Updated
day before gorilla trek is one of Africa’s most extraordinary wildlife experiences, connecting travellers with mountain gorillas in their natural forest habitat. The day before your gorilla trek, arrive at a lodge in the same sector as your permit, check where and when the briefing is, pack your daypack, charge your camera, eat well, drink plenty of water and go to bed early. The briefing starts at about 7:30 am, often after a drive from the lodge, and the trek can last most of the day, so the evening before matters more than any other part of the trip. Here is how to use that day well.
What to Do the Day Before Your Gorilla Trek: A Preparation Guide
Arrive the day before, in the right sector
Never plan to reach Bwindi on the morning of your trek. The road from Kampala or Entebbe takes 8–10 hours, and even scheduled flights to Kihihi or Kisoro take 1.5–2 hours plus a drive, so a delay could cost you your permit. Bwindi’s four sectors are hours apart by road, and the permit is valid only for the sector named on it, so make sure your lodge is in the right one. If you arrive by midday, you have the afternoon to rest and prepare.
Confirm the morning plan
Ask your driver-guide or lodge exactly where the briefing is, how long the drive takes and what time you will leave. In some sectors the briefing point is a few minutes’ walk from the lodge; in others, especially in the south, it can be a drive of 30 minutes or more on a rough road. Agree on the time for breakfast and for your packed lunch, and check that your guide has your permits and that your passport is with you, since rangers check them against the permit.
If you have health or fitness concerns, plan to mention them to the ranger at the briefing so that they can try to assign you a family that has been closer recently. Our guide to what to expect on trek day sets out the morning in detail.
Pack your daypack
Pack the night before, not in the dark at 6 am. You need a waterproof jacket, at least two litres of water, snacks or the packed lunch, gardening or cycling gloves for gripping vegetation, insect repellent, sunscreen, any medication, a small first-aid kit and a rain cover or dry bag for your camera. Lay out long trousers, a long-sleeved shirt, socks to tuck your trousers into, and broken-in waterproof boots. A walking stick is usually offered at the start. Our gorilla trekking packing list has the full kit.
Charge your camera and phone batteries and spare power bank, and clear your memory cards. Many lodges run on solar power or generators with limited hours, so charge as soon as you arrive. Turn off your camera’s flash now, as flash is not allowed near the gorillas. Have small US dollar notes or Ugandan shillings ready for the porter and for tips.
Look after your body
After a long drive or flight, a short, gentle walk around the lodge helps loosen stiff legs, but do not wear yourself out. Drink water through the afternoon and evening, eat a good dinner and keep alcohol to a minimum. Bwindi lies at about 1,160–2,600 m; altitude sickness is rare at these heights, but steep climbs feel harder than at home. If you have come straight from a long-haul flight, rest as much as you can; see our guide to jet lag and gorilla trekking.
If you feel unwell
Gorillas can catch human respiratory infections, so rangers may refuse to take trekkers who have a cold, cough or fever. If you start to feel ill the day before, tell your guide straight away. Depending on the circumstances, it may be possible to rest and reassess in the morning, or to discuss options with UWA through your operator. Do not hide symptoms; the rule protects the gorillas you have come to see. If you are fit to trek, you may be asked to wear a mask near the gorillas.
Use the afternoon well
If you have a few hours to spare, a gentle community walk or a short forest walk near the lodge is a good way to see the area without tiring yourself. Watch the evening light over the forest, talk to your guide about what to expect, and read up on the families in your sector. Then get to bed early: most trekkers are up at 5:30–6 am. Our guide to how fit you need to be explains what the next day asks of you.
Frequently asked questions
It is not recommended. Arrive the day before at a lodge in your permit’s sector, as the briefing starts at about 7:30 am.
Rain jacket, two litres of water, snacks, gloves, insect repellent, a camera with charged batteries and cash for porters and tips.
Tell your guide immediately. Rangers can refuse trekkers with a cold or fever to protect the gorillas.
Usually around 5:30–6 am, depending on the drive from your lodge to the briefing point.
