Rules for Gorilla Trekking Experience
Rules for Gorilla Trekking Experience : Always wash your hands before you head out to the gorillas. Gorilla trekking allows a maximum number of eight visitors to visit a group of habituated Mountain gorillas in a day. The hour given minimizes the risk of their exposure to human borne diseases.
Visitors are taken to where the guides left the gorillas the previous day. From there you will follow the trekking trails to allocate them. Look out for the gorilla’s nesting sites along the way, which can be built by them during evening hours.
When you reach the mountain gorillas, the guides will inform you when to use your cameras ready.
Always keep your voices low when you get close to the mountain gorillas.
Do not leave rubbish in the park, whatever you carry into the forest should be carried back with you.
When you are with the mountain gorillas;
Keep your voices low at all times.
Always ask the guides questions as many as possible for more information about gorillas.
Always stay in a tight group when you are close the unique mountain gorillas.
Keep a distance of about 6 to 7 meters away from the Mountain gorillas. The distance offers protection to mountain gorillas from human disease transmission.
Do not eat or drink while you are near the mountain gorillas.
If the mountain gorillas’ charges. Always follow the guide’s example crouch down slowly and do not look the mountain gorillas in the eye. Never attempt to run away as this could increase the risk of attack.
Do not touch the mountain gorillas because they are wild animals.
Flash disc is not allowed when taking pictures, move slowly and carefully.
The maximum time visitors are permitted to spend with the mountain Gorillas is an hour. It is a limited time because the mountain Gorillas become nervous.
After trekking, keep your voices low till you are 200 meters away from the mountain gorilla.
Rules for Gorilla Trekking Experience : General health rules;
Take note, mountain gorillas are very susceptible to human diseases. The following are aways to minimize the risk your visit might pose to them;
If you are feeling ill, please volunteer to stay behind. An alternative you will be refunded your money as per gorilla reservation guidelines.
If you feel like coughing or sneezing when you are near the Mountain Gorillas, please turn your head away and cover your nose and mouth to minimize the spread of bacteria.
Stay 7 meters away and cover from the Mountain Gorillas, because the more relaxed the group will be.
Respect the Gorilla limit imposed on the time visitors are permitted to spend with the Mountain Gorillas each day. It minimizes the risk of disease transmission and stress to the group.
If you feel going to the toilet while the forest, please don’t hesitate to ask the guide to dig you a hole and ensure you cover it when you’re done.
Do not leave any rubbish in the park
Note: Visitors following the gorilla rules listed above and through buying a permit, you are contributing to the conservation of the endangered Mountain Gorilla.
Where trek mountain gorillas;
Mountain gorillas can be trekked in only three countries in the whole world that is; Rwanda, Uganda and Democratic Republic of Congo. In Uganda mountain gorilla can be seen in two recognized places – Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. Rwanda’ volcanoes National Park and Virunga National Park in Congo.
What is the cost of gorilla trekking permit;
Uganda gorilla trekking permit costs USD7,00 per person per day, Rwanda gorilla trekking permit costs USD1,500 per person and Congo costs USD400 per person.
What is the best time to do gorilla safaris;
Gorilla safari is best to do during the peak season when there is no heavy rainfall to district you while tracking in the forest and the best months starts from June to July and August to Mid -September.
