Gorilla Trekking Rules – A Simple Guide
So you want to see mountain gorillas? Great choice! It’s one of the most amazing experiences you can have in Africa. But before you go, you need to know the rules.
These rules are not there to make your life difficult. They protect the gorillas. Gorillas share about 98% of our DNA . This means they can catch our diseases. A simple cold from a human can kill a gorilla .
This guide explains all the rules in simple English. Read it carefully, and you’ll be ready for your big adventure.
Quick Summary: The Most Important Rules
Here are the main rules at a glance:
Rule | What You Need to Know |
Age limit | You must be 15 years or older |
Stay back | Keep 7 meters (21 feet) away from gorillas |
Time limit | Only 1 hour with the gorillas |
Group size | Maximum 8 people per gorilla family per day |
No flash | Turn off your camera flash |
No touching | Never touch the gorillas |
Don’t go if sick | If you have a cold or flu, stay behind |
Follow the guide | The ranger is the boss. Always listen to them |
Now let’s look at each rule in more detail.
Before You Go: Getting Ready
- You Need a Permit
You cannot see gorillas without a permit. You must buy it before your trip .
How much do permits cost?
- Rwanda: $1,500 USD per person
- Uganda: $800 USD per person (foreign non-residents)
- DR Congo: $400 USD per person
Important: Permits sell out fast, especially in peak season (June to September and December to February) . Book at least 3-6 months ahead.
- Age Limit: 15 Years and Above
Only people aged 15 and older can go gorilla trekking .
Why? The trek is hard work. It involves walking through steep, muddy forests for hours. Young children may struggle with the walk or get scared. Also, children are more likely to make sudden movements that could upset the gorillas .
- Check Your Health
If you are sick, do not go.
This is very important. Gorillas can catch human diseases easily. A small cold from you could make a whole gorilla family very ill .
Stay behind if you have:
- A cold or flu
- Cough or sneezing
- Fever
- Diarrhea
If you feel sick on the day, tell the park rangers. They may let you reschedule or give a refund . Be honest—it could save a gorilla’s life.
- Get Fit for the Trek
Gorilla trekking can be hard work. You will walk through thick forest, up and down steep hills. The walk can take 30 minutes to 6 hours, depending on where the gorillas are .
You will be at high altitud up to 2,500 meters above sea level . This can make you tired more quickly.
Tips to prepare:
- Do some walking or stair climbing before your trip
- Wear good hiking boots (broken in, not new)
- Hire a porter to help carry your bag (this also helps local people)
- What to Pack
Pack light but smart. Here’s what you need :
Clothes:
- Long-sleeved shirt (protects from stinging plants)
- Long pants (lightweight, quick-drying)
- Waterproof hiking boots with good grip
- Waterproof jacket or poncho (it can rain anytime)
- Gardening gloves (to hold onto branches)
- Gaiters (keep mud out of your boots)
- Neutral colors (avoid bright colors)
Other items:
- Small backpack
- Water and snacks
- Camera (no flash!)
- Sunscreen and hat
- Insect repellent
During the Trek: Rules on the Trail
- Follow Your Guide at All Times
The park rangers and guides are experts. They know the forest and the gorillas. Always listen to them and stay with the group .
Do not wander off on your own. The guides will show you the way and keep everyone safe.
- Keep Your Voice Low
Stay quiet during the trek. Speak in whispers .
Loud noises can scare the gorillas and other wildlife. If you stay quiet, you might also see other animals like birds and monkeys along the trail .
- No Littering
Do not leave anything in the forest. Take all your rubbish back with you .
This includes:
- Water bottles
- Food wrappers
- Tissues
- Any other small items
Animals might eat litter and get sick. Rubbish can also spread diseases .
- Bathroom Breaks in the Forest
If you need to go to the toilet during the trek, tell your guide. They will dig a small hole for you with a machete (called a panga) .
The hole should be about 30cm (12 inches) deep . After you finish, cover the hole properly. This stops diseases from spreading to animals.
With the Gorillas: The Most Important Rules
This is the moment you’ve been waiting for! When you finally meet the gorillas, follow these rules carefully.
- Keep Your Distance: 7 Meters (21 Feet)
Stay at least 7 meters away from the gorillas at all times . This is about the length of a small car.
