Gorilla trekking rules are significant to anyone with plans to explore gorillas in Uganda’s Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Mgahinga Gorilla National Park; Congo’s Virunga National Park, Kahuzi-Biega National Park or in Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park. The different stipulated gorilla trekking rules are set by respective wildlife authorities and they cut across the 5 main gorilla trekking parks in East Africa.
The set rules for gorillas are intended to ensure safety of not only gorillas but also visitors while interacting with these apes in their natural habitat. Note, about 1063 mountain gorillas still exist on planet earth and ensuring they exist is of great advantage for future generations. These rules and regulations are applicable at different stages; before departure for actual gorilla trekking, during interaction with gorillas and health wise.
Here are the different gorilla trekking rules
Before the trek
- The park authorities require that anyone intending to participate in a gorilla trekking adventure should be above 15 years. Persons above this age limit are considered eligible to enjoy a gorilla trek.
- A maximum of eight (8) visitors are allocated a single gorilla family during the briefing session. This rule is significant in reducing any behavioral disturbance that may impact on the gorillas and also limits any exposure of infectious human-diseases to these apes.
- Before you set foot into the jungles in search for gorillas, the park authorities ensure that you are free of cold or any infectious illness.
On your way to see gorillas
- All guests are advised to keep low their voices and at all times, observe the park guide’s instructions. Do not make loud noise as such behavior may scare away gorillas or make them irritated. Besides, it distracts you from concentrating on the adventure and if you want to spot other species, especially bird species.
- Never leave behind any rubbish when on a trek. The gorilla habitat must be left cleaner than before you got it. Any used items while in the jungles must be brought back to the briefing point to be dumped in the designated areas.
- Do not break the social distancing between you and gorillas, especially when observing their behaviors and taking photos. The recommended social distance every trekker must keep is between 7 and 8m.
While with gorillas
- At the moment when you are observing how the gorillas behave and taking photos, you must observe a social distance of 7-8 meters. Also, any body contact with these apes must be avoided at all cost. This is to reduce any chances of spreading human-infectious diseases to these endangered species.
- Your voices must be kept low at all times. This rule is significant because the normal behavior of these apes in the wild won’t be altered. Besides, they won’t get irritated or charge at you and you have a chance to also spot other species.
- Smoking, drinking or eating in the presence of the apes is 100% prohibited. Such acts come with their consequences, especially spread of infectious diseases to the gorillas that may cost their lives.
- At a point when gorillas charge at you, ensure that you pay attention to the park guide’s instructions. Do not run or shout, alternatively, stand calm, lower the face to show sign of submissiveness, and avoid eye-contact.
- When taking photos, visitors are advised to use non-flash-light cameras or turn off the flashlight before you begin capturing your pictures.
- The maximum time visitors can have in the presence of gorillas is strictly one (1) hour.
- The park guide should be present from the very start of the gorilla trek. The guides are experienced with behaviors of gorillas and understand when they have irritated or charged at visitors. They can give safety measures or instructions for you to follow.
Health regulations & rules
- Gorillas are susceptible to human-infectious diseases and to have them protected, only persons free of any infectious diseases like flu, cough and others get a chance to visit a habituated gorilla family.
- At the briefing area, you and staff shall be required to wash hands or sanitize before embarking on actual search for gorillas in the wild.
- The number visiting a single gorilla family should be respected at all times.
Essentials to include on your gorilla trekking packing list
- Come along with waterproof hiking boots, a pack of snacks, bottled drinking water, a waterproof daypack, a valid gorilla permit, a tin of insect repellent, walking stick accessible at the briefing area or safari lodge, long sleeved shirts, light rain jacket, trousers, a pair of socks, a good camera with additional batteries, safari hat, and others.
Best gorilla trekking parks in Africa
The top African parks to consider on your bucket-list of gorilla trekking include Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Volcanoes National Park, Virunga and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. These parks are largely tropical rain forest protected areas and harbor not only mountain gorillas but also other species.
Other species to find besides gorillas include forest elephants, buffaloes, golden monkeys, bird species –endemic species and forest dwellers, and other mammal species, flora, colorful butterfly species, and more.
Best time to go for a gorilla trekking trip
Trekking with African gorillas is possible at any time of the year. However, the most preferred time to get into the African jungles to search for these unique apes is during the dry season. Each year, there are 2 important phases of dry season any primate enthusiast must take note on travel calendar that is from June to September and December to February.
The gorilla parks being all year round destinations, it is possible to get to Africa to see gorillas even during the wet or rainy season. This is from March to May or October to any time of November. But take note that it is during these months when heavy rains occur and conditions in the forest or gorilla habitat won’t be the same like it is during the dry season. But these are preferred months of the year for budget visitors –being off seasons or low season of the year.