21st Congress International Primatological Society

Excursions during IPS 2006

GORILLA TRACKING INFORMATION

SECTION 1:

Bookings for all gorilla permits in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park (BINP) and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park (MGNP) shall be done at Reservation Office at UWA Headquarters in Kampala, on Plot 3 Kintu Road, Nakasero.

If you wish to buy a gorilla permit, inquire for the availability of gorilla permits from UWA via email or phone. Specify the date of interest because each gorilla permit is only valid for one day. The reservations officers will get back to you on the availability of permits and will advise you on the mode of payment. Clients staying abroad will have to pay for their gorilla permits by money bank transfer in US Dollars

Visitor Category

Rates for a permit differ based on the residence status of the visitor. The three categories are:

1.Non-residents

2.Foreign resident of Uganda/East African resident (with proof of a two years residence permit in Uganda as determined for tax purposes in Uganda)

3.Ugandans

Gorilla Tracking Price list

Non-Residents East African Residents Uganda Citizens

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park $360 $340 UShs 100,000

Mgahinga Gorilla National Park $360 $340 UShs 100,000

Note: Rates include entrance fees and guide fees

Reference can be made to the price list posted at the point of sale to verify the correct fee if you are not paying in US dollars. Visitor category will be verified at the point of sale and at check-in prior to the departure for tracking.

Refunds/Cancellation Guidelines

UWA shall refund the full tracking fee, if the visitor fails to track due to illness. A visitor shall be declared unfit to track due to illness by the Warden in Charge and this clause only applies to visitors who have made their way to BINP or MGNP.

Visitors who fail to track the gorillas (especially in MGNP) as a result of their movement to the neighboring country shall receive a full refund on their permits. However, should visitors track and fail to view the gorillas for one reason or another, 75% of the tracking fee will be refunded.

All refunds shall be effected at UWA Headquarters in Kampala through the Reservations Office.

UWA will retain the following percentages upon cancellations:

Time Period Amount

0 – 8 days tracking date no refund

9 – 45 days to tracking date 75% (25% refund to client)

46-90 days to tracking date 50%

91 days and above to tracking date 25% (75% refund to client

· Any refund to be made on the 30% deposit shall be at the value of the permit.

· Permits must are sold at face value, whoever sells at higher value will be penalized.

· Primary sale of permits by individuals or tour companies anywhere is illegal. Uganda Wildlife Authority MUST sell all permits only.

· Payment for gorilla permits must be made directly to Uganda Wildlife Authority.

· Payment Terms:

The acceptable payment methods are:

· Cash (Uganda shillings, US dollars)

· Bank Transfers (net of bank charges)

· Traveler’s Cheques at prevailing exchange rate (1%of amount paid is charged as bank charges.)

SECTION 2:

INFORMATION ON GORILLAS:

Gorillas are our closest living relatives among the World’s great apes, studies of fossils, genes, physiology and behavior have revealed just how recently our shared lineage divided. Gorillas are complex, highly intelligent apes besieged by threats on all sides, including poachers, diseases and confined to a dwindling habitat that is in constant danger of being further eroded.

Charismatic animals such as Gorillas serve as “flagship” species. The Mountain gorilla not only attracts public support in its own right, but also helps to focus attention on its afro-montane habitat, upon which many other species depend for survival.

BRIEF BACKGROUND:

About 700 mountain gorillas survive to day, all of them in the wild. In the ensuing century, a combination of hunting and habitat destruction has driven this very rare primate to the verge of extinction.

Uganda’s Tourism drive in recent years has been the “endangered mountain gorillas”. Gorillas are our next of kin although they belong to a separate “ family” from humans. This has led to increased number of visitors to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga gorilla National park, who come to see their closest relatives – the mountain gorillas.

GORILLA TRACKING

Mountain gorillas are the big attraction of Bwindi and Mgahinga. They are very special animals - rare, gently, like us yet so different. Tracking gorillas is a unique experience - it leads you into a strange land to meet unusual creatures on their own terms. This can be humbling and thrilling at the same time.

We must stress that, while you have a very good chance of seeing gorillas, success is NOT guaranteed! They are wild creatures with no fixed routines.

The guides and trackers have helped to habituate the gorilla groups and know them intimately. They will take you to the areas where they left the gorillas the day before. Before leaving, they will be able to suggest how long the hike might take. While walking, please ask your guides to slow down if they are going too fast and if you need a rest. Feel free to stop and look at the birds or flowers, etc., the guide will ensure that they do not leave you behind. Watch out for safari ants on the trail - they bite and hang on, and if you step in them and get covered, the only solution is to strip. The actual trail you will follow will depend on where the trackers left the group and what signs they find to indicate where the group has gone. They are looking for crushed vegetation, broken plants that the gorillas might eat, and fresh dung. If you find the place where the group slept, you will see the gorilla's nests, which they make fresh each night.

When you find the gorillas, there is no guarantee that you will be able to photograph them. They often range in broken forest where vegetation is dense.

What to bring

Gorilla tracking can be a long and challenging walk, so come prepared.

· Wear shoes with good traction, suitable to step muddy slopes.

· Carry rain gear, sunscreen and a hat, as the weather is unpredictable.

· Carry water and food

· Carry insect repellants

· When taking photographs, remember your subjects are black animals in dim light and use a fast film (400-800 ASA); over expose, if possible.

· Departure is 8.30 a.m. If you are late, you lose your place and permit fee!