Why? This distance:
- Reduces the risk of disease spreading
- Keeps the gorillas calm and relaxed
- Keeps you safe
Sometimes gorillas might come closer to you. If this happens, stay still and quiet. Do not move away suddenly .
- Maximum 1 Hour with the Gorillas
You can only spend one hour with the gorillas . This time limit protects them from too much human contact.
The hour starts when you first find the gorillas. The ranger will watch the time carefully . If the gorillas seem stressed, the guide may end the visit earlier .
Make every minute count, but remember you are a guest in their home.
- No Touching the Gorillas
This is very important: Do not touch the gorillas .
Even if a gorilla comes close, keep your hands to yourself. They are wild animals, and touching them can:
- Spread diseases
- Make them aggressive
- Disturb their natural behavior
- No Flash Photography
Turn off your camera flash . Bright light can scare the gorillas and might make them angry.
Use natural light instead. Modern cameras work well in low light. Move slowly when taking photos .
- No Eating or Drinking
Do not eat or drink while you are with the gorillas . Food can attract them too close, which is dangerous.
Save your snacks for after the trek.
- What to Do If a Gorilla Charges
This is rare, but it can happen. If a gorilla charges or shows aggression :
- Do NOT run away – This can make them chase you
- Crouch down slowly – Make yourself small
- Look away – Avoid direct eye contact
- Follow the guide’s instructions – They know what to do
Usually, this behavior is just the gorilla showing who’s boss. Stay calm and do what the guide says.
- No Pointing or Staring
Do not point at the gorillas or stare directly at them . To gorillas, this can look like a threat or challenge.
Keep your hands low and your movements slow. If you need to look at a gorilla, glance sideways rather than staring straight at them .
- Turn Away If You Cough or Sneeze
If you need to cough or sneeze while with the gorillas, turn your head away from them . Cover your mouth and nose with your elbow or a tissue.
This stops germs from spreading to the gorillas.
- Stay Together as a Group
Stay close to the other trekkers. Do not spread out .
When everyone stays in a tight group, it’s easier for the gorillas to understand where people are. This keeps them calm.
- Keep Quiet After Leaving
After you leave the gorillas, keep your voice low until you are at least 200 meters away . The gorillas can still hear you, and loud noises might disturb them.
Health and Safety Rules
- Wear a Mask
You must wear a surgical mask when near the gorillas . This rule started during COVID-19 and continues today.
The mask protects gorillas from any germs you might carry without knowing. Rangers will give you a mask if you don’t have one.
- Wash Your Hands
Before the trek starts, wash your hands thoroughly . This reduces the risk of passing on germs.
Hand sanitizer is also good to carry with you.
- No Smoking
Smoking is not allowed during the trek, especially near gorillas . Smoke can harm their lungs, just like it harms humans.
Why These Rules Matter
You might wonder why there are so many rules. Here’s why :
Gorillas are endangered. There are only about 1,000 mountain gorillas left in the wild . Every single one matters.
They are like us. Gorillas share 98% of human DNA . This means they can catch our diseases easily.
Your visit helps them. The money from your permit goes toward protecting gorillas. It pays for rangers, anti-poaching work, and even helps local communities . By following the rules, you help make sure gorillas survive for future generations.
Summary: Do’s and Don’ts
DO:
- ✓ Book your permit early
- ✓ Stay 7 meters from gorillas
- ✓ Follow your guide
- ✓ Keep your voice low
- ✓ Turn off camera flash
- ✓ Stay with the group
- ✓ Turn away if you cough or sneeze
- ✓ Hire a porter (helps local people)
DON’T:
- ✗ Go if you are sick
- ✗ Touch the gorillas
- ✗ Eat or drink near them
- ✗ Use flash photography
- ✗ Run if a gorilla charges
- ✗ Stare directly at them
- ✗ Leave any rubbish
- ✗ Make loud noises
Final Words
Gorilla trekking is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. It’s a privilege to spend time with these amazing animals in their natural home.
The rules might seem like a lot, but they become natural once you’re there. The guides will remind you of everything. Just relax, listen carefully, and enjoy every moment.
When you finally sit quietly in the forest, watching a family of gorillas play, feed, and rest, you’ll understand why these rules matter. You’re helping protect them.
Follow the rules, respect the gorillas, and you’ll have an experience you’ll never forget.
