Gorilla trekking in Uganda is a very unique activity, in Uganda operated under strict rules and regulations. These guidelines, rules, and regulations are put in place to protect the mountain gorillas and also the visitors. By nature, rules and regulations ensure proper running of events and gorilla trekking, as unique as it is, definite needs these guidelines.
The rules and regulations of gorilla trekking cover a lot of fields, from health to protection of the natural environment. Mountain gorillas, with their relatively small numbers, require a lot of caution to be taken when encountering them in the wild. These rules and regulations were set by the governing body of all the protected areas in the country, the Uganda Wildlife Authority.
It is only recently that the mountain gorillas were moved from the critically endangered species to the endangered species by the IUCN. This is because the population of the mountain gorillas has moved past a thousand. The global population of mountain gorillas stands at about 1,062 as of today. And this rise in population from the 1990s, when it was in just hundreds, is attributed to many conservation and protection efforts, and rules and regulations on gorilla trekking are one of the efforts.
To maintain the numbers and also multiply this recent population, it is a combined effort of all the stakeholders, meaning the communities around the gorilla destinations and the visitors. This collective effort will bridge this gap in their population to rise even more. This is why setting the gorilla trekking rules and regulations was a good move to control how the external world affects the mountain gorilla’s environment.
Rules and regulations of gorilla trekking in Uganda.
The government sets these rules and regulations as a form of conservation effort to protect the endangered mountain gorillas. These rules and regulations include some of the following.
A maximum number of visitors is strictly 8 per gorilla group per day.
Only 8 visitors are allowed to trek a single gorilla group or family per day, and this is crucial to reduce stressing the primates. These primates are social beings that live in groups called gorilla families. Every gorilla family is headed by a silverback, which is usually one in the family, but some families have more than one; there is always one dominant silverback.
Mountain gorillas are wild animals sensitive to external stimuli. Many visitors touring a particular gorilla family can be seen as an intrusion, triggering a defensive mechanism from the gorillas, especially the silverbacks.
Do not surround the mountain gorillas during trekking.
During a gorilla trekking experience, visitors are advised to always move in a single file formation. Even when encountering these mountain gorillas, visitors should be on one side. This reduces stressing the gorillas as surrounding them can frighten them and trigger their wild side. Always leave a good distance for the gorillas to escape in case they feel threatened. Surrounding them, many of the visitors appear as a threat.
Always wear a mask during trekking.
This is the first major requirement for visitors to embark on this gorilla trekking experience. A mask is one way of conservation and protection of the health of the mountain gorillas. Mountain gorillas share a much likeliness to us humans, with over 98% DNA similarity. Therefore, we can spread diseases to them and also vice versa. A mask helps to prevent airborne diseases like cough and flu from getting to the gorillas.
Maintain a distance of 10 meters from the gorillas
Visitors are always reminded that the mountain gorillas are wild animals and are not tamed or trained. Therefore, a distance of 10 meters must be maintained to avoid stressing the gorillas by coming really close to them. This distance also cuts out the spread of airborne diseases or any illnesses from getting to the primates.
Visitors are limited to one hour in the presence of the gorillas.
Every gorilla trekking session lasts for an hour at the location of the mountain gorillas. Habituated gorilla groups are accustomed to human presence, but that does not mean we should stay there longer. Mountain gorillas are always alert when in human presence, and this stresses them to leave feeding and grooming to watch us if the trek takes longer. Every gorilla permit allows visitors an hour, and not any longer, with the gorillas.
Smoking, drinking, or eating is strictly prohibited in the presence of the gorillas.
The same effect that smoke has on our body, it does on the gorillas, too. Drinking or eating in front of the gorillas may cause them to react towards what you’re drinking or eating to have a taste. Therefore, visitors must drink or eat before or after encountering the gorillas.
Do not feed the gorillas.
The mountain gorillas’ diet is strictly natural, and we must keep it at that. These primates get their food from their environment. Visitors must never feed these primates as their diet can be altered, thus causing them health complications or disease that can even lead to death.
The minimum age for gorilla trekking is 15 years.
This is one of the major rules in gorilla trekking in Uganda. Putting the age limit to 15 years is a collective move since at this age a person can understand and follow what they are told. Young children below this age can be overwhelmed by the nature and may not navigate the jungles for long, exhausting hours.
Maintain silence when in the presence of the gorillas
Silence is key to not just finding but also staying in the presence of the mountain gorillas. These primates do not like noise, which can cause them to flee into denser vegetation. Therefore, it is important to always keep the tone down for the gorillas to feel free in your presence.
Do not use flash photography.
Flash photography is strictly prohibited as the flashing light of the camera can frighten the mountain gorillas. This can put them in a fight or flight mode as they feel threatened.
Human waste must be buried 30 centimetres deep.
The fact that we share over 98% of DNA with the mountain gorillas, this shows the likelihood we share. This is why human waste must be buried 30 centimetres deep so that it is kept far from the reach of the gorillas. This is because this waste can cause diseases to the primates in case there is contact.
Do not visit the gorillas when you have a cold or any other infectious disease.
Visitors are encouraged to only embark on this gorilla trekking experience when they are fully healthy. Visiting these primates with a cold or any other infectious disease can easily spread such diseases to the gorillas. Visitors who wake up with a cold or similar illness on the day of trekking and it is confirmed, their gorilla permit can be rescheduled to a later date when they are better. This is done at no extra cost.
Do not litter in the gorilla habitat.
Always try to leave a green footprint when you visit the gorilla jungles. Strive to always maintain the gorilla habitats much better than you found them by maintaining the green. This is why it is strictly prohibited and penalized to litter in the gorilla habitats.
In case of a gorilla attack, crouch down and appear smaller.
Gorillas, by their nature a wild and sometimes their wild side is shown. Though it is very rare for a mountain gorilla to charge at humans, in case this happens, always crouch down to appear smaller. This is done to show submission towards the silverback, and this will make the gorilla lose interest. Do not run or appear bigger by standing up, as this may be interpreted as a challenge to the gorilla.
Gorilla trekking in Uganda can be done in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. Visitors can embark on this experience by purchasing their gorilla permits through us at Monteero Safaris, and we also plan your entire gorilla tour.