Gorilla Trekking Rules and Regulations

Gorilla Trekking Rules and Regulations, The wildlife authorities and conservation bodies in the Virugas and Bwindi impenetrable forest have the mandate to protect wildlife sustainably, the Gorilla trekking rules are clearly stated for better understanding by those who wish to track the Gorillas.

These rules have enabled gorillas to flourish making it easier for steady multiplication in their natural habitat.

Thanks to these rules that they exist, Gorillas would be extinct, the protection from locals and forest encroachers would have finished them by now, the governing bodies have done a tremendous work to keep them alive and multiplicity. Today,  only 1070  mountain Gorillas left in the world

When planning a gorilla trekking safari, knowing the gorilla trekking rules and regulations will help you stay within the conservation laws yet fully experiencing the gorilla adventure.

Getting ready for Gorilla tracking

The Uganda Wildlife Authority, allows a maximum number of 8 visitors to trek a single group of habituated mountain gorillas in a day. Thus, it minimises behavioral disturbance to the gorillas and the risk of their exposure to human-borne diseases. The numbers of visitors are regulated to ensure that Gorillas don’t feel attacked and maintain their relationship with humans.

With the ranging symptoms of flu, cough, chicken pox and any other illness, not allowed to track the gorilla in fear that you might carry these diseases to these endangered species.

To trek the Gorillas, you will need a tracking permit, this is obtained through the governing body, in Uganda, it’s the Uganda wildlife authority and in Vrunga, Rwanda, the Rwanda wildlife authority, upon booking your gorilla safari, you will share your passport details, with $700 USD for Uganda, Non Residents and 1500 USD for Rwanda Non –Residents.

Each person is given their own tracking ticket that allows you to access the tracking areas. The morning of the great encounter with the gorillas, you will be picked from your accommodation and transferred to the starting point where you will find your field guide who will further brief you about the Gorillas and the conduct near them, walking gears will be given then the adventure will begin.

Anybody can trek gorillas as long as they possess a gorilla trekking permit issued by the Wildlife Authority and they’re above 15 years of age.

Before engaging in the gorilla trekking activity, the lead guide at the trailhead shall brief tourists regarding gorilla trekking and the rules and regulations. COVID-19 prevention measures shall be an integral part of briefing messages and having Information, Education and Communication (IEC) materials displayed.

Tourists must sanitise hands, wear a facemask and observe social distancing before, during, and after the briefing at the trailhead.

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

On the way to the gorillas

Please always keep your voices low and listen to the guide’s instructions and information as you trek through the jungle. You will also observe great birdlife, various plant species and other wildlife in the forest.

• Due to the reported side effects of wearing masks for long periods and in high altitudes, visitors shall take frequent breaks during the tracking to give themselves time to breathe fresh air. During these breaks, social distancing strictly observed.
• DO NOT leave rubbish in the park. Whatever you bring into the forest should be carried back out with you.

• Since mountain gorillas build nests at sunset and stay there for the night, rangers head out before the gorilla trekkers hoping to find them where they left them the previous evening and stay with them all day.

• When you find the gorilla family, your guide will ask you to leave your backpack and gadgets about 50 meters from the gorillas and will allow you to approach with only your camera or phone calmly.

• When you are with the gorillas, the tourists must keep a distance of not less than 10 metres (32 feet) away from the gorillas. Although the gorillas may not observe this rule, the tourist should at least try to avoid contact. The further back you are, the more relaxed the group will be.

• Keep your voices down at all times. However, it is okay to ask the guide questions and follow their instructions during your stay with the gorillas.

• Do not smoke, drink or eat when you are near the gorillas. Eating or drinking inevitably will increase the risk of food/drink morsels/droplets falling, which could increase the risk of transmission of diseases.

• Sometimes the gorillas charge. Do not attempt to run away because that will increase the risk of the gorilla tackling you down. Follow the guides.

• Flash photography  not permitted! When taking pictures, move slowly and carefully.

• Do not touch the gorillas. They are wild animals and do not understand your modern gadgets, tools and expressions. So, avoid contact at all times.

• The maximum time you can spend with the gorillas is one hour. However, if the gorillas become agitated or nervous, the guide may end the visit early.

• After the visit, keep your voices down until you are 200 meters away from the gorillas.

General health rules

• Remember that mountain gorillas are very susceptible to human diseases. The following rules are ways to minimize the risk your visit might pose to them.

• At the briefing points, visitors and staff shall wash hands or sanitise and have their body temperature taken. All the visitors, staff and trackers must wear masks. Before the mountain gorilla viewing commences, all people in the group shall sanitise their hands again.

• Briefing and debriefing done in small groups of eight (08) tourists. After being assigned gorilla families for tracking.

• Respect the limits imposed on the number of visitors allowed with the gorillas each day. This minimizes the risk of disease transmission and stress to the group. The assigned UWA guides shall ensure the social distancing of 2 meters among the tourists while tracking, where practical.

• If you are feeling ill or carrying a contagious disease, please stay at your boarding facility. An alternate visit arranged for you, or ask your safari manager to process a refund. Tourists, staff, and porters who, during the briefing, observed sick not allowed to track. These include anyone with signs of flu and those who report having diarrhoea, stomach upsets and malaria, among others.

• If you feel the urge to cough or sneeze when you are near the gorillas, please turn your head away and cover your nose and mouth to minimise the spread of bacteria or viruses.

• Always stay 10 meters (32 feet) away from the gorillas. It’s to protect them from catching human diseases.

• Do not leave any rubbish (e.g. food wrappers) in the park; foreign items can harbor diseases or other contaminants.

• If you need to go to the toilet while in the forest, please ask the guide to dig you a hole with his panga. But fill it when done.

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

What to bring on your Gorilla Safari

Bring 2 facemasks; preferably disposable surgical masks. You will need one when tracking and a fresh one when with gorillas.

Wear comfortable hiking shoes suitable for steep muddy slopes.

Put on earplugs for those who feel uncomfortable with the jungle sounds.

Carry packed lunch, some energy snacks and enough drinking water.

Carry rain gear, sunscreen lotion, a hat (as the weather is unpredictable) and insect repellent.

A walking stick/staff is essential for trekking the rainforest’s uneven terrain and will keep you upright.

Read more about the gorilla trekking packing list.