Every day, all year-round Uganda conducts gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. The desire to protect mountain gorillas and their natural habitat, the government of Uganda through the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) set rules and regulations to govern the top tourist activity.
- Wash your hand when you are going to meet gorillas. Also put on your face mask throughout the trek.
- A maximum of 8 people is allowed to meet each Gorilla family. In order to protect the endangered species, there are is limited number of trekkers to avoid putting much pressure on the gorilla family and to minimize the destruct of gorilla habitats. Game rangers and porters are also inclusive in the maximum number of trekkers per gorilla family.
- The minimum age for trekkers is 15 years. Below 15 years are not allowed to meet Gorillas because, they cannot endure the hard situation involved in gorilla trekking. More so, they can fail to grasp and put gorilla trekking rules into consideration.
- One hour is given to trekkers to stay with gorillas. Overs staying near a gorilla family stress and can force gorillas to get annoyed and once gorillas get upset, they turn violent and ready to fight.
- Stay in tight group when you are near the gorilla group. When you scatter, the gorilla family members may think you have come to fight them and the gorillas may turn against you.
- The 7 metres should be left between gorillas and trekkers. It’s important to control the spread of diseases from the animals to human and the reverse is true. Gorillas are greatly affected by flu, cough, Covid-19 among others.
- Keep low voices when you are near the gorilla group. Gorillas hate much noise so, it’s important to keep low voices but feel free to ask questions to the game rangers. Gorillas are so sensitive and the moment a trekker makes noise; they can turn violent.
- A void drinking when you are near the gorilla family. Gorillas want to share and they can use force to get what they want. Gorillas share 98% of DNA with human being so they can easily catch human diseases when sharing drinks.
- Do not touch the Gorillas because they are wild animals. The close contact with wild animals may boost the spread of disease. Remember gorillas are among the highly endangered primates which to protect jealously.
- Avoid flash photography – Gorillas charge and when they do, gorilla trekking is stopped on that day so, using flashy lenses when taking photos of the gorillas is abomination.
- If you need to sneeze or cough in the forest, cover your nose and mouth to reduce the chance of spreading infection.
- If you are sick, inform authority to assess whether your health condition and if they prove that you cannot meet gorillas, you can postpone your trek or ask for the gorilla permit refund. Remember, the lives of Gorillas are more important than your holiday.
- If you need to go to the “toilet” while in the forest, please ask the guide to dig you a hole and ensure you cover it when you have finished.
- Do not leave any rubbish in the park to control the spread of diseases.
Both Uganda and Rwanda are on the same campaign to protect the few remaining gorillas in the world. For that case, both countries share the same gorilla trekking rules and regulations.