Gorilla trekking in Uganda is an incredible wildlife
experience, but it comes with serious responsibilities. These animals are wild,
powerful, and have clear boundaries. They dislike certain human behaviors, and
breaking their rules can lead to dangerous situations for you and serious harm
for them. Mountain
gorillas share 98% of our DNA, which makes them highly vulnerable to human
diseases like the flu or a common cold. That is why park rules around distance,
health, and behavior exist. Your trek is not just about taking photos; it is
about being a respectful guest in their forest home. This guide lists 12 things
gorillas hate, from getting too close to using flash photography. These rules
protect both you and the gorillas. Following them ensures a safe, calm, and
ethical encounter. The goal is to observe these animals in their natural state,
not to disturb or stress them.
1. Getting Too
Close
Gorillas strongly dislike it when people break their
personal space. The rule is to keep a minimum distance of 7 meters, which is
about 21 feet . This rule is not just for show; it is the most important
safety rule on your trek. Getting closer than 7 meters puts you at risk of a
charge and, more critically, risks passing human diseases to the gorillas. A
study in Bwindi found that tourists spent 60% of their time within 3
meters of gorillas, breaking the guideline . This closeness stresses
the animals, making them scratch themselves and change their normal social
behavior. Your guide will make sure you stay back. Listen to them. It is for
the gorillas' health and your own safety.
2. Making Direct
Eye Contact
In the gorilla world, a direct stare is a challenge,
especially for a silverback . They interpret this as aggression or a
threat. If you lock eyes with a silverback, it might respond with a bluff
charge to scare you off. The correct way to observe them is to look down or off
to the side, keeping them in your peripheral vision. This shows you are not a
threat and helps keep the encounter calm. By avoiding direct eye contact, you
respect their social rules, letting the family relax and go about their normal
activities like feeding and grooming without feeling cornered or challenged.
3. Using Flash
Photography
A sudden bright flash of light is something gorillas
find alarming and hostile . It can scare them, causing them to become
agitated or even charge. This also ruins the experience for everyone by
creating tension. Park rules strictly forbid the use of flash for this
reason . To take good photos, adjust your camera’s settings for low light
or use the natural light that filters through the forest canopy. Remember, the
goal is to quietly observe their natural behavior, not to startle them with a
sudden burst of light. Being prepared with the right camera settings makes you
a respectful guest in their home.
4. Eating,
Drinking, or Smoking Near Them
Gorillas are naturally curious, and the smell of
food can attract them, which is dangerous . It can make them want to
approach you, breaking the safe distance rule. For the gorillas, eating human
food is unhealthy and can lead to dependency. Smoking is also forbidden because
the smoke can irritate them and, more seriously, a dropped cigarette butt could
start a fire in the dry forest. Park rules prohibit any eating, drinking, or
smoking during the one hour you spend with
the gorillas . Enjoy your snacks and water before you start the trek,
and keep a safe distance from the animals.
5. Making Loud
Noises and Sudden Moves
Gorillas are easily stressed by loud noises and
jerky, sudden movements . The forest is their quiet home, and unexpected
sounds or fast actions can make them feel threatened. This can make them
agitated and disrupt their natural behavior. You are asked to speak in a low
whisper, keep your phone on silent, and move slowly and deliberately .
This calm approach allows the gorillas to stay relaxed. They will be more
comfortable feeding, resting, or playing with their young, giving you a much
better and more natural viewing experience.
6. Trekking
While Sick
This might be the most serious mistake you can make.
Mountain
gorillas are genetically very similar to humans, making them highly
vulnerable to human diseases like the flu, a cold, or even a cough . They
have no immunity to these common illnesses. An infection that is mild for you
could be deadly for a gorilla. Park rules strictly forbid anyone with a
communicable disease from trekking . It is your responsibility to be
honest about your health. If you feel unwell on the day of your trek, you must
tell your guide. The gorillas' lives depend on you making this tough but
ethical choice.
