Why tip gorilla trek guides and trackers in Rwanda and Uganda

Gorilla tracking is popular with many tourists visiting Uganda, Rwanda, and the world. Trekking is done in Uganda  (Bwindi and Mgahinga), Rwanda (Volcanoes National Park) and DRC (in Virunga National Park although at the moment it is not safe to trek in Congo). Guides and trackers play a crucial role in the gorilla trekking exercise because they are knowledgeable about the gorilla families, their characteristics and the habitat where trekking takes place. Tipping is a sign of appreciation for the services rendered to the tourists, and although it is not mandatory, it improves the livelihood of the guides and trackers, pushing them to work harder in conserving the Mountain gorillas.

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Why you should tip gorilla trackers and guides in Uganda and Rwanda

There are so many reasons why gorilla trackers and guides are tipped in Uganda and Rwanda and these include the following:

Contributing to the conservation of Mountain gorillas:

Tipping is of great importance in gorilla trekking to the guides and trackers and this has greatly pushed them to sensitize the local community and people about the advantages of gorilla trekking in Uganda and Rwanda. The trackers and guides know that the continued inflow of tourists will bring in tips and this can only be done with the conservation of the Mountain gorillas. In the long run, the national parks will not need to spend a lot of money sensitizing the public about the conservation of the Mountain Gorillas because the tips to the trackers and guides might lead them to do this.

To support the guides and trackers:

Although gorilla guides and rangers are paid salaries by the Uganda Wildlife Authority, they still need financial support to support their livelihood. Rangers and trackers give their whole in researching the Mountain gorillas and this information is passed on to tourists when they come for gorilla trekking. When you trek through the forests with guides and rangers who have more knowledge about the gorillas and the national park, you have a chance to ask more questions about the Mountain gorillas and get the necessary and right answers. The times that tourists wish to support the guides and trackers directly, you can offer a token of appreciation after the gorilla trek exercise.

As a token of appreciation:

You should, however, note that tipping is not a must, but it is seen as a token of appreciation. When the trackers go out early morning in search of the last seen place for the Mountain gorillas guides lead you through the forest in search of the gorillas through the thick vegetation, protect you from the dangers of the forest and you with the necessary information among others, tipping might be the best way to say thank you. There is no specific amount of money set on tipping and this entirely depends on what you have and your appreciation of their services

Personal relationship with the researchers, trackers and ranger guides:

Tipping will increase the good work relationship between you and the guides and trackers. In cases where you want to come back as a researcher, you will find it easier to get information about the Mountain gorillas and their natural habitat and what you are collecting from the trackers and guides. All the guides and trackers have information that you are looking for and data collection is made easy if you have a good relationship.

Gorilla trackers: These are individuals who are trained to trek and locate gorillas in the wild. They are a trained team of individuals which works with the guides to locate the gorillas before gorilla trekking takes place. They use natural signs and follow foliage left behind by the Mountain gorillas as a way of locating them and they start out early morning to follow the trail left behind by the Mountain gorillas. Once they find the gorillas, they use walkie-talkies to communicate with the guides at the park headquarters and with this information, the guides lead the group of trekkers through the thick forests.

Gorilla trackers are trained by the authority bodies in Rwanda and the Uganda Wildlife Authority in Uganda. They are also trained national park ranger guides with knowledge about the trekking destinations and the different habituated gorilla families in the national parks. The main purpose of the trackers is to make sure that visitors have a high chance of seeing the Mountain gorillas on the trek day and to help with research purposes, especially when it comes to the census of the gorillas.

Gorilla guides: Guides are trained and experienced people who take on gorilla trekking groups on gorilla trekking safaris in Uganda and Rwanda. These experts are the people responsible for sharing all the necessary information about Mountain gorillas, their natural habitat, the rules and regulations, their history, characteristics and other activities that are done in the area.

The Uganda Wildlife Authority and Rwanda Development Board provide permits and guides for gorilla trekking. However, reputable tour companies like Encounter Africa Safaris provide experienced guides to take you on your gorilla trekking safari. The guides are usually trained through training sessions that are seasonal and they are chosen according to their enthusiasm, communication skills and organizational abilities.

The role of the gorilla guides includes leading the trekking group through the forest, sharing all the information about the Mountain gorillas, directing trekkers to where the Mountain gorillas are located, communicating with the trackers and answering all the necessary questions that you might have about gorillas, the wildlife and culture of the people.

Driver guides: In cases where you are on a guided safari, you should consider the driver guides to be your closest confidant because they will pick you up, and transport you throughout your safari. Your driver will ensure that you have a good time during your safari by providing information about the various tourist destinations and people of the area and advising you on where to go and the dos and don'ts. They will also ensure that you travel safely and securely. Tipping them will not only motivate them, but it will also show that you appreciate the services that they have rendered to you.

