Gorilla Trekking Rules & Regulations
Vibrant Holiday Safaris brings you the rules and regulations for gorilla trekking which are many and designed to protect not only the primates but tourists who go to see. Mountain gorilla tracking is an exciting activity but requires one to be well prepared and in good physical form to make it even more memorable. We recommend that throughout the activity, visitors should follow the lead and instructions of the park Rangers. Only 1000 mountain gorillas remain in the wild but Tourism is the only reliable way to raise money for their conservation. They are endangered and need to be protected from sicknesses or anything that may threaten their numbers.
The rules and regulation were designed with the purpose of reducing disease transmission from man to the gorillas and also to avoid alerting the primates unnecessarily. Mountain gorillas are vulnerable to infections from humans because of their lower immunity. It is also important to note that although the gorillas are habituated, they still remain wild and do not trust humans completely.
Below are some of the rules and regulations for gorilla trekking;
Only eight people may visit a gorilla group in a day. This not only helps reduce the possibility of disease transmission but also minimizes disturbances to the behavior of the gorilla group.
You need to have a yellow fever vaccine to be allowed into Uganda, Rwanda or Congo. Foreign visitors may also need a visa to enter the borders of the different gorilla tracking countries. The park authorities will ask for your passport after the briefing and before going into the forest to confirm your identity and ensure that you are illegible for gorilla trekking.
You cannot track mountain gorillas when infected with transmittable diseases. The Rangers have the right to stop you from going ahead with the group if they feel that the gorillas could be infected. Volunteer to remain behind if you are not feeling well or suspect that you have a contagious disease. You will be refunded back the money you spent on the permit or be given another opportunity once you are cleared and are in good health. Gorillas easily catch human diseases like diarrhea, flue and cough. Cough in particular affects gorillas badly. Turn away from the gorillas and cover your nose and mouth if you have to sneeze or cough. Remember, you may be carrying germs or an infection that you are not aware of. You need to also ensure you have clean hands as you head out trekking.
You must be 15 year or more to get a gorilla tracking permit. The age limit for gorilla trekking is set to 15 because children usually carry flu, colds, chickenpox and mumps that could be infect the gorillas.
Tracking gorillas involves moving long distances searching for the gorilla families. It often involves climbing steep terrain and mud-filled trails. You need to be reasonably fit and in good shape for the best experience. Elderly travelers will be assigned the nearest gorilla families. The elderly can hire the services of a porter to help carry them up to the group if they wish.
Keep the park clean and free of rubbish that could cause disease to the gorillas. Tourists are required not to drop handkerchiefs, used tissues or canisters. The primates may also swallow the items which could cause complications. In case you wish to go to the toilet, let the guide know at once. They will dig a hole for you that you should cover after to avoid spreading disease to the gorillas.
Do not clear vegetation in order to have a better view of the gorillas. This could scare the primates. Let the rangers do any clearing if necessary and possible. Do not eat, drink or smoke in the presence of mountain gorillas. They may approach you out of curiosity and maybe grab a bite. Leftover food may contain viruses that would affect the gorillas.
In rare cases were a mountain gorilla charges, crouch down slowly. Do not run but let the gorilla leave on its own. The Rangers will be on alert when a silverback starts beating his chest to display dominance. They are trained to calm down tourists in such circumstances and to stop anyone from running. As threatening and scary as charging may be, the best thing to do is stay put. Always stay calm and avoid sudden movements.
The Rangers will let you know when it is safe to start taking photos. While taking photos of mountain gorillas, keep calm and limit your movements. Do not use your flash to avoid irritating the gorillas to the point of charging at you.
Avoid staring directly at the gorillas as they might mistake it for hostility. Your body language counts a lot when with gorillas. Do not lift your arms or hands as they might be taken as signs of aggression. Standing taller than them and then staring may also be mistaken for aggression.
Do not attempt touching mountain gorillas even when they are inspecting you. They could mistake it for aggressiveness.
Putting on bright colors might attract the attention of the gorillas. Sunglasses are also not allowed while with the gorillas. Their reflection on the glasses might make them come to you to find out more.
For the best gorilla trekking experience, wear good sturdy hiking shoes. The shoes should be ideal climbing muddy and steep slopes. Move with enough drinking water and packed lunch from your hotel. Rain is very common in the gorilla parks and for that reason, you are advised to carry a rain jacket and other gear to be on the safe side. Gorilla tourism occurs in areas with thick forests and vegetation. Sharp grasses and tree branches could bruise your skin. You are better off putting on long pants and shirts. It is also important to note that tropical forests are full of insects. The best way to contain them is to acquire a good insect repellent. Move with a binocular and a good camera to take photos of the forest creatures.