Gorilla Family Allocation Process – Mountain gorilla families are located in various locations, with some living in higher elevations and others in lower areas at the slopes of the rain-forest mountains.
This makes some gorilla families to be more challenging to trek than others.
Each of the gorilla family members has a unique personality, with some being humble and peaceful while others being more aggressive.
It is also important to note that mountain gorillas are constantly on the move, and finding them requires you to trek.
Some groups may be located quickly, whereas others may take several hours to be found.
The allocation of gorilla families by tourists depends on various factors including interests, age, physical abilities, and more.
These magnificent creatures spend their days searching for food, resting during midday and then continuing their search for sustenance during the afternoon before building the nests to sleep in at night.
Mountain gorilla countries used to assign Gorilla families to tourists based on their preferences, as there was extensive information available online about each gorilla family or group.
However, this led to some families being overcrowded with visitors while others were rarely visited, and some tourists would only track to their preferred gorilla groups.
To address this issue, mountain gorilla countries eliminated the practice of allocating gorilla permits by specific families and they introduced a regional location system.
Now permits are assigned, considering factors such as age, physical abilities, and more.
Tourists can select a region to trek Mountain gorillas, but not specifically the group of family.
Once a region is chosen, tourists can be allocated to a gorilla family on the day of trekking, taking into account their preferences, age and physical fitness.
Before allocating tourists to a certain group, trekkers first venture into the forest to look at the mountain Gorilla families, identifying where they spent the previous night.
They then communicate the locations to the headquarters via radio calls.
Based on this information, tourists are assigned to trek a particular family with consideration given to individual abilities, for example the older or less physically fit individuals may be assigned to track a nearby gorilla family.
It is also important to keep in mind that children under the age of 15 years old and individuals with contagious diseases like flu, cough, and diarrhea are not permitted to trek Mountain gorillas.
This is because mountain gorillas are highly susceptible to Human diseases, and an outbreak can lead to a significant loss of lives of mountain gorillas.
If you are unwell, please refrain from booking gorilla permits or trekking to see mountain gorillas.
When booking gorilla permits, be sure to inquire about availability in the specific sector you are interested in tracking from.
The cost of gorilla permits varies across Mountain Gorilla countries
In Rwanda, a gorilla permit costs $ 1,500 per person Per trek. In Uganda, the price is as follows: $800 for foreign non-residents, $700 for foreign residents and 250,000 Ugandan Shillings for East African citizens.
Additionally, Uganda charges $1,500 for gorillas habituation permits. In the Democratic Republic of Congo, permits cost $400 during the dry season and rainy season.
In conclusion, the allocation of mountain gorilla families to tourists is a complex process that considers various factors including interests, age and physical abilities.
To ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for both tourists and gorillas, mountain gorilla countries have introduced a regional location system, where gorilla permits are assigned based on individual abilities and preferences.
However, measures have also been put in place to protect the health and well being of both humans and gorillas, including restrictions from individuals with contagious diseases.
