Mountain Gorilla Trekking Rules and Regulation –Uganda, Rwanda & Congo –Safaris Destinations
Mountain Gorilla Trekking Rules and Regulation : Gorilla trekking rules and regulations; Are the list of the rules given to a tracker or should follow when trekking gorillas in their nature inhabitants. The mountain gorillas inhabit include Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla national park in Uganda, Volcanoes National park in Rwanda and Virunga National Park in Congo respectively. You can trek these mountain gorillas in any of these gorilla parks while following the respective rules for gorilla trekking activity.
Note; Mountain gorillas are our close cousins that share 98% human DNA, and are close relative with chimpanzees. In the world, there still exist of 1064 mountain gorillas and half of its population is found in Uganda’s Bwindi Impenetrable Forest national park. More so, gorillas move in groups of 5 to 30 individuals led by a male gorilla famously known as silverback –Alpha male who has the final say of the group, he leads, protects and silverback has the right to mate with female within the group.
Gorilla also undergo a habituation process of 2 to 3 years in order to get used to human presence. After they have noticed that they are already for tourism by tourists. Then it will be officially opened to the public for the visit.
However, these are wild animals and have certain rules that ought to be followed while trekking gorillas for their safety on both sides. And below are some of the rules and regulation as follows;
Rules and Regulations for Gorilla Trekking Safaris
Gorilla trekking rules and regulations are considered before and returning back after trekking as listed below.
Tourists you’re not allowed to litter rubbish in the park or forest. Note, whatever you bring with you to the forest should go back with it.
A maximum of eight people is allowed to visit a habituated gorilla family in a day. Few numbers of trackers lower the risk of behavioral disturbances to the gorillas.
While trekking gorillas, keep your voices lower. As you can be scaring them.
You supposed to keep a 7-meter distance while observing gorillas. In so doing this, it makes the group of gorillas more relaxed and not disrupted. But if gorillas get close to you, you can play with them freely.
While trekking stay in tight group to each other as you observe gorillas in their inhabitant. You will not be allowed to get scattered all over.
Before, going out for gorilla trekking wash your hands thoroughly.
You’re not allowed to touch gorillas because they are wild animals.
When photographing gorillas, tourists should move slowly and carefully and the recommended cameras to use must be digital. Flash cameras are not allowed as they scare gorillas.
If gorilla’s charges at you, always follow the guided instructions that is; not looking delight eye to gorillas, calm down and never temper to run away.
Eating and smoking in the presence of mountain gorillas. The droplets of eats in the forest could increase the risk
After allocating the mountain gorillas in their nature inhabitant, you will be allowed an hour to observe them and learn about their stunning life style. Those who want to experience more hour with gorillas can do gorilla habituation where you spend up to 4 hours.
In case your fall sick on safari, you will not be allowed to trekking mountain gorillas. If the warden doesn’t notice your diseases, please we beg you to stay at the lodge, to avoid transmission of the diseases.
When you located gorilla family, your guide will ask you to leave your backpack and gadgets about 50 meters’ way from the mountain gorillas to allow you approach gorillas with only your digital camera and phone calmly.
When you’re with gorillas, keep your voices down at all time and always ask guides questions and also remember to follow instructions during time the gorillas.
Flash disc photography is not allowed to take pictures move slowly and carefully.
Do not touch the gorillas, are wild animals and do not understand your modern gadgets, tools and expressions.
Always allow time given which is one hour
Health Rules;
Visitors and staff shall wash hands or sanitize and the body temperature shall be taken.
Briefing shall be done in small groups of eight visitors after being assigned gorilla families for trekking.
Respect the limited number of the visitors –trackers allowed with the gorilla each day. All this is done to avoid the risk of diseases transmission and stress to the group.
If a visitor is feeling ill, please stay at the lodge and ask your safari helper to process a refund.
If you need to go to the toilet while in the forest, ask the guide who escorted you dig a hole with his Panga. The hole must be 30 centimeters deep and fill it in when you are done.
If a tourists or accompanying member experiences a health related problem, Uganda Wildlife Authority staff shall apply a first aid guideline to separate the affected individuals from the field.
What are right essentials to carry with you on your Gorilla Safari-Uganda, Rwanda and Congo;
Carry rain gear, sunscreen lotion, a hat and insect repellent.
Wear comfortable hiking shoes suitable for steep muddy slopes.
Put on earplugs, if you feel uncomfortable with forest sounds.
Carry packed lunch, energy giving drinks and snacks.
A walking stick which helps to keep you upright but to be given at the park headquarter.
Carry hiking pants or trouser
Pack your cameras and extra batteries to enjoy as many photography in one hour as you wish if you have your camera ready. All you need is to charge your cameras well. Always make sure you switch off your flash while taking gorillas photography.
Carry water proof Jacket –note mountain gorillas live in tropical rain forests throughout the year. You need a jacket on a visit here. To many tourists prefer travelling in the drier months of June, July, August and Mid-September to avoid the wet season months of March, April and May. Though, rain can fall down any time since it’s a tropical rain forest.
Carry hiking gloves helps to protect your hands from unexpected harm.
A pair of binoculars is also an essential item to carry.
Carry waterproof jacket, hiking gloves and comfortable hiking shoes- helps in hiking through difficult terrain, sticky dump and also to protect you from crawling bugs and sharp objects.
Carry light day pack and long sleeved shirt or blouses.
Carry a pair of gaiter makes hiking easy and protect you from the bugs.
Gorilla Safaris can be done although around but best time among the twelve months, it’s in dry seasons which happens from June and September and December to February.
For more details about planning of your Gorilla Safaris, try to contact or Email Us Achieve Global Safaris to help you book the gorilla permits, accommodations, transfers many more.
