Gorilla trekking rules and regulations in Bwindi
Gorilla trekking rules and regulations in Bwindi: Rules and regulations of gorilla trekking are guidelines trekkers must follow during the search for gorillas in order to protect themselves at the same time mountain gorillas. The rules and regulations of gorilla trekking were set by the Uganda Wildlife Authority to protect and conserve mountain gorillas. These rules and regulations have led to an increase in the population of mountain gorillas and also trekkers trekking these apes safely in their natural habitats. Before gorilla trekking, groups not exceeding 8 trekkers are formed and park wardens teach them gorilla trekking rules and regulations.
Without gorilla trekking rules and regulations, the population of mountain gorillas would reduce day by day and the trekkers would not be safe trekking. Gorilla trekking rules and regulations apply in all the trekking sectors of Bwindi which are Nkuringo, Ruhija, Rushaga, and Ruhija. The following are rules and regulations for gorilla trekking in Bwindi impenetrable forest national park.
Gorilla trekking rules and regulations in Bwindi before going to trek mountain gorillas
Each gorilla family is trekked by a group of 8 people
Trekking is done by travelers that have gorilla trekking permits from Uganda Wildlife Authority
Trekkers with signs of transmitted diseases are not allowed to trek mountain gorillas in Bwindi, they will be refunded their money or given another day to trek
Before heading to the jungle, trekkers must wash their hands and sanitizer
Trekkers that have excess luggage can hire porters at a small fee ranging from $10-20
Gorilla trekking is led by armed ranger guides whose role is to protect you from dangerous wild animals and also show trekkers the best routes to use to locate the gorilla family.
Trekkers must keep in their groups while trekking to avoid getting lost in the jungle
Gorilla trekking rules and regulations in Bwindi during the search
Keep your voices very low so that you get all the information that armed ranger guides are giving out. Don’t throw rubbish anyhow in the jungle, keep it with you and put it in the rubbish bins outside the park.
While searching for mountain gorillas and you want to ease yourself, you must tell your armed ranger guide to dig for you a whole which you must cover after.
When you meet where the mountain gorillas slept the previous night, keep the voices low because they are near.
Gorilla trekking participants being briefed about the DOs and DONTs of Gorilla trekking activity
Gorilla trekking rules and regulations in Bwindi when you meet mountain gorillas
Trekkers must keep their voices very low when they are around mountain gorillas
Trekkers are given only 1 hour to be around mountain gorillas
Trekkers should keep a distance of 7 meters away from mountain gorillas to prevent the spread of diseases such as flu and cough
Avoid looking directly into the eyes of mountain gorillas
If you have sunglasses that reflect, you are must put them off because the mountain gorillas can try to come near you to see them
If you are around mountain gorillas and want to cough, you must turn around, cover your mouth, and then cough
A camera that has a flashlight is not used to take mountain gorilla pictures because the light can make them charge
When mountain gorillas move towards you, you are not supposed to run away but you will rather go down on your legs and try to eat grass like them until they pass by.
Eating around mountain gorillas is not allowed, you will either eat before meeting them or after meeting them
Smoking around mountain gorillas is not allowed because the smoke can affect their health system.
After spending one hour with mountain gorillas, you must keep your voices low until you are about 200 meters away from the group.
What to pack for gorilla trekking in Bwindi?
The packing list for Bwindi gorilla trekking safari should include waterproof hiking shoes, long cotton stocks, a pair of gaiters, gardening gloves, a rain jacket, a sweater, long-sleeved pants, long-sleeved shirts, a hat, sunscreen, a light backpack, insect repellents, sanitizer, facemask, first aid kit, a camera, a pair of binoculars, drinking water bottle, and energy-giving snacks among others.
When to go gorilla trekking?
Travelers can go for gorilla trekking in Bwindi at any time of the year however the dry season is the best to visit this park. The dry season occurs from June to September and December to February and it’s good to visit the park because during these months, there is little or no rainfall. This keeps the trekking trails in the park dry and passable, the vegetation is short and thin with good views of mountain gorillas and other park animals, and lastly roads leading to the park are in good condition.
Travelers can also visit Bwindi impenetrable national park in the rainy season of March to May and October to November because the park is always one. Travelers who visit the park during the rainy season have an opportunity of sleeping in good lodges at a cheap price because they reduce prices to attract the few travelers that are visiting the park. Travelers should however note that in the rainy season there is plenty of rainfall which makes roads leading to the park impassable, the trekking trails are muddy and slippery and the vegetation is tall with unclear views of the park animals.
