Safety While Trekking Mountain Gorillas

trekking gorillas

Every visit to the Mountain Gorillas serves as a beautiful reminder of where we came from, primate life, and forest; gorilla trekking is the world's ultimate safari experience; a time spent remembering a sharing. It is only done on the African continent, within Uganda, Democratic Republic of Congo, and Rwanda. It's time to recount the story after a gorilla trekking adventure, which is only feasible if the trek is done safely.

Gorilla trekking adventure begins with a pre-trekking briefing at the park headquarters, conducted by skilled ranger guides who are familiar with not just the environment, but also gorilla groups, time and trekking strategies. This lesson is required for anyone planning to track these apes; it is held very early in the morning and lasts about 30 minutes up to one hour. From the beginning to the completion of this hiking exercise, ranger guides give out the guidelines to follow. The following are some of the safety precautions and rules to keep in mind when hiking gorillas;-

Speak in a low voice. A forest is peaceful environment where everyone is at ease with their own pace. Making noise in the presence of these creatures disturbs them and causes the apes to respond in an unfavorable manner. A gorilla group can be tracked by a maximum of eight persons each day. This is to protect the vegetation and apes within their natural habitat.

Give the apes not more than an hour of your time. This is because when the specified hour has passed, apes become irritated and weary of visitors in their realm. Gorillas are used to living in a solitary setting, where they eat, play and interact freely as a family. They are shy, yet have the ability to react if they feel irritated.

You are advised to stand approximately 7 meters away from the gorillas. To avoid contact with the apes, transfer of disease and contracting human illnesses, everyone must stand at least 7 meters away from the gorillas. This is meant to protect yourself from likely attacks from the silverbacks or any other members of the troop, but some do approach the trekkers.

How do you tell whether you're in danger in the presence of gorillas?

Gorillas, just like humans, react when they feel threatened or uneasy. This is usually portrayed by hooting in various vocalizations, thumbing their chest with two hands, rushing around on four legs, shredding leaves, somersaulting, eating a lot and standing on two legs. They charge as a kind of self-defense and to demonstrate control over their life and area. Don't be concerned if something like this happens while you're on vacation!

Stay calm to demonstrate that you are not attempting to defend or attack the apes; make no noise, flee, or react in any way because one adult gorilla is stronger than ten able-bodied males combined, according to researchers. Stay in one spot and if the pressure becomes too much, squat down and relax, even if a silverback or a juvenile approaches you. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

No case of damage or harm has ever been reported on a gorilla trekker, which proves the safety of gorilla experience. Mountain gorillas are members of the eastern gorilla species, which is one of the world's most endangered primate species. The trekking exercise takes place exclusively on the African continent, in the giant Virunga mountain range, which runs across Rwanda and Uganda in East Africa, as well as Democratic Republic of Congo in Central Africa.

In the misty jungle of Bwindi and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park in southwestern Uganda; Volcanoes National Park in the northeastern part of Republic of Rwanda and Virunga National Park in Eastern province of Democratic Republic of Congo is where you will do track mountain gorillas in their natural habitat. About 1060 individual mountain gorilla species are in existence, feeding on foliage and insects on rare occasions.

What you wear during gorilla trekking exercise could make you safe or put you at a risk. Gorilla trekking is done on foot, in a forest, through the hills, thorns, bushes, trees and insects, thus the need to be much careful. Whereas the ranger guide moves with a machete and a supporting pole, accompanied by an armed ranger guide, you as well need to be equipped with good hiking boots, gloves, Insect repellent, long-sleeved shirts, trousers, and more.

For gorilla trekking, everyone must possess a Valid Trekking Permit, costing; 400usd in Congo, 700usd for Uganda and 1500usd for the Democratic Republic of Congo, only for persons above the age of 15 years.

Safety while trekking mountain gorillas for every trekker to leave to tell the trekking experience after a visit to the largest primate species in the world. Mountain gorillas can only be found in the African continent where they have adapted to high-altitude places. Visit and track mountain gorillas in Africa.

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