In order to minimize behavioral disturbance to the gorilla and the risk of exposure to human-borne disease some rules must followed:

Gorilla rules:

· Keep your voice down or be quiet. You will see and hear more if you do.

· Do not point or waive your arms - this can be seen as a threat. Move slowly.

· If approached by a gorilla, back away slowly to keep 5-metre separation.

· Do not use a flash - this could frighten the gorillas and bother other visitors.

· Please always keep your voices low. You will then also be able to observe the great bird life and other wildlife in the forest.

· DO NOT leave rubbish in the park. Whatever you bring into the forest should be carried back out with you.

· Always wash your hands before you head out to the gorillas.

· Keep a minimum of 5 meters (15 feet) from the gorillas. This is to protect them from catching human diseases

· You must stay in tight group when you are near the gorillas.

· Keep your voices down at all times. However, it is OK to ask the guide questions

· Do not eat or drink while you are near the gorillas. Eating or drinking inevitably will increase the risk of food/drink morsels/droplets falling, which could increase the risk of transmission of diseases.

· Sometimes the gorillas charge. Follow the guides example-crouch down slowly, do not look the gorillas directly in the eyes and wait for the animals to pass. Do not try and take pictures and do not attempt to run away. Running away will increase the risk.

· Flash photography is not permitted! When taking pictures move slowly and carefully.

· Do not touch the gorillas. They are wild animals. ….

· The maximum time you can spend with the gorillas is one hour. However, if the gorillas become agitated or nervous, the guide will finish the visit early.

· After the visit keep your voices down until you are 200 metres from the gorillas.

General Health Rules

· Remember gorillas are very susceptible to human diseases. The following are ways to minimize the risk your visit might pose to them:

· Respect the limits imposed on the number of visitors allowed with the gorillas each day. This minimizes the risk of disease transmission and stress to the group.

· If you are feeling ill, or you are carrying a contagious disease, volunteer to stay behind. An alternate visit will be arranged for you, or you will be refunded your money.

· If you feel the urge to cough or sneeze when you are near the gorillas, please turn your head away and cover your nose and mouth in order to minimize the spread of bacteria or viruses.

· Always stay 5 metres (15 feet) away form the gorillas. The further back you are, the more relaxed the group will be.

· Do not attempt to touch the gorillas

· Do not smoke, drink or eat when you are with the gorillas

· Do not leave any rubbish (e.g. food wrappers) in the Park; foreign items can harbor diseases or other contaminants.

· If you need to defecate, whilst in the forest, please ask the guide to dig you a hole with a panga. Make sure the hole is 30cms deep and fill it in when you are finished.

The gorilla tracking activity which started in April 1993 in Bwindi Impenetrable National park and in 1994 in Mgahinga Gorilla National park led to an increased demand for habituating more gorillas and has also called for peoples attention to be associated with the mountain Gorillas.

Gorilla Groups

Mubare (Bwindi Impenetrable National Park) : (10 members)

1 silverback

4 females

3 juveniles

2 infant.

Habinyanja (Bwindi Impenetrable National Park): (18 members)

1 silverback

2 black backs

6 females

1 sub adult

5 juveniles

3 infants

Rushegura (Bwindi Impenetrable National Park) :(10 members)

1 silver back

5 females

1 sub adult

2 juveniles

1 infant.

Nkuringo (Bwindi Impenetrable National Park): (19 members)

2 silver backs

3 black backs

5 females

2 sub adult

5 juveniles

2 infants

Nyakagezi (Mgahinga Gorilla National Park): (11 members)

2 Silverbacks

3 Adult females

4 Juveniles

2 Infants

· A maximum of 6 visitors track each gorilla group per day.

· The minimum requirement age of tracking the gorillas is 15years.

GORILLA PERMIT COLLECTION:

After payment of gorilla permits, the gorilla permits are issued from Uganda Wildlife Authority, at Plot 3 Kintu Road-Kampala. Come along with your passport details at collection of the permit. This should be done at least three (3) days to the tracking date because travelling to the park takes a full day.

Our offices are open

Monday-Friday (8:00 a.m-5: 00p.m) then Saturdays (9:00a.m-1: 00p.m).

SECTION 3:

TRANSPORT TO THE PARKS:

For the transport services, there is no problem with getting public transport to Bwindi impenetrable National Park. However, this stops at a small town (Butogota) that is 17 km from the park, this will cost Ugh Shs 15,000 approximately US $10. After which you can hire a car to reach Buhoma where the park offices are found. This will cost about Ush. 20,000. The Buses to Butogota can be got at the main bus station in Kampala City on Namirembe road opposite the New Taxi Park.

There is also public transport to Kisoro town for those wishing to see gorillas in Mgahinga National Park. The Buses to Kisoro can be got at the main bus station in Kampala city on Namirembe road opposite the New Taxi Park. After reaching Kisoro you can hire a car to reach our park headquarters,a distance of 13 kms.

Arrangements can also be made through tour operators for clients wishing to go to the parks by private means.

ACCOMODATION:

There is budget accommodation in both Gorilla parks.

Please, check with the UWA Headquarter Offices in Kampala before you travel to the two parks for gorilla tracking for detailed information.

For more information contact:

Uganda Wildlife Authority

Plot 3 Kintu Road

P.O. Box 3530

Tel: 256 41 346287/346288

Fax: 256 41 346527

Kampala - Uganda

Email: uwa@uwa.or.ug

Website: www.uwa.or.ug