It’s a process of preparing clients before set off for gorilla trekking. It is a very important process to prepare trekkers for the task of searching for gorillas in their natural habitat. Briefing occurs in the morning at the park headquarters by the ranger guides who are experienced about the gorilla behaviors.
HOW IS BRIEFING DONE?
Tourists from different parts of the world who bought their gorilla permits in advance, gather at the park headquarters. They are requested to register their names. The rangers start equipping them with the rules and regulations governing gorilla trekking. They also let them know the ease and difficulties experienced during the process of Gorilla trekking.
Failure to follow the rules and regulation governing gorilla trekking, the clients can be expelled from the activity at none refund penalty. After briefing, tourists are grouped into eight to visit each Gorilla family. A maximum of eight people are allowed to visit each gorilla family.
REASONS FOR BRIEFING
Briefing is done purposely to protect gorillas and their habitat for future generation.
Briefing is done to overcome harm from Gorillas. It should be noted that, Gorillas are wild animals and if not handled well, they can fight and cause harm.
It is done to enable trekkers interact with each other. In most cases, they are requested to introduce themselves to each other.
RULES AND REGULATIONS GOVERNING GORILLA TREKKING
A maximum of one hour is allowed to chat, take photos/ films of Gorillas. It is done to avoid over stressing the gentle giants.
Each Gorilla group/ family is visit once a day. Gorillas are wildlife which does not need presence of man for a long time.
A maximum of eight people are allowed to visit each gorilla family. Many people may suffocate the gorillas making them upset.
Do not litter in the park. All dust should be put in the bins.
Do not dump waste products anywhere in the park. Request the ranger guides to dig for you a hole and burry after.
Avoid noise while amidst the Gorilla family. It can force Gorillas to fight you.
If Gorillas charge, please leave the group.
Maintain 7 meter distance between human and Gorillas.
Do not touch and engage gorillas. They are tough and do not want to be challenged.
When Gorillas charge, please reduce the height and move away.
HOW GORILLA TREKKING IS CONDUCTED AFTER BRIEFING?
After briefing, each group of eight trekkers moves to encounter different gorilla families. They walk through the forests under the guidance of rangers. Rangers are assigned the task of answering all questions to ensure informative and enjoyable experience.
Depending on the location of a gorilla group, trekking may take 3-6 hours and sometimes a full day when Gorillas move far away from the park headquarters.
When they meet gorillas, trekkers take photos/ films and so on for the maximum of one hour before leaving Gorillas in peace.
The experience is somehow tough because of the difficulties gone through while trying to search but the thrill obtained while with Gorillas erases a way all the bad memories went through in trying to meet them.