All about mountain gorilla trekking rules on a tracking tours

Gorilla Trekking Rules and Regulations, Dos and Don’ts at Bwindi impenetrable forest national park or at Mgahinga gorilla national park.

Mountain Gorillas of primates’ species are so precious primates. However, they are so highly endangered that they need to be well conserved otherwise, they are headed to extinction.

There are so many causes to Mountain Gorillas’ death and this therefore forced the authorities like the Rwanda Development Board (RDB), Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) and others of countries where they are found to put so stringent rules to safeguard them from ore danger that could have been avoided from affecting them thus effective gorilla trekking rules implementation.

The few remaining mountain Gorillas in the world should be protected from carelessly caused sicknesses leading to their death.

In the three destinations where these Primates are found that Uganda, Rwanda and DR Congo, several guidelines, gorilla trekking rules have been strictly put down to ensure they don’t go extinct.

The dos and don’ts, gorilla trekking rules that have been put in place are meant to ensure that the travellers that come to track them don’t expose them to danger since they are adaptive to what affects humans.

The gorilla trekking rules and regulations installed affect all intending to or going for gorilla trekking safari in Bwindi impenetrable forest national park should be followed accordingly by the trekkers.

These dos and don’ts or gorilla trekking rules will be given to you during the briefing before starting your trekking but then before that day comes, go through some of them, below.

Rules, regulations and guidelines for gorilla trekking tours

• Any ill/sick tourist/ trekker is not allowed to trek gorillas and money refund always made. The park staff has the authority to stop any person suffering from any disease like cold and flu because the gorillas are highly sensitive to such diseases and it can lead to their extinction.
• Trekkers are supposed to be in a maximum number of 8 people to view a given gorilla family in a given day so as to minimize infections and changes in behaviors of the mountain gorillas. This number is also maintained so as not to spoil the thickness of the Bwindi impenetrable forest. We don’t want to overload it and it loses its identity.
• When with the gorillas, make sure you keep 7 meters away from them and when one tries to come nearer to you, step back slowly or you will be asked to stand still by the guide. Please make sure you follow the guide’s instructions in order to fully enjoy the trek.
• All trekkers must be 15 years and above in order to prevent transmission of diseases like chicken pox and mumps and other reasons that will be shared to you during briefing.
• Visitors are allowed to spend a maximum time of one hour while observing and photographing these endangered species. This is to minimize behavioral changes.
• Do not smoke or eat when near the gorillas because food and drinks can be a source of infection and can lead to behavioral changes.

rules, regulations (Dos and Donts) and precautions of gorilla tour

• Avoid unnecessary movements when near the gorillas. You should stay tight together as a group so that the gorillas feel free and secured.
• Flash photographs are strictly not allowed because it threatens the gorillas and they end up being aggressive and unruly.
• When the gorillas charge or beat their chests, do not attempt to run since it might increase the risk but follow your guide’s instruction.
• When in need of a long call while in the forest, burry your wastes or rubbish 30 cm deep. This is to reduce the risk of transmitting diseases to the gorillas.
• Always keep your voices as quiet as possible. Do not scream or run when attacked by an insect because it will cause in behavioral changes in the gorillas.
• Turn away from the animals when coughing or sneezing as you might be carrying airborne diseases that are likely to destroy the gorillas.
• Observe your body language when with the animals. Some body languages like pointing at the animals can make them aggressive and uncomfortable.
• All rubbish/litter should be removed from the park. Visitors should confirm that all dangerous items to the animals like canisters, handkerchiefs and other small items are wiped out.

All the above mentioned dos and don’ts, guidelines or rules and regulations and more shall be told and emphasized to you during your briefing. Please endeavor to follow. Each one of the above rules when broken costs a mountain gorilla or gorillas lives thus breaking any contributes indirectly to their extinction.

Uganda Wildlife authority and other bodies at Bwindi impenetrable forest national park will also charge you accordingly if you break any so be vigilant.

For more gorilla related information, contact Baboon Adventure safaris.

See sample gorilla tours packages.

1  3 Day Rwanda Gorilla trekking safari

2  7 Day  gorilla safari adventure

3  9 days gorilla and Africa big game  safari