This is one of the questions that clients ask when it comes to the gorilla trekking safari activities. The gorilla trekking rules and guidelines demand that the visitors stand just seven meters away from the gorillas, which means that there is no chance for anyone to touch the gorillas.

Also, the authorities don’t advise that visitors touch the gorillas for the safety of the visitors and the gorillas themselves. At times, the infant gorillas like praying so much that they might come closer to you, but even if they do this, you are supposed to remain calm and just see what is happening.

As the young ones come closer to you, the mothers and the silverbacks will keep monitoring the situation and keeping a close eye on what these young ones are doing, and they will ensure that the young ones are safe.

It is an appeal that when these gorillas come to you, you need to remain still and not in any way try to touch any of the gorillas. Also, the most important thing to note is that although the gorillas are trained to get used to human beings, they remain wild and not domesticated, and thus you should treat them like any other wild animal. These gorillas become more hostile when they give birth, although the visitors are very interested in seeing the babies.

It is important to note that the endangered mountain gorillas are very friendly, and they are taken as one of the most peaceful animals in the wild. This is attributed to the fact that these animals have been trained to get used to human beings for more than 2 years. In fact, the gorillas are close to human beings, and we are almost similar.

It has been scientifically proven that human beings share 98% of their DNA with these gorillas. The endangered mountain gorillas are considered social, and they can only become aggressive once they feel threatened. This is always done in self-defense, which is why visitors should be more cautious when dealing with the mountain gorillas.

The fact that they live in an unusual environment characterized by dense rain forests and hilly terrain makes the gorillas very strong, to the extent that they can break bamboo trees and rocks into pieces.

It is believed that gorillas are 20 times stronger than a normal human being, which is why they have little energy, which means that they can easily defend themselves against an attack. However, under unclear circumstances, the endangered gorillas fear some of the reptiles, especially the catepillas as well as the chameleons, and when they are in the family moving with the forest and the young gorillas notice these reptiles, they can easily be seen moving out of their way or changing directions.

Still, the gorillas are very sensitive to water, and they can easily cross the streams provided they are sure they won’t get wet when they do. As such, they tend to like very dry places where they don’t feel wet.

It is always recommended that visitors who are interested in seeing the gorillas keep a constant distance of at least 7 meters (23 feet) away from the gorillas. This is done to avoid endangering or stressing the gorillas, as well as to maintain a “social distance” from them in order to prevent any potential disease transmission between gorillas and people, as some human diseases can also affect gorillas. However, the animated and inquisitive young ones might approach you to watch you.

Sometimes an adult may simply enjoy being where you are and may move, sit down, or come to a complete stop next to you. When this occurs, you are advised to make a step backwards until you are about seven meters away or keep moving back as long as the gorilla is approaching you until you are unable to move any farther.

If the gorilla is approaching you while you are in its path, move out of the way and allow it to continue without any interruptions. And make sure that you don’t maintain eye contact with the silverback gorilla’s eyes.

Making eye contact with the silverback gorilla signals to him that you are questioning his dominance. He’ll become enraged and possibly charge at you. So if the silverback gorilla starts staring directly at you, turn your head away. Yes, it is undoubtedly seductive and hypnotic to gaze into the gentle giant’s fiery, large, reddish-brown eyes.

Still, while using the camera, make sure that it doesn’t flash because the flash light is not good with the gorillas. Be sure to turn off the camera’s flash before approaching the gorillas. The camera’s flash throws the gorillas off balance and causes them to flee.

Additionally, it might make the silverback gorilla charge. Avoid making quick movements. Avoid sudden movements like running or picking up branches when you’re close to the numerous gorillas. The gorillas may feel threatened and run away, provoking the silverback to charge.

And please make sure that you remain in your group, avoid seclusion, and maintain contact with the rest of your tracking team. Stay close to the group to prevent the silverback from easily identifying you in the event that he becomes agitated. It is good to speak in a low voice. Maintain a low voice around the gorillas.

It can be concluded that, despite being muscular, enormous, powerful, and intelligent, mountain gorillas are very friendly and gentle creatures. Gorillas will only become aggressive when they feel disturbed, and when they charge, they react with vigorous bites, thumping, breaking ribs, and dragging.

If a person is not rescued, a gorilla will attack them. They are friendly except when you enter their territory, taunt, threaten, try to hurt their infants, or offend them. For this reason, it takes rangers and researchers at least two years to make wild mountain gorillas accustomed to humans before they can be friendly or habituated to them. However, even if a gorilla group has become habituated, tourists must adhere to certain rules when visiting gorillas so as to have a great gorilla experience in the jungle.