New Year Gorilla Trekking
Have you thought about New Year gorilla trekking yet? A New Year’s celebration amongst majestic mountain gorillas in the wild is an experience you’ll always remember. This easy-going once-in-a lifetime adventure with a family-friendly feel has a strong focus on one of human’s closest relatives in the animal kingdom and features packages with special festive touches throughout.
Getting up close and personal with the endangered mountain gorillas is the base for New Year Gorilla trekking tours, presenting unforgettable opportunities for gorilla sightings in search of the majestic Giant Apes, and a blend of community tours and other adventurous activities.
The magic of ushering in the New Year in the heart of the African jungle, surrounded by mountain gorillas in a mist-covered natural habitat, delivers a memorable experience: the weather is warm and the sun bright because it is still a dry season. Mountain gorilla natural habitats are verdant and green, echoing the call of chirping birds. It is, however, a popular time of the year to book gorilla tours, and there are two things you need to do if you are planning to go for New Year gorilla trekking.
Stay ahead of others and create everlasting memories
First, remember to book your New Year gorilla tour early, at least 6-12 months in advance, as gorilla permits, accommodation, and rental cars normally sell out quickly during this time of the year. Second, remember most gorilla trekking destinations are busy through the festive season and over the New Year.
Have you ever pictured yourself at a jungle lodge surrounded by the magical mist-covered Bwindi Impenetrable National Park as the clock strikes at midnight signaling a new year? Unlike the fireworks and noise from everyone screaming “Happy New Year”, you will celebrate it in a phenomenal setting, where the quiet sounds of the forest and the anticipation of a once in a lifetime encounter create unforgettable experiences.
Where is New Year Gorilla Trekking done?
Awe is difficult to avoid when confronted with endangered mountain gorillas. It is not just their massive appearance and majestic behavior that fascinates visitors, but also their social structures, lifespans, and calls that are equally enchanting. It is little wonder that many travelers dream of getting up close and personal with these iconic creatures in their natural habitats. Looking for the places to go for New Year gorilla trekking? Look no further, as we know the best places to go for these adventures. These places are Virunga National Park in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Bwindi Impenetrable and Mgahinga Gorilla national parks in Uganda, and Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda.
How is New Year Gorilla trekking done?
Your typical New Year gorilla trekking adventure begins with a “Happy New Year” greeting from everyone around you- your guide, lodge staff, fellow travelers, and others. As the sun rises and you receive a wake-up call between 5:00 am and 6:00 am, it is time to prepare for this once-in-a-lifetime adventure.
Breakfast
A hearty breakfast early morning breakfast is served. This usually comprises tea/coffee, juice, fruits, rusks, cereals, toast, jams, and eggs. Depending on where your New Year gorilla trekking adventure leads you (same sector you are staying in or another, which is one hour’s drive away), you can opt for breakfast at the Lodge or a packed one. Get transferred to the Park Headquarters for a pre-tracking registration and briefing on the guidelines to be followed while searching for the Giant Apes or when interacting in their natural habitat.
The real adventure begins at 8:00 am
Starting at 8:00 am, take a short walk or drive to the trailhead of your allocated gorilla family, and then spend the next one to six hours exploring the surrounding environment to find the park’s main treasure—the mountain gorillas. Your trained Ranger/s will provide information on not only the endangered mountain gorillas but also other inhabitants of the forest- primates, birds, butterflies, and tree species encountered along the way. For this reason, keep your eyes and ears open for any sounds and smells in the jungle, hence creating unforgettable experiences.
Meeting the gorillas
Approaching the mountain gorillas increases the thrill of the long walk, as signals like gorilla nests and fecal matter show their presence nearby. The ranger guide will ask you to leave your bags with the porters and slowly approach the gorillas without attracting attention or scaring them into the dense vegetation. The climax of your New Year gorilla trekking adventure is the one-hour encounter with the Giant Apes, and it will be one of the most unforgettable New Year days of a lifetime. Well, use the one hour to take photos as they play, rest, feed, and groom each other under the watchful eye of the dominant silverback. Also, ask the Ranger guide/s as many questions as possible.
After the one-hour encounter, you will walk back to the base to receive your gorilla trekking certificate that shows the gorilla family you have trekked and the date of trekking. What better way to start the New Year! A hot New Year’s lunch awaits you at the Lodge, and relaxation can follow this or taking a nap.
Is New Year a great time to go gorilla trekking?
Most mountain gorilla natural habitats’ second hot and dry season runs from December to February. It gets sunny in the jungle, although some areas would likely experience light showers. This varying weather makes the New Year a wonderful time to go gorilla trekking in one of the safari destinations- Bwindi Impenetrable, Mgahinga, Virunga, and Volcanoes national parks. For this reason, the New Year is an excellent time to hit the forest trails and search for the Giant Apes that share 98.2% DNA with humans in their natural habitats.
However, New Year gorilla trekking is busier than most travelers want to visit the mountain gorilla national parks in the dry season, hence they are full. This makes it more expensive, especially flights and accommodation.
What should I pack for New Year gorilla trekking?
For an unforgettable New Year trekking experience, it is advisable to pack sturdy waterproof hiking boots with good ankle support, a rain jacket especially when planning to track gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park where rain starts suddenly regardless of the season.
Because: Long sleeves and pants are also necessary; the wild forest requires protection from scratches and insect bites. You also need long cotton socks, which you will tuck into your pants or cover your pants to prevent insects from crawling up your legs. You also need gaiters, a wide-brimmed hat, sunscreen, insect repellent, a backpack, gardening gloves, binoculars, a good camera, a reusable water bottle, and a basic first-aid kit.
In conclusion, New Year gorilla trekking with Native Africa Tours is a once-in-a-lifetime experience of experiencing one of the earth’s most sought-after creatures in their natural habitat. We provide tailor-made gorilla viewing experiences to suit the budgets and preferences of every traveler. There’s nothing more magical and unforgettable than starting the year surrounded by one of the human species’ close relatives in the animal kingdom. Our safari experts will ensure you enjoy a smooth and memorable New Year gorilla trekking experience.
