Mgahinga gorilla national park is Uganda’s second gorilla trekking destination after Bwindi impenetrable forest national park. Before you make your way to Mgahinga gorilla national for your gorilla safari, the following guidelines still apply:

No Littering In The Park

Littering in the park is prohibited. In case you have any litter during the trek, it is recommended to carry it in your backpack.

Follow The Game Rangers

Game rangers will double as your tour guides during your gorilla trek in Mgahinga gorilla national park. Always follow their lead at all times for purpose of your safety. It is only the game rangers that have guns to scare away any wild animal in case it attacks.

Wear A Face Mask Once You encounter the gorillas

Since the time of the Covid-19 pandemic, there has been a few changes in the gorilla trekking guidelines. One of the changes is the requirement to wear a facemask once you encounter mountain gorillas.

Ease Yourself Before The Trek

Always make use of the toilets at the park office to ease yourself before the trek. This will save you from the need of easing yourself during the trek. However, if the need arises to ease yourself during the trek, always inform the game ranger to help you find a place to ease yourself.

Avoid Gorilla Trekking If You Have A Contiguous Disease

Mountain gorillas are close relatives of human beings. Diseases such as cough and flu equally affect mountain gorillas. It is define recommended to refrain from gorilla trekking if you have a cough or flu.

A Maximum of 8 People Is Permitted per family

Gorilla trekking is simply a trek in the forest to encounter a mountain gorilla family. In Mgahinga gorilla national park, there is only one habituated gorilla family; the Nyakagezi gorilla family. Only eight people are allowed to visit the Nyakagezi family in a day.

Put Your Gadgets in Silence

You are required to put your gadgets in silence to avoid any scary moments in the presence of the mountain gorillas. It is for the same reason that flashlights are not allowed when taking photos of mountain gorillas.

Do Not Eat Or Drink In The Presence Of The Gorillas

All tourists are allowed to have a maximum of 1 hour with a gorilla family. But during this one hour, you are not allowed to eat or drink until you get out of the presence of the mountain gorillas. However, it should be noted that outside the one hour, you can have a snack with the permission of the game ranger.

 Do Not Touch The Gorillas

During your gorilla trek, you are not allowed to touch the mountain gorillas. However, there are incidents where the mountain gorilla approaches and touches you. In such incidents, you are advised to stay still until the mountain gorilla walks away.

Report For Briefing As Early as 7:30 am

Gorilla trekking often starts as early as 8:30 am. But this is after a briefing from the game ranger about the dos and don’t during your gorilla trek. It is very common for self drive clients to get late for the briefing. In order to avoid such scenarios, it is recommended that you get directions to the briefing point from your lodge or campsites.

Carry Enough Water To Keep Hydrated

Gorilla trekking usually takes between two to eight hours depending on how close or how far the gorilla family is. Keeping hydrated during the trek will help you remain focused during your trek.

Besides water, some people also carry energy drinks to help them keep strong during the gorilla trekking experience in Mgahinga gorilla national park.