Rules and regulations for gorilla trekking in Uganda and Rwanda. All you need to before encountering the gentle Giants
Dos and don’t for gorilla trekking in Uganda and Rwanda. Encountering mountain gorillas of Uganda and Rwanda is a lifetime opportunity for any traveler worldwide. But because mountain gorillas are an endangered species with only about one thousand reaming in the world, the protection and conservation of these gentle giants is at the forefront of every gorilla trekking adventure.
Gorilla trekking is an expensive but also very exciting adventure that should be enjoyed by any tourist that opts to do it. Katland safaris excel in providing guiding information on gorilla trekking to tourists intending to go on mountain gorilla trekking safaris to both Uganda and Rwanda.
By gorilla trekking dos and don’ts, we mean those particular things you do from the time of planning your gorilla safari to when you encounter these gentle giants.
Before your gorilla trekking safari.
- You must have booked a gorilla trekking permit. This is the official document from the government of either Rwanda or Uganda that allows you access to the gorilla trekking destinations in both countries.
- You must have already arranged for transportation from your hotel of residence or the airport to the gorilla trekking destination.
- We advise you do the booking of your gorilla trekking permits and all other gorilla trekking logistics like transport and accommodation with a local travel agency like Katland safaris as this is easier and swift.
Dos and don’t for gorilla trekking in Uganda and Rwanda
- Carry packed lunch or dry foods with drinking water for your gorilla trekking adventure.
- You must be above 15 years of age to do gorilla trekking.
- You must at all times follow the instructions of your guide.
- Only eight people are permitted to trek a particular gorilla family in a day. This is a conservation initiative aimed at reducing the risk of disease contracting and at minimizing behavioral disturbance.
- You must wash your hands before starting your gorilla trekking adventure.
- Your voice must be at its lowest all the time to avoid behavioral disturbance.
- Do not take rubbish into the gorilla jungle especially the kind of rubbish that might harm the environment.
- The trekking will start from where the gorillas were last seen and that’s the trail that you will follow until you meet the mountain gorillas.
- When in an encounter with the mountain gorillas, you follow the instructions from the guide.
Dos and don’t for gorilla trekking in Uganda and Rwanda
- Keep a distance of not less than 7 meters away from the mountain gorillas. The further you are, the more relaxed the gorillas will be.
- It’s okay to ask your guide questions, but your voice must be low.
- Stay in a tight group when you have encountered mountain gorillas.
- Do not use the flash when taking pictures as it irritates the gorillas.
- Do not eat, drink or smoke when near mountain gorillas. Do not drop any food or drinking material that can be taken by the gorillas. This is intended at reducing the risk of disease contact with the gorillas
- Sometimes gorillas charge. When they do, do not attempt to run as this may increase the risk rather wait for communication from your guide.
- Do not tempt them to touch the mountain gorillas or even directly look into their eyes.
- You are only permitted to spend not more than an hour with the mountain gorillas for regular trekking and not more than four hours for gorilla habituation.
General health rules for gorilla trekking
Mountain gorillas are very suspect able to human diseases. Avoiding this from happening is key to the protection of these gentle giants.
- Keep a distance of not less than 7 meters from the mountain gorillas
- With the recent covid 19 outbreaks, you are advised to carry and put on a mask when in an encounter with mountain gorillas.
- Kindly respect the limitation on the number of people permitted to track mountain gorillas. It’s intended for the conservation of these gentle giants and to limit human disease contact.
- If you feel there is an urge for you to cough, turn your head either down or look the other way around and cough while covering your nose and mouth.
- Do not leave external rubbish in the mountain gorilla jungle.
- If you feel the need to use a toilet, ask your guide, he or she will use his panga to dig a toilet for you 30 meters and above deep.
Dos and don’t for gorilla trekking in Uganda and Rwanda
Things to carry for gorilla trekking.
- Carry packed lunch or dry foods with enough drinking water as the trekking sometimes takes hours.
- Carry comfortable hiking shoes
- Carry light walking sticks
- Put on comfortable clothes, long trousers, and long-sleeved shirts to protect you from tree branches and thorns as you navigate through the thick forest.
- Carry a phone or camera for pictures but make sure you do not use the flashlight when taking pictures.
- Carry rain jackets, body lotions, a hut, and sunglasses as well, you might at times need them.
Feel free to contact us for any more inquiries about the dos and don’ts for gorilla trekking in both Uganda and Rwanda or a tailor-made gorilla trekking safari.
