Uganda is home to half of the world’s remaining mountain gorillas (Gentle giants). These endangered species are very interesting to watch in their natural habitat. Home to approximately 1,000 mountain gorillas that are found in two travel destinations (Bwindi Impenetrable and Maghinga National Parks). As a tourist, you would love or like to spot or see the mountain gorillas in their natural habitat. There are only two ways or tourist activities that you can engage yourself in to make your dreams come true of encountering the mountain gorillas. These activities include mountain gorilla trekking and mountain gorilla habituation. During either of these activities, you will be able to see the mountain gorillas (gentle giants) in their natural habitats. During any of these activities is where many of you have questions, and one of the most frequently asked questions is how to react when a Mountain gorilla or silverback approaches you. And as you continue to read below, you will find the answers you have been looking for.

What is mountain gorilla trekking?

Mountain gorilla trekking is a tourist activity that involves tourists or visitors searching for mountain gorillas on foot, which takes about 30 minutes to 8 hours, and once they find them, not more than 1 hour is given to them to spend time amidst the mountain gorillas.

What is mountain gorilla habituation?

Mountain gorilla habituation is also a travel or tourist activity that involves or requires tourists or visitors to search for mountain gorillas in their natural habitats while on foot, in the same way as mountain gorilla trekking. The searching takes about 30 minutes to 8 hours, depending on where the mountain gorillas are located, the weather conditions, and the trekking pace of the trekkers. Upon finding or encountering a certain mountain gorilla group, unlike mountain gorilla trekking, where you are given not more than an hour in the presence of the gorilla family, here you will be given about 4 hours amidst these gentle giants.

What is a silverback?

A silverback is a fully matured male gorilla that is aged about 12 years old, characterized by a prominent saddle of silver-grey hair on its back, weighing about 300 to 400 pounds, and about 5 to 6 feet tall. A silverback is always the dominant leader of a certain mountain gorilla group that offers protection and guidance to its group members.

How to react when a mountain gorilla or silverback approaches you?

Although not a common incident or case for a mountain gorilla or silverback approaching tourists or visitors, just as they say, forewarned, forearmed, it will be better or good for you to know what to do in case it happens, since we are dealing with nature here that we totally have no control over. When a mountain gorilla or silverback approaches, charges, or triggers on you, the first thing you have to do is stop whatever you’re doing and stand still. Then you will slowly crouch down so that you look less imposing to the gorilla. Having crouched down, you should avoid direct eye contact with the gorilla because when you look directly into its eye, it may see you as a threat since eye contact is one of the forms these creatures use for communication. It will be wise of you to look down since this is interpreted as a sign of respect for them. As scared as you would be, try very much not to run away or make any certain noise. Mountain gorillas are known for their gentle nature and hate noise, which is one of the reasons they prefer living deep down in the forests. If you are to move away, do it slowly, quietly, and with your body as low as possible to avoid being seen as a threat. You should, in the same way, avoid touching it, although it touches you. After doing these things, the mountain gorilla will gently move away from you, and a tour guide or game ranger will come to rescue you.

As mentioned before, these cases are very rare due to the fact that mountain gorillas are gentle creatures that mean no harm unless triggered by something or when they sense danger. Here are the things you do or avoid doing when carrying out gorilla trekking or gorilla habituation to prevent such circumstances of a gorilla charging or approaching you.

• Avoid making unnecessary noise during the gorilla trekking and gorilla habituation activities.
• Avoid dressing or putting on clothes with bright colors; instead, put on clothes with neutral colors.
• You should always stay in groups or lines whenever you’re in the presence of the mountain gorillas.
• A safety distance of about 7meters (21 feet) is what you are required to have between you and the mountain gorillas while watching, taking photos, or studying them. This is not only meant for your safety but also the safety of the gorillas from human diseases such as flu, since we share about 98% DNA with them.
• Avoid eating or drinking in the presence of these giants to avoid seeking attention from them.
• Always listen to your tour guides and game rangers. Also, make sure to seek permission before doing anything you are not very sure of
• Avoid littering in the environment of the gorillas. This is why you are advised to pack a refillable drinking water bottle to ensure the practice of sustainable tourism.

In conclusion, mountain gorillas are very peaceful and welcoming creatures unless disturbed or triggered, so all you have to do to ensure a safe and enjoyable mountain gorilla trekking or habituation activity is to follow the guidelines that are always given out to visitors or tourists at the park headquarters before the beginning of the activities. Also, ensure that you listen to the instructions of your tour guides and game rangers and to ask questions or seek permission before doing anything. Here is a sample of a Mountain gorilla habituation safari.