Gorilla Trekking Etiquette in Uganda

Gorillas Trekking Etiquette are the rules and regulations to be followed while in the jungle searching for the critically endangered apes alongside the conservation measures set aside to implement the conservation of the gorillas. Gorilla Trekking is the most exciting and memorable part of an African safari as you enjoy a real up close encounter with these animals in the wild. Gorilla Trekking is a source of employment to the members of the local community like rangers, porters and trail maintainers who were former poachers and avid anti – poaching agents.

Mountain Gorillas are one of the most critically endangered species, they are affected by habitat loss, poaching, transmission of human diseases in tourism threatening their survival and existence. Gorilla Trekking has become a very important tool in nature conservation as it provides economic value thus attracting more local people to engage in gorilla ecotourism, creating more awareness on the importance of conservation of the Mountain Gorillas.

Limiting the number of permits issued is to carefully control gorilla tourism thus enforcing Gorilla Trekking Etiquette with only eight trekkers  permitted to visit a gorilla family in a day. The treks are led by the park rangers to ensure that the gorilla trekking etiquette is maintained as laid out during the briefing session.

The Gorilla Trekking permit fee is another way of enforcing the gorilla trekking etiquette and the conservation efforts of the endangered species. Costing $700 in Uganda, $1500 in Rwanda and $400 in DR Congo, these fees protect the gorilla and their habitats through catering for the rangers salaries, fund gorilla monitoring activities, research, veterinary and health care as well as full management of gorilla destinations. Alongside part of the profits from gorilla permits given back to the local communities for development of infrastructure like roads, schools and health centers.

The Gorilla conservation organisations like Uganda Wildlife Authority and other Non-government organisations have set rules and regulations to govern gorilla tracking and implement Gorilla Trekking etiquette and they include;

Gorilla Trekking Rules and regulations in Bwindi and Mgahinga National Parks.

• Each gorilla family is allowed eight people per tracking lasting only one hour after encountering the gorillas in their natural habitat, This minimizes behavioral disturbance to the gorillas and the risk of their exposure to human borne diseases.
• In case of any respiratory diseases like flue or cold or any other contagious infection, forego the exercise to avoid infecting the endangered species.
• In the presence of the gorillas, ensure a minimum distance of 7 m  between the gorillas  and since the gorillas are unaware of this and will attempt to draw closer to you, kindly move back to maintain the distance.
• While with the gorillas, maintain silence and sudden movements amidst the gorillas to ensure that they remain calm and relaxed.
• The mountain gorillas even though habituated, they are still wild animals that can react if they feel threatened and unsafe. Follow the rangers instructions; including desisting from running, crouch down and allow them to pass avoid looking straight in their eyes.
• Do not  litter the park as this will lead to environmental pollution
• Do not eat, drink or attempt to smoke while in the presence of the gorillas
• Desist from flash photography as it distracts and threatens the gorillas
• After the Gorilla Trekking exercise, keep your voices down the until you are 200 m away from the gorillas’ location.
• In case you want to use a bush toilet, let the rangers know so that he can dig for you a hole that is 30 cm deep and then you close it after use.Any breach of these rules may lead to termination of tracking without any refund.The Gorilla Trekking Etiquette is the only way to ensure conservation of the mountain gorillas, the most important rule is you staying near your guide and following his instructions always as you encounter these incredible, graceful and peaceful animals and watch the silver backs move around showing control over the territory.A percentage of the funds raised from park entrance fees and the community levy on permits is shared with the local communities living adjacent to the parks so as to help contribute to their development projects and also improve on the natural resource management in the region.