Updated
Yes, you can take photos and videos of mountain gorillas on a trek in Uganda, using any camera or phone, for personal use. The rules are simple: no flash or lights, keep at least 7 m away, stay with your group, keep quiet, and stop when your hour is up. Drones and commercial filming need separate permits from Uganda Wildlife Authority.
The photography rules
Flash and lights can startle gorillas and are banned; turn off autofocus-assist lamps too. Do not move closer to get a better angle; if a gorilla approaches, your guide will tell you to step back. Avoid sudden movements and loud shutter bursts, and keep phones on silent. Selfies are allowed if you stay at a proper distance and do not turn your back on a silverback in a way that worries the guide.
Getting good photos within the rules
Light in the forest is low, so use a fast lens, raise the ISO and use a shutter speed of at least 1/250 s. A zoom of 70-200 mm or 100-400 mm is ideal. Keep some time to watch without a camera; one hour passes quickly.
Drones and commercial filming
Commercial filming, documentary work and drones require permission and fees from Uganda Wildlife Authority and, for drones, the civil aviation authority. The gorilla permit costs US$800, or US$600 in April, May and November. See our guides to the 7-metre rule, camera settings, drone rules and filming gorillas.
Frequently asked questions
Yes, for personal use, without flash.
It can startle and stress the gorillas.
Not without permits from UWA and the aviation authority.
Yes, commercial filming requires separate permission and fees.
