Gorilla Trekking Tips
How to Prepare, What to Expect, & Rules to Follow
Gorilla trekking is one of the most unforgettable wildlife experiences on Earth. Whether you’re heading to Rwanda or Uganda, this guide will walk you through essential tips for a successful trek—covering what to wear, how to behave around the gorillas, photography etiquette, safety, and conservation guidelines.
Trek Tips
Gorilla trekking typically takes place in dense, mountainous rainforest terrain. Hikes can range from 1 to 6 hours depending on the location of the gorilla family, and trails can be steep or muddy.
Group Size
Each gorilla family can only be visited once per day by a maximum of 6–8 people, depending on the park. This limit reduces stress on the gorillas and helps prevent the spread of human diseases
Terrain & Difficulty
Expect to hike through dense vegetation, steep inclines, slippery slopes, and thick undergrowth. Trek durations can range from 30 minutes to over 6 hours depending on the movement of the gorilla family and your starting point. The altitude can reach over 2,500 meters (8,200 feet), so some level of physical fitness is recommended
How Guides Track Gorillas
Experienced park rangers and guides track gorilla movements daily. They rely on signs like footprints, nests, vocalizations, dung, and broken vegetation. Most treks begin from a point where the gorillas were last seen the previous day, and skilled trackers work ahead of the group to locate them in real-time.
Time With The Gorillas
Once the gorillas are located, visitors are allowed to spend a maximum of one hour in their presence. This is strictly enforced to avoid overstimulation and protect the health of these endangered primates. If the gorillas show signs of stress, your guide may shorten the visit for their safety.
Gorilla Trekking Rules
Rule 1: Approaching the Gorillas
Always follow your guide—your gorilla safari experience depends on their expertise.
Keep voices low to avoid disturbing wildlife (you’ll also spot birds and other forest creatures!).
Look for signs like nests, dung, and trails—the guides track these to locate the gorilla families.
Cameras should only be prepared when your guide gives the green light.
Rule 2: While With the Gorillas
Stay at least 15 feet (5 meters) away from the gorillas at all times.
Remain calm and quiet. If gorillas approach or display aggression (which is rare), crouch slowly and avoid eye contact. Never run.
Do not eat, drink, smoke, or attempt to touch the gorillas.
Ask questions quietly—your guide will be happy to answer.
Rule 3: Photography Guidelines
No flash photography allowed—it can startle gorillas.
Move slowly and deliberately when taking photos.
You’re allowed a maximum of one hour with the gorillas—shorter if they appear stressed.
Keep voices down until you’re at least 200 meters (650 feet) away after your visit ends.
General Health Rules for Gorilla Trekking
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, which minimizes the risk of disease transmission and stress to the group.
- If you are feeling ill or 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 near the gorillas, please turn your head away and cover your nose and mouth to minimize the spread of bacteria or viruses.
- Always stay 15 feet away from 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 in the park, e.g., food wrappers; foreign items can harbor diseases or other contaminants.
- Suppose you need to defecate while in the forest, please ask the guide to dig you a hole with his panga. Make sure the hole is 12 inches deep, and fill it in when you finish.
What to Wear Gorilla Trekking
Dress for protection, comfort, and the elements. Here’s what to bring:
- Long-sleeved shirts and long pants (lightweight, breathable fabric)
Waterproof hiking boots with good traction
Gaiters or high socks to protect from ants and brush
Gardening gloves or trekking gloves for handling branches
Lightweight rain jacket or poncho
Neutral-colored clothing (avoid bright colors or camouflage)
Hat, sunglasses, and a small backpack for water and essentials
Read more here: What to Wear Gorilla Trekking
Is Gorilla Trekking Dangerous?
Gorilla trekking is generally safe, especially when led by experienced guides who are well-versed in gorilla behavior. While these are wild animals, the gorilla families visited during treks are habituated to human presence. Still, it’s essential to respect all rules, maintain distance, and follow your guide’s instructions to ensure everyone’s safety.
Conservation and Community Impact
Gorilla trekking is more than just an adventure, it’s a powerful form of conservation tourism that directly supports the survival of one of the world’s most endangered species: the mountain gorilla (Gorilla beringei beringei).
Protecting a Critically Endangered Species
Mountain gorillas are found only in the forested highlands of Uganda, Rwanda, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Their habitats include:
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park (Uganda)
Mgahinga Gorilla National Park (Uganda)
Volcanoes National Park (Rwanda)
Virunga National Park (DRC)
Thanks to decades of conservation efforts, the mountain gorilla population has risen from fewer than 300 in the 1980s to over 1,000 individuals today. Gorilla trekking has played a vital role in this success story.
How Your Gorilla Trekking Permit Helps
Each permit purchased for a gorilla safari contributes directly to:
Wildlife conservation and anti-poaching efforts
Park ranger salaries, training, and equipment
Veterinary care for gorillas through organizations like Gorilla Doctors
Habitat protection and reforestation programs
In both gorilla trekking Uganda and Rwanda gorilla trekking destinations, 10–20% of permit revenue is also reinvested into local communities, helping build schools, health clinics, clean water access, and sustainable agriculture projects.
Empowering Local Communities
Communities living near gorilla habitats are critical to long-term conservation success. Many locals now work as rangers, porters, guides, or hospitality staff. Revenue-sharing from gorilla permits encourages communities to protect wildlife, rather than poach or encroach on parkland.
Hiring a porter or buying handmade souvenirs during your trek provides additional direct support to local families.
Tipping Guidelines for Gorilla Trekking
Tipping is an important part of the gorilla trekking experience and a meaningful way to support the local teams who make your trek possible. This includes your lead guide, assistant guide(s), porters, and cook—many of whom come from nearby communities.
While tipping is not mandatory, it is expected and deeply appreciated.
Recommended amount: Around $55 USD per trekker per day
For a 6-day gorilla trek, budget approximately $330 USD for tips in total
Tipping is typically done at the end of your trek, in cash (preferably in USD or local currency)
Tips can be handed to your lead guide, who will distribute them among the crew
This small gesture of appreciation goes a long way in supporting sustainable tourism and local livelihoods in Uganda and Rwanda gorilla trekking regions.