Gorilla trekking rules and regulations for Virunga National Park- Are you planning to explore Congo’s gorillas in Virunga National Park? There different rules and guides that you should follow to successfully trek gorillas in Virunga National park. The rules and regulations are developed to fully protect the Endangered Mountain gorillas from communicable diseases related to human infections. Humans associated with diseases may endanger the life of gorillas if rules and regulations are most adhered to. Endangered mountain gorillas need not be threatened, they should live naturally safely in their wildness and thus there is no need as to why they should be disturbed by the tourists who have come to see them. The following are the rules and regulations that you need to observe when going gorilla trekking in Virunga National Park and the reason why you should observe them.

In case the tourist is ill the park’s management reserves all the right to refuse you to go to the visitor to see gorillas and this is done to protect mountain gorillas from contracting the disease that the tourists have.

Only visitor or tourist is allowed per day and the group is limited to a group of 8 people n per day and this is done to reduces the level of disturbances, risks of infects, and the stress to the apes.

Visitors to trek the gorillas in Virunga National park must be 15 years and above and this is because childhood is characterized by infectious diseases and cold flue that could easily affect the animals.

Only one hour is time spend with mountain gorillas which are done to reduce the level of disturbances, risks of infects, and stress to the apes.

Flash photography is not allowed as this can easily lead to anxiety, frightened and may cause an aggressive reaction from the gorilla which we usually call a charge.

All visitors must keep at least a 7-meter distance away from gorillas and in case the gorilla comes close to you for about 3 meters then you should retreat slowly for about 4 meters and sometimes the visitors will be asked to remain where he or she is standing and this means that you should always follow the guide’s instructions. Your back backer and your luggage should be kept in an area where gorillas cannot reach to start checking it. All this is done to reduce the this is done to reduces the level of disturbances, risks of infects, and stress to the apes and also to reduce the possible future aggression towards tourists and to safeguards gorillas away from becoming too habituated to humans.

Tourists should remain in a group of 8 without surrounding out to the great apes and this is done to give gorillas a chance to move in any direction they wish without being threatened.

It is important for visitors to seat or crouch while seeing the gorillas as this will reduce on levels of intimation that gorillas will perceive if you’re standing taller than them

Body language is so crucial and visitors and thus visitors shouldn’t raise hands, stare at them or point at them because such signs are a threat to gorillas they could lead to aggression.

There is no need for you to clear any vegetation around the gorillas such that you can get a clear view as this disturbs or frighten them and it will be the guide to clear vegetation where possible.

In case the gorilla silverback beats his chest or charges at you, you shouldn’t run away and guides are always instructed to stop tourists from running away. What you do here is that you should remain quiet and stay where you are.

In the process of observing gorilla trekking rules and regulations for Virunga national park; smoking, drinking, and eating are not allowed around the 200 meters of gorillas this is done because this could distract the gorillas and cause problems also food and such items related to food can be sources of infectious diseases.

Visitors should be as quiet as possible and whisper and it is not good to cream in case you’re stuck or stung by the safari ants and this is done to disturb the behavior and avoid frightening the gorillas. The gorillas that are fully habituated may not come especially when you make noise and in case the gorillas are present they may run or go away.

In case you want to sneak, cough, you need to turn away from gorillas and then cover your mount and nose and this is done to minimize the airborne diseases or viruses that you might unknowingly be carrying

All rubbish must be removed from the National Park and therefore you shouldn’t drop or litter within the park and this is done because rubbish can interest animals which can cause problems in case the rubbish is swallowed by tourists or they can be a source of germs or those that cause disease transmission.

About Virunga Volcanoes National Park

Virunga national park is one of the best national parks with the most diverse rain tropical rain forests and it is popularly known as the endangered mountain gorillas in the Democratic Republic of Congo. It is one of the famous gorilla trekking and other activities such as volcanoes climbing (Nyiragongo), nature walks, bird watching, and chimpanzee tracking. Mountain gorillas in the whole world stay and live in 3 countries of Uganda, Rwanda, and the democratic republic of Congo. The parks where mountain gorillas are found include Bwindi impenetrable Forest National Park and Mgahinga National Park in Uganda, Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda, and Virunga National Park. All these gorillas tracking National Park are close to each other and all are located in what is called the Virunga Massif.

How to get to Virunga National Park for gorilla trekking?

Virunga National Park is found in the Eastern part of the Democratic Republic of Congo to get to this park,  visitors will have to fly to Kigali international airport and the link to the town of Gisenyi and then cross the Rwanda border to  Goma town and drive to Virunga National Park headquarters where the gorilla trekking takes place. You will need only 2 hours from Gisenyi to reach Virunga National Park headquarters.

What is the best time to visit Virunga National Park?

Virunga National Park is found in the tropical rain forests influencing the climate and weather in and around the park. The park is open for visitation throughout the year. The dry season is the best time for gorilla trekking and therefore visitors will need to visit the park in February, June July, August, and September, and then December which is referred to as the dry season and thus the best time for gorilla trekking. The dry months ensure that the visitors enjoy the dry trails and they can easily sight mountain gorillas in Virunga National Park.

Where to stay in Virunga National Park?

Accommodation in Virunga National Park ranges from budget, Midrange, and luxury lodges. Some of the budget lodges include Kibumba tented camp, and Bukima tented camp which can go for around 90 to 100 USD, the luxury lodges around Virunga National Park include Mikeno lodge, where you will be able to spend around 400usd per night while the midrange accommodation facilities include Tchegera Island Camp and Lulimbi tented camp among others and you can get a room here at approximately 100-200USD per person per day.