Updated
On a gorilla trek in Uganda you meet rangers at dawn for a briefing, walk into the forest with a guide, trackers and porters, and hike anywhere from one to six hours or more until you reach a habituated gorilla family. You then spend one hour watching them at about 7 m, before walking back. Expect steep, muddy slopes, cool mornings, possible rain, and an hour that passes very quickly.
Before the trek
Arrive at your sector headquarters around 07:00 for a briefing at about 07:30. Rangers check permits and passports, explain the rules, and divide visitors into groups of up to eight, each assigned to a family. You can hire a porter and pick up a walking stick. See our guide to the briefing.
The walk
A ranger guide leads the group, with armed rangers for safety, while trackers who set out earlier radio the gorillas’ position. Trails can be narrow, steep and slippery, and sometimes rangers cut a way through thick vegetation. Stops are frequent. How long you walk depends entirely on where the family moved overnight. See our guide to how far you walk.
The hour with the gorillas
Near the family, you leave bags and sticks with porters, put on a face mask if asked, and move in quietly. You may see the silverback resting, females feeding, and youngsters playing. Keep 7 m away, avoid flash, stay together and keep voices low. If a gorilla approaches, your guide will ask you to step back slowly. After an hour, the guide calls time. See the 7-metre rule.
After the trek
You walk back to the trailhead, often more slowly as the excitement fades, and receive a trekking certificate from Uganda Wildlife Authority. Tip your porter, guide and trackers. The gorilla permit costs US$800, or US$600 in April, May and November. See our guide to tipping on a gorilla trek.
Frequently asked questions
From one to six hours or more, plus one hour with the gorillas.
About 7 m, though gorillas sometimes come closer.
Not guaranteed, but sightings happen on the vast majority of treks.
A trekking certificate from Uganda Wildlife Authority.
