Tour Experiences

Gorilla trekking is a carefully managed ecotourism activity that allows visitors to spend one magical hour with a habituated gorilla family in their natural habitat. Here's how your day will unfold:

1. Early Morning Briefing

Your day begins at 7:30am with a briefing at the park headquarters where you'll meet your guides and fellow trekkers. You'll learn about gorilla behavior, trekking etiquette, and safety procedures.

2. The Trek Begins

After being assigned to a gorilla family based on fitness levels, you'll drive to the trailhead and begin your hike through the dense forest. Treks can last from 30 minutes to 6 hours depending on gorilla movements.

3. The Magical Encounter

When you locate the gorillas, you'll spend one unforgettable hour observing them from about 7 meters away. Watch them feed, play, groom each other, and interact just like a human family.

While both are subspecies of the Eastern Gorilla, they inhabit different regions and have distinct characteristics. Mountain Gorillas (Gorilla beringei) are found only in the high-altitude forests of the Virunga Mountains and Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. They have thicker fur to protect against the cold.

The Eastern Lowland Gorilla (Gorilla beringei) lives in the lowland forests of the Democratic Republic of Congo and is the largest of all gorilla subspecies. Unfortunately, they are critically endangered due to habitat loss and poaching.

All gorilla trekking in Uganda is with the Mountain Gorilla subspecies, which has seen a remarkable population increase thanks to conservation efforts funded by tourism.

Gorillas live in family groups, or troops, of up to 30 individuals led by a dominant male, known as a silverback because of the grey hair that develops on his back as he matures. The Silverback's main role is to protect his family and lead them to new feeding grounds.

The troop also includes several adult females and their young. The females choose the Silverback based on his strength and ability to protect them.

During a trek, you'll observe these family dynamics firsthand, witnessing the playfulness of the young gorillas, the nurturing behavior of the mothers, and the commanding presence of the silverback.

• Maintain a distance of at least 7 meters (21 feet) from the gorillas at all times.
• Do not use flash photography.
• Avoid making loud noises or sudden movements.
• Do not eat, drink, or smoke near the gorillas.
• If you feel unwell, please let your guide know so you can maintain a safe distance.
• Limit your time with the gorillas to the allocated one hour.