The Standard Operating Procedures-SOPs for gorilla trekking in Uganda are a must to observe while on gorilla safari in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park or Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. These have been set to ensure safety of the highly endangered mountain gorillas whose DNA is 98% similar to that of humans making them very susceptible to human respiratory diseases such as COVID-19. Here are the SOPs for gorilla trekking in Uganda.
- While at the briefing points/visitor centres, it is mandatory for all visitors and staff to wash their hands or sanitize and also, take body temperatures.
- Briefing and debriefing for gorilla trekking rules is done strictly in small groups and each gorilla family is allocated to only 8 visitors.
- Visitors, staff and porters who during gorilla trekking briefing in Bwindi or Mgahinga National Parks, are observed to be sick, won’t be let to go track mountain gorillas. It includes persons with any signs of flu, diarrhoea, stomach upsets and malaria etc.
- Wearing of the face masks is mandatory for all visitors on gorilla trekking holiday in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park or Mgahinga Gorilla National Park and also applies to all staff and trackers.
- Strictly, 8 visitors are permitted to go trek a habituated gorilla group family per day either it is in Bwindi National Park or Mgahinga Gorilla National Park.
- All visitors, staff must observe a distance of not less than 10m away from mountain gorillas.
- The allocated park guide must ensure that social distancing of 2-4m is observed among visitors while trekking gorillas.
- Prior start of gorilla viewing, everyone must sanitize again.
- All visitors on Uganda gorilla safari are advised to carry light gear/equipment to reduce need for porter services.
- Breaks shall be made while in high altitudes considering the side effects of wearing masks for long hours and this is to allow visitors breathe fresh air.
- When taking breaks on high elevation, social distancing must be observed.
- Where a visitor or accompanying member of the team encounters a health related problem, staff from Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) must apply the established evacuation & first aid guidelines to transfer the affected person from the field.
Gorilla trekking rules you need to know
In addition to the SOPs, here are some of the important gorilla trekking rules and regulations you must also observe while on gorilla safari in Uganda;
- Strictly persons of 15 years and above can go to track mountain gorillas in any of the 2 National Parks in Uganda; Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park.
- You must have a valid gorilla permit in Uganda in order to be assigned to any of the 21 habituated gorilla families to track.
- Burry all human wastes as directed by your park guide in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park or Mgahinga Gorilla National Park.
- Wash your hand with soap or disinfect your foot before setting off into the jungles to look for the highly endangered mountain gorillas in Bwindi or Mgahinga.
- Maintain a low voice while in the jungles tracking to see mountain gorillas in Bwindi or Mgahinga Gorilla National Park.
- Don’t touch a gorilla even when it comes or rubs itself on you.
- In case a gorilla charges, keep calm, observe instructions from UWA guide.
- Upon getting your allocated gorilla family in Bwindi or Mgahinga N/P, strictly 1 hour is allowed for you to spend with mountain gorillas. And during this face to face encounter, the UWA guide will explain every detail about gorilla behaviors, interpret their body gestures to you as you also take as many pictures as you can.




