Eye Contact with Gorillas
Why Should You Avoid Making Direct Eye Contact with a Gorilla?
Eye Contact with Gorillas. Before embarking on an expedition to observe the mountain gorillas, the tourists are told to avoid looking directly into the eyes of the animals. This is part of the pre-tour briefing offered by park rangers before any tour in the area is undertaken. In fact, the reason for such a directive is to avoid anything that may provoke these precious animals. Visitors should always behave in a proper manner so as to reduce the chance of having conflicts with these delicate animals.
Many tourists are interested in the reasons why it is forbidden to look into the eyes of mountain gorillas. While some want to find out what will happen if they violate the regulations, others just keep wondering why they cannot do it. According to Chopper Tours and Travel, making direct eye contact with the gorillas may make them feel threatened or challenged, thus increasing the chances of aggression or defence from the side of the animals.
A challenge to the gorillas
Making direct eye contact with the silverback mountain gorilla is considered an act of defiance for its authority. The Silverback is responsible for the protection of its family, always ensuring safety from any external threats. Holding eye contact with a Silverback shows your defiance to its dominance, resulting in possible aggression on its side. Therefore, it is necessary to be submissive towards the Silverback when visiting its habitat to avoid provoking it.
Direct eye contact with mountain gorillas is regarded as a display of aggression or a provocation of their dominant position. When a Silverback senses any potential danger due to sustained eye contact, it charges and attacks to defend its family. It is therefore advisable not to have direct eye contact when encountering a mountain gorilla.
Why mountain gorillas are naturally shy
The mountain gorillas are known to be quite shy creatures. In the same way that shy people get scared when stared at, mountain gorillas tend to feel threatened when they see someone looking straight into their eyes. It would make them feel uncomfortable and vulnerable to see a person staring into their eyes; in fact, they will feel the need to defend themselves from what seems to be threatening them.
What additional guidelines should you follow during gorilla trekking?
There are numerous guidelines that are made available to visitors before the gorilla tracking process begins. These rules aim at creating safety and conservation awareness for the protection of the mountain gorillas and tourists. Some of the guidelines include:
- Keep a seven-metre distance from the gorillas.
- Do not join the gorilla trekking trip when you are unwell.
- Do not use flash cameras since this may disturb the gorillas.
- Do not throw rubbish within the park.
- Do not offer food to the gorillas, as this may be detrimental to their health.
- Do not come into contact with the gorillas to prevent any diseases from being passed to them.
- Do not go out on your own, but stay with your group.
- Spend one hour with the gorillas.
- Turn around when you sneeze or cough to avoid spreading bacteria.
What to Do When a Gorilla Charges
Gorilla charges are usually bluff charges, a display of dominance rather than a genuine attack. Here’s how to stay safe:
Stay Calm and Still: Don’t run. Running triggers a chase response, and a gorilla can reach 40 km/h; you won’t win.
Crouch Down and Make Yourself Small: Lower your body slowly. This signals submission and non-aggression.
Avoid Direct Eye Contact: Direct eye contact is seen as a challenge or threat. Look down or to the side.
Do Not Scream or Make Sudden Movements: Stay as quiet as possible. Loud noises or frantic movement can escalate the situation.
Follow Your Guide’s Instructions: Always trek with an experienced ranger or guide who knows individual gorilla behaviour and will direct you calmly.
Eat the plants, pretending you are a gorilla yourself.
Step back, and move slowly away from the charged gorilla.
Best time for mountain gorilla tracking
The ideal period for mountain gorilla tracking is usually during the dry seasons, which normally happen between June and September, as well as December and February. At this time, the weather conditions become favourable, meaning that it becomes easier to track the gorillas because of their visibility. Nevertheless, mountain gorilla tracking can take place at any other time of the year since the mountains provide different experiences depending on the season. For instance, although rain makes the journey through the forest difficult, it results in beautiful scenery and a reduced number of tourists.
Please note: gorilla trekking can be done in various national parks, like Virunga National Park in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park in Uganda. In each country, there are different costs for this activity; the cost in Uganda is $800, $1500 in Rwanda, and $400 in Congo.
Gorilla trekking tours usually begin in the morning when the gorillas have been spotted. The visitors are allowed to stay with the gorillas for a maximum of one hour.
How to arrange your gorilla trekking adventure
If you wish to join the gorilla tracking safari, then we recommend Chopper Tours and Travel for organising your tour. We offer the best tours that will satisfy your requirements and match your budget, time, and preferences. We organise personalised gorilla tracking safaris to Uganda and Rwanda, but the most preferred one is our 3 days gorilla tracking safari in either of these two countries. The packages can also be combined with other safaris to suit your preferences and exceed your expectations.
Additionally, we help our clients obtain permits for visiting the mountain gorillas without having to struggle to find them yourself. All you have to do is contact us to book your tour and arrange everything. Visiting the mountain gorillas is an experience that will last you a lifetime, and we guarantee easy organisation of your safari.