Tips for tipping on a gorilla safari in Uganda and Rwanda

Tipping is seen as a sign of the good services received from the trackers and guides during the trek. Some of the tips that you have to consider when tipping on a gorilla safari include the following:

• Carry smaller notes, and if possible, make sure that they are in charge to easily tip the trackers and the guides.
• US dollars printed in 2013 and above are acceptable in both countries for tipping. Ensure that you have enough money on you to tip the different service providers.
• The only US dollar bills that are accepted in Uganda and Rwanda are 2013 and above and older will not be allowed.
• Keep all your cash securely on you to avoid petty thieves.
• We advise that you tip at the end of the exercise.
• Tips can either be done in local currency or a foreign currency, especially US dollars and EUROS. Note that the locals prefer foreign currency to local currency because it has more value.

Gorilla trekking in Uganda and Rwanda is possible after the purchase of a gorilla trek permit which is a legal document that is used to get access to the Mountain gorillas in their natural habitat. The Rwanda Development Board in Rwanda and the Uganda Wildlife Authority in Uganda are in charge of printing and issuing gorilla permits. The permits in both countries have to be bought in advance, at least 6 months before the trek date for proper planning, and the cost of the permit in Uganda is $800 and $1500 in Rwanda. For more information about the cost of the gorilla trekking permit in Uganda and Rwanda, check our website at Encounter Africa Safaris.

The gorilla trekking experience:

Gorilla trekking in Uganda and Rwanda starts early morning with a briefing from the guides at the park headquarters, and it is during this period that the guides tell the trekkers about the guidelines and what to expect when trekking the gorillas in their natural habitat. Immediately after assigning the gorilla families, the trek begins and depending on where the gorilla family you have been allocated for the day is found, the trek can take between 1 to 6 hours. After finding the gorillas, each of the groups has an hour with the Mountain gorillas and after this, the group heads back to the park headquarters and each participant is awarded a certificate of participation.

The gorilla rules and regulations:

The rules and regulations that have to be followed when trekking Mountain gorillas in both Uganda and Rwanda include the following

• Distance yourself by about 8 meters from the gorillas after you find them
• Bury all the human waste so that it is not dug up by the Mountain gorillas.
• Littering in the park is not allowed. All rubbish should be picked up and properly disposed of to protect the gorillas.
• All trek groups have an hour with the primates
• Avoid taking photos of mountain gorillas with the camera flash on because it scares the gorillas to retreat further into the forest.
• Never spit on the vegetation within the national parks because it is food for the gorillas and this might affect their health.
• Trekkers/tourists who are sick with contagious diseases will not be allowed to trek the Mountain gorillas.
• Avoid feeding and eating when close to Mountain gorillas
• Smoking when with the gorillas is prohibited
• Avoid surrounding the Mountain gorillas because they will feel threatened and might attack.
• All faecal waste has to be buried deep so that gorillas don't dig it up.
• Touching, mimicking and feeding the gorillas is strictly prohibited. Mountain gorillas are wild animals that need to hunt for their own food.
• You have an hour with the Mountain gorillas
• You are not allowed to trek Mountain gorillas without a guide and armed ranger.
• Minimize the noise when trekking gorillas.

What to pack and bring for a gorilla safari in Uganda and Rwanda

Packing right for a gorilla safari in Uganda and Rwanda is the best way one can have a beautiful and fun-filled gorilla safari. There are a lot of things that can be carried but you need to have a guide on what best to carry for example, all the clothes that have to be carried have to be in a neutral colour to easily blend in with the environment, you should avoid colours of blue, camouflage colours because they are associated with the army and avoid bright colours that stand out. Some of the essential things to bring for the gorilla safari include the following:

• Long-sleeved shirts and trousers. Make sure that you avoid jeans because they will make it hard for you to walk especially when they get wet.
• A sunhat
• Insect repellent
• Sunscreen
• Knee-length hike boots (if possible, get waterproof and comfortable shoes)
• Warm clothes like sweaters, ponchos and scarves
• Waterproof rain jacket or coat
• Waterproof backpack
• Gaiters
• Gardening gloves
• A camera and binoculars
• First aid kit
• Walking stick
• A flashlight and extra batteries
• Cash

Gorilla tracking is done all year round, but the best time is during the dry season because the trek routes are dry and easily accessible during the dry season, whereas you should expect wet, slippery and muddy trek routes during the rainy season. December to February and June to September is the dry season, and March to May, November is the wet season.

We have talked about why tipping is important on a gorilla trek safari, but note that we are not trying to promote tipping. However, it is a guide for tourists who wish to show appreciation to the people who have offered good services to you.

Contact us at Encounter Africa Safaris to help you plan your gorilla trekking safari to Uganda and Rwanda, and to also learn more about the tipping and its guidelines and processes.