Why shouldn’t you look a gorilla in the eyes?
Why shouldn’t you look a gorilla in the eyes? – Don’t stare at the Apes
Why shouldn’t you look a gorilla in the eyes? – If you are going to trek the Mountain Gorillas you are cautioned to avoid direct eye contact with these endangered apes. Avoiding direct eye contact is one of the Rules and Regulations you are given during the pre-Gorilla tracking briefing by park rangers. The briefing is a must attend by all people going to see the Mountain Gorillas to avoid any mistakes and unacceptable behaviours which can put the endangered species at risk.
Some travellers have on several occasions been concerned why no direct contacts. Others ask what happens when they look directly into the eyes of the Gorillas while others keep silent with unanswered questions in mind. Great Adventure Safaris offers you reasons why you shouldn’t you look a gorilla in the eyes and these include:
It’s a challenge to the Gorillas
Looking directly into the eyes of a Silverback Mountain Gorilla shows that you are ready to challenge it, a Silverback Gorilla is the head of a Gorilla family who keeps eyes open to challenge and defeat anyone and anything that interferes with the peace of the family. You are therefore cautioned to be humble in the presence of a silverback gorilla. To Mountain Gorillas, anyone who keeps a direct eye contact is a challenger and an enemy who has come to disrupt the family. Direct eye contact will, therefore, trigger the silverback to charge and fight you in defense of his family. If you want peace with Gorillas, therefore, avoid direct eye contact.
Mountain Gorillas are shy
Mountain Gorillas are shy and reserved creatures. Like any shy human beings, direct eye contact is surely a disruption, which causes discomfort to the Gorillas. Looking directly into the eyes of the Silverback Gorilla makes him feel uncomfortable and insecure forcing him to behave wildly in defense. These gentle giants are naturally shy and reserved creatures which keep calm and quiet most times. However, when disrupted by your direct eye contact, they charge aggressively at you to defend themselves
What are other Gorilla tracking guidelines?
As said already, you are given several guidelines during the pre-Gorilla tracking briefing. The trekking rules and regulations are to ensure the safety of the Mountain Gorillas and clients in the jungle. The do’s and don’ts of Gorilla trekking include:
Keep a distance of seven meters away from the Gorilla
Do not trek gorillas when sick
Avoid flashlight cameras
Do not litter in the park
Do not feed gorillas
Do not touch gorillas
Stay within your groups – Do not move alone in the jungle
Spend an hour with gorillas
Turn your face away from gorillas when sneezing or coughing
What to do when a Gorilla charges?
You are advised to bend low and keep calm when a Silverback Gorilla charges. Among the things to do when a Gorilla charges, include:
Do not fight with the Gorilla, it will become wilder
Stay calm and do not react
Stay quiet, do not shout
Crouch down and walk on your arms
Pretend to eat vegetation just as them
Step back, and move slowly away from the charged Gorilla
How to book a Gorilla tracking safari?
Wondering how you can get your Gorilla trekking tour booked? Great Adventure Safaris offers you the best Gorilla tour packages to meet your budget, time and interest. We offer tailor-made Gorilla tracking safaris to Uganda and Rwanda. The most done Gorilla tracking package is a 3 Days Gorilla trekking tour to Uganda or Rwanda done along with other safaris tailor-made to meet, satisfy and exceed all our client’s expectations.
We go extra to book Gorilla permits for clients, which save you the hustle of getting the Gorilla permits yourself. Just Contact Great Adventure Safaris and you will get your trip arranged and booked.
A visit to see the Mountain Gorillas is undeniably a dream come true. Book a Gorilla safari today, follow the trekking Rules and Regulations and enjoy this once in a lifetime experience.