Gorilla trekking

You'll need to be fit enough to trek to the location of your family of mountain gorillas. This may involve anywhere from one hour up to six hours of walking up and down hills in hot and humid conditions and through tropical (and at times thick) foliage. There may be mud underfoot, which will make the trekking slippery. But don’t let this put you off—the end result is worth it.

At the pre-trek briefing, travellers will be divided into groups of eight based on their age and fitness. The rangers usually have a good idea of where each gorilla family group is and the expected trekking time for each family. The fitter groups will trek to the families in more challenging locations or longer distances away.

You'll be expected to carry your own personal items for this trek, including water, a rain jacket and cameras, however, you can absolutely hire a local porter to assist you. Hiring a porter on a gorilla trek is a common practice by travellers of all ages and abilities. The porters will carry your bag and help you navigate some of the steeper or trickier sections of the trek.

Not only does it make the trek easier for you, but you’re also providing a valuable source of income for locals. Hiring a local porter comes at a reasonable cost; make sure to ask your trip leader about porters before the trek.

Once you track your gorilla family you have one hour with them. This is to minimise the possibility of disturbance or transmission of disease to the animals. No more than eight people per day can visit any one habituated family.

It's not 100% guaranteed that you will see gorillas, but it is highly uncommon not to. Gorilla trackers head off at dawn every day to locate gorilla families and radio the co-ordinates back to headquarters. So, that means that before you even begin your trek the trackers have a good idea of where your family is or will be.

Permits are included in the cost of Intrepid’s gorilla trekking trips, and we will secure the permit for you once you pay your trip deposit. At this time, all we require from you are your passport details. On some trips, travellers might also have the opportunity to trek to see the gorillas for a second time. These additional permits should also be organised prior to departure while you’re booking.

The cost of your permit contributes significantly to mountain gorilla conservation efforts. The mountain gorilla population living in the Virunga mountains has grown significantly over the last decade, largely due to the contribution to conservation efforts by travellers purchasing trekking permits. The rise in numbers follows the introduction of park guards, veterinary care, community support projects and regulated tourism. Combined with a separate mountain gorilla population living in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in Uganda, this brings the number of mountain gorillas up to more than 1,000 individuals.

On our trips there is often the chance to take an optional additional trek to see the mountain gorillas. Only a limited number of permits are issued for each gorilla family each day, so we recommend that you pre-book your trek and permit through your booking agent to avoid disappointment – especially in peak season.

It's possible to request to trek with a particular gorilla family once you’re at the briefing, but this can’t always be guaranteed.

As per national park requirements, you must be a minimum of 15 years old to trek to see the gorillas in either Uganda or Rwanda.

You can trek to see the gorillas all year round. The dry season is June to September and December to February, while the rainy season is March to May and October to November. The rainy season can make trekking more challenging, so many people opt to trek during the dry season. However, it’s important to remember that you’re trekking in tropical rainforests, and it’s common to have rain throughout the year regardless of which season it is.

Your ranger will brief you on a few basic gorilla trekking guidelines and rules before your trek. If you are feeling unwell or you are carrying a contagious disease, we recommend you stay behind, and an alternate visit will be arranged for you. Gorillas are susceptible to the transmission of germs and diseases, and you could put them at risk. Currently, masks are required to be worn on all gorilla trekking trips.

No more than eight people per day can visit any one habituated family per day, so it's possible your group may be split into smaller trekking groups. Depending on permit availability and group size, you may even trek on two different days.

Tracking gorillas in the dense forest can sometimes be wet, muddy and uncomfortable. You will definitely need a comfortable pair of waterproof hiking boots or shoes. Some of the foliage in the forest has sharp spikes and can be prickly, so a gardening glove with a hard surface on the palm will make it easier to grab onto trees and bushes as you pull yourself up the hillside. It's also a good idea to pack a pair of long socks to tuck your trousers into to avoid any ants or insects getting to your ankles. Long-sleeved, lightweight shirts will also protect your arms without being too hot. You can pick up a trekking pole at your local lodge or the trek headquarters. A small backpack to carry camera, personal items and a water bottle is a good idea.

Treks are only conducted within 'habituated' groups of gorillas. It takes a period of about two years for a gorilla family to become familiar with humans. To ensure that travellers are safe while trekking there are set rules and regulations that everyone must observe at all times. You will be briefed on these before you depart in search of their assigned habituated gorilla family. While on the trek, the park ranger guide who accompanies you will be there to ensure everyone follows the rules.

All gorilla treks are led by well-trained national park guides, rangers and trackers. The ranger or head guide carries a first aid kit and will provide a comprehensive safety briefing at the start of each trek.