What to do when a gorilla charges at you? Gorilla trekking is one of the top tourist activities that attract tourists from all over different parts of the world and here are some of the best recommended destinations where individuals can plan and visit while on their gorilla trekking safari and these four national parks include; Bwindi Impenetrable national park and Mgahinga Gorilla national park in Uganda, Volcanoes national park in Rwanda, Virunga national park which is located in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The endangered mountain gorillas are highly sought primate species in Africa and they are also considered to be the largest primate species which are friendly and calm however, they tend to be furious when their peace is being threatened but despite that, the gorillas have a charming character which makes them interesting primate species to visit while on your Gorilla trekking safari in Africa.
Gorilla trekking activities in Africa always involve visitors to hike within dense forests while tracking down where a group of gorilla families is located. In addition, the trekkers are advised to apply in some tricks, which make it easy to track the species such as; following areas with their fecal matter/poop, fresh footprints and food leftovers, broken tree branches among others. In addition, before trekking, tourists are put into groups of a maximum number of eight and each group is being assigned to with a park guide because they are well familiar with different parts of the park therefore, it is easy for them to track where the gorillas are located.
More so, before trekking tourists are also given short briefings about the rules and regulations that they are supposed to follow during the trekking such as; avoid maintaining direct eye contact with the species especially the silverback, endeavor to main a distance of about 7 meters between themselves and the species and to lower the tones of their voices while near or within the national parks and many others. and after the locating the species, tourists are given about one hour to spend with the mountain gorillas and it is during this period of time when individuals get to learn more about the characters and behaviours of the species such as; observe how they eat and feed their young ones, watch how they play and sleep and many others.
These endangered mountain Gorillas are herbivorous animals that live in the tropical rainforests and in high altitude or elevation areas in Africa and they always live in groups of 2 to 30 individuals and each group is normally led or dominated by a male gorilla, which is commonly known as a silverback and composed of female gorillas, juveniles and babies. The gorilla silverback determines the feeding time or place of the family and also defends and offers protection of his family in case of insecurity with other gorillas or humans in their presence.
What to do if a Gorilla charges at you.
Mountain gorillas are strong more especially the silverbacks due to the fact that it can do anything to defend and protect its members of the family in case of any threat. And below there are some of the things s that tourists should do while during the trekking just in case the mountain gorillas tend to charge and some of these include;
- Crouch down
When a gorilla charges during gorilla trekking, it’s advisable to be calm, quiet, respectful and unthreatening by bending down, lowering yourself to the ground and making yourself smaller than the silver. This will show the silverback that you are not a challenger and it will not see any reason to fight you.
- Walk away steadily
When the gorilla is charged, you are advised not to run away because the gorilla will run after you and attack you rather you are advised to create distance between you and the gorilla without making sudden movements, step back slowly and get off the scene. You can also fall down on the ground to indicate that it has already defeated you or look disinterested by pretending to do your own work like relaxing or looking at the trees.
- Follow your guide what he /she tells you
Before starting trekking in the jungle, visitors are briefed at the starting point about the expectations, dos and don’ts while with the gorillas in the wild. Visitors going for gorilla trekking in any of the national park go with an armed park ranger who will tell them what to do while in the presence of the gorilla family. Park rangers understand their moods and know the irritation level and temperament of each gorilla family therefore Visitors are advised on how to behave in case the gorillas become wild while in their presence.
- Never look directly into the Gorilla eyes
Gorillas are shy primates and after charging visitors should not look directly into the gorillas eyes because it shows that you are ready to challenge the gorilla therefore the gorilla will attack you. Visitors are therefore advised not to look directly into their eyes but rather pretend to be disinterested and start doing your own work.
- Show your teeth and shout back
Showing of your teeth and shouting back to a charged gorilla is done in case you are very close to a gorilla with no chance of steeping back. You will be advised to scream or shout loud and thump your chest just like the charged gorilla and the shouting will scare away the gorilla and show that you are another wild gorilla.
- Pretend to be an ape
When you have tried all other options and nothing seems to be working out, be brave and behave like another ape in the wild by coming towards a charged gorilla, start plucking leaves, breaking and chewing vegetation, napping on the ground to show the gorilla that you are not hostile and aggressive.
Tourists interested in gorilla trekking in the whole world should note that they would be required to pay different charges for example; a gorilla trekking permit is charged at a cost of about USD 600- USD 700 dollars per person in Uganda, USD 1500 in Rwanda, and USD 400 in Congo.
Contact our trusted tour operators for more information about what is there to do when a gorilla charges at you and then book with tours and travel companies such as; Achieve Global safaris and Explore Tours Rwanda who offer the best tour packages while on a Gorilla trekking safari in Rwanda and Uganda.
