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6 Rules to Follow When Gorilla Trekking in Africa

6 Rules to Follow When Gorilla Trekking in Africa

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The world has always been the best place to be especially if travel is one of your favorites. Beyond your imagination lives many beautiful things and attractions you have never imagined including the only remaining mountain gorillas that are found in only Uganda, Rwanda and Congo. One can meet these beautiful primates provided you have a gate pass-gorilla permit for any of the gorilla trekking national parks and you above sixteen years of age. Gorilla permits cost $750 in Rwanda, $600 in Uganda and $450 in Congo for all months of the year except in Uganda where the gorilla permit prices are revised for gorilla tourism promotions. All mountain gorilla parks are close to each other trekking gorillas more than twice is allowed provided if one has the time and money. The three mountain gorilla countries and park managements work hand in hand under same rules and regulations that maintain the apes in shape as well as ensuring future conservation for the remaining living mountain gorillas. For those planning to do a gorilla tracking safari in Uganda, Rwanda and Congo the following Gorilla Trekking Rules and Regulations would apply, please keep them in mind.

  1. Avoid eating during the trek

Make sure the day for the trek starts with faty healthy delicious breakfast that will give you more energy to walk through the jungle and even concentrate more on the main cause. Some tourists find gorilla trekking very simple while others find it very challenging and tough especially when hiking through the jungle in search of primates. However, Eating, drinking and smoking are not permitted within 200 meters of the gorillas as it may cause problems to the primates. Besides some food remains may harm gorillas in one way or the other so better to have strong breakfast before heading out for the morning briefing.

  1. Health status is a must for all trackers

Make sure you healthy and free from contiguous diseases like flue, cough that can easily be transmitted to the primates by air. Remember the gorillas are like humans so they can be affected by the same disease. Besides if the park head rangers notice that a tourist isn’t in good condition, they have a right to stop the tourist from going to see the gorillas. If you close to gorillas and feel like sneezing please cover your mouth and nose to avoid any transmission.

  1. Eight tourists per each habituated gorilla family

It doesn’t matter how many habituated gorilla families are available for tourists each day but only eight tourists are allowed to see a particular habituated gorilla family for reasons of conservation and keeping the gorillas not stressed out. Remember, every tourist is allowed to spend only one hour of photography and observation with the gorillas unless if you on gorilla habituation program. Feel free to report to the authorities in case you see anything usual happening during the trek.

  1. Minimum visitor Gorilla trekking age is 16yrs

If you want to surprise your family, children, nephews and relatives with a gorilla trekking adventure in Uganda, Rwanda or Congo, ensure that they are above fifteen years because the activity isn’t recommended to any one bellow sixteen years. Sometimes infants can’t hike the forest to where the gorillas are and if they do they might be affected by the long walks and hikes.

  1. Photography & Observation

Switch off the flash light before taking photos of gorillas because the light scares them and can make them go wild. However, you free to take as many photos and videos as you can with the one hour duration of observation as you watch them play and jump across tree branches .There noise alone can put a smile on your face but never burst into laughter, kindly remain silent all through.

  1. Minimum Distance & Keeping Together

Make sure you stand in at least 7 meter distance to the gorillas and keep together with other trackers because the jungle is a home to not only gorillas but also other wildlife. Give rangers an easy job of protecting you in close distance unlike when they can’t even trace your movement. Remember gorillas are wild animals and can change in character any time. Even when they get close please make sure you remain still, don’t move.

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