Uganda Gorilla safaris | Gorilla trekking Tours & Trips in Uganda & Rwanda

Is Gorilla Trekking Ethical?

Shortest answer is, Gorilla trekking is ethical. It’s important to know that mountain gorillas cannot survive in zoos also given the fact that these adorable gorillas have been habituated, you the guests are prepared with the dos and don’ts before and after the gorilla trek, it’s as ethical as you could expect.

Ethical gorilla trekking contributes to the conservation of gorillas and their habitats and collected fees from permits fund conservation initiatives and support anti-poaching efforts – they pay for park rangers, guides and fund awareness campaigns highlighting gorilla conservation’s importance. This ensures sustainability.

All gorilla trekking national parks in Uganda, Rwanda and Congo employ an array of guidelines for trekking tours, including limiting the number of daily to ensure that continuity is ensured, everyone must maintain a safe viewing distance and keeping the environment as clean as possible. Furthermore, strict health protocols like avoiding visitors with flu-like or cold symptoms from tracking.  The well-being of the gorillas is of utmost priority.

Gorilla trekking is also very beneficial to the local communities – sustainable tourism in gorilla-inhabited communities offers employment opportunities for locals and helps create avenues to support locals and improve local infrastructure. Other than having local guides from the community, the trekkers also need accommodation, potters and sometimes crafts. Sometimes, visitors need to hire tracking equipment – the local can easily get some money by hiring them out to the visitors hence generating revenue. All of this helps promote sustainable livelihoods for locals.

From the sensitization during gorilla trekking briefing and the vast opportunities it creates for the local community, they are less likely to harm the primates if they understand the benefit of gorilla trekking to their communities. Some of the top gorilla trekking itineraries at Nata Adventures include; 3 Days Uganda Gorilla Safari package and 5 days Uganda and Chimp trekking safari.

Check out our 2024/25 Uganda Gorilla tours and Rwanda Gorilla safari packages for an unforgettable memories of a lifetime.

Why consider a gorilla safari?

It’’s no longer a suprose that gorilla trekking is an exciting adventure unrivaled compared to normal wildlife sightseeing. A gorilla safari in either Uganda or Rwanda is a great opportunity to interface with the endangered mountain gorillas that share close to 98% of their Deoxyribonucleic Acid (DNA) with humans.

The magical moment spent in the presence of these great apes as you observe them relate, play and mate can only be described as a once in a lifetime experience.

Planning a gorilla trekking safari is the only way you will see these adorable mountain gorillas since the Mountain gorillas cannot survive in captivity areas such as zoos

Will I Definitely See Gorillas?

Because they are so closely monitored, and either researchers or trekkers are in touch with them every day, guides know more or less where the different families are, and you probably have a 99% chance of seeing them. Of course, there are no guarantees with wild animals and an overnight thunderstorm or an unexpected encounter with a predator may cause a troop to move unexpectedly in a completely different direction, but it’s likely that scouts will pick up their trail again soon. It is very seldom that travelers don’t find the apes during a gorilla trekking expedition.

When you do find a gorilla family, your ranger will ask you to leave everything but your camera. He will then take you close enough to observe the gorillas intimately without threatening them. There are no fences between you; only mutual respect. The gorillas are habituated to human observers and go about their natural business – foraging, grooming and napping – without fear. Indeed, the youngsters are often curious about humans and have a very playful attitude that tests the patience of their teenage gorilla babysitters. The placid nature of the gorilla family is wonderful to see, but remember that your presence is shrewdly observed by the patriarch of the family: the massive silverback male. We recommend that you spend part of the time taking photos, but at least 20 minutes just observing – you’ll come away with a far greater sense of having experienced a group of gorillas in their natural habitat.

Can I Touch Them?