7. Trying to Touch
Them
No matter how close they are or how safe they look,
you must never, ever touch a gorilla . A gorilla might approach you out of
curiosity, but that does not mean it wants to be petted. They are wild animals,
and touching them is dangerous. More importantly, it risks transmitting
diseases from your hands to them, which can be fatal. They also find touch from
a stranger threatening. Keep your hands to yourself. The rule is to stay 7
meters away. If a gorilla does come closer, you should slowly back away to
re-establish that safe distance .
8. Wearing
Strong Scents
Gorillas have a powerful sense of smell. Wearing
strong perfumes, colognes, or even heavily scented lotions and insect
repellents can be very irritating and confusing to them . The strong,
unnatural smell can agitate them and make the encounter stressful. For your
trek, it is best to go scent-free. Use unscented deodorant and skip the
perfumes. It is also a good idea to apply insect repellent at your lodge rather
than immediately before the trek. This helps you avoid giving the gorillas a
sensory overload, letting them treat you as a neutral presence rather than a
smelly intruder.
9. Surrounding
the Group
When you are with
the gorillas, you must always stay together as a group and never surround
the animals . If gorillas are approached from all sides, they can feel
trapped and cornered, which triggers a strong defensive response. This is a
quick way to make them feel threatened and aggressive. Your guide will position
your group of up to eight people in one spot, out of the gorillas' way .
By staying in a tight group, you show that you are a single unit and not a pack
of predators surrounding them. This helps the gorillas feel secure and keeps
everyone safe.
10. Making
Unnecessary Noise While Tracking
This isn't about being loud near the gorillas, but
while you are hiking through the forest to find them. Loud talking, snapping
twigs, or other human noises can travel far and alert the gorillas to your
presence long before you arrive. This can make them nervous and even cause them
to move away, making your trek longer and harder. While on the trail, keep your
voice low and be mindful of your footsteps. Let the forest sounds of birds and
insects be the main soundtrack. This quieter approach lets you soak in the
atmosphere and increases your chances of a smooth, calm sighting.
11. Wandering
Off Alone or Breaking from the Group
You must always stay close to your trekking group
and never wander off on your own . The rangers assign a maximum of eight
people per gorilla family to minimize stress on the animals . When you
break away or lag behind, you create unpredictable movement patterns that can
confuse or alarm the gorillas. They might see you as a threat or something to
watch closely, disrupting their natural behavior. Staying together as a tight
unit shows the gorillas you are one non-threatening presence rather than
multiple threats surrounding them . This rule also protects you. The
forest is thick and easy to get lost in, and the rangers know the safest paths.
Listen to your guide, keep your group in sight, and never go exploring on your
own.
12. Littering or
Leaving Any Trash Behind
Gorillas are naturally curious animals, and they
might pick up or eat anything they find on the forest floor, including your
trash . Dropping food wrappers, plastic bottles, or any waste is dangerous
because it can harm them if swallowed or cause disease. It also ruins the clean
habitat they live in. Park rules strictly ban littering, and you are expected
to carry all your trash back out with you . Many operators also ask you to
avoid single-use plastics for this reason. This rule is about respect for the
gorillas and the forest. Keeping their home clean is a simple way to show
responsibility. Pack out everything you pack in and use reusable water bottles
to minimize waste.
Best time to trek
gorillas in Rwanda
The best time to trek gorillas in Rwanda is during
the dry seasons, which offer the most comfortable hiking conditions and easier
trails. The long dry season runs from June to September, and the short dry
season runs from December to February . During these months, trails
are firmer and less muddy, making the trek less physically demanding, and the
clearer skies provide better lighting for photography . However, these
months are also peak travel periods, so you must book your gorilla permits and
accommodation several months in advance . You can still trek during the
rainy seasons from March to May and October to November .
The trails will be slippery and more challenging, but you will find fewer
crowds, lower prices, and lush, dramatic forest scenery perfect for
photographers
