Recommended Training and Fitness Exercises When Preparing For Gorilla Trekking
Mountain Gorilla trekking is generally a physically demanding activity that requires preparation, preparation, and more preparation to complete the adventure and also achieve memorable experiences. Given the duration of the activity (sometimes up to 6 hours depending on the movement of the Giant Apes), patience and determination is needed to achieve the dream of meeting face to face with these peaceful and calm Great Apes in their natural habitat.
Regardless of where you plan on undertaking your gorilla trekking tour, physical fitness is highly recommended and for this reason, training and exercises have to be undertaken prior to your highly anticipated gorilla trekking adventure. Ascending and descending mountain slopes while searching for the endangered mountain gorillas is not a simple walk in the Park but is instead a physically demanding/strenuous activity that only physically fit individuals can achieve.
With a total population of about 1063 individuals, mountain gorillas live in the dense mountainous forests of four National Parks that include Bwindi Impenetrable and Mgahinga Gorilla National Parks in Uganda, Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda, and Volcanoes National Park in the Democratic Republic of Congo, that are also marked by rugged terrains. These Great Apes are characterized by thicker and longer fur that has enabled them to live in their extremely cold and densely forested natural environments. The following are the recommended training and fitness exercises to undertake when preparing for gorilla trekking;
Lengthy walking
We also advise our intending gorilla trekkers to undertake days, weeks or months of lengthy walking to get legs and general body accustomed to the extended walks that you will have to endure during gorilla trekking adventures. You would rather walk for shopping than take a ride and this will all pay off during your long-awaited gorilla trekking trip. Mountain gorillas live in different locations within their natural habitats- Bwindi, Mgahinga, Volcanoes, and Virunga National Parks, and it can take several hours (sometimes up to 6 hours) to find them. The lengthy walks will therefore get you used and prepared for this. If you can walk for 6-8 hours each day for several weeks, then you can be able to walk during gorilla trekking tours.
Take part in long hikes
For travelers that are lucky to stay close to hills or mountains, then take advantage of them as a way of preparing for the gorilla trekking tours. Before you travel for the trip, make sure that you have hiked a number of times and in so doing, you will have gained strength in perseverance as well as muscles. If possible, devote at least 3-5 hours of hiking up and down hills/mountains because this is what you will be going through while searching for the endangered mountain gorillas in their natural habitat.
Try stretching
As simple as it sounds, stretching is one of the best and most recommended trainings and fitness exercises to undertake when preparing for a gorilla trekking adventure. Gorilla trekking tours sometimes involve jumping or stretching Rivers/streams or deep trenches hence will require proper preparation to do that. When you have several stretch-ups days or weeks before the actual gorilla trekking day, your muscles will be more flexible or relaxed and surprisingly reduce any chances of muscle pulls/strains, heart attacks as well as high blood pressure. If you don’t know the perfect stretches, then hire a trainer to help you with them.
Besides training and fitness exercises, other important preparation processes recommended for gorilla trekkers include;
Packing light and right for the gorilla trekking trip by carrying long sleeve shirts, safari pants, a wide-brimmed hat, a waterproof backpack, a non-flash camera, gardening gloves, pair of binoculars, cotton socks, sturdy hiking boots, energy-giving snacks, reusable water bottle, insect repellant, toiletries, and a first-aid kit.
Visiting your personal doctor to ascertain whether you have any kind of sickness that will affect your gorilla trekking experience.
Have your gorilla trekking permit booked in advance to avoid last-minute disappointments.