Is gorilla trekking safe? (Quick answer: yes!)

Gorilla trekking is a phenomenal experience that we cannot recommend enough! Especially since it's actually really safe. Mountain gorillas – though extremely large and powerful – are actually gentle giants. They're not interested in hurting humans.

Moreover, the troops that folks visit on gorilla treks are habituated, which means they're used to being around humans.

Our trip manager Michael actually stumbled and landed up closer to this gorilla than planned, but you can see how chilled the creature is about it all!

There are of course some fairly commonsensical rules that you should obey on a gorilla trek to ensure your safety as well as the well-being of the gorillas. And your gorilla trek guide is the person to look to if you're ever uncertain about what to do (or not do). He or she is there to protect you and knows the visited troop well.

But first, we think you'll enjoy our video showcasing the mountain gorillas and their beautiful forest habitat ...

Some might understandably have qualms about the mountain gorillas themselves. A silverback can weigh around 150 to 180 kg, after all!

But while mountain gorillas are extremely powerful (especially the fully grown males), they're quite gentle by nature.

A silverback gorillas are males

Mountain gorillas are even vegetarians (predominantly, at least – sometimes they eat insects). So while gorillas will defend themselves if attacked, they're not aggressive creatures. And they have no interest in messing with humans.  

Further enhancing everyone's safety is the fact that the gorilla troops you visit on a trek are habituated. This means they've undergone a long process of slowly becoming accustomed to the presence of humans. They're therefore less likely to become alarmed and agitated by your presence.

The gorillas you visit are used to being around humans

Moreover, when you go on a gorilla trek you go in the company of a trained guide. Such men and women know the gorilla troops being visited, and know what can and cannot be done.

It is important to always listen to your ranger and stay with the group while trekking. Listen to what you're told to do and not do. Poking a silverback’s stomach, for instance, is not allowed. 😉 But if you follow the rules of your trek guide and act with common sense, you’re perfectly safe visiting the gorillas. 

You certainly are NOT safe from getting very muddy on a gorilla trek, as these Follow Alice trekkers quickly learned!

Obviously there are rules to follow when observing the gorillas that are geared towards not angering, frightening or in any other way upsetting the gorillas. Here are some simple guidelines to follow when in the presence of mountain gorillas to further ensure everything goes smoothly:

It's a real treat to watch the gorillas interact with one another

Mountain gorillas live in montane forest, which means you have to walk along forest trails to find them. A gorilla trek is all about seeing these magnificent animals in their natural habitat, after all. 

Every forest trek varies in length and difficulty depending on a few factors, like which park you visit, the weather, and the particular gorilla troop you’ve been assigned (troops’ locations are monitored by park rangers and each trek group is assigned a specific troop to visit).

Generally speaking, visitors can ask to be assigned a troop near or far from the starting point. The less fit, for example, may wish to have shorter hike. Hikes range from about half an hour to three or four hours. There are no overnight hikes.  

You trek through dense jungle to reach the gorilla troop

At Follow Alice we usually opt for the longer trek, as the trek itself is part of the fun.

This is because you’re walking through beautiful, remote and well-preserved indigenous forest. We love the towering trees, ancient ferns, overgrown bush, energetic streams, butterflies, bird calls … all of it!

It’s a hike that’s special and rewarding even if there were no mountain gorillas in the mix!

Probably the biggest 'danger' on a gorilla trek is to do with navigating the mountainous and forested terrain. You often walk along narrow or even non-existent trails.

As we discuss in our Ultimate guide of what to pack for a gorilla trek, you should cover up your arms and legs to avoid being scratched (or bitten by insects). You should also wear thick gloves as you'll likely want to hold onto some vegetation for leverage, but there can be thorns.

A gorilla trek group getting ready to start the adventure!

Further, note that the route you walk is likely to be steep in places, as well as muddy and slippery. So you want hiking boots with good grip. And you might also consider bringing along trekking poles or a walking stick, as many others do.

You can also hire the services of a porter, who not only carries your backpack for you but also helps you to navigate tricky sections.

Finally, it can be really cold in the early morning, as well as hot at midday when the there's no cloud cover. And it often rains, as you're in rainforest after all! So you need to be prepared for all kinds of weather, having warm layers, a waterproof shell, and sunscreen and a sunhat.

Trekking to see the mountain gorillas

We regularly travel in both Rwanda and Uganda, the two main countries where visitors head to go gorilla trekking. And we're pleased to say that Rwanda and Uganda are relatively stable countries with thriving tourism industries.

In fact, they're among the safest African nations to visit.

The locals in both countries are warm and welcoming towards visitors.

Moreover, the parks where the mountain gorillas live – Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in Uganda and Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda – are particularly well maintained and patrolled.

Mt Sabyinyo in Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda

Visitor safety is a top priority at both parks, and experienced trek guides always accompany every gorilla trekking party. So you're in one of the safest spots of each country when you go gorilla trekking.

You can also see mountain gorillas in the DRC, but we don't recommend that as a destination right now.

We also recommend travelling with a local tour guide to further ensure your safety. No matter where you go in the world, having a local look after you is always a great idea, as they know the culture, environment, people and wildlife of the place.

Your tour guide usually becomes one of the gang on your trip!

So yes, gorilla trekking is a safe adventure holiday and we recommend you gather together some friends or loved ones and come on over for an experience you'll never forget!

And as always, please feel free to chat through any questions or concerns with us. we're more than happy to email, WhatsApp, set up a Skype date ... you name it.