Is Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi Safe?
Gorilla trekking in Bwindi is generally safe and secure thanks to the robust security measures in place. Safety and security in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is a whole collaborative effort involving park rangers, escort/guides, local communities, and other security organs. All these play a significant role in ensuring Bwindi is a safe and secure destination to explore during gorilla trekking in Uganda.
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is one of the leading destinations in Uganda. Additionally, it is a major contributor to the country’s revenue due to the major attraction that the majority of visitors come to explore. Emphasis on safety and security comes as the priority, making Bwindi the favorite destination to visit for a vacation by most travelers on a Uganda safari.
How is safety guaranteed in Bwindi?
Safety in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is accorded to everyone. The measures in place play a great role in ensuring that everyone is safe while interacting with nature in the lush Bwindi Impenetrable Forest.
Follow the rules and regulations.
First, when you get to Bwindi, expect to meet the park officials –these comprise a trained team from Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA). The park official takes visitors through the morning briefing, highlighting the dos and don’ts to be observed by all trekkers intending to embark on gorilla trekking in Bwindi National Park.
The safety measures/guidelines, or what others describe as rules and regulations, are a must to be followed before, when, and after gorilla trekking. The main aim is to ensure the safety of guests and also of gorillas. When it comes to gorilla trekking, the interaction usually revolves around visitors and gorillas, plus their habitat. Interaction in such an ecosystem requires great measures to ensure no party gets harmed.
With set gorilla trekking regulations, visitor safety has been enhanced. The moment you set foot into the jungle to search for gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, you can be equipped with what to do and what not to do.
Experienced armed rangers
Allocation of an armed park ranger guide. During the gorilla trekking adventure, no visitor is allowed to embark on a search for gorillas alone. An armed park ranger guide is allocated to lead visitors, and the park officials put guests in groups of 8 eight. Why the park ranger guides? The park ranger guides, by their professionalism, have extensive experience and skills to ensure that visitors and gorillas, plus their habitats, are all safe. The park ranger guides have had extensive interaction with mountain gorillas and other attractions in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.
Habituated gorilla families.
All gorilla treks in Bwindi are carried out in already habituated gorilla groups. The beauty of habituation is that gorillas get familiar with the presence of humans, thus making visitor interaction easier and safer. When you immerse yourself in the habitat of these apes, these apes won’t negatively react as they can if you visit the unhabituated gorilla groups.
Safe accommodation facilities
When choosing a place to stay, it is always important to choose a lodge that is close to the park boundaries. The gorilla safari lodge you book should be safe and secure. Booking accommodation through a local tour operator is advantageous as they are informed about safe places to stay during the gorilla trekking adventure.
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is a complete gorilla trekking destination with multiple lodges and camps. The lodges to consider for an overnight stay exist in the 4 regions or sectors of Bwindi. They include Gorilla Valley Lodge, Chameleon Hill Lodge, Ichumbi Gorilla Safari Lodge. Rushaga Havens Lodge, Four Gorillas Lodge, Rushaga Gorilla Camp. Nshongi Gorilla Camp, Nkuringo Bwindi Gorilla Lodge, Lake Mutanda Resort. Buhoma Community Rest Camp, Buhoma Lodge. Gorilla Mist Camp, Bakiga Lodge, Ruhija Gorilla Safari Lodge, and Broadbill Tented Camp.
Safety Measures/Rules & Regulations for Gorilla Trekking
Here are some of the useful safety measures or gorilla trekking regulations to observe;
- Visitors must observe a social distance of 8-10 meters at all times when interacting with mountain gorillas in their habitat. Keeping this measure in mind can save you and gorillas from danger. Besides, it is a measure that ensures that cases of the spread of infectious diseases are restricted.
- Avoid eye contact with gorillas. While you may want to capture deep insights with gorillas, direct eye contact can be interpreted by these apes as a challenge. When a gorilla approaches you or when they have charged, it is advisable to avoid any eye contact. You can lower your face down, and this can be interpreted as submissiveness. You can also consider standing still and NEVER be tempted to run. Respect the park ranger guide’s instructions at all times, especially in moments like these.
- Unnecessary movements should be avoided at all times when on a gorilla trekking adventure. Keep within a group led by the park ranger guide. Branching off from the main group, you came to track gorillas puts you at a risk.
- When choosing what to wear, it is important to ensure that you wear environmentally friendly attire. These can blend well with nature, unlike shouting colors, which can scare gorillas in their habitat.
Key players who ensure safety in Bwindi
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is considered a safe destination today thanks to collaborative efforts from different players. Safety and security in Bwindi are guaranteed by the park rangers, experienced park ranger guides, other security organs like UPDF, tourism police, and strict security checkpoints. These groups work hand-in-hand to ensure Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is a safe place to enjoy gorilla trekking.
When should you visit Bwindi for gorilla trekking?
Bwindi welcomes all tourists at any time of the year to appreciate its natural wonders. But to experience the best of gorilla trekking less of inconveniences from the rain or muddy ground, the dry season is the best period. The dry season occurs each year and happens twice a year. The longest phase of the dry season runs from June to September, then another phase begins from December to February.
Traveling to engage in a gorilla trek during the dry season is advantageous. You don’t encounter challenges navigating through the muddy ground or dense vegetation. The dry months record less or no rain, not unlike it is with the wet or rainy season.
What to expect to carry for gorilla trekking
Essentials to pack for your gorilla trekking adventure include long-sleeved shirts, a daypack, a sweater, a rain jacket, first aid kits or medical kit. Insect repellents, a camera plus extra camera batteries, long trousers. A pair of binoculars, and snacks. Visitors can also include gardening gloves, a safari hat, gaiters, bottled drinking water, a pair of socks, long pants, facemasks, and others.
Getting to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
The safest way to get to Bwindi to is by embarking on a road trip or taking a flight. Traveling by road means you can spend between 8 and 9 hours to get to Bwindi via the Masaka-Mbarara-Kabale route. This option is available for visitors who plan to depart from Entebbe or Kampala City.
If you are in Kigali, you can set off to Bwindi, accessing Uganda via Katuna border to Kabale town. Then connect up to your respective gorilla trekking sector or cross through Chanika border to Kisoro town. The Chanika border offers easier access to the Southern sectors of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.
