The dos and don’ts of gorilla trekking in Africa
Mountain Gorilla Trekking Rules and Regulations: For travelers to engage in the gorilla trekking safaris, there are rules that travelers should follow during the safaris. These rules make the activity so sustainable for the environment. This activity was set up to conserve and protect these extinct primates since currently in the world, over 1060 gorillas remain. The funds collected are used to preserve and protect the mountain gorillas during their natural habitats.
Gorillas are considered to be one of the large and powerful primates that are within the forested areas. These large primates live in families of about 8 members and above. The tracked gorillas are usually first habituated for them to get used to the human presence. The habituation process takes about 2 years. Mountain gorilla trekking rules are categorized before tracking rules, on the way to track gorillas, and during the safari.
Gorilla trekking rules and regulations before tracking mountain gorillas
- Travelers to track gorillas are supposed to have acquired the gorilla trekking permit, a legal document allowing travelers to see the mountain gorillas.
- Travelers who are not in good health are not allowed to track the mountain gorillas.
- Travelers are listed about the standard operating procedures for gorilla trekking where travelers are supposed to sanitize and put on masks.
- The age limit for tracking gorillas is 15 years to 85 years.
- Gorilla trekking starts very early in the morning.
- Travelers have the option to hire porters if they do not manage their luggage. Those not interested in using porters are supposed to carry lightweight luggage.
Gorilla trekking rules and regulations on way to track mountain gorillas
Travelers on their way to track the mountain gorillas, there are rules that travelers should follow and they include;
- Travelers are supposed to keep their voices low
- Due to the long trekking, travelers will always have breakpoints for tracking the mountain gorillas.
- Do not litter in the park and travelers are supposed to go back with what they came.
- Travelers are supposed to move with their packed meals since the trek is long.
- Travelers are supposed to follow the guides of the rangers since they know where the gorillas are.
- Travelers are supposed to stay in tight groups during the safari.
Gorilla trekking rules and regulations when you meet the gorillas
As travelers meet the gorillas, there are rules and regulations that travelers need to follow during the gorilla trekking safaris and they include;
- Travelers are supposed to keep a distance of 10 meters while viewing the gorillas.
- Travelers are supposed to spend 1 hour viewing the gorillas.
- You will be ordered to put on a mask in case you were not put on during the safari.
- Flash photography is not allowed.
- Do not drink or eat near the gorillas which may leave the foods from dropping on the ground that gorillas may eat.
- Do not feed the gorillas during the safari.
- Travelers are not supposed to surround the mountain gorillas.
- Traveler are allowed to keep their tones low until 300 meters away from the gorillas.
- During the safaris, you are not allowed to run away from the gorillas when they are attacking you.
- Travelers are not supposed to look direct eye into the gorillas.
What are the health rules that travelers should follow on the gorilla trekking safaris?
Mountain gorillas are one of the sensitive wildlife to contract diseases or travelers to contract the diseases of the mountain gorillas. Travelers need to follow the rules that can regulate health risks and they include;
- At the briefing point travelers are supposed to sanitize and wear masks to protect from the transmission of diseases.
- Travelers are allowed to put off their masks during the breaking points while tracking the gorillas.
- A group of 8 people is assigned to track mountain gorillas to avoid stressing the gorillas.
- During the viewing of the gorillas, travelers who may need to cough are supposed to turn aside and cover their mouth and nose to minimize the spread of the bacteria or virus.
Where to see mountain gorillas
Travelers planning a gorilla trekking safari, are supposed to visit Rwanda, Uganda, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. During the safari, travelers can see these large primates in the several national parks in these countries.
Mgahinga Gorilla National Park
This is the smallest national park in Uganda located in southwestern Uganda within the Virunga region at the border of Uganda, Rwanda, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. The park is home to several mountain gorillas that are within the park. There is one habituated gorilla family that travelers on their safaris can engage in.
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is located in southwestern Uganda at the border of Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo. This park holds the largest number of the habituated gorillas and they are considered to be about 19 families. All these families are with all the sectors of the Bwindi impenetrable national park. The sectors of the Bwindi impenetrable national park include the Ruhija, Rushaga, Buhoma, and Nkuringo. It is only in this park that travelers can engage in the gorilla habituation. In this activity, travelers spend more time with the gorillas.
Volcanoes National Park
Volcanoes National Park is in the northwestern part of Rwanda at the border of Rwanda, Uganda, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. It is among the oldest national parks in Africa and it is home to several mountain gorillas. There are over 12 habituated gorilla families that travelers on their safaris can track. In the park, there are several Virunga ranges that travelers encounter since the park is within the Virunga region.
Virunga national Park
This park was established in 1925 to protect its biodiversity and the park is located in the Albertine Rift Valley and Virunga region in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. In this park, there are several habituated gorilla families that travelers can encounter during the safari. There are over 8 habituated gorilla families that travelers can encounter during the safari.
What is the best time to see mountain gorillas?
Gorilla trekking is done throughout the year. The best time is during the dry season (June to September and December to February). In this season the trekking trails are dry which easier the trekking and also the vegetation is short and clear to view the the gorillas.
