Gorilla Trekking Rules Uganda

In order to minimize behavioral disturbance to the gorilla and the risk of exposure to human-borne disease some rules must followed:

  • Keep your voice low or be quiet.  You will see and hear more if you do.
  • Do not point or waive your arms - this can be seen as an attack.   Move slowly and if approached by a gorilla move slowly backwards to keep a 7 metre separation.  
  • Do not use a flash when taking pictures. This can frighten the gorillas and cause an attack on visitors.
  • DO NOT leave rubbish in the park. Whatever you bring into the forest should be carried back out with you.
  • Always wash your hands before you head out to the gorillas.
  • Keep a minimum of 7 meters (21 feet) from the gorillas. This is to protect them from human disease transmission.
  • You must stay in tight group when you are near the gorillas.
  • Keep your voices down at all times. However, it is OK to ask the guide questions
  • Do not eat or drink while you are near the gorillas to reduce the risk of disease transmission.
  • Sometimes the gorillas charge. Follow the guides example-crouch down slowly, do not look the gorillas directly in the eyes wait for the animals to pass. Do not try and take pictures and do not attempt to run away. Running away will increase the risk of attack.

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  • Do not touch the gorillas. They are wild animals.
  • The maximum time you can spend with the gorillas is one hour. However, if the gorillas become agitated or nervous, the guide will end the visit early.
  • After the visit keep your voices down until you are 200 metres  away from the gorillas.

General Health Rules
Remember gorillas are very susceptible to human diseases. The following are ways to minimize the risk your visit might pose to them:

  • Respect the limits imposed on the number of visitors allowed with the gorillas each day. This minimizes the risk of disease transmission and stress to the group.
  • If you are feeling ill, or have a contagious disease, volunteer to stay behind. An alternative visit will be arranged for you, or you will be refunded your money.
  • If you feel the urge to cough or sneeze when you are near the gorillas, please turn your head away and cover your nose and mouth in order to minimize the spread of bacteria or viruses.
  • Always stay 7 metres (21 feet) away form the gorillas. The further back you are, the more relaxed the group will be.
  • Do not smoke, drink or eat when you are with the gorillas

 
  • Do not leave any rubbish (e.g. food wrappers) in the Park; foreign items can harbour diseases or other contaminants.
  • If you need to go to the toilet while in the forest, please ask the guide to dig you a hole. He will fill it when you have finished.

The gorilla tracking activity which started in April 1993 in Bwindi Impenetrable National park and in 1994 in Mgahinga Gorilla National park with one group each led to an increased demand for habituating more gorillas. This has also called for more attention from both the national and global community towards the conservation of the mountain gorillas.

Gorilla Tour Packages
Gorilla Tour Bwindi 3 days
Gorilla & Chimpanzee Safari 6 days
Gorillas & Wildlife 7 days.
Best of Uganda safari 15 days

Information on Gorillas
Gorilla Tracking - general info and what to bring
Gorilla Permits & Habituated groups.