Practical Tips for Your Gorilla Trek

Physical Fitness & Preparation

Gorilla treks vary significantly in physical demand. Some treks may last as little as 30 minutes from the park boundary to the gorilla family, while others in more remote sectors of Bwindi can involve 4–8 hours of strenuous hiking over steep, rugged terrain. We recommend that all clients engage in moderate cardiovascular fitness training in the weeks before their safari. Trekking poles are provided by lodges or can be hired from porters at the park gate, and we strongly recommend using them — they make an enormous difference on steep downhill sections and in slippery mud.

Porter Service

Hiring a local porter to carry your day pack during the gorilla trek is strongly encouraged. Porters are employed from communities living around the national parks, and hiring one provides direct economic benefit to local households. Beyond the ethical dimension, having a porter carry your bag frees you to use both hands for balance, navigation, and photography during the trek. Porter fees are typically very reasonable, and a tip at the end of the trek is warmly appreciated.

Gorilla Trekking Dos and Don’ts

Our guides will brief you fully before the trek. Key rules to remember include:

• Maintain a minimum distance of 7 metres from the gorillas at all times.
• Do not visit the gorillas if you are unwell with a cold, flu, or any infectious illness.
• Do not eat or drink within sight of the gorillas.
• Keep noise to a minimum and move calmly and slowly within the gorilla family territory.
• Flash photography is strictly prohibited.
• Always follow the instructions of your ranger guide — they know the gorillas intimately and are your safety anchor in the forest.

Book Your Gorilla Safari with Us

Adventure Gorilla Safaris has been orchestrating life-changing gorilla safaris for over ten years. Our reservation team is ready to work hand in hand with you to design your perfect itinerary, whether it is a focused three-day gorilla trek in Uganda or Rwanda, or a three-week grand tour combining gorilla trekking, chimpanzee tracking, big-game safaris, and cultural experiences across East Africa. We handle everything — from your gorilla permit and accommodation to airport transfers and in-country transport — so you can leave every detail to us and arrive ready to be moved, inspired, and transformed by Africa’s greatest wildlife encounter.