Many people ask about the safety of Bwindi for tourists. This is largely due to the 1998 Bwindi Massacre where Rwandan rebels attacked a safari camp and killed several visitors. Since this incidence the Ugandan government tightened its security and swept away all the illegal human presence in the park. Today Bwindi is most safe destination for gorilla tracking and visitors to the park feel safe and secure throughout their trips.
Safety is one of the most essential aspects when it comes to gorilla trekking. The governments in the different countries have ensured that the gorillas are well taken care of and protected, and the offer of protection is offered to the visitors.
Safety during gorilla safaris in Uganda has attracted large crowds of tourists to Mgahinga National Park and Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. You need to know that safety goes both ways. With the government ensuring that the exercise is safe by providing armed rangers plus other security measures, you also need to keep safe by following the guidelines.
Below are some of the steps that are taken to ensure safety during gorilla trekking. Some of the measures that the Uganda Wildlife Authority came up with for safety reasons include:
How safe is Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi
Uganda and Rwanda are both very safe for Gorilla trekking, given the fact gorilla tracking activity is a very well organized and managed activity at Bwindi Forest and Volcanoes National Parks from the start to the end. During gorilla tracking you will be accompanied by two well armed park rangers as well as tourism police to protect you all through your trek against strangers as well as wild animals found in the forests. Read More about safety of the gorilla trekking experience.
The Briefing session on the trek day
A briefing before you take part in the gorilla trekking session is carried out early morning on the trek day by experienced guides. This session is compulsory for everyone intending to gorilla trek in Uganda, and it enables tourists to remember and understand the rules and regulations of gorilla trekking and expectations. During the briefing, you get an opportunity to remember the rules and keep them because failure to do so might lead to not trekking the gorillas by the affected party.
Tourists are advised to avoid eye contact with the gorillas because the male silverbacks view this as a challenge. When the gorillas approach you, avoid turning your back on them and running away, as this might force them to chase you, leading to an attack.
Ensure that you follow the strict instructions the guides give; for example, stand still, bow your head in subordination, and wait for the gorilla to walk away.
Turn off the camera flash when taking photos. Gorillas are not used to them, which might cause agitation among them.
Ensure that you keep a distance from the gorillas of about 7 meters and don’t clear the vegetation when planning on taking a photo of the primates. You should also note that although Mountain gorillas are habituated, they are still primal and can act impulsively, and this is one of the main reasons you need to keep the distance between you and them.
Avoid making unnecessary movements when with the gorillas and communicate in low tones so as not to agitate them further.
The above are some of the rules and regulations you need to follow to stay safe during a gorilla trek, which is why you need to be extremely attentive during the briefing.
Armed rangers
The permit cost includes an armed ranger who will be with you throughout the gorilla trek day. The ranger is provided by the Uganda Wildlife Authority, and their role is to ensure that animals and poachers do not attack tourists throughout the gorilla trek experience. They do not fire directly at the animals but in the sky to scare them away in case of an attack.
An experienced guide
When booking a gorilla safari in Uganda, the first thing to consider is the local tour operator you will use because they have experienced and professional guides to help you throughout your safari. Note that you are in unfamiliar territory and need to stay safe, and the best way to do this is by following the experienced guide who will ensure that you are safe throughout the trek. The guides know the safest route and how to access and locate the gorillas quickly. By following the guide’s lead, you are not only making sure that you are safe but also conserving the gorillas.
The security checkpoints
Before you access Bwindi or Mgahinga for a gorilla trek, you must go through a security check to ensure you do not threaten the gorillas and fellow trackers. At the security point, you will be checked for firearms, knives, cigarettes, and many other things that pose a threat to the primates. Visitors’ safety is ensured by doing this at the national park’s entrance.
Regular patrols before and during the trek
Regular patrols are carried out before, during, and after the trek by the rangers to make sure that the trek routes to be used are clear and safe. Although poachers have significantly reduced, the few who might still pose a threat to tourists are the main reason for regular patrols.
After looking at the measures that the government has taken to make sure that gorilla trekking is safe, we will look at how tourists can maintain personal safety. Below are some ways in which this can be done.
Incidences of Poaching
Due to the recent attacks by 4 poachers and killing of Rafiki the Silverback head of Nkuringo group in the southern sector of Bwindi, this scared many planning to visit this park and this question has been asked by many potential travelers interested in visiting Bwindi for their gorilla trekking adventure. Gorilla trekking in Uganda is only done in two National Parks that is Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. There has also been border instabilities between Uganda and Rwanda but this however has not affected travel across the border from one country to another given the fact both national parks are located at the border with Bwindi Forest National Park sharing border with DR Congo and then Mgahinga Gorilla National Park sharing border with Rwanda.
Are the Lodges Safe for Overnight
Gorilla tracking in Bwindi Forest National Park is done in the northern part that is Buhoma and Ruhija and in southern part that is Rushaga and Nkuringo sectors. In Rushaga, you can stay at Rushaga Gorilla camp, Four Gorillas Lodge, Rushaga Gorilla Havens Lodge, Nshongi Camp, Icumbi Gorilla Safari Lodge, Gorilla Safari Lodge, Gorilla Valley Lodge and Karungi Camp. In Nkuringo you can stay at Nkuringo Bwindi gorilla lodge, Clouds Mountain gorilla lodge or Lake Mutanda Resort, all these lodges are close to the start point of Gorilla Habituation.
In the northern part, in Buhoma sector you can stay at Buhoma Lodge, Bwindi Lodge, Buhoma Community Rest Camp, Ride 4 a Woman among others, In Ruhija you can stay at Gorilla Mist camp, Agandi Eco Lodge, Bakiga Lodge, Ruhija Gorilla Safari Lodge, and Broadbill Tented Camp among others.