Are you planning on undertaking a gorilla trekking safari and bothered about your safety during these treks? Worry not because the activity is absolutely safe for all visitors, regardless of the negative image portrayed of the Giant Apes in films like “King Kong”. Given the intimidating size and physical appearance of gorillas, many travellers are more worried of their safety than the excitement they hope to derive from seeing them.
Travellers’ safety is the number one consideration from the word go with the three National Parks (Bwindi Impenetrable, Volcanoes and Mgahinga Gorilla National Parks) generally safe and secure with tight security provided by armed Rangers, Tourism Police and military to safeguard visitors from any possible attacks from hostile animals and humans. Remember that this gorilla national park also shelter other animals especially leopards, forest elephants, unhabituated chimpanzees, cunning monkeys and forest buffaloes which could attack visitors in the jungles hence there is need to offer protection.
When it comes to interaction with the Giant Apes in their natural habitats, it is also safe compared to other wildlife encounters. It is safer to stand 7 meters from a silverback gorilla without fear of attacks than it is with a lion or even a Hippo. Before gorilla treks (starting the search for mountain gorillas) are undertaken, participating trekkers are fist briefed on the different guidelines to be observed (at all times) when trekking and being in the presence of these Great Apes. Besides that, trekkers are accompanied by an armed escort to offer protection against wild and stray animals, but this doesn’t mean that he/she automatically shoots stray animals on encounter because they are equally important but instead shoots in the air to scare them away. Additionally, the group guide constantly reminds trekkers of the issued guidelines.
Talking of briefing, it is conducted at the Park Headquarters or Ranger Post and usually lasts 30-45 minutes with information on the recommended manner to conduct yourself while in the natural environment of these Creatures. Don’t forget that mountain gorillas are still wild animals that would become aggressive or charge when provoked. Ranger guides particularly emphasize maintaining a minimum distance of 7 meters when observing and photographing mountain gorillas, avoiding direct eye contact because these Great Apes misunderstand is as being provocative, not touching these creatures, keeping voices low when searching for the Giant Apes or being in their presence, avoiding the use of flash cameras while photographing and when these guidelines are properly followed, there will not be any cases of gorilla attacks.
Least you forget, gorilla treks are “ONLY” conducted on fully habituated gorilla families/groups. The process of habituation usually takes 2-3 years. However, exceptions are made for the Gorilla Habituation Experience where visitors are introduced to semi-habituated gorilla groups to learn more about their outstanding behavior. Besides, only 8 visitors are allowed to trek and spend time with each habituated gorilla group each day.
As this activity goes on, the expert ranger guides keep watch of any possible gorilla provocations and also, updates are dispatched on the prevailing security circumstances. As earlier mentioned, Park Rangers work hand in hand with the Tourism Police, military and other security Organs to ensure 24/7 security of visitors and animals. So far, Uganda and Rwanda have been declared very safe for gorilla treks while the Democratic Republic of Congo is slowly recovering from insecurities that saw about 6 rangers ambushed and murdered by a militia group in January 2021
Another reason why gorilla trekking is safe is because of the herbivore diet of Giant Apes. They consume leaves, stems, roots and Bamboo shoots, not humans or any other animal. Instead of being scared of gorillas, you should instead be scared of lions that are carnivorous.
