How Safe Is Gorilla Trekking? : One of the best African wildlife experiences is gorilla trekking which takes place in Uganda, Rwanda and the D.R.C. The field guides who go with you on the treks are complete professionals who know more about gorillas and their behavior than anyone else on the planet, and there are strict safety precautions in place.
IS GORILLA TREKKING SAFE?
The world’s best wildlife experience is probably gorilla trekking in East Africa. Many people’s bucket lists include spending an hour with these magnificent animals, and it’s unquestionably one of those once-in-a-lifetime experiences that won’t let you down!
Is Mountain Gorilla trekking Safari Safe? It is absolutely safe to go gorilla trekking in East Africa. Armed rangers lead you into the national park and stay by your side the entire time you interact with the gorillas. When you return to the park’s entrance, your driver will be there to pick you up and drive you back to your hotel. Gorilla trekking is extremely safe and professionally run in both Uganda, The D.R.C and Rwanda.
THINGS TO CONSIDER BEFORE GORILLA TREKKING: 4 SAFETY TIPS
As the area has a history of instability, some people are a little nervous about traveling to East Africa for the first time. But as of this writing, both Uganda and Rwanda are tranquil and, generally speaking, very safe for travelers. On the other hand, the DR Congo presents a unique problem that ought to be avoided. You need not worry about your overall safety during your trip as long as you book your safari through a reputable and certified safari company such as Achieve Global Safaris. In light of the foregoing, consider the following to make your upcoming gorilla trek as secure as possible:
Book your trek with a trusted safari company.
Make sure you reserve your gorilla trek with a reputable safari company, as is the case with any tourist activity, to ensure that they will take care of your safety and security. Although the vast majority of Ugandans and Rwandans are polite and welcoming to tourists, booking your trip through a reputable tour operator adds a layer of security to your trip.
Listen to the rangers.
Armed rangers who are in charge of keeping you and the animal safe as they lead you on your trek through the forest will be waiting for you when you get to the national park in preparation for your gorilla trek.
The friendly and well-trained rangers are there to make sure that your visit is memorable for all the right reasons. The rangers give you a safety briefing before your trek starts, explaining how close you can get to the gorillas and what to watch out for while trekking.
Your gorilla trek will be completely safe as long as you pay attention to the rangers and take their instructions seriously. You can rest assured that the entire trek will be secure from beginning to end because the rangers will be by your side the entire time and are there to protect you.
Be respectful of wild animals.
You enter the habitat of wild animals when you enter a national park. Wild animals are undoubtedly unpredictable, so you must treat them with respect. The gorillas you can trek with in Uganda and Rwanda are habituated, which means they are accustomed to people and don’t frequently exhibit aggressive behavior.
But if you step over the line and approach too closely, you run the risk of igniting the gorillas, which is a bad idea! The rangers will, of course, describe how close you can get to the animals and will alert you if you intrude on their territory while on your trek.
However, be careful to enter the forest with the understanding that you are entering the natural habitat of wild animals and that you must treat them with respect. This will assist you in preventing any unexpected events during your encounters.
Wear appropriate footwear.
Not the animals you’re likely to see in an East African national park, but the terrain itself is one of the biggest dangers to your safety. Whether you’re trekking in Rwanda or Uganda, the ground is probably going to be wet, and if you aren’t wearing the right shoes while walking through the bush, you could easily lose your footing.
So, for your gorilla trek, make sure to dress in a sturdy pair of walking boots and pay attention to the rangers’ marked path. Walking through the African bush can be thrilling, but if you don’t watch where you step, you could get hurt!
TRACKERS AND GUIDES
Mountain gorilla sighting visitors are in the capable hands of knowledgeable trackers and guides. It is a legal requirement to have a guide with you when going on a trek because of how endangered mountain gorillas are and their precarious situation. They make sure that the encounter is safe for both the visitor and the gorilla, and they add to the enjoyment by having firsthand knowledge of the troop.
The strict guidelines governing visits to the mountain gorillas also contribute to everyone’s safety. Per troop, eight permits are issued each day in order to minimize disruption. Additionally, groups are limited to eight people, and visitors are only permitted to spend an hour with the gorillas. This is more than enough time to gain insight into the lives of these endearing animals.
TIPS FOR BEHAVING AROUND GORILLAS
Even though your guide will always be available to provide advice while you’re near the gorillas, it’s a good idea to brush up on proper behavior prior to entering the lush greenery of the mountain forests.
First tip: If you look into a gorilla’s eyes, take a moment to enjoy the experience before looking away from the gorilla’s eyes and downward. This tells the gorilla that you don’t pose a threat, so everyone can unwind.
Second Tip: The gorillas should always be kept seven meters (about 23 feet) away from you. This prevents any diseases from humans from getting to the gorillas. Stay still and let the gorilla pass if he approaches you. Give a gorilla space if you happen to be standing exactly where he wants to be, and permit him to move around as he pleases. If the gorilla comes up to you and sits down, slowly retrace your steps to keep a seven-meter distance. If you’re unsure of what to do, don’t worry; your guides will be watching and will give you instructions on how to proceed.
Thirdly: make sure to cough into your arm if you must. This makes it less likely that the gorillas will steal anything from you. It’s best to reschedule your trek if you’re sick before it and wait until you feel better.
Fourthly: Follow your guide’s instructions and try to remain silent and move slowly if you come across a troop in a mountain forest glade. Although they are gentle giants, gorillas can be startled and may feel provoked if you approach them too quickly or closely. When your guide approaches the gorillas, you might hear them make a belching noise. This isn’t bad manners on their part; it’s just gorilla language to signal that they’re not a threat.
SUMMARY
You may feel vulnerable when viewing gorillas in the wild because male silverbacks can weigh up to 400 pounds and stand nearly 6 feet tall. Though, as always, it’s important to remember that they are wild animals and their privacy should be respected, the truth is that these endearing creatures are peaceful, and our ability to observe them up close in their natural habitat is made possible by their gentle nature.
Additionally, they face extinction risk. Less than 1,000 mountain gorillas remain in the wild today due to widespread poaching and the destruction of their habitat for agricultural purposes. A component of the solution to reversing this downward trend in tourism is sustainable tourism. Aside from being a life-changing experience, seeing these magnificent animals in their natural habitat also helps with their conservation.
Is Gorilla trekking Safe? Yes, Gorilla trekking is extremely safe; with the help of a knowledgeable guide and the proper attitude, your encounter with mountain gorillas will be as exciting as it is safe. You will be treated to an extraordinary encounter with one of the rarest apes in the world if you conduct yourself in a way that is respectful of other animals and the environment.
