In practice, it could have been a conservationists nightmare. Instead, it has been a remarkable success. This is largely due to Uganda's tourism policy which is committed to attracting high-spending, low impact ecotourists. This policy appears to have paid off. Gorilla treks average 80 per cent occupancy.
Conservationists have little to complain about.
Buhoma, the park headquarters, is a well-maintained backwater, with a dirt road leading to the forest. Inside the park there are few signs of human presence and tourists struggle along overgrown paths made passable by machete wielding guides. Children under 15 are forbidden to trek because of the risk of disease transmission. The most innovative development, however, is community participation. When BINP was upgraded to a National Park in 1993, local people were suddenly denied access to the area.