Dos and Don’ts of Gorilla Trekking.

Are you planning a gorilla trekking safari? Here is what you should know as you prepare your journey to meet the gentle giants. Tick off an experience of seeing the gorillas in mist by knowing this before however much will be told to you during briefing.

Before going in for gorilla trekking.

A maximum of 8 visitors will be allowed to visit a particular family of habituated mountain gorillas per day in order to keep the gorillas safe from human borne diseases.

You should keep your voices low during the trekking process.

Ensure that you wash your hands as you head to gorillas.

During gorilla trekking in the park.

Ensure that you collect and take back all you take to the jungle to avoid littering.

Keep your voices at a low tone so that you increase your chances of seeing other wildlife like birds and butterflies.

The guide will alert you as you get close to the gorillas.

After finding the gorilla family.

Stay in tight groups while near the gorillas.

Observe a 7 meters distance from the gorillas since coming close to them brings disturbance.

Smoking, eating, drinking near the gorillas is prohibited

Make sure you don’t get a close eye contact with the gorillas.

At times gorillas charge however panic or try to run away don’t just follow the ranger guides instructions.

Ensure that you don’t use flash cameras since they are prohibited though photography is allowed but be carefully and move slowly when taking pictures.

However much the gorillas are habituated, they are still wild animals and you should not touch them.

The set time to stay with gorillas is one hour however the guide is allowed to stop the visit incase the gorillas are agitated and nervous.

Health precautions.

In case of any illnesses or having any contagious disease it’s advisable you stay behind in order to keep the gorillas safe.

Respect the allowed daily number of tourists to visit a particular gorilla family to low the risk of disease transmission to the gorillas since they are 90% humans.

Don’t litter

What to carry on your gorilla safari.

Suitable shoes for muddy slopes and comfortable for hiking.

Sun screen lotion.

Enough drinking water.

Camera

Bring power banks or spare batteries

Carry packed lunch.

Insect repellent.