A gorilla trek is a guided walk through the forest, followed by a carefully managed encounter with a habituated gorilla family. The length and difficulty of the walk vary from day to day because gorillas move freely in their natural habitat.
Before the trek
Prepare sturdy walking shoes with good grip, a rain jacket, long sleeves, long trousers and drinking water. At the park headquarters, rangers explain the visiting rules and assign trekking groups. A porter can help you carry your bag and navigate muddy or steep sections.
During the encounter
Follow your guide’s instructions and keep the required distance from the gorillas. The time allowed with a gorilla family on a standard trek is generally one hour once you find them. Keep your voice low, avoid flash photography and never try to approach or feed wildlife.
Planning your visit
Gorilla permits have limited daily availability. Booking well ahead is especially useful for busy travel periods. Uganda and Rwanda offer different routes and trekking conditions, so your ideal trip depends on your dates, starting point and preferred overall safari experience.