Gorilla Trekking Rules and Regulations with COVID 19 SOPS
Gorilla Trekking Rules and Regulations with COVID 19 SOPS
Gorilla Trekking Rules and Regulations with COVID 19 SOPS: Gorilla Trekking Rules and Regulations are requirements put in place to be briefed to visitors by park authorities as a must before starting for gorilla trek respectively and must be adhered to by all visitors who participate in gorilla trekking. More so, Mountain gorillas are endangered primates and their number has been increasing over the years due to the long term collaborative conservation attempt. Therefore, to maintain the sustainable and safe Uganda gorilla treks is to protect gorillas and tourist groups as well which are led these days by armed though usually unobtrusive guards.
The following are the Gorilla Trekking Rules and Regulations that must apply before you depart on your gorilla trekking as listed out by the Uganda Wildlife Authority.
Covid-19 SOPs/Gorilla Trekking Rules-Regulations in Uganda
The health and safety to travelers is Uganda’s top priority, in so doing that the country has decided to establish robust health and safety guidelines to ensure the health;
For travelers who are interested in gorillas trekking tours in Uganda, we’re humbled to welcome you back to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park where one of the most privileged wildlife experience in Africa is done ‘’Gorilla Trekking’’.
Therefore, the Uganda Ministry of Tourism and Uganda Wildlife Authority decided to put measures and guidelines for ‘’Covid-19 SOP’’ Standard Operating Procedures to protect visitors, staff and the primates from the spread of Corona Virus.
Below are the Rules and Regulation as established by Ministry of Tourism and Uganda Wildlife Authority ‘’Gorilla Trekking’’
Before starting gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable national park or Mgahinga Gorilla National park, clients shall be first briefed about the activity. The briefing take place at the respective national parks headquarter.
At the briefing center, it is mandatory for all visitors and staff to wash hands or sanitize with 60% alcohol sanitizer.
Also at the briefing points, all visitors and park staff will be screened for body temperature while using non-contact infrared thermometers. Visitors tested with temperature above 37.5 degrees Celsius shall be denied entry trekking.
After briefing visitors shall be grouped in a group of 8 visitors to be assigned gorilla families for trekking.
During the briefing visitors, staff and porters who will be observed to be ill with flu, malaria, diarrhea, stomach upset and others will not be allowed to trek the great mountain gorillas.
All visitors, working staff and porters must wear N95 masks or surgical masks with filters while at the briefing point and during trekking time.
Visitors without masks and those who do not abide the park measures like sanitization shall not be permitted to enter to trek gorillas.
Social distancing will be strictly observed at the park.
Visitors must keep a distance of not less than 10 meters away from gorillas during this period of Coronavirus.
Before going out on your gorilla trekking
A maximum number of 8 people may visit a group of habituation mountain gorillas in a day. This minimizes on their behavioral disturbance to the gorillas and a risk to human borne diseases.
Always wash your hands before going out to the gorillas
Along your way to the gorillas
Always keep your voices lower for you to be able to observe notable bird life and other wildlife in the forest.
Do not litter rubbish in the park. Whatever you carry with into the forest take it back with you.
You will be led by the guides who observed or saw the gorillas on previous day. Then you will follow the gorilla’s trail to find them. Take look on the gorilla’s nesting sites along the way and other primates.
When you’re about to meet the mountain gorillas, the guides will tell you to get ready.
Always follow guide through the forest trekking trails and stick to the group for your safety. In so doing this will enable you to listen to your guide while explaining the other forest species along the way to the gorillas.
When you are with the gorillas;
Stay in a tight group when you are near the gorillas.
Always keep a 7-meter distance away while observing gorillas. The further back you are; the more relaxed gorilla group will be.
You should keep your voices down at all times
Always ask the guide questions
Do not feed gorillas.
Do not smoke, eat or drink when you are close to the gorillas. Eating and drinking in the forest will increase the risk of drink morsels, food and droplets falling which could have led to the risk of transmission of diseases.
If gorillas charge. Always follow the guides example ‘’do not look directly in the eyes of the gorillas and wait for the animals to pass’’. Never attempt to run away because that will increase the risk.
Flash cameras are not allowed. And when your taking photograph move slowly and carefully.
Do not touch the gorillas will the wilderness because they are wild animals.
The maximum time to spend with gorillas is one hour. If the gorillas become nervous the guide will end the visit early.
After visiting gorillas keep your voices down until you are 200 meters away from gorillas.
General Health Rules About Gorilla
However, mountain gorillas are said to be 98% DNA to humans that’s why are very susceptible to human diseases. The following are the ways /rules on how to minimize the risk to gorillas.
Respect the number of visitors allowed with the gorillas each day per trek. This minimizes the risk of disease transmission to the gorilla group.
Visitors feeling ill, we beg you to always stay behind. An alternative visit will be arranged for you or your money will be refunded back.
If you feel like coughing or sneezing when you are close to gorillas, kindly turn your head away and cover your nose and mouth to minimize the spread of bacteria or viruses.
Always stay 6 to 7 meters away from the gorillas in order to protect them from catching human diseases.
Always keep the park clean by not littering any rubbish for example food wrappers in the park because such items can harbor diseases.
If you want long-haul while in the forest, please ask the guide to dig you a hole rising 30centmeter deep and fill it in when you are done.
What to pack on your Gorilla Safari?
Wear comfortable hiking shoes good for slippery slopes
Put on ear plugs for those who feel uncomfortable with the jungle sounds
Pack enough drinking water and packed lunch boxes
Carry rain gear, sunscreen lotion and a hat since the weather keeps changing
Insect repellent
Carry clear digital film camera with enough battery and use of flashlight is not allowed so we recommend using films of 400-800 ASA.
For more details about Uganda Gorilla Trekking Rules and Regulations, please do not hastate to contact our offices via Phone call or emails ‘’Achieve Global Safaris’’.
