“What are the safety guidelines for gorilla trekking?” This is one of the most common questions that we always receive from potential clients or visitors who have confirmed gorilla trekking tours. Without harassing, and interfering, gorilla trekkers must get within a good (and safe) proximity to the endangered mountain gorillas. Or rather, the Giant Apes can often get close to visitors. Continue reading our article to see how close you can legally go to the endangered mountain gorillas.
Although Mother Nature permits mountain gorillas to assume their movements and schedules, gorilla tours in Volcanoes National Park, where these adventures are offered in the land of a thousand hills, visitors are expected to follow the minimum viewing distance at all times. So, how close can visitors get to the mountain gorillas?
During gorilla trekking adventures, visitors can get as close as 7 meters (approximately 23 feet) to the endangered Giant Apes. This is considered a safe “approach distance” and the closest you can get to the mountain gorillas without disturbing or harassing them. In so doing, the mountain gorillas can live naturally and without interference in their day-to-day routines (of playing, foraging, resting, nursing their babies, grooming each other, and even mating).
Although visitors know the recommended viewing distance and follow it while observing and taking photos, these Giant Apes don’t see this distance. There will be cases of mountain gorillas approaching closer than the recommended minimum distance, or even touching your body (especially the curious and playful infants). So, what do you do when the mountain gorilla gets closer than the minimum distance? If this happens, it is advisable to slowly move back to at least the minimum approach distance.
Avoid chasing or trying to touch, or restrict the path of the mountain gorilla. On a rare occasion, a Rwanda Development Board Park Ranger might ask you to move back beyond the minimum approach distance, if the gorilla appears to still be approaching or behaving as if it is still interested in being closer. By following the 7-meter approach distance, visitors are guaranteed to have a safe and enjoyable gorilla trekking experience, while helping to keep the Giant Apes wild.
When approaching the mountain gorillas, it is important to note that these Giant Apes are unpredictable and may unexpectedly charge or retreat into hiding if feeling threatened. While it is rare, people may get injured after disturbing mountain gorillas that were resting or nurturing their babies. It is undeniable that all animals, mountain gorillas inclusive need rest to survive. If you get too close to them, then they will no longer feel comfortable enough to rest. The dominant silverback (the leader of the gorilla family/group) will keep a watchful eye on you and might suddenly try to defend its members or command them to go somewhere else hence prematurely ending your long-awaited gorilla trekking experience. Getting too close to the endangered mountain gorillas can cause panic, forcing them to stampede to get away hence sometimes causing injury. Regardless of the best intentions of curious visitors (gorilla lovers), repeated and frequent disturbances put the mountain gorillas on edge and affect their overall health, well-being, and survival. All in all, for the safety and welfare of the endangered mountain gorillas, visitors should always keep the minimum approach distance, which is 7 meters (or 23 feet).
If you are taking photos and observing, and a curious infant gorilla approaches, slowly move back without scaring it. Avoid direct eye contact or trying to scare it away, or it might try to defend itself. Remember, a mature male gorilla is over 5 times more powerful than a man.
Signs of disturbance of the endangered mountain gorillas
Uneasy or disturbed mountain gorillas react by exhibiting a sudden change of behavior that includes chest beating (by the silverback/s), aggressive behavior like charging and screams, changes in breathing patterns, and an abrupt change in body posture or positioning.
Other important gorilla trekking regulations
Avoid feeding mountain gorillas. What may appear as a harmless fun or photo opportunity can put visitors at a huge risk and might have a fatal outcome for the Giant Apes. Like a cat or dog, a Mountain gorilla might seek out an easy feed and become demanding. An infant gorilla might bite or snap when teased with food or if regular feeding begins to be expected. Intentionally feeding mountain gorillas (or any animal in the wild) is illegal, as they are wild animals and hunt their food from the natural environment.
Only a maximum of 8 visitors can watch a habituated gorilla family in Volcanoes National Park. This rule is important for protecting these Giant Apes from any possible diseases and avoiding disturbances or distress as they go about their daily routines.
Avoid throwing any kind of rubbish in the forest- bottles, cigarettes, food wraps, or synthetic material, as they can cause problems to the mountain gorillas (especially the curious infants) if they accidentally swallow them.
The maximum viewing time for a habituated gorilla family in Volcanoes National is one hour. Usually, a gorilla trekking tour lasts anywhere between one and six hours, to navigate the jungle in search of the allotted habituated gorilla family. Afterward, one hour is all you have to watch and take photos of these Giant Apes going about their exciting day-to-day routines. Regardless of how beneficial gorilla tours are for the Giant Apes, they can also stress them out.
Best time to visit the mountain gorillas in Volcanoes National Park
There is no clear “best time” to visit the mountain gorillas in Volcanoes National Park, as there are pros and cons to both seasons. The rainy season, which runs from March to May, then October to early December is marked by heavy downpours hence muddy and slippery trails and forest floors. The advantage of this season is the affordability of gorilla safaris as Lodges provide “low season rates”.
The dry season, typically from June to September and mid-December to February is when temperatures are hot and less downpours. This season provides better access to the forest and less challenging trekking options. The disadvantage of visiting gorillas in the dry season is the high demand for gorilla adventures, which necessitates booking at least 12 months in advance. Also, Lodges charge higher rates in the dry/peak seasons.