Eco tourism may be the only hope to save the critically endangered mountain gorillas and as well as improve their natural habitats. And indeed eco-tourism is growing popular with gorilla trekking safaris in Bwindi impenetrable forest and the Virunga volcanoes shared by Rwanda, Uganda and Democratic Republic of Congo which are the only natural places to less than 900 mountain gorillas.
Gorilla national parks like Bwindi and Mgahinga, Volcanoes National Park and Virunga National park has visitor centers. These are great places to start your gorilla trek and learn useful information. Rangers, trackers and guides are always available and charged not only with law enforcement and protection of gorillas and national parks but also to provide interpretive services and respond to visitor questions. Therefore its illegal trekking without a guide, armed rangers provide 24-7 maximum security keeping gorillas and the forests safe from poaching and encroachment.
Ensuring that tourists do not disturb gorillas and their natural ecosystems has become a real challenge and at the same time an opportunity. So how do you balance proving close encounters with gorillas maintaining their natural behavior?
To address this, gorilla doctors, rangers carry out daily monitoring of the gorillas and their health. With a risk of human disease transmission, the doctors are there to intervene, cure and treat sick or injured gorillas.
With thousands each year, visit the parks for gorilla trekking; it has helped to generate funds. When responsibly managed revenues are used to fund conservation activities.
And because most eco tourists are willing to pay highly for gorilla permits which go for $750 in Rwanda, $600 in Uganda and $450 in Democratic Republic of Congo, it has placed high value to gorillas and their ecosystems. In addition, to the revenues shared and employment, it gives locals direct incentives to conserve the gorilla habitats around them. Over time, reduced encroachment and poaching has paved way for eco-tourism.
To be eco-friendly, gorilla trekking implies strict rules and guidelines which are meant to protect gorillas from human disturbance while giving visitors close and memorable encounters. Among them include maintaining a distance of 7 meters when observing or photographing gorillas.
Rangers, trackers and guides understand that, gorillas often get too close. They will advise you to stay in a tight group, avoid touching or looking directly into the eyes of the gorilla. In case you’re in their way, stand still, do not run, crouch down or make slow step backwards.
All that is put in practice during the one hour tourists spend with gorillas. Being submissive to gorillas is an indication that you’re not a threat. Hence gorillas will simply ignore and remain calm even though they are still wild animals.
Too many visitors can damage the ecosystems or disorient natural behavior of gorillas. That’s why few people can visit gorillas. Only 8 people are allowed in Rwanda and Uganda and 4 in DR Congo. Tourists usually carry lunch boxes, drinking water and snacks into the forest. However, eating, drinking or smoking when with gorillas is prohibited.
Keeping the parks clean is mandatory as an attempt to limit littering; everything must be carried back to the gorilla centers for proper disposal.
In many countries tourism has led to devastation of natural environment, fortunately this is not the case with gorilla trekking. It is an extensive program to limit any impact on gorillas and their natural forests. In fact, gorilla numbers are currently on the rise which makes gorilla trekking one of the most eco-friendly wildlife viewing experiences.