Gorilla Trekking Tips & Advise make it easier and less hectic for visitors to plan gorilla safaris, keep safe and relish unforgettable trekking experiences for a lifetime. For most tourists to Africa, trekking the endangered mountain gorillas is one of the highlights of the safari and undeniably thrilling encounter. There are only about 1073 mountain gorillas left in the whole World and they occupy the mountainous and thick forests of Bwindi and Mgahinga National Parks in Uganda, the rare Virunga National Park in the war-torn Democratic Republic of Congo as well as the popular Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda.
Gorillas are classified as “endangered” under IUCN Red List of threatened species and given their vulnerability and close relation to humans, they are currently threatened. Therefore, we bring you the information on gorilla trekking tips and advice;
Book gorilla permits early
Gorilla safaris begin with acquiring gorilla permits, which can be done online and has to be done at least 3-4 months early prior to the actual gorilla trekking trip. These permits guarantee 90% chance of seeing the endangered Giant Apes in their natural habitat for a period of one hour.
Pack the right trekking gear.
Before finally travelling to any of the three mentioned countries for the gorilla safari, make sure that you have the right gear that include waterproof backpack, long-sleeved shirts, long and breathable safari pants in khaki, sturdy hiking boots, a light rain jacket given that the activity is done in a tropical rainforest, camera with extra batteries for taking pictures, gardening gloves to protect hands while holding vegetation for grip, cotton socks, pair of binoculars, a hat and many others.
Reasonable level of physical fitness
Mountain gorillas occupy densely forested areas high on the mountains with rugged terrains. These conditions require participants to be physically fit (at least moderate levels and above). However, the less active, elderly and travellers with reduced mobility are provided an opportunity to trek with sedan chairs lifted by four porters (at an extra cost).
Travellers have to be at least 15 years of age to trek the endangered mountain gorillas in their natural habitat. This discriminatory rule is done because young children may not be able to properly deal with the negative reactions from the mountain gorillas especially when the silverback starts chest beating. Not only that, it’s difficult to control young children to keep to their group without constant reminder and over stressing.
Make sure that your hands are properly washed with soap and clean water before embarking on these gorilla treks to avoid any possible spread of pathogens.
Keep voices low at all times as you head out to search for mountain gorillas in their natural habitats and even lower when in the presence of these endangered Great Apes. Noises not only scare mountain gorillas but also the unique bird species that you are likely to encounter during the trek.
Keep in your group and diligently follow the lead of your allocated Ranger guides for safety reasons but also not to miss the explanations on interesting attractions encountered during gorilla treks.
A minimum distance of 7 meters has to be maintained when taking pictures and watching the endangered mountain gorillas in their natural habitat. This is done to limit chances of spreading pathogens as well as avoid scaring them.
The maximum number of 8 persons is allowed to trek a habituated gorilla group every single day. This guideline is issued to reduce any chances of behavioral changes on the mountain gorillas as well as reducing risks of exposing the Great Apes to human-borne pathogens.
Pack it in, pack out each time you are trekking gorillas in their natural environment to maintain the forest the same way you found it. Empty bottles and food particles can act as breeding places for diseases.
Flash photography is totally prohibited because it scares mountain gorillas.
In case the need to answer the call of nature arises, feel free to speak to the Ranger Guide who will advise accordingly. In most cases, a small hole measuring 30 centimeters deep is dug then properly covered after use.
Drinking, smoking and eating in the presence of the endangered Great Apes is totally prohibited.
Avoid direct eye contact with these creatures because they perceive it as “provocation” and call for charging. When a silverback eventually charges, crouch down and slowly turn away from them. Also, avoid running away because you risk being attacked.
The maximum time that trekkers are allowed to spend in the presence of mountain gorillas is strictly limited to one hour, although this time is sometimes cut short when the Giant Apes become aggressive.
Sick visitors especially those with flue and cough are not allowed to trek mountain gorillas, given the fact that the endangered Great Apes are closely related to humans hence susceptible to many of these communicable diseases carried by humans.
