Gorilla Trekking is the most popular adventure activity done in Uganda. This adventurous activity is done in two national parks; Bwindi Impenetrable Forest and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park.
Mountain gorillas are a big attraction of Bwindi and Mgahinga. Tracking them as a tourist or visitor is an intensive lifetime’s experience that may require endurance but give one a reward of the most interesting encounters with nature. In most parks some gorilla families have been ‘habituated” so as you guide leads you on through the trails of thick forest canopies he will give you updates on the life histories and family stories of the various groups of gorillas. Habituating a gorilla means getting it used to humans, or tourism and research purposes. This process takes place between 2 to 3 years like a hide and seek game. The national park field staff are trained to endure a game of patience as hey watch gorilla families from far. The skeptical animals will also look at them with suspicion at first until rapport is established to a point where a gorilla family will dare stand within five metres of human presence. It is only after this habituation exercise that tourists are allowed to see the gorillas. Groups of gorillas are continuously monitored daily and since they are now fearless of human intrusion they have to be protected or their own safety.
Uganda is one of the only three countries where mountain gorillas can be found. This has made Uganda, a must visit destination to travelers interested in mountain gorilla trekking, an adventure activity that offers travelers a rare opportunity to see these great apes in their natural wild. With increasing number of travelers planning gorilla trekking adventures, there are lots of questions that arise while planning a trip. Here, an expert from Gorilla Safaris Adventure answers some of the frequently asked questions about gorilla trekking.
Is there any relationship between between gorillas and Human beings in Uganda?
Originally, human beings belonged to the family called Hominidae, at time when the apes where put in another taxonomic family which was named Pongidae. In recent times, the separation between the two was brought about by the separation in anatomy of the human brain which was developed alongside distinct locomotion though this has been declared outdated overtime putting the gorillas very close relatives to human beings, second to Chimpanzees. The gene analysis indicates that man and gorillas differ by 1.6 percent while man with chimpanzees differs by 1.2 percent and for gorillas and chimpanzees, the difference is 1.8 percent.
Where Does gorilla trekking take place?
Globally, gorillas are known to be living in the Africa’s tropical rain forest which are distributed into two sects with about 900 kilometers in between the Eastern and western lowland gorillas though initially it was a single uniform habitat. For the western gorillas, they are known to be thriving in Cameroon, Nigeria, Central Africa, Republic of Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Angola and extreme west of the Democratic Republic of Congo. For the case of the Eastern gorillas which include the Eastern lowland and the mountain gorillas are found in Uganda, Republic of Rwanda, and Democratic republic of Congo. In Uganda, they are limited to Bwindi Impenetrable Park and Mghahinga National park. In these two parks is where the act of gorilla trekking in Uganda takes place. Other parks from the nearby neighboring country include Volcanoes national park in Rwanda and Virunga national Park in the Democratic Republic of Congo
What are the different threats to Mountain gorillas in Uganda?
They are critically endangered species and very sensitive to environmental alterations especially there in their habitants. Poachers tend to set wire snares to catch the duiker and in the long run, gorillas become victims instead. They do lose their hands and feet and this results into their death. On the other hand, the western gorillas are hunted for their meat by the local community despite of the fact it is illegal to hunt. Habitant loss which are ever increasing as a result of rain forest deforestation creates very small patches of isolated forest and these are inadequate for the gorillas.
GORILLA RULES
There are set guidelines that guide all visitors that go on gorilla trekking in Uganda. Here are the set rules that you must adhere to;
ON THE WAY TO THE GORILLAS
1) Always wash your hands before you head out to the gorillas.
2) A maximum number of eight (8) visitors may visit a group of habituated Mountain gorillas in a day. This minimizes behavioral disturbance to the gorillas and the risk of their exposure to human borne diseases.
3) You will be taken to where the guides left the gorillas the day before. From there you will follow the mountain gorillas’ trail to find them. Look out for the gorillas’ nesting sites along the way!
4) When you reach the Mountain Gorillas, the guides will inform you when to get your cameras ready.
5) Please always keep your voices low. You will also be able to observe the great birdlife and other wildlife in the forest.
6) Do not leave rubbish in the park. Whatever you bring into the forest should be carried back with you.
WHEN YOU ARE WITH THE MOUNTAIN GORILLAS
1) Keep your voices low at all times. However, it is okay to ask the guide (s) questions.
2) You must stay in a tight group when you are near the mountain gorillas.
3) Keep a minimum of 7 metres (21 feet) from the Mountain Gorillas. This is to protect the Mountain Gorillas from human disease transmission.
4) Do not eat or drink while you are near the mountain gorillas.
5) Sometimes the Mountain Gorillas charge. Follow the guide’s example crouch down slowly. DO NOT look the Mountain Gorilla in the eye. Wait for the Gorillas to pass and do not attempt to run away as this could increase the risk of attack.
6) Do not touch the Mountain Gorillas. They are wild animals.
7) Flash photography is not allowed. When taking pictures, move slowly and carefully.
8) The maximum time visitors are allowed to spend with the Mountain Gorillas is one hour. This is done to limit their disturbance. If the Mountain Gorillas become agitated or nervous, the guide will end the visit early.
9) After the visit, keep your voices low until you are 200 metres away from the Mountain Gorillas.
GENERAL HEALTH RULES
Remember Mountain Gorillas are very susceptible to human diseases. The following are ways to minimize the risk your visit might pose to them;
1) If you are feeling ill, or have a contagious disease when you are already at the park, please volunteer to stay behind. An alternative visit will be arranged for you or you will be refunded your money as per gorilla reservation guidelines.
2) If you feel the urge to cough or sneeze when you are near the Mountain Gorillas, please turn your head away and cover your nose and mouth in order to minimize the spread of viruses or bacteria.
3) Always stay 7 metres (21 feet) away from the Mountain Gorillas. The further back you are, the more relaxed the group will be.
4) Respect the Gorilla limit imposed on the time visitors are allowed with the Mountain Gorillas each day. This minimizes the risk of disease transmission and stress to the group.
5) 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.
6) Do not leave any rubbish in the park.
By following the rules above and through purchase of a permit, you are contributing to the conservation of the Mountain Gorilla.
A percentage of the funds raised from park entrance fees and the community levy on permits is shared with the local communities living adjacent to the parks so as to help contribute to their development projects and also improve on the natural resource management in the region.
Any breach of these rules may lead to termination of tracking without any refund.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is the 7 Meter Rule Important during the Gorilla Visits?
Endangered mountain gorillas are prone to most of the human diseases. As a result it is very important to note that travelers on gorilla safari in Uganda will keep a distance of about 7 meters to stop the transmission of these diseases. Since they live in cold and wet climate, it makes it them contract and develop diseases like respiratory tract diseases most especially Pneumonia resulting into their death. Sometimes, they do develop teeth cavities and most of free range mountain gorillas feature intestinal worms which affect both man and gorillas.
What is the recommended space needed between the Gorillas and Humans?
Gorilla families do not need independent territories rather they do position themselves to defend their territory from the rest. They roam in ranges of which the size is dependent on the availability of food and their home ranges are noted to be extended in areas of food. Their home range contain differing zones which are utilized seasonally and stretch between 4 and 8 square kilometers.
Do mountain Gorillas fear Water?
Gorillas are not able to swim naturally and as a result they tend to avoid expanse water bodies though the young and adult like playing with water and during their quest for food, gorillas move through swamps on two legs. However when the rains showers are heavy to their surprise, they tend to stay motionless waiting for the rain to end.