Gorilla Trekking Dos and Don’ts (11 Expert Tips)
Gorilla Trekking is very exciting and remarkable for all travelers that want to watch the Mountain Gorillas in their natural vegetation habitat. Here are 10 Expert Tips to follow to enjoy Gorilla Trekking in Uganda at Bwindi Forest National Park, Rwanda at Volcanoes National Park, and the Democratic Republic of Congo at Virunga National Park as well as Kahuzi Biega National Park. You should carry a valid Gorilla Trekking Permit with you as you go for your Gorilla Trekking Adventure in any of the destinations above.
11 Expert Tips on Dos and Don’ts around the Mountain Gorillas
- Keep A Distance of 7 Meters Away from Gorillas
You trek the Gorillas in their natural forest vegetation Habitat for hours as you move along various trails. When you meet them as you get your camera to take photos, we advise you to keep a distance of 7 meters as they are still wild animals, and getting close to them could provoke them.
- Take Photos with A Camera with No Flash Photography
After Trekking the Gorillas then you meet them we advise you to take photos of them with a camera that has no flash. Remove the flash for it may provoke the gorillas into getting so wild hence provoking them.
- Keep Calm and Don’t make Noise in Presence of Gorillas
As you trek the Gorillas in their natural forest vegetation habitat, make sure to keep calm and don’t make noise in their presence for this could distort them. We advise you to keep the environment very quiet, peaceful, and comfortable for the Gorillas.
- An Hour in the Presence of Gorillas
When you finish trekking the Mountain gorillas for some hours in the forest you meet them after information on their current location in the forest. While getting out your camera to take many photos, you are allowed only an hour in their presence if you are Trekking & 4 hours when on habituation Experience.
- Only 8 Individuals Are Allowed to Trek A Gorilla Group
When you are going on a gorilla trekking adventure you are allocated in groups of 8 with a park ranger guide to trek the majestic gorillas in their natural forest vegetation habitat. The gorilla group to trek is allocated to you depending on your physical fitness, age, determination, and capability. For example, the elderly and not so-capable are allocated a group not so challenging to trek.
- Make Sure to Wash Your Hands Before heading to trek the Gorillas
As you prepare to go gorilla trekking in the thick forest vegetation, we advise you to wash your hands before proceeding to trek the gorillas. This is ideal because gorillas are vulnerable to human illnesses. In addition, don’t cough or sneeze while in the presence of the Gorillas for they could also catch these diseases.
- Don’t Drink, Eat, or Smoke while around gorillas
When in the presence of the gorillas make sure not to drink, Eat, or Smoke while around gorillas. This is not good for you could go dropping food and dirt increasing disease in the forest or you might be approached by an infant Gorilla out of curiosity and then cause provocations that would lead into fights from the Gorillas.
- There are times the Gorillas Charge, Crouch down
When in the presence of the Gorillas, they may charge due to any instability and when you are approached by a Silverback Gorilla, keep calm and crouch down looking down not direct into its eyes something that may provoke them into seeing you as an enemy.
- Don’t Touch or Get in Contact with the Gorillas
While in the presence of the gorillas make it a point not to touch the gorillas or get in close contact with these primates. This could get them angry something that could provoke war. They are wild so keep your hands off.
- Carry A Waterproof Rain Jacket
As you go gorilla trekking in Rwanda, Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo make sure to prepare for the weather. We recommend you pack and carry a waterproof rain jacket to keep you warm as t can rain anytime while trekking the Gorillas. This is because the three countries are located close to the equator where it rains almost all the time.
- Carry/Wear Good Quality Hiking Shoes
You should ensure to bring a pair of good quality hiking/Trekking shoes to enable you to trek through the rugged montane terrain as you transfer from one place to another in the thick green forest vegetation of Bwindi, Mgahinga, Volcanoes, Virunga & Kahuzi Biega.
