your surroundings and look forward to encountering the gorillas. Talk to your tour operator about your intentions of hiring a porter, and they shall look out for one that they are sure to help you greatly, or simply look out for one you shall like during briefing, and have him be your porter for a day.