Safety Guidelines for Gorilla Trekking in Uganda Safaris During COVID-19

Mountain gorillas are a star attraction in Uganda that many people have visited for trekking. Gorilla trekking in Uganda safaris offers an experience like no other as trekkers get down to the jungle and walk through the trails to meet the giant mountain gorillas and live with them for 1 hour.

Tours that get you close to the natural habitats of wildlife usually offer adventures of a lifetime and gorilla trekking isn’t an exception.

During the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) set up safety guidelines on top of the existing ones to help tourists trek gorillas in Uganda.

The gorilla tracking rules and regulations are set to ensure that tourists are safe and may not carry on any contagious diseases to the primates.

The mountain gorillas share more than 90% of their DNA with humans and therefore can catch these human diseases and even die from them.

Both the primates and humans must be carefully protected during these times to prevent the possibility of losing a population that has steadily increased following great conservation efforts.

Here are the set tracking rules and regulations in Uganda for the mountain gorillas and chimpanzees;

i) Mandatory temperature screening using non-contact infra-red thermometers at the key tourism gates of the different protected areas.

ii) Mandatory hand washing / sanitizing at the entrances of all UWA premises and protected areas.

iii) Wearing a face mask while inside the protected area

iv) Observing social distance

v) All tourists going for primate tracking activities should carry at least two N95 masks or surgical masks or double-layered cloth masks with filters.

viii) Visitors going to the parks are encouraged to carry their own hand sanitizer.

Gorilla Trekking in Uganda Safaris

Other Gorilla Tracking Rules and Regulations – Gorilla Trekking in Uganda Safaris

All participants must be aged 15 and above
Each person must first purchase the Uganda gorilla safari permit that should be presented on the day of trekking.
Be at the park headquarters by 8:00 am local time to attend the briefing and ensure you are allocated a gorilla family to trek
If you cannot hike, ensure to book porters and a sedan chair at an extra cost before the day of trekking
Wear clothes that suit the jungle and keep you safe from bites
A maximum number of 8 visitors may visit a group of habituated mountain gorillas in a day. This minimizes the risk of exposure to human-borne diseases and also reduces behavioral disturbance.
Always wash your hands before you head out to the gorillas
Do not leave rubbish in the park. Whatever you bring into the forest should be carried back with you.

During the trek Rules and Regulations – Gorilla Trekking in Uganda Safaris

With two ranger guides, you are expected to follow the rangers all through the trek
When you approach the gorillas, the guides will inform you when to get your cameras ready.
Always keep your voices low. You will also be able to observe the great birdlife and other wildlife in the forest.
Keep a minimum of 7 meters (21 feet) from the gorillas. This is to protect gorillas from human disease transmission.
You must always stay in a tight group when you are near the gorillas
Keep your voices low at all times. Though this does not prevent you from asking the guide questions about the gorilla family you have met.
DO NOT drink or eat while you are near the gorillas.
Sometimes the gorillas charge. Follow the guide’s example – crouch down slowly and DO NOT look the gorilla in the eye. Then, wait for the gorillas to pass. DO NOT attempt to run away. This is because running away increases the risk of attack.
Flash photography is not permitted. When taking pictures move slowly and carefully.
Do NOT touch the gorillas. They are wild animals
The maximum time visitors are allowed to spend with the gorillas is ONE hour. If the gorillas become agitated or nervous, the guide will end the visit early.
After the visit, keep your voices down until you are at least 200 meters away from the gorillas.
Human waste should be buried 30cm deep. Do not leave open waste in the forest.

To trek gorillas in Uganda, one has to follow all of these guidelines. We plan all the best Uganda gorilla safaris and Uganda chimpanzees trekking safaris for short and long itineraries. Acacia safaris also plan primate tracking tours during Tanzania safaris, Rwanda tours, and Kenya safaris.