The current mountain gorilla population stands at 1,063 from statistics across Uganda, Rwanda & DR Congo. Thanks to the strict set of gorilla trekking rules & regulations built around protecting the existing mountain gorilla population. Gorilla tracking guidelines
Gorilla tracking guidelines Just before you set off
- Be in reasonable shape and have the level of fitness for the gorilla group you will be tracking depending on the terrain.
- Have no communicable diseases or cold or flu, TB, diarrhoea and any other communicable diseases.
- Confirm you have a valid gorilla tracking permit.
- Attend the Pre-tracking orientation.
- Be of recommended trekking age – at least 15 years of age.
- Always wash your hands before you head out to the gorillas.
- Wear appropriate clothing since it is often cool there, a light rain jacket might be helpful, a light backpack where you can put your packed lunch, two litres of water, proper light boots to support your ankles, jeans or long trousers, long-sleeved shirt to avoid getting scratched by branches, gardening gloves made of cotton to pull yourself up on branches, hat. You can obtain a porter to carry your load, and you can purchase a walking stick at the park offices –your guide should be helpful with this.
The Gorilla trekking Rules in Uganda & Rwanda
For either countries – Uganda & Rwanda, up to 8 visitors are allowed on a tracking (trekking) team since more would disturb and or emotionally upset the Mountain Gorilla group you are visiting. This limit of 8 visitors also reduces the Mountain Gorillas exposure to illnesses that humans may have.
As you travel through the forest keep your conversations low, silence might be the best since otherwise you might miss other wildlife or the abundance of birds found at Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, Mgahinga Gorilla Park in Uganda and orVolcanoes National Park in Rwanda.
Pack it in and pack it out. Do not leave anything behind such as rubbish since it would spoil it for the next visitors and pollute the park.
Your Mountain Gorilla Tracking experience will begin where the guides found your Gorilla group the day before and track them to their new location since they move daily. Pre-trackers usually locals who have been trained and have taken part in gorilla habituation of the respective gorilla families go out ahead of you to locate your gorilla group.
Mountain Gorilla Trekking Rules
- Keep a distance of about 5 to 7 meters which is about 15 feet from the Mountain Gorillas. This way you protect the mountain gorillas from diseases and illnesses humans may be carrying and not seem threatening to gorillas
- Stay together as a group when you are in the presence of the Gorillas to reduce potential confusion of the gorillas
- Voices need to be kept low and it is best to keep silence and just treasure the moment with the Mountain Gorillas.
- Do not partake of food or drinks and no smoking in the presence of the Mountain Gorillas.
- Don’t stare straight into gorillas’ eyes – this can be seen to be aggressive.
- Don’t ever run from a gorilla – if one approaches you just act submissive and crouch down.
- If you sneeze or cough, turn your head away from the gorillas so as not to spread your germs.
- No flash photography is permitted. Do not make a lot of movement when taking pictures-keep it calm.
- There is no touching or attempting to touch the Gorillas.
- Keep your voices down until you are well out of range of the Mountain Gorillas.
Mountain Gorilla Trekking Health Guidelines
- Since Mountain Gorillas are closely related to us – humans, they are highly susceptible to diseases carried by humans.
- If you are not well, let it be known and remove yourself from the gorilla tracking team.
- If you need to cough, sneeze, blow your nose, move your head away from the gorilla in order to keep the risk of infection to a minimum.
- No smoking, eating of food or drinking of beverages is allowed in the presence of the Mountain Gorillas.
- If you are ill- cancel your Gorilla Trek – this is best for all concerned including the Mountain Gorillas.
REMINDER:
The Guidelines listed above are there to protect you and the Mountain Gorillas – enjoy your time with the Gorillas of Uganda and or Rwanda.
