Gorilla trekking is a distinctive safari that is only done in three countries that lie in the Virunga Massif and Bwindi Forest in southwestern Uganda. Travelers should either storm Uganda, flock Rwanda or drop in the DR. Congo to get a chance of wowing on the beauty of wonderful gorillas. In Uganda, two national parks seal the beauty of these creatures therefore tourists should either arrange for a trek in Bwindi impenetrable national park or Mgahinga national park.
Gorilla trekking rules and regulations.
While trekkers are hitting the forests in search for mountain gorillas, they should keep the following in mind;
Maximum number of the people in the group to meet a specific gorilla family should be eight. These groups of eight individuals are formed after the meeting done prior trekking.
The trekkers should be adults. This means that all children below the age of 15 years are prohibited from following gorilla trails in the quest of encountering them.
Trekkers should entirely follow the information provided to them by ranger guides. As soon as they spot a family of gorillas, they should wait for rangers to guide on when to take out their cameras.
Keeping voices low while in the park is vital. This minimizes noise pollution that can affect other creatures in the wilderness and enables visitors to concentrate on watching birds and other amazing forest features.
Do not leave rubbish in the park. Tourists shouldn’t litter used food packages and other polyethene that contained snacks in the forests to avoid gorillas and other animals from feeding on them which might compromise their health.
Visitors should ensure the following regulations while with the gorillas;
Keep a minimum distance of 7 m while they have met up with the gorillas. This helps to protect the gorillas from contracting diseases from the visitors.
Visitors should ensure that their photography devices do not have flash lights. It should also be noted that visitors should be calm and silent while taking the pictures of mountain gorillas.
Trekkers should keep their voices low while they are with the gorillas and maintain that even after until they are 200m away from their reach.
Trekkers should remain in their groups while in the vicinity of the gorillas.
Maximum time offered to the tourists after they have encountered mountain gorillas is strictly one hour unless visitors that subscribe to the four hours’ gorilla habituation experienced offered only in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park of Uganda.
What to avoid when trekking gorillas?
Trekkers shouldn’t eat or drink while they are close to the gorillas.
Trekkers shouldn’t risk touching mountain gorillas. Even though these creatures are habituated, they are still wild animals that react when an uncomfortable situation happens to them.
A trekker should endeavor to turn up for their safari on the day that they booked otherwise turning up on a wrong day will offer them disappointments.
Booking gorilla trekking permits in advance is highly recommended because the parks do not offer these permits on the real day of trekking.
Not having hiking boots. These boots help protect the feet of trekkers over the rough landscape that is in the park.
Packing the wrong clothing. The clothes ideal for trekking are basically long-sleeved shirts and trousers that protect tourists from thorns, tree branch scratches among others.
