When planning a gorilla safari, your safety matters a lot just like taking part in any other safari activity in Africa or other part of the world. That said, before you embark on a gorilla tour to Uganda, Rwanda or DR Congo, two significant questions must be put into consideration. In the first case, you need to find out how safe is a gorilla destination you intend to visit and secondly, know how safe is the gorilla trek itself. Gorilla trekking is only conducted within Uganda, Rwanda and DRC. Looking at safety and security of these destination, Uganda and Rwanda are preferably the safest compared to Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) as it is still recovering from political unrest. Uganda and Rwanda have enjoyed peace for long and most of the destinations where treks are conducted are safe. Gorilla treks in Uganda are done within Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park and Mgahinga National Park while in Rwanda, you can take part in this adventure in Volcanoes National Park.
The interesting part of it is that the respective park officials are always conscientious on any dangers like human guerillas at the national parks. In DRC for instance, other security organs plus the UN Peace keepers have been employed to help in security matters within the Virunga National Park. Whereas the park guides and tour operators are always informed about insecurities and in case of anything, visitors are updated about it and this includes all respective wildlife authorities in Uganda-it is Uganda Wildlife Authority; in Rwanda-the Rwandan Office for Tourism and National Park; and the Institut Congolais pour le Conservation de la Nature for DRC and police departments are updated as soon as any danger a rises. However, Bwindi Impenetrable Forest and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park and the Volcanoes National Park are regarded as the safest destinations for gorilla trekking. Besides, even safari lodges do provide security to their visitors.
Unlike other wildlife safari experiences in Africa, for gorilla trekking trekkers have opportunity to get close these magnificent creatures while in their natural habitat. Before embarking on actual trek, you are briefed on safety precautions that must be observed at all times while you are in the jungles in search of these apes. These dos and don’ts include among others maintaining a distance of 7 meters away from gorillas, keeping down your voices low and others. These measures help reduce panic and nervousness in you and prepare you for the magical encounters with these dramatic apes without being frightened.
Besides, visitors are accompanied by one well-trained and experienced park ranger guide with AK 47 gun just for your safety while in the jungles tracking to see the mountain gorillas. At the park headquarters, you are grouped into eight people to track one habituated gorilla group and each group is assigned a park ranger guide. What is amazing is that these creatures have been habituated and they are used to human presence. However, they can be dangerous once they are irritated a behavior that may cause harm to you.
Interestingly, your park ranger guide will always be reminding you to maintain a distance of 7 meters from these apes, not to eat, smoke or drink while with the mountain gorillas, do not litter the habitat, avoid body contact with the Great apes, do not use flashlight cameras while taking photo, if your camera has a flashlight camera you are advised to turn it off among many other set rules and regulations that you are required to observe while in the jungles in search of these fascinating primates.
By observing such set measures, higher chances are that there will be less cases or no hostile behaviors that you will encounter with these Great Apes. Mountain gorillas are generally humble, gentle and intelligent and trekkers take part in gorilla trekking in only habituated gorilla families. Usually, habituation exercise lasts for about 2 years for these primates to get used to human presence in the wild and after, a group is opened for tourism.
In conclusion, safety is a very crucial factor when it comes to travel. Before you embark on gorilla trekking adventure, your safety at a destination and while on trek matter a lot. For memorable gorilla experiences, Uganda and Rwanda are the safest destination the fact that DR Congo is still recovering from political instabilities. However, you need to get in touch with embassy or get security alerts and be informed on current security situation of the area before setting off for this experience.