No, absolutely not. Although we completely understand the instinct to want to reach out and cuddle an adorable baby. First, because they’re wild animals and thus very strong and unpredictable, you could be severely injured. Second, gorilla populations are already under severe threat from logging, poaching and human encroachment on their environment, plus they are highly susceptible to human diseases. Not only can you not interact with them, but you will have to keep a distance of at least seven meters (22 feet) at all time and, in some instances, wear a face mask. If you are ill, you will not be allowed to go on a gorilla trek, so ensure you are in excellent health before you travel and take precautions not to pick up a bug on the flight over.

Remember, once you find the gorillas, you are only allowed an hour with them so as not to cause them distress. This passes by in a flash, so don’t spend all your time behind a lens: put the camera down after a few minutes and just watch them, grateful that you have the rare privilege of seeing these beasts in the wild.

Do I Have to Use a Porter?

We strongly encourage you to use a porter if you are offered their services during your gorilla trek, even if you feel you are fit enough to cope with the terrain, altitude, humidity and your daypack. For a nominal amount of money – around USD20 – you will be providing a livelihood to several inhabitants of a nearby village.

Porters are very often former poachers. Without work and the ability to earn a living within gorilla conservation, many will be forced to return to finding and capturing or killing gorillas for bush meat or the illegal wildlife-trafficking trade. The incentives offered by poaching syndicates can be very lucrative for impoverished villagers with few other ways of earning a living. It’s better to graciously accept their help and pay the fee – which will amount to a couple of coffees back home – and help ensure the continued conservation of gorillas.

Remember, every legally employed person in Africa supports seven to nine other people. There can be no successful conservation without involving people as much as possible – so the more porters you can get on board, the better!

My top tip for gorilla trekking is to make use of porters. They carry your bags, give you a push or a helping hand when the hiking gets tricky, plus you’re employing someone from the local community and encouraging them to protect the gorillas. They’re definitely worth their weight in gold. – Bonita Cronje, Africa Safari Expert

How Fit Do I Have to Be?

With any strenuous activity, the fitter you are, the better. But this doesn’t mean that you need to be able to complete a triathlon or bench press three times your body weight to go gorilla trekking.

Trekkers will be divided into groups of similar age and fitness levels, and the oldest and least fit people will generally be allocated the gorilla family that is nearest the starting point. Don’t worry: you won’t be split up from family members or friends but – obeying the golden rule of hiking – the fastest walkers will have to slow down to the pace of the slowest so that the group stays together safely.

The fittest or youngest people will be chosen to find the group furthest away. Your guides are very experienced in assessing how the group is coping and will stop when necessary for a break, to drink water, admire a view or even have a snack. Packed lunches contain water and perhaps energy-rich items like roasted cashews or peanuts, bananas, apples, chocolate bars, muffins, small sandwiches or bread rolls, and local treats like ‘rolled eggs’ – a kind of omelet eaten cold.

It’s always easiest to trek in the dry season. In the wet season, the mud can make trails slippery and the trek tougher. Primates may also seek refuge from the rain in nests or trees, making them harder to find and see. Take lightweight binoculars along to really bring their antics and expressions into focus.

Also, not all gorilla families will be lolling around, munching leaves and basking in the sunshine – some will be on the move. And they’re a lot better adapted to moving through their rainforest home than we are, so you’ll need to be able to keep up!

Much of how strenuous the trek is depending on a combination of the terrain, vegetation and weather. I trekked in September in Rwanda and in November – the rainy season – in Uganda. The heat and humidity were worse in Uganda because it was later in the year. I did the “difficult” trek in Uganda and didn’t think it was too bad, just a steep and muddy climb back up after we saw the gorillas. In Rwanda, I did the “most strenuous” trek; it was a steeper climb than in Uganda. We did four hours of uphill climbing until we found them. I thought this was much tougher than Uganda because there were lots of thicket, few paths and a lot of walking through the forest, while Uganda was more in the open. I really enjoyed both treks and didn’t think they were too hard. One trekker battled with the altitude in Rwanda but, other than that, everyone managed with no problems at all. – Anja Naude, Africa Safari Expert

How difficult is gorilla trekking?

