Before setting off for the gorilla trekking, you should put in mind the following rules so as to maintain eco tourism which contributes to the conservation of the gorilla habitats:
- Avoid unnecessarily damaging any plant; do not remove any plant or wildlife from the park.
- Follow instructions and advice of your ranger guides and do not enter the Park without them (this is illegal and illegal trekking is highly persecuted).
- Although non-aggressive, they are wild animals and can sometimes charge. If this happens, crouch down, don’t look them in the eyes and wait for them to pass.
- It is only a limited number of 8 visitors allowed to visit a group per day such that the carrying capacity of the park is not affected.
- Do not spit on vegetation or soil while in the park; use your hankie or other garment.
- You are allowed a maximum of 1 hour of observation after you approached the gorillas.
- Do not make loud noise or move suddenly, please respect the peaceful environment of the gorilla habitat.
- No person under 15 years is allowed to track the gorillas.
- Do not leave litter. All litter must be carried out of the park and disposed of properly.
- Burry all human feces a minimum of one foot deep and ensure that the hole is properly covered.
- Turn away from the gorillas if you have to sneeze or cough. Cover your nose and mouth in the process.
- Do not eat or smoke when with the gorillas or within a distance of 200 meters from the gorillas.
- Do not use flashes while photographing the gorillas, but you can photograph and take videos not for commercial purposes.
- Do not get closer than 7 meters (21 feet) to the gorillas and if they approach you, move back slowly to keep the distance.
- Stay together in a tight group while with the gorillas, you are not allowed to surround them.
- No one with communicable disease (eg Flu, Cough, and Diarrhea) is allowed to enter the park because these disease can easily be transferred to the gorillas and can be fatal to them.
