It is not currently compulsory to wear face masks when visiting the critically endangered mountain gorillas of Uganda and Rwanda.

However, wearing masks can reduce the high risk of infecting gorillas with human diseases - something to which they are very susceptible.

We ask all tour operators and guides to strongly encourage their clients and guests to wear masks in order to protect the gorillas. 

It is a huge privilege to see these animals in their natural environment, but for this to continue, we must do so responsibly.

If the Ugandan and Rwandan governments can be convinced that it will not negatively affect tourism, they will be more likely to enforce mask-wearing as a rule. It is already compulsory in the Democratic Republic of Congo’s Virunga National Park.

'Wearing masks when visiting the critically endangered gorillas ensures the best protection from our human diseases.' - Dr. Gladys Kalema Zikusoka, Founder of Conservation Through Public Health.