Whether trekking in Uganda or Rwanda, the gorilla trekking excursion can be physically demanding. The mountain woods have muddy floors and thick and misty vegetation with no trails; you must prepare your physical and mental states before you go.

However, you can hire local porters to carry your daypacks and pull your hands when you need help. Also, take a walking stick to support your legs. The lead guides always take the pace of the slowest person in the group. Altitude sickness shouldn’t be a worry if you spend at least a day acclimatizing at the lodge before the hike into the wooded mountains. Carry enough water to drink, stay hydrated, and avoid altitude headaches.

Age shouldn’t be a problem; we’ve taken 70-year-olds to see gorillas for over a decade and haven’t had a bad incidence. Local porters are well equipped and experienced to help anyone through the gorilla trekking experience.

Generally, visit the gym weeks before you come and prepare to stay on your feet for at least five hours in a strange environment. Book an extra day at the lodge to help you acclimate to the altitude and come with a flexible mindset. Remember to bring a pair of lightweight waterproof hiking shoes.

With common sense and a reasonable fitness level, your gorilla trekking tour will be memorable for all the right reasons.

Why is the gorilla trekking tour so expensive?

Seeing mountain gorillas in either Rwanda or Uganda is a costly undertaking. The combined cost of a gorilla trekking tour, including permits, transport, accommodation, and meals, can bring overall trip costs to more than $5,000 per person. So why is a gorilla tour that darn expensive?

Firstly, mountain gorillas are an endangered species with some of the most expensive security and most successful sustainable program to keep them alive in their natural environment. Between keeping them alive and finding funds to keep doing it, authorities must control access to their habitats to a manageable number of tourists. Notwithstanding, gorillas share up to 98% of human DNA, making them vulnerable to dangerous human pathogens. The entire conservation program and gorilla tourism is a delicate endeavor requiring huge funds to keep it going.

A significant percentage of gorilla permit sales go into gorilla conservation programs and managing their habitats. More is channeled into primates monitoring and research, ranger services, and developing poor communities surrounding the gorilla sanctuaries.

Substantially, the cost of a gorilla trekking tour is relatively inexpensive. It’s worth the value, considering its importance in contributing to the survival of the endangered primates.

Can Children Go Gorilla Trekking?

The minimum age for gorilla trekking in Rwanda, Uganda and Congo is 15 years. This restriction is in place due to several important factors.

Children may find it challenging to remain calm if a gorilla mock charges during a trekking expedition. While wild mountain gorillas rarely charge, it can happen if they perceive anyone in the trekking group as a threat. However, an experienced and calm tracker can often deter a charging gorilla. Unfortunately, a child may become terrified, scream, or be inclined to run when faced with the intimidating bark of a 180-kilogram (397-pound) silverback. In such situations, a charging gorilla will typically give chase to a running tourist.

Children also pose health risks during gorilla trekking, as their developing immune systems make them more susceptible to contagious diseases like flu. Since these diseases can be transmitted to gorillas, the consequences can be severe and potentially fatal.

Additionally, children’s limited stamina could make it arduous for them to complete the entire trek. This is particularly relevant in Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park and Uganda’s Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, where gorilla trekking involves traversing steep mountain slopes and demanding terrain. The activity requires a certain level of fitness and determination, which mature travelers are more likely to possess. Adults are generally better prepared to handle challenges like muddy trails, insects, thick forests and steep inclines.

There are strict regulations set for gorilla trekking. These rules are designed to protect the gorillas, the trackers and guides, as well as trekking tourists. They include maintaining a minimum distance of seven meters (22 feet), following instructions from park guides, speaking in low tones, avoiding direct eye contact with gorillas, and never attempting to touch them. Compliance with these regulations is crucial to ensure the well-being of the primates and the safety of trekking groups.

If you are travelling with youngsters, we recommend booking your stay at a lodge that offers childminding services, special programs for kids, or even safe and child-friendly forest walks.