Travelers going to trek gorillas are cautioned to avoid direct eye contact with the endangered gorillas. Avoiding direct eye contact is one of the rules and regulations travelers are given during the pre gorilla trekking briefing by park rangers. The briefing is a must attend by all people going to see gorillas to avoid any mistakes and unacceptable behaviors which can put the endangered species at risk. Some travelers have on several occasions been concerned why no direct contacts. Others ask what happens when they look directly into the eyes of the gorillas while others keep silent with unanswered questions in Mind. Gorilla Trek Africa offers you reasons why you should avoid direct contact with silverback gorillas. These include among others:
It’s a challenge to gorillas
Looking directly into the eyes of a silverback gorilla shows that you are ready to challenge the endangered ape. A silverback gorilla is the head of a gorilla family who keeps eyes open to challenge and defeat anyone and anything that interferes with the peace of the family. Travelers are therefore cautioned to be humble in the presence of a silverback gorilla. To mountain gorillas, anyone who keeps a direct eye contact is a challenger and an enemy who has come to disrupt the family. Direct eye contact will, therefore, trigger the silverback to charge and fight you in defense of his family. If you want peace with gorillas, therefore, avoid direct eye contact.
Gorillas are shy
In their making, mountain gorillas are shy and reserved creatures. Like any shy human beings, direct eye contact is surely a disruption, which causes discomfort to the gorillas. Looking directly into the eyes o the silverback makes him feel uncomfortable and insecure forcing him to behave wildly in defense. These gentle giants are naturally shy and reserved creatures which keep calm and quiet most times. However, when disrupted by your direct eye contact, they charge aggressively at you to defend themselves
What are other gorilla trekking guidelines?
As said already, travelers are given several guidelines during the pre gorilla trekking briefing. The trekking rules and regulations are to ensure the safety of mountain gorillas and clients in the jungle. The do’s and don’ts of gorilla trekking include:
1. Keep a distance of seven meters away from the gorilla
2. Do not trek gorillas when sick
3. Avoid flashlight cameras
4. Do not litter in the park
5. Do not feed gorillas
6. Do not touch gorillas
7. Stay within your groups – Do not move alone in the jungle
8. Spend an hour with gorillas
9. Turn your face away from gorillas when sneezing or coughing
What to do when a gorilla charges
Travelers are advised to bend low and keep calm when a silverback gorilla charges. Among the things to do when a gorilla charges
Charged Silverback Gorilla
include among others:
• Do not fight with the gorilla, it will become wilder
• Stay calm and do not react
• Stay quiet, do not shout
• Crouch down and walk on your arms
• Pretend to eat vegetation just as them
• Step back, and move slowly away from the charged gorilla
How to book a gorilla safari
Wondering how you can get your gorilla trekking tour booked? No Worried Africa Adventure safaris offer you the best gorilla tour packages to meet your budget, time and interest. We offer tailor-made gorilla safaris to Uganda, Rwanda, and Congo as requested by travelers. The most done gorilla package is a 3 Days gorilla tour to Uganda or Rwanda done along with other safaris tailor-made to meet, satisfy and exceed all our travelers’ expectations. We go extra to book gorilla permits for clients, which save you the hustle of getting a permit yourself. Just Contact Gorilla Trek Africa and you will get your trip arranged and booked.
A visit to see mountain gorillas is undeniably a dream come true. Book a gorilla safari today, follow the trekking rules and regulations and enjoy this once in a lifetime experience.
