With research showing how closely linked humans and gorillas are in our genomes, it’s a no-brainer that gorillas are susceptible to human colds and some viral diseases like COVID-19. Nonetheless, gorilla safaris must to be carried out under some protective guidelines for the gorillas to live and thrive in the jungle as safari tourism is the major funder of the conservation works.
As the world is very much aware, the end of 2019 brought about the outbreak of COVID-19 – a deadly disease we’re still battling more than two years later. And it was expected for the gorillas to be greatly affected because of their closeness to mankind. Gorillas have a 98% DNA similarity with humans, and in the past, we have witnessed some endemic diseases (Ebola and cholera, as an example) causing fatal deaths to these endangered apes.
Gorilla trekking and tourism in Congo was closed for the well being of the gorillas in the various habitats. The gorillas have 98% DNA similarity with humans, making gorillas susceptible to COVID-19. This became evident when gorillas in the American zoo safari park contracted the virus from the zookeeper. The most disturbing thing is that COVID-19 is here to stay for the foreseeable future and gorilla trekking in Congo has to take place since it is one of the sources of funds that helps out in the conservation work. It is also provides employment opportunities to the nationals of Congo around the parks.
At first as COVID-19 spread around the world causing so much harm to human life, human to gorillas transmission was only in theory. However, it was reported that eight gorillas in San Diego Zoo Safari Park tested positive for COVID-19 in the beginning of 2021. It became evident that humans could transmit COVID-19 to the gorillas. Zoology experts like gorilla doctors that operate in Uganda, Rwanda and Democratic Republic of Congo hastily started out testing and identifying COVID-19 signs in the gorillas. It is still not known how the gorillas react to the virus, but the worry is the gorillas are vulnerable especially when visited by tourists who are the major carriers of COVID-19.
Gorilla tourism is essential because the activity generates funds that help in gorilla conservation and preservation efforts, as well as the livelihood of the local communities around the parks. The international gorilla conservation organizations and the governments of countries where the gorillas are found in Uganda, Rwanda and Democratic Republic of Congo has come up with stringent guidelines to ensure that gorilla trekking is carried out with the safest measures possible during the COVID-19 era.
Since countries that host gorilla trekking experiences are different governments, different guidelines have been adapted within each country. In this article we will look at the best guidelines for gorilla trekking after COVID-19 adapted by Uganda and Rwanda.
Guidelines for Gorilla Trekking in Uganda
- Tourists must arrive with a PCR test valid for 72 hours showing negative COVID-19 results as they arrive in Uganda. Status of vaccination isn’t mandatory as long as you arrive with a valid 72hr COVID-19 test.
- A 10-meter distance must be maintained between the trackers and the gorillas during the interaction.
- Briefing must be done in groups of 8 visitors after being allocated to the gorilla group to track.
- At the briefing points, all tourists and staff are mandated to sanitize or wash their hands and a body temperature shall be taken. In addition, sanitizing or hand washing must be done again for everyone in the gorilla tracking group before setting off for the trekking experience.
- Anyone who should be involved in the gorilla trekking expedition, be it park staff, porter or visitor found to have COVID-19 symptoms such as flu, dry cough, fever and diarrhea shall not be allowed to take part in the tracking activity.
- A maximum of 8 visitors/trackers shall be permitted for a Uganda gorilla tour in one group trekking to visit a single gorilla family.
- Tourists, Staff and porters must wear masks at all times.
- The gorilla patron or ranger must ensure that there is social distancing of 2 meters among the visitors during the trekking.
- Visitors are advised to carry light luggage with only essential items to reduce the need for porters. This is done to avoid overcrowding in the forest. This information is transferred to the potential visitors through tour companies and Uganda Wildlife Authority communication platforms like the UWA website and its social media.
- Tourists shall take numerous breaks during the trekking to get some fresh air because of the side effects of wearing masks for long times in high altitudes.
- In case a health-related issue happens to a visitor or any other person on the gorilla trekking team, UWA shall try within its means to give the first medical aid and evacuate the person from the scene.
Guidelines for Gorilla Trekking in Rwanda
- A COVID-19 PCR test must be done within 72 hours by all international visitors before coming to Rwanda and another test shall be carried out on arrival.
- After the test in your home country, complete a Passenger Locator Form and upload your COVID-19 test certificate to www.rbc.gov.rw/travel before arrival.
- All tourists must test negative 48 hours before the gorilla tracking date.
- A person with symptoms of COVID-19 such as fever, cold, flu and high temperature shall be refused from gorilla trekking.
- The minimum age of tourists for gorilla trekking is 15 years of age; children younger than 15 years of age are not allowed to participate.
- The maximum number of gorilla trackers has been decreased from 8 to 6 people.
- Visitors must wear the recommended masks at all times. They are advised to carry more as they are mandated to change to new masks once reaching the gorilla family.
- The social distance between the tourists and the gorillas has been adjusted to 10 meters.
- Sanitizing and spraying down to your shoes will be done while entering and leaving Volcanoes National Park.
The Common Guidelines for Gorilla Trekking Experience
A new normal is here to stay for the foreseeable future, and while some new guidelines have been adopted by the gorilla trekking experience, the old guidelines remain as they serve the main purpose of conservation and sustainability. We shall remind you about the common guidelines of gorilla trekking:
- Tourists are supposed to be at the park head offices by 7am in the morning for the briefing before proceeding for the actual trek.
- The visitors must follow the park ranger’s instructions at all times during the gorilla tracking experience.
- If sneezing and coughing are unavoidable, always cover your mouth and nose with your hands and also turn away from the gorillas.
- The minimum age for gorilla trekking is 15 years; children younger than 15 years of age cannot participate in gorilla trekking.
- Littering around the park is prohibited. Keep all the rubbish in your bag until you can dispose of it at the park office in a bin
- Seek guidance from the park ranger in case nature calls while on the trek.
- Spitting is prohibited in the park, as fluids from humans can spread diseases to primates in the park.
- Do not eat and drink while with the gorillas.
- Smoking is prohibited in the park area.
- Don’t mimic the gorillas as your gestures might irritate them and cause them to charge towards you. In addition, always restrict your movements around the gorillas. Should a gorilla charge, remain calm and collected and follow the instructions of the rangers.
- Visitors are instructed to keep their voices low while with the gorillas.
- Do not wear bright colors or inappropriate clothing while going for the gorilla trekking experience.
- Keep camera flashes off while taking the pictures and videos of gorillas.
- Tourists are advised to be both physically and mentally conditioned for the trekking experience. The experience involves walking for long distances and hours on the steep trails in search of the gorillas, which is very challenging and tiresome.
- Elderly and persons with disabilities are advised to inform the Park Authorities through their tour operators to make arrangements for them, such as hiring of wheelchairs and porters if necessary and allocating them to close gorilla groups. A wheelchair and 8 porters costs about $600 altogether.
- Get a porter and hiking poles to help you in your gorilla trekking experience. The porter carries the heavy backpack and cameras and a hiking stick is for support on the steep and muddy trails. A porter costs $15.
