How long does gorilla trekking take? You need at least three days to go see the mountain gorillas and it can take between one and eight hours of trekking. There are two reasons why you might end up trekking either a long or short distance on the day itself. In this post, I will talk more about these factors and explain what I think you need to know about the timeline for gorilla trekking.
1. The fitness of your group.
2. The location of the mountain gorillas.
Let’s take a closer look at what to expect gorilla trekking in Africa…
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Gorilla Trekking: Quick Overview of What to Expect
The gorilla trek typically kicks off early in the morning, with experienced park rangers guiding small groups through steep, mist-shrouded terrain. Along the way, you might spot other wildlife and unique plant species which the guides will sometimes stop to talk about. Upon finding a gorilla family, you’ll have the unforgettable opportunity to spend at least one full hour observing them up close—witnessing their behavior, interactions, and playful moments. It’s a humbling and awe-inspiring experience to see these critically endangered primates in their natural forest habitat.
But how long does gorilla trekking take again? It can take anywhere from thirty minutes to several hours. On the morning of your trek, there is usually an option to join a ‘fast or slow’ group and everyone is split up according to agility, speed and physical fitness. If you are part of the fast group, you might see the gorillas sooner but this is never a guarantee because…
Mountain gorillas like to move around and they are constantly in search of food. Gorilla families often fight with one another and this can see them having to leave a certain area in search of some peace and quiet! Because of these reasons, a gorilla family can travel many kilometers each day and this also means you might have to walk this same distance just to catch up with them. Guides often mention how the gorillas don’t need passports so they like to go on holiday a lot and you just never know where they might end up each day. It’s an interesting variable and something that can add a sense excitement to the adventure but not everyone wants to walk so far!!
You will need personal travel insurance for gorilla trekking. I always use World Nomads for my trips in Africa and suggest you at least check out the cost of a policy for your trip. It takes just a few seconds to get a quote on the link below…
The Fast and Slow Group Explained
In case you might be asking yourself, there are trackers out trekking in the forest before you arrive and they literally follow the different families of mountain gorillas. These trackers communicate with the guides to give them an idea of how far or near a gorilla family might be on that morning. If one particular gorilla family is close by, a ‘slow group’ will be gathered to go see this family because it should (in theory) take less time and effort to reach the area. If a gorilla family is far away, the ‘fast group’ will be challenged with trekking a little harder and further in order to reach them. It’s easy for the guides to divide trekkers in this way because some people don’t want to walk far and just as many are up for the adventure that comes with trekking further into the forest.
What Does the Gorilla Trekking Day Look Like?
You wake up early and a transfer takes you to the gate of the National Park. This is where you will receive a briefing from a park ranger and meet your guides for the gorilla trek. It’s important to listen at this point because there are many things you should and should not do when trekking to see the gorillas. A briefing will also include information about the conservation efforts involved with the gorillas and their natural habitat and then sort each person into a group for the trek.
The guides will then lead your group into the forest and begin trekking the gorillas. The trails are often muddy and steep in this habitat which can make for a challenging hike. You will often slip and perhaps scramble as you try to follow in the footsteps of the guide. It is possible to see other wildlife along the way and the guides will sometimes stop to talk about the environment. But reaching the gorillas is the main aim of the day and so you will be on the move most of the time.
Upon reaching the gorilla family, you will have one full hour to observe these wonderful beings. You can take photographs and videos, while taking care not to interfere with them. However, it is common for gorillas to interfere with you and this is something the guides will explain to you! After trekking back to the gate of the park, you will be transