Rules or Guidelines on Gorilla Trekking Safaris

Precautions On Gorilla Trekking Safari

During gorilla trekking, rules are very relevant so as to conserve the endangered mountain gorillas. You need to put in mind that gorillas are highly protected primates watched over by the Uganda wildlife Authority, UNESCO and other top class world conservation bodies. To enjoy the great value of your gorilla tracking experience you need to critically follow the below precautions at every stage before gorilla trekking and during gorilla trekking.

What To Do As you walk To Search For The gorillas.

• Listening to and following the information given by the briefing ranger guide is very vital. This is because they have more details about the behaviour of the mountain gorillas since they are accustomed to visiting them regularly asking questions too will give your more exposure about the information concerning gorillas
• Volunteer to remain behind in case you have any contiguous disease like a cold, dysentery, skin disease, cough that can be transmitted. You will be refunded according to the UWA refund regulations.
• Only a maximum of 8 trackers are allowed to go for gorilla trekking each day per family. This reduces on the chances of over crowing and casing behavioural disturbance which at times agitates the gorillas. In a Small group, the gorillas are comfortable and relaxed with there visitors’ presence.
• Prior to leaving the briefing area, it is advisable to wash your hands with detergent so that you do not carry any germs to the field which may spread diseases to the gorillas. They are highly susceptible to human diseases.
• In case you eat some thing on the way, you are advised not to dump any garbage in the forest because the gorillas can easily pick it and eat it. This also spoils the environment. Let get together to promote responsible travel.
• Mountain Gorillas are very mobile animals so the ranger guide will take you to the area they were last seen the previous day. In case they moved, you are requested to be patient as you search since these are free animals in there natural habitat.
• The guide normally warns you to lower you voices as you get closer to the gorillas. You need to be patient and wait to take out your cameras until advised to do so. He has to first observe there mood before you can take any action.

How to Behave In The Presence Of The Gorillas.

• While in the presence of the gorillas, you need to stand 7 meters away from the gorillas to reduce on the chances of transmitting human diseases to the gorillas and them to you. They are wild animas so there is no need to get so much close to them especially if you are not vaccinated.
• Since you are a small group, its better to stay in a cohesive group so that you do not cause any suspicion about your presence to the gorillas. They are very keen with there visitors and watchful especially the Silver Back who is responsible for taking great care of the family’s safety.
• Keeping silent or in an unavoidable talking at a very low tone is advisable to keep the animals in your presence for some time. They are very sensitive animals that get scared of surprising noise.
• Do not drink or eat while in the presence of the gorillas because they eat some of what humans eat. They may grab it from you or beg you which may increase on the chances of acquiring human contagious diseases and yet they are highly susceptible to human disease.
• Use a flashless and sound proof camera to take there photographs. This is because they are shy animals that are frightened by light. You may miss out on staying with the gorillas for an hour because they may retrieve into the forest in case they are frightened.
• Just ONE HOUR is the maximum permitted time in the presence of the gorillas. This is to reduce on any chances of causing ranging stimulation behaviour to the gorillas. In case they range, follow the ranger guide’s example by crouching down and keep your eyes low so that you do not look straight into the eyes of the gorillas. Wait for them to pass and remain silent until you are about 200 meters

Gorilla Trekking Conservation Measures.

Uganda and Rwanda are the major gorilla conservation areas in the world and after the 2011 gorilla census, over 800 gorillas were registered as compared to the about 720 gorillas registered before. This is an indication that Mountain gorilla conservation projects are doing a great work. In Uganda gorilla trekking started in 1993 in Bwindi where Habinyanja gorilla family and Mubare gorilla family were the first to be Habituated and opened for tourism purposes.

Following and putting into action the gorilla trekking rules and precautions during gorilla trekking assists in conserving these great primates. Keeping there habitat natural helps them live there true life. When you book a gorilla tracking safari, you contribute to the funds used to support the work of mountain gorilla conservation.

How Gorilla Trekking Funds Are Distributed

When you book a gorilla trekking permit, you have the chance of seeing the Mountain Gorillas in there natural habitat but you also contribute to the gorilla conservation fund. The funds are used to a carry out more research about the gorillas and treating the injured gorillas.

A number of people are employed as ranger guides, conservation officials, drivers, gorilla doctors, researchers and so many others so they are paid using these funds.

The communities around the gorilla conservation areas like Bwindi National park has the Batwa pygmies whose life barely depended on the forest for survival. They were displaced by UWA in 1993 and left landless so they depend on being potters. 20 % of the collected gorilla trekking revenue is given back to such communities to assist and to encourage them to join the Mountain Gorilla conservation campaign.