Wildlife guide
The perfect introduction to getting your head around the extraordinary life on earth, and where to go to find it.
Gorilla watching guidelines
Gorilla watching has always had one golden rule: don’t go if you feel ill. Gorillas’ DNA is so close to ours that they can catch our illnesses, meaning they could face a real threat from human-borne respiratory infections. Diseases that jump between humans and animals (or zoonotic infections) have caused fatal outbreaks in wild mountain gorilla families in the past, and on average, even if a tour follows the rules, gorillas used to humans will come into close quarters with 7-23 people every day.
Local wildlife authorities and our gorilla watching specialists strongly discourage trekkers from getting too close, not only for your safety, but also for theirs. That’s because, after trauma, respiratory illness is the biggest cause of death in wild gorillas. Strict gorilla watching guidelines then are a very positive thing. They were tightened due to the Covid 19 pandemic, and we hope that they’ll continue into the future.
But groups don’t always stick to the rules either on distance, or on the time limit (maximum one hour) spent with the gorillas. Studies show that most gorilla treks observed in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in Uganda don’t keep to the 7m rule emphasised by park rangers. Often this is down to groups being approached by the gorillas, but at other times it was for a good photo opportunity. Viruses aside, we’re not sure we’d want to get that close to a 160kg silverback…
Gorilla trekking is vital to the long-term survival of mountain gorillas and to the economies of the communities that live near them. But it’ll only be successful if gorilla tourism remains responsible. We need strict guidelines to be enforced, plus a raised awareness of how to trek safely without endangering ourselves or the gorillas. By following these guidelines – as proven when we’ve followed social distancing and hygiene guidelines in our day-to-day lives during the pandemic – we can admire these magnificent animals without the risk of unintentionally causing them harm.
Local wildlife authorities and our gorilla watching specialists strongly discourage trekkers from getting too close, not only for your safety, but also for theirs. That’s because, after trauma, respiratory illness is the biggest cause of death in wild gorillas. Strict gorilla watching guidelines then are a very positive thing. They were tightened due to the Covid 19 pandemic, and we hope that they’ll continue into the future.
But groups don’t always stick to the rules either on distance, or on the time limit (maximum one hour) spent with the gorillas. Studies show that most gorilla treks observed in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in Uganda don’t keep to the 7m rule emphasised by park rangers. Often this is down to groups being approached by the gorillas, but at other times it was for a good photo opportunity. Viruses aside, we’re not sure we’d want to get that close to a 160kg silverback…
Gorilla trekking is vital to the long-term survival of mountain gorillas and to the economies of the communities that live near them. But it’ll only be successful if gorilla tourism remains responsible. We need strict guidelines to be enforced, plus a raised awareness of how to trek safely without endangering ourselves or the gorillas. By following these guidelines – as proven when we’ve followed social distancing and hygiene guidelines in our day-to-day lives during the pandemic – we can admire these magnificent animals without the risk of unintentionally causing them harm.
Health & safety guidelines for gorilla watching
Gorillas & Covid
Worst-case projections had it that it would take up to 70 years for the mountain gorilla population in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park to recover from a Covid-19 outbreak, and that up to 128 gorillas could die. However, tourism came to a virtual standstill during the pandemic, and this catastrophe was avoided. But, sadly, the drastic tourism slump had its own negative consequences for gorilla populations, and the communities nearby.
Uganda expected wildlife tourism to bring 1.5 million visitors in 2020. Instead, income from tourism all but disappeared.![]()
Wildlife treks offer an alternative and sustainable source of income from tourists who pay for local tour guides, accommodation, national park fees, trekking permits and taxes. The money gets funnelled back into community funds, conservation efforts, government coffers and responsible tour operators passionate about keeping these tours going. Responsible wildlife tourism also reduces the need for local people to remove forest for farming and mining in regions where deforestation is still the biggest threat to gorillas.
Poaching dramatically increased in Uganda during the Covid-19 lockdown – likely due to financial difficulties and food shortages. In March and April 2020, 822 snares were found in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Only 21 were found in the previous period a year earlier.
Covid pulled the importance of gorilla tourism, and the risks involved with it, into sharp relief. Many lessons were learned during the pandemic, and when it comes to wildlife experiences like this, hopefully one of them will be the need for them to be done on a responsible basis. We’ll be pleased to share with you how our own gorilla trekking vacations stick to the guidelines.
Poaching dramatically increased in Uganda during the Covid-19 lockdown – likely due to financial difficulties and food shortages. In March and April 2020, 822 snares were found in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Only 21 were found in the previous period a year earlier.
Covid pulled the importance of gorilla tourism, and the risks involved with it, into sharp relief. Many lessons were learned during the pandemic, and when it comes to wildlife experiences like this, hopefully one of them will be the need for them to be done on a responsible basis. We’ll be pleased to share with you how our own gorilla trekking vacations stick to the guidelines.
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