Are there any health precautions I should take before gorilla trekking? – General Gorilla trekking health requirements for trekkers

Mountain gorilla trekking safaris offer the one in a life-time privilege of seeing the endangered mountain gorillas in their natural habitat. Gorillas are found in a remote territory bordering three countries in East Africa namely; Uganda, Rwanda, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. We have been taking travelers on gorilla trekking safari over a long period of time answering some questions like ‘‘Are there any health precautions I should take before gorilla trekking? ‘’ Yes, like other primate tracking experiences, the gorilla safari trips comes with certain health precautions which should not be overlooked while venturing into gorilla trekking tour in Africa.

Travelers have to move over 7,000 miles from their home countries to see gorillas implying that there is no access to personal medical services or doctors. Taking some health precautions like body checks and vaccination is very vital before going on your journey to Africa to see the gorillas of Uganda, Rwanda and Democratic Republic of Congo. Are there any health precautions I should take before gorilla trekking? Medical precautions do not only apply to Gorilla trekking trips but also other outstanding African safari adventures to ensure safety for travelers and improve the primate trekking experience.

It is essential as a tours & travels company to prioritize the health and safety of our clients by providing the requisite information about the health precautions for gorilla trekking. The health guidelines are formulated to equip the gorilla trekkers with important information on physical fitness of clients, the health precautions to follow and guidelines for primate tracking safaris. This is essential in preparing travelers for the unique encounter with the endangered mountain gorillas in their natural habitat. Here is a well detailed article about gorilla trekking health precautions and other information to make you better understand this extraordinary African Safari adventure.

 

What are the different health precautions for gorilla trekking? – Best Health precautions to take before and during Gorilla Trekking

1. Do a pre-trek health assessment

For those looking forward to moving to the East African countries of Uganda and Rwanda for gorilla trekking safari holidays, ensure to do pre trek health examination. Visit your personal doctor for consultation about your general health, inquire about how your health condition ( in case of any) can be mitigated during your time in Uganda or Rwanda. Seeking medical advice helps you to manage your health during oversea stays in Africa since personal doctors will be inaccessible looking at the several miles traveled from your home country. Furthermore, you can taught how to manage an attack during the African Gorilla Holidays for successful trekking and exploration.

For travelers with zero health complications and are fit to move along the tough terrains in the tropical rainforests, get yourself ready for the amazing journey to Africa for a gorilla trekking adventure. Learn about the numerous vaccinations to undertake which could be helpful during your time in Africa. Equip yourself with adequate information about the risks of adventuring in the thick jungles and how you be ready or build confidence in order to have a successful gorilla trekking safari in Uganda or Rwanda.

Invest plenty of time in training yourself for the hectic activities, make sure you are in the right physic to explore which is also a requirement for Gorilla Trekking in Rwanda and Uganda. For ill-prepared travelers, gorilla trekking may be quit challenging due to dense tropical rainforests in Africa with rugged terrains. Gorilla trekking in Rwanda and Uganda generally involve hiking and navigating through thick forests with thick undergrowth to search for the endangered mountain gorillas. Work towards obtaining a reasonable level of fitness to enable you easily penetrate the thick vegetation during gorilla trekking.

2. Acquire Recommended Vaccinations and Preventive Medications

When traveling to the countries of Uganda and Rwanda to see the endangered silverback gorillas, endeavor to get vaccinated or obtain be medicated to prevent acquiring the preventable illness during your adventures. Africa is known to be the birth place of some many diseases like malaria, ebola, measles among others which makes vaccination a must-do activity before heading to Uganda or Rwanda to witness the rare mountain gorillas. The malaria mosquitoes are some of the parasites to look-out for during your time on the Africa Safaris for gorillas, they can be seen anywhere on the safari and even around the accommodation ( camps, lodges or hotel).

The dark and thick rainforests are breeding places for many disease spreading parasites living in the vegetation, waterbodies and swamps. Malaria being a top-killer is Africa is one of the diseases that you should be aware or take time to take preventative medication prescribed by your doctor. There many ways in which you can safeguard yourself from acquiring malaria; putting protective wear, applying insect repellents and using other anti-malaria medicines acquired from your doctor. It is advisable to carry some medication for the gorilla trekking tours in Uganda and Rwanda.

Know about the Altitude

The natural habitat for silverback/Mountain gorillas is in the misty high altitude areas with difficult walking terrains. While going for an extraordinary gorilla trekking adventure in Uganda or Rwanda, ensure to learn about the home of mountain gorillas, its nature and tough terrains in Volcanoes National Park and Mgahinga National Park. However much gorilla trekking destinations (Gorilla Trekking National Parks) are not situated on very high elevations, they can still create some difficulty for trekkers seeking to see the mountain gorillas in their natural habitat.

For those not familiar with high attitudes in the gorilla territories of Rwanda and Uganda, there is a big chance of catching altitude sickness. The signs suffered by travelers who experience this kind of sickness range from headache, vomiting, patients feel dizzy and heavy breathing. To get used to the high altitude and misty nature of the gorilla natural habitat, trekkers visit the site at least one day before heading for the thrilling adventures in order to train their bodies.

Health Screening at the Visitors Center

If you prioritize your health over anything, ensure to conduct a health screening exercise at the receiving center for visitors to be certain about your health before heading to the rainforest for mountain gorillas. This is a protective measure for both people and gorillas which share more 98% of their DNA with us.

While at the visitors center, ensure to do temperature checks, if there are signs of illness exclude yourself to prevent spreading diseases to the endangered mountain gorillas. Travelers are advised to disclose their health issues or if there is any recent sickness by the time you did the screening exercise.

Acquire Travel Insurance prior to the trek

During the amazing African Wildlife Adventures like Big Five safari, Birding trips and many more, obtaining comprehensive insurance is very vital to cater for uncertainty of travel. Most of the events on the African Safaris get travelers surprise in terms of what to see on safari, plus other unexpected happenings. The insurance you acquire should be able to cover things like tour cancellations, rescue in times of  unexpected occurrences and activities for gorilla trekking should inclusive in the policy.

Gorilla Trekking Health Packing list

For an awesome gorilla trekking experience, here are some items to protect you or things you should not leave behind while on a holiday in Rwanda or Uganda to see mountain gorillas in their natural home. To cut the long story short, be vigilant enough to include first aid items, some medicines, mosquito repellants or sunscreen

When traveling to Africa for a safari holiday tour to see the endangered mountain gorillas, there are some basic health precaution items that you should consider including in your gorilla trekking parking list. Your medical kit for your gorilla trekking safari should have items like; insect repellent, sunscreen, personal medications, and basic first aid supplies.

Gorilla trekking rules and guidelines – Heals guidelines for trekking mountain gorillas

Do not touch gorillas

Respect the minimum distance of about 7 meters from the gorillas

Cover your mouth when coughing or sneezing

Do not spit on the leaves

Wash your hands before gorilla trekking

Wear clean clothes for every trek

Do not feed gorillas