Uganda Gorilla and Chimpanzee tracking Covid 19 Regulations

Gorilla and chimpanzees tracking regulations are vital to protect these endangered primates. Covid 19 has affected travel ever where even in Uganda.

 These are travel regulations to prevent catching Corona Virus.

 The World Health Organization together with Ministry of health in Uganda and Uganda Wildlife Authority have set up these SOPs to prevent the spread of Covid 19.

Below are some guidelines to set by Uganda Wildlife Authority to protect wild animals especially primates from Corona Virus infections.

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Gorilla and Chimpanzee Tracking Uganda Standard Operating Procedures

 i) Before the start of the gorilla tracking or chimpanzee tracking activity you will be recommended to sanitize.

At the briefing points, visitors and staff shall wash hands or sanitise and have their body temperature taken.

ii) To prevent chances of spreading any infections amongst trekkers numbers of people have been limited.

Briefing and debriefing shall be done in small groups of eight (08) tourists after they have been assigned gorilla families for tracking.

iii) Volunteer to stay behind in case you feel not well before gorilla or chimpanzee tracking.

Tourists, staff, and porters who, during the briefing, are observed to be sick shall not be allowed to track. These include anyone with signs of flu, and those who report to have diarrihea, stomach upsets and malaria among others.

iv) As advised by the World Health Organization, a mask is a must. All the visitors, staff and trackers must wear masks Covering the nose and mouth

 v) A maximum of eight (8) tourists shall be allowed to track a gorilla group per day.  This is to maintain social distance and manage the group easily while in the wilderness.

vi) A maximum of six (6) tourists shall be allowed to track a chimpanzee group at a time to ensure social distance is maintained.

vii) When with the gorillas or chimpanzees social distance must be kept.  The tourists must keep a distance of not less than 10 meters away from the gorillas and chimpanzees during this period.

viii) While you trek or have a rest social distance must be maintained. The assigned UWA guides shall ensure there is social distancing of 2 meters among the tourists while tracking, where practical.

ix) To protect yourself from germs or transmitting them to others you must sanitise. Before the gorilla and chimpanzee viewing commences, all people in the group shall sanitise their hands again.

x) The tourists shall carry light equipment to minimise the need for porters while they undertake the tracking.

 This information shall be communicated to potential tourists through the tour operators and other UWA communication platforms such as the UWA website and social media platforms.

 xi) Due to the reported side effects of wearing masks for long periods and in high altitudes, visitors shall take frequent breaks during the tracking give themselves time to breathe fresh air.

xii) During these breaks, social distancing shall be strictly observed.

xiii) Regular communication with the ranger guides in the filled shall enable the head office to monitor the health conditions of the trekkers.

In case a tourist or accompanying members of the team experiences a health related problem, UWA staff shall apply the established evacuation and first aid guidelines to move the affected individual from the field.

How to book a gorilla tracking permit in Uganda

Having sorted the most convenient time for you to travel for gorilla tracking, you have to look for availability of gorilla permits.

Each day 8 gorilla permits per gorilla family are released for the public to book.

When we get your inquiry, we check for gorilla permit availability and get back to you. As the telephone queue at the Uganda Wildlife Authority is always congested, our turnaround time is 24 hours.

Upon confirming availability of your required gorilla permits, we have to book them urgently. This is because availability changes every time and the permits are sold on first come first served basis.

We request you to send your full names as per your passport, expiry date for your passport, age, nationality too.

Shortest After Lock Down Uganda Safari Holiday Package

3 Day Gorilla Tracking Safari After Lock Down

Day1: Road Trip To Bwindi Forest For Gorilla Tracking

Early morning, a safari guide from Arch Safaris And Tours will pick you from your overnight hotel. You will drive through Masaka.

 Enjoy a break at the equator to take photos and perform the water experiment. Continue to the country side arriving late in the evening to check in .

Day 2: Gorilla tracking experience after Lock Down

Rise up early in the morning for breakfast and head to the ranger station. You will be briefed about gorilla tracking. With the ranger guide, you will walk into the forest.

On the way, you may get the chance to see other primates like olive baboons, black and white colobus, vervet monkeys, blue monkeys and so many others,

Birds linger in the forest and keen birders have this double opportunity to identify a number of birds. You have high chances of spotting some Albertine endemics too.

When you finally get to see the gorillas, stand at a stance of about 10 meters apart and then watch then family do its activities.

After an hour, return to the lodge to relax.

Day 3: Road trip back to the Airport

Having enjoyed your dream come true gorilla tracking safari, get back to the road to catchup with your flight back home.

Note

Gorilla tracking is an all year round activity so the best time to book a gorilla tracking safari is when you have ample time.

The age limit for gorilla tracking is 15 years and above because someone is considered mature enough to hike. One can also with stand the advances in case the gorilla move closer which may not be with children below this age.

 Gorillas are susceptible to human infections so in case you feel any illness that is communicable, volunteer to stay behind.

When you book a gorilla tracking safari , you may decide to drive on the road or fly-in to Bwindi forest.