There are a number of standard gorilla trekking rules and regulations every trekker on gorilla safari must observe in Uganda, Rwanda or DR Congo. These are also popular as dos and don’ts, safety measures or guidelines. They play a significant role in ensuring safety of both trekkers and that of the mountain gorillas.
The survival of mountain gorillas still remains at a higher risk and ensuring they are safe in the wild is one important factor everyone needs to ensure. Before you are allowed to go trek to see these large apes, the park official takes you through the set rules and regulations for gorilla trekking. There are currently 1063 mountain gorillas left on earth and they only dwell in Uganda, Rwanda and DR Congo.
Below are the set gorilla trekking rules and regulations to follow
During the 7:00am briefing or each day, only one (1) habituated gorilla group is assigned to a group of 8 tourists. This is a standard rule that cuts across all the 4 parks where gorilla treks are conducted. That is Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda, Virunga National Park in DR Congo, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park in Uganda. This rule is intended to reduce changes in daily behaviors of gorillas and exposing these apes to communicable diseases.
To be considered eligible to track mountain gorillas, you must be above 15 years. Below 15 years, such persons are looked at as children and also, they are prone to flu, cough, measles-dangerous communicable diseases that can easily be passed to these endangered species.
Do not use a flashlight camera when taking photos of gorillas. Your flashlight should be off in case your camera has one. This is to avoid making these apes aggressive a behavior that result into harm to you or your colleagues.
Always maintain a social distance of 7 meters as instructed by the park guide or official. This should be ensured whether at a close encounter or still on a search for them in the wild. This helps safeguard these apes from infectious human diseases.
Once you have found your gorilla family, only 1 hour is permitted for you to have a face to face interaction with gorillas. But avoid direct eye contact as this may irritate them.
Burry human wastes at least 30 meters deep as guided by the park guide. This rule is aimed at limiting spread of human infectious diseases to mountain gorillas.
Do not liter the habitat where mountain gorilla live. In fact you are encouraged to leave it cleaner than you found it. Carry back all the bottles of drinking water to the park offices to throw them in the dustbins.
In case the trekker is sick or ill, the park authorities won’t allow you to go participate on a trek to see mountain gorillas. Where there is need to cough, ensure you have covered your mouth properly and nose when sneezing.
Where mountain gorillas go wild/aggressive, please standstill, avoid direct eye contact and always follow the park guide’s instructions. Ideally, humans are foreigners in gorilla habitat and like humans, they can charge against you.