The Essential Guide to Making Eye Contact with Gorillas
One of the essential guidelines for gorilla trekking is to avoid making direct eye contact with a gorilla.
Making eye contact with a gorilla is a risky move, as it might perceive the gesture as a threat and respond aggressively.
It would be better to cast your gaze downward with humility instead.
On the morning before setting off on an exhilarating gorilla trekking safari, tourists will gather at the park headquarters for an exciting briefing about the guidelines for trekking mountain gorillas.
As you embark on the gorilla trekking experience, a knowledgeable park ranger will accompany you, ensuring your journey is safe and enjoyable. Should any concerns arise about the gorillas’ behavior, the adventure will be cut short to prioritize your safety and well-being.
Additional guidelines and protocols for gorillas
Before embarking on a thrilling gorilla trekking experience, tourists should make sure they are in good health. Mountain gorillas are susceptible to human diseases, and any infections can pose a serious threat to their survival, as they are critically endangered.
When encountering mountain gorillas, it is recommended to avert your gaze during a sneeze, and should any signs of illness arise, you may be restricted from joining the trek with these magnificent creatures.
When observing mountain gorillas, visitors are encouraged to refrain from using flash photography to ensure the comfort of these magnificent creatures.
When using a phone equipped with a flash camera, it is advisable to switch it off.
Tourists embarking on a trek with mountain gorillas will need to keep a distance of at least 7 meters from these magnificent creatures and refrain from touching them, as they are wild animals.
Visitors are not allowed to smoke, eat, or drink within 200 meters of mountain gorillas to ensure that no dropped food becomes a potential source of infection.
When observing mountain gorillas, it’s essential for tourists to keep quiet or speak softly, as loud noises can cause these magnificent creatures to feel endangered.
When exploring the wilderness alongside mountain gorillas, it is essential for tourists to stick together in close-knit groups during their encounters and to maintain a sense of calm if the gorillas approach them with intensity.
Exploring the wilderness alongside gorillas
Embark on an exhilarating journey through Virunga National Park, Kahuzi-Biega National Park, Volcanoes National Park, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park for an unforgettable experience of gorilla trekking.
The price of trekking varies from one country to another, with Uganda setting its fee at $800, Rwanda at $1500, and Congo providing the most affordable permits at $400.
Gorilla trekking usually kicks off in the morning, and once the majestic gorillas are located, visitors are granted an hour to share a remarkable experience with their close human relatives.
Essential Packing Guide
When organizing a gorilla trekking safari, remember that mountain gorillas inhabit elevated regions that frequently experience rainfall.
To embark on your journey to find gorillas, be prepared for a hike. Essential gear includes waterproof hiking boots, garden gloves, long-sleeved warm clothing, raincoats, ample drinking water, and insect repellents, among other items.
Mountain gorillas thrive in dynamic groups of 5 to 30 members, led by a commanding silverback who orchestrates all group activities, including feeding times, travel routes, and nest-building moments.
Humans have a remarkable connection with mountain gorillas, sharing 98% of their DNA, highlighting their close kinship.
Mountain gorillas are timid and gentle creatures, yet they can display aggression if they sense insecurity or disturbance.
They begin with bold displays, thumping their chests, emitting loud grunts, ripping apart foliage, and hurling debris.
