Guidelines for Trekking with Gorillas in Rwanda, Congo, and Uganda
When organizing your gorilla trekking adventure safari in Uganda, Rwanda, or the Congo, bear the following guidelines, conventions, and rules in mind. The Rwanda Development Board and the Uganda Wildlife Authority have set the same rules for all three locations.
Depending on the gorillas’ movements in the bush, how far away their last known position is from the starting site, and the trekkers’ stamina, energy level, and skill level, gorilla trekking often takes one to eight hours. You can spend no more than an hour with the gorillas once you first meet them. Before embarking on a gorilla expedition, you should be informed of the following rules.
Rules to follow before embarking on your gorilla adventure.
Gorillas must be tamed before humans can engage with them because they are wild animals. The number of habituated gorilla families available for tourists to view varies by nation; for example, Rwanda has seven habituated gorilla families, whereas Uganda has twelve.
A gorilla troop may only have up to 8 visitors each day in order to minimize behavioral disturbance and the risk of contracting human-borne diseases.
The gorilla families are chosen at random during the pre-expedition briefing. However, in order to locate the closest gorilla families, the elderly and sick might receive extra care. Be cautious to wash your hands before going into the woods to track mountain gorillas.
Guidelines to abide by while trekking for gorillas in the park.
Make an effort to speak as quietly as possible. You can observe the birds, butterflies, and other animals that inhabit tropical rainforests by doing this.
Trash should never be left in a national park. Make sure you take whatever you need with you into the bush and bring it back.
Where the gorillas slept the night before is where the gorilla trek starts. Try to learn more about the gorilla’s breeding behaviors.
The ranger guide will tell you as you approach the mountain gorillas.
Rules to abide by when visiting gorillas in Rwanda, Congo, and Uganda.
Always maintain a distance of 7 meters (21 feet) from the gorillas. The gorillas will become frightened if you approach them too closely.
You should stay close to the other hikers in your group when you approach the mountain gorillas.
If you have any questions for the ranger guide, speak as quietly as you can.
Avoid eating, drinking, and smoking while near the gorillas. This is in place to ensure that you don’t attract the attention of gorillas and that you don’t leave food or drink droplets that could spread diseases that affect humans.
Pointing or waving your arms is not recommended when going slowly and intently.
Never attempt to touch a gorilla since they are wild animals.
Sometimes the gorillas charge. Don’t panic; just do what your ranger guide instructs and squat slowly, keep your eyes off the gorillas, and wait for them to pass. Never try to flee.
Use the appropriate camera settings because gorillas are dark animals in low light. Flash photography is not allowed in any situation.
The maximum amount of time you can spend with the mountain gorillas is one hour. If the gorillas become agitated or nervous, the guide may decide to end the session early. Both you and the gorillas will be protected by this.
After the adventure, you might get excited! However, until you are at least 200 meters away from the gorillas, please don’t talk.
Safety and Health Measures to Take While Gorilla Trekking in Rwanda, Congo, and Uganda.
Since humans and gorillas share over 90% of their DNA, gorillas are particularly susceptible to human diseases. To lessen the risks to the gorillas’ health, the following rules should be adhered to.
Observe the daily cap on the number of visitors allowed to see mountain gorillas. These limitations lessen the possibility of collective tension and the spread of disease.
If you are ill or have a communicable disease, offer to stay behind. You will either receive a refund for the cost of your gorilla trekking permit or be given another opportunity to go gorilla trekking.
To avoid spreading viruses or illnesses, please turn your head away and cover your mouth and nose if you feel the urge to cough or sneeze when around the mountain gorillas.
Always maintain a distance of 7 meters (21 feet) from the gorillas. The gorillas will become frightened if you approach them too closely.
Food wrappers and drink bottles are examples of waste that should not be left in the forest since alien objects may harbor diseases.
Please ask the ranger guide to dig a hole for you if you need to use the restroom while in the forest. Verify the hole’s depth of 30 cm. When you’re done, please make sure the hole is filled.
What should you bring on your gorilla trekking safari in Rwanda, Congo, or Uganda?
Put on hiking boots with good traction, which are perfect for climbing steep slopes covered with muck.
Bring lots of water and a packed lunch.
Bring a hat, sunscreen lotion, and rain gear because the weather might change suddenly.
Apply bug repellant or carry it with you.
You can rent binoculars at the Uganda Wildlife Authority headquarters in the park or bring your own.
Bring extra memory cards and batteries for your digital camera. Using the flashlight on your camera is prohibited. When taking pictures on film, we advise using 400–800 ASA film.
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