Why you should hire a porter during gorilla trekking?

Gorilla Trekking is among the top tourism activities done within Uganda and Rwanda however it comes with questions about it. Gorilla trekking offers unforgettable experiences however you should note that it is quite challenging, and you may need some support. Different people ask themselves the importance of hiring a porter during their gorilla trekking experience.

In this blog we are going to discover the reasons why you would need a porter on your gorilla trekking experience.

Who are the porters?

Porters are people who help in carrying the trekkers belongings and providing physical support to the trekkers during the gorilla trekking experience.

REASONS WHY YOU SHOULD HIRE A PORTER DURING YOUR GORILLA TREKKING EXPERIENCE.

Physical support.

Gorilla trekking is carried out majorly within Bwindi, Mgahinga, and Volcanoes. These parks have rugged terrains and challenging trails.  The trails are popularly known for being slippery, steep and muddy.

Porters play a very important role in providing physical support thus allowing you to enjoy your gorilla trekking experience. Porters help you by carrying your bag that has your luggage which helps you to focus on your trekking experience as you hike through the dense forests.

Providing Navigation services.

Porters are among the important people to consider while on your gorilla trekking experience. Porters have vast knowledge about the terrains, so they help in offering clear routes, short cuts to use while you are trekking. These people are well conversant about the trails to use.

Provide comfort and personal assistance.

Sometimes gorilla trekking can still be physically challenging and demanding despite one’s fitness. Porters can help in providing support you through the difficult sections of the trek. They can offer you a helping hand as you hike down thus providing assistance to you while on your trekking experience. At some extent some trekkers hire porters just to control over straining as they trek.

Cultural exchange and connection.

Gorilla trekking does not only focus on seeing gorillas, but it also allows you to connect with the local culture and people.

Porters are always from the nearby communities, so during trekking these people share various information with you about their hidden traditions and stories about their communities. Cultural connection helps to provide responsible tourism.

Local Economic support.

The moment you hire a porter you have supported the local community whether indirectly or directly. Many porters rely on gorilla trekking as their main source of income. This has helped many to improve on their standards of living and supporting their families. Hiring porters is also a form of sustainable development since porters earn money which can help them.

Safety and First aid assistance.

Porters are always ready to help you in case of any hinderances for instance in case of any injuries they can provide assistance with their first aid kit. These people are trained to provide first aid in case of any injuries.

Cost of a porter.

The price of a porter is around $15 to 25 dollars per trek however you should still consider that they can still be tipped basing on how you have appreciated their services while on the trek. Porters can be hired at the park head quarters during the briefing.

The moment you hire a porter on your gorilla trekking experience you have contributed on the conservation efforts of gorillas as well as improving on the life of the locals thus making gorilla trekking a sustainable and transformative experience for generations to come.

HOW TO OBTAIN A GORILLA PERMIT?

A gorilla permit is among the main key aspects as you a planning for your gorilla trekking adventure. The gorilla permit can be obtained through booking with trusted tour companies or book online through the UWA, RDB websites. You need to have obtained a gorilla permit that you present at the park headquarters so that you engage in gorilla trekking.

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