Gorilla Habituation and Trekking Guidelines for First-Timers

Gorilla Trekking and Habituation are listed among the most extra ordinary activities of the world, in Uganda the activity takes place within the Bwindi Impenetrable National Park located in the southwestern part of the country, the conservation area protects half of the remaining population of gorillas in the world, the both activities offer visitors a unique opportunity to meet Mountain gorillas in their natural environment creating memories that last a life time! To ensure the safety of Both Gorillas and humans, the Uganda Wildlife Authority has implemented guidelines to ensure the smooth running of gorilla trekking and habituation activities.

Gorilla trekking in Bwindi takes place within the 4 sectors of the park(Nkuringo, Buhoma, Ruhija and Rushaga), there are habituated gorilla families present for guest visit starting at the park headquarters by 7:00 am, it takes 2-8 hours doing the activity in groups of 8 people per gorilla family, this year the permit costs $800 per person foreign nonresidents,$700 foreign residents, ad 300,000shilings East African citizens, while Gorilla habituation experience takes place only in the Rushaga Sector of Bwindi impenetrable National Park in the southern part of the conservation area, the tracking begins earlier by 6:00 am compared to the normal tracking for 2-8 hours or sometimes the whole day, it involves following semi-habituated gorilla groups that are being trained to get used to the presence of humans, the permit costs $1,500 per person Foreign Non Residenrs,$1,000 Foreign residents and 750,000shillings East African citizens.

Visitors are expected to keep a 7-meter distance from the gorillas; the distance reduces disease transmission between humans and the Mountain gorillas, especially communicable diseases like the flu. It also allows the juveniles of the pack to behave naturally, although there are cases where the youngsters approach the guests; in this situation, you are expected to be calm and follow the game ranger’s lead.

Do not visit the gorillas when you have a cold or infectious disease. This is because the gorillas are highly vulnerable to illness, and humans can easily affect them; some of these include coughing, sneezing, flu, or vomiting. In case the guest is sick on the trekking day, we advise doing so the following day or postponing until they are feeling better.

Gorilla trekking is strictly done by people beyond the age of 15 years; the age limit ensures that all participants of the activity are fit to walk through the steep slopes in the forest and are emotionally ready to do the tracking. Young kids can easily go against all rules set for their protection and sometimes scream in the forest, which can cause the gorillas to charge or feel attacked.

Flash photography is not allowed, as much as photography is encouraged for memories, visitors are always urged to avoid the flash; this can scare the animals, cause stress, or sometimes lead to attacks from the primates, hence very important to turn it off before meeting the primates.

Never touch the gorillas. The gentle giants appear very calm, seeming easy to touch; however, these are wild animals, and touching them may alter the animal behavior or cause attacks. If the gorillas come close, try to stay calm and in one place.

Human waste should be buried 12 inches deep. In case you are in the forest doing number 2, the gorilla habitat needs to be kept clean. Inform your guide, who will help identify a proper location suitable for the situation.

Keep the noise to a minimum when with the gorillas; excessive noise in general keeps the animals disturbed. When you need to speak, let it be a quiet interaction and brief at the same time.

In conclusion, gorilla trekking and Habituation guidelines have generally been put in place by the Uganda Wildlife Authority(UWA) for the protection of wildlife and visitors at the same time.