In 2025, Rwanda—the country of a thousand hills—will host the UCI Road World Championships for the first time on the African continent. 

The world championships in cycling have been held on every other continent except for Africa. This will complete the circle with Rwanda hosting the cycling championships in 2025.

The Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) hosts the annual world championships for bicycle road racing with the aim of promoting the following 

• To ensure that elite cycling acts as a spark to inspire even greater mass engagement and get many more people using bikes as part of their everyday life. 
• Promoting and fostering everyday cycling is a major pillar of the UCI’s strategy. Cycling can obviously contribute to establishing a more sustainable future given the environmental, health, and socioeconomic concerns being faced worldwide. 
• Cycling is a low-cost, safe, and socially beneficial sport that should be promoted to address issues like obesity and physical indifference as well as climate change, air pollution, urban congestion, and other related issues. According to UCI-funded research, switching from motorized vehicles to bicycles would help address these challenges while saving up to $25 trillion by 2050 on infrastructure.

While preparing and gearing up for this years world championships why not take some time to also plan a trip of once in a life for gorilla tracking safari to Rwanda and Uganda through Wilderness trips. Here is what you need to know when going Gorilla trekking.

The minimum age to go gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, and Volcanoes National Park is 15 years .The Uganda Wildlife Authority (U.W.A.) is in charge of tourism in Uganda, whereas the Rwanda Development Board (R.D.B.) is in charge of it in Rwanda. Although Uganda may make an exception to allow a youngster under the age of 14 to trek mountain gorillas, Rwanda strictly maintains the minimum age limit.

Virunga National Park in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park in Uganda are the only four habitats in East Africa where it is possible to hike mountain gorillas. There is a different gorilla permit fee for each of these three countries: $400 USD for the Democratic Republic of the Congo, $700 USD for Uganda, and $1,500 USD for Rwanda. Gorilla permits are on very high demand and a limited number of people is required to visit these mountain gorillas every day. In order for you to guarantee a gorilla trekking safari with us you will need to book ahead of time.

People and mountain gorillas share many genetic characteristics. Their DNA is 98% identical to our DNA. Mountain gorillas are susceptible to human diseases because of their genetic closeness to humans. The common cold and cough are the two human ailments that mountain gorillas are most susceptible to catching. It is forbidden for travelers with these dangerous diseases to visit these primates in order to stop transmission to the mountain gorillas.

Once you have confirmed your gorilla trekking safari with us please ensure to have the packing list below as you travel for your gorilla trekking expedition.

• Shoes for walking. Bring a pair of good hiking boots because the gorilla trekking activity entails climbing/hiking in steep areas of the jungle, and the trails may be muddy due to the constantly changing, unpredictable weather. Shoes for hiking should be lightweight and comfy.
• A waterproof or rainproof jacket. Because tropical jungles encounter rain throughout the year, you should pack clothing that is water-resistant for your safari.
•  A long-sleeved shirt. The shirt’s long sleeves offer some skin protection from woodland pests.
• Pants It is recommended to wear long, water-resistant pants that can be tucked into socks to keep woodland insects from touching the body.
•  Gloves for gardening. The garden gloves protect your hands from piercings as you grip onto plants and tree branches during the gorilla tracking activity.
• Bag with water resistance. The waterproof bag shields equipment from rain and mist while in the forest.
• Wear a hat and sunglasses. designed to offer protection from the sun’s rays whilst tracking during the season.
• A set of binoculars. As you travel through the rainforest in search of the mountain gorillas, you can come across other creatures such as forest elephants, monkeys, and several bird species. Using a pair of binoculars, you can see all of these clearly.
• Extra camera batteries are needed. In order to photograph the gorillas and document the memories you’ll make while tracking, a decent camera and extra batteries are among the crucial items on your packing list to keep in mind. Please be advised that when photographing gorillas, the camera’s flash should be turned off to avoid frightening them.
• A Lunch Pack. During the gorilla tracking tour, it may take anywhere from two hours to a whole day to navigate the deep jungle and locate the gorillas. You should thus bring a packed lunch and water with you as you depart the lodge for the activity.

• • Wearing the proper clothing is essential while preparing for a gorilla trekking excursion. This is as a result of the fact that it simplifies tracking while still maximizing the experience.

Gorilla tracking is a once-in-a-lifetime adventure that you should do, however, to make it even more memorable you need to have the right packing list so that the adventure is complete and the the right partners to be your guide. Let Wilderness Trips be your guide for gorilla trekking safaris to Uganda and Rwanda.