How To Behave During Gorilla Trekking Safari In Africa

Gorilla trekking is one of the exceptional African safaris with traditions to follow. The way you behave during gorilla trekking may help you to go gorilla trekking or reject you from participating in this exclusive Africa safari.

The world celebrates mountain gorilla trekking in three countries that is Uganda, Rwanda and D.R. Congo but the same gorilla safari customs cut across all these countries. These were set by the early researcher like D.R Diane Fossey, Louise Leakey and others who intensively studied the behaviors of the mountain gorillas.

By the 1980s, the mountain gorillas were at the verge of extinction because of poaching, taken as pets, circus, snares and so many barbaric behaviors that led to there death. The numbers of mountain gorillas had reduced to about 250 mountain gorillas only in the entire world. Mountain gorillas have a gestation period similar to humans so this explains why they have low population growth.

After discovering that getting humans closer to them would create a more safer environment for them to survive gorilla trekking was introduced. The traditional occupants of the forest Batwa pygmies lost their ancestral homes to conservation of the mountain gorillas in 1990s.

Highlights of How To Behave During mountain gorillas trekking safari

Must be 15 years And Above to Book Gorilla Trekking Safari

Book a gorilla trekking permit in advance

Pack the right gorilla trekking gears

Keep Healthy and Immunize for the relevant Diseases before Gorilla Trekking

Maintain some level Of fitness before gorilla trekking

Must attend briefing before Gorilla Trekking

Carry Packed Lunch before Briefing for gorilla trekking

Wear a Mask during Gorilla Trekking as advised By The Ranger guide

Do not Dump Garbage in The Forest during Gorilla Trekking

Keep your voices low as you get closer to the mountain gorillas

Keep a Distance Of about 8 meters from the mountain Gorillas when you locate them

Do not provoke the mountain gorillas when infront of the gorillas

Use no flash photography during gorilla trekking

In case the gorillas rage listen to the ranger guide’s instruction and be loyal to the gorillas.

Do not stare at the mountain gorillas

Book Accommodation in your Area of Gorilla Trekking

Must be 15 years And Above to Book Gorilla Trekking Safari

To qualify for gorilla trekking safari, you must be 15 years above. This is because of the forest conditions that may not favor a child below this age. The terrain is ragged as a result of heavy volcanic action. The biggest porting of the forest is made up of ridges which you have to hike to get to the gorillas at times when they are feeding from the slopes. Some muscle straining may not go well with a child below this age.

The gorillas are also provocative at times which may not go well with a child below this age causing them to shout. Even the first glance at the gorillas may stimulate some adrenaline even to the adults but you need to keep calm. Such behavior is easily noticed by the gorillas and it may cause them to get suspicious of there visitors.

You need to at least 15 years and above to withstand the huddles of the Virunga thick forest and all it occupants.

Book a gorilla trekking permit in advance

It is very safe to travel for an African safari with an already booked gorilla trekking permit. Although alternatives of being waitlisted are available, most of the times clients turn up for all 8 gorilla trekking slots per family. To avoid panic searching for a gorilla family to join at the last moment, secure your permit in advance.

The Rwanda gorilla trekking permits are sold at Uganda Wildlife Authority while Rwanda gorilla

Check For Gorilla Trekking Permits

Pack The Right Gorilla Trekking Gears

Personal safety is paramount during gorilla trekking but you need to have packed the right gorilla safari gears. Carrying a light water proof bag to protect your belongings from getting lost in the jungle is important.

Since no dumping is allowed, retaining all waste in your bag safe guards the environment that feed the mountain gorillas. Participate in ecotourism for the safety of the mountain gorillas for sustainable gorilla trekking in Uganda, Rwanda and D.R.Congo

Keep Healthy and Immunize for the relevant Diseases before Gorilla Trekking

Human communicable infections can be transmitted to the mountain gorillas because they have DNA of about 96% to that of humans. Protecting the mountain gorillas from acquiring any of the communicable infections like flue, diarrhea, Covid-19 and others is the goal of both local and foreign conservationists.

Volunteer to stay behind in case you get any signs of such infections because you are not sure how these endangered primates may react with it. Massive death of wild animals have occurred in the world because of pandemics leading to there complete extinction.

For covid-19, immunize fully for corona virus or check for Covid-19 and carry negative PCR results with you taken at least 72 hours before starting gorilla trekking tour.

Maintain some level Of fitness before gorilla trekking

The terrain in the jungle is a combination of highlands and valleys so some level of fitness is necessary for you to enjoy the entire gorilla trekking expedition. Stretching your muscles a bit before gorilla trekking keeps you fit for this occasion. You can start with simple walks in your room, compound, office to get in the right mood for gorilla trekking.

You do not necessarily have to go to the gym. Just keep your muscles stretched to withstand the steep slopes in the Virunga area.

Must attend briefing before Gorilla Trekking

Ever body must attend briefing before gorilla trekking. Whether you have double gorilla trekking days or you are a repeat gorilla trekker, briefing is a must. Gorillas differ in behavior and lots of changes occur amongst the gorillas overtime. This is why everyday a group of rangers wakes up early in the morning to check out on the gorillas before tourists visit them.

The information they give the headquarters is what is passed over to you. At times the families fight which creates tension in the forest amongst the gorilla families. You have to be warned about this in advance. In case you do not attend and miss the rules of gorilla trekking like keep calm and talk with a low tone while with the gorillas. Unfamiliar loud noise may cause a rampage in the forest amongst the mountain gorillas. All this is can be avoided when you attend briefing.

Missing briefing is one way ticket to being disqualified from gorilla trekking in Africa

Carry Packed Lunch before Briefing for gorilla trekking

Carrying your packed lunch is a great idea because return time after gorilla trekking is unknown. Locating the gorillas may take between 2 hours to three quarters of the day depending on the conditions in the forest.

To prepare for such uncertainties and getting worn-out because of hunger, carry your packed lunch. Ask in advance your lodge to pack lunch for you to take when heading for gorilla trekking briefing.

Wear a Mask during Gorilla Trekking as advised By The Ranger guide

After covid-19 pandemic the mask became a must wear for all gorilla trekking trips. You wear one during briefing and change into a clean one before approaching the mountain gorillas. This is one of the preventive measures taken to reduce on the chances of transmitting the corona virus to the mountain gorillas.

Rehabilitating mountain gorillas has so far taken a lot of effort and time so no gap must be left unfilled to protect them from extinction. Sustainable gorilla trekking is the goal of the conservation team.

Do not provoke the mountain gorillas when in front of the gorillas

Despite the serene nature, mountain gorillas are agitated by someone who over stares in there deep brown eyes. Even touching there infants is a no go zone. The entire family look out for the infants because this is the future generation for the family. Infants may be adorable to watch but do not touch them. Do not imitate the gorillas because this is provocative. The entire family may go into hiding and this denies trekkers chance to spend that precious hour with the mountain gorillas.

Use no flash photography during gorilla trekking

Gorillas are scared by unfamiliar light in there environ and a mixture of flashlights from cameras is a perfect nightmare for these gentle giants. Ensure your camera produces no flash or sound during gorilla trekking.

Utilizing that one hour allocated to be in the presence of the mountain gorillas is a lifetime experience.

Do not allow flash photography to ruin your hard saved for experience of gorilla trekking.

In case the gorillas rage listen to the ranger guide’s instruction and be loyal to the gorillas.

When the gorillas range, listen to the advise from the ranger guide. Being very submissive to the silverback is one way to show the angry silverback and his family that you mean no harm. Follow the ranger guide’s instruction instead of running anyhow because you may be lost in the jungle. Retreat slowly after gorilla trekking to gain trust from the silverback and his family.

Do not stare at the mountain gorillas

Never stare in the eyes of the gorillas but look around in a friendlier manner. The gorillas are very sensitive primates even although they are habituated to be in the presence of humans.

Any one would think the mountain gorilla’s sheer size is enough to create freight for any possible intruder but they are naturally shy animals that can be scared of mere staring at them. They work as family and in case one is uncomfortable, the rest will retreat too into the dark thicker ends of the forest.

Book Accommodation in your Area of Gorilla Trekking

For the case of gorilla trekking in Uganda Bwindi forest National Park, book accommodation closer or within the area where your gorilla permit is booked. Bwindi Impenetrable National park is vast so sleeping in one area and do gorilla trekking in another may cause you to miss briefing.

The distance from one area to another is quite long to be taken early morning. At times the roads are also blocked by fallen tree trunks which makes it difficult to catch up with briefing time.

Which Itinerary To Book For Gorilla Trekking In Africa

3 day gorilla trekking in Uganda

5 day gorilla And Chimpanzee trekking

7 day gorilla Trekking, chimpanzee and Wildlife safari

3 day gorilla trekking Rwanda

8 day gorilla trekking, chimpanzee, wildlife tour

How To Book A Gorilla Permit

Have dates when you wish to do gorilla trekking. You can have tentative dates too and then we work around them. our safari consultant checks availability of the gorillas permits per your date  from the Authorities.

Our time of turnaround in 24 hours and when we find them available , we request you to pat for your permit as a sign of commitment to your safari. even the authorities do not reserve permits for anyone unless paid for. First come first served basis is used so change in availability occurs at any minute.

Only 8 gorilla permits are issued per family per trek .

Which is The best country to do Gorilla trekking in Africa

Whether trekking gorillas in Uganda or Rwanda, the feeling you get when standing in front of the gorillas is exceptional. The cost of the gorilla permits vary by country where by in Uganda the gorilla permit costs as of today is $700 and in Rwanda the gorilla permit price is $1500 per person per trek.

The time from the international Airport of Uganda Entebbe is about 8 to 9 hours. In Rwanda the time to take driving from Kigali Airport to Volcanoes National Park is about 3 hours.

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park has almost half the total number of mountain gorillas while Rwanda and D.R Congo share the other half.

The behavior of the gorilla families open for tourism varies  from family to family, number of members  are different, family time is spent differently and so much more. Its hard to choose the best country, gorilla family or park best for gorilla trekking.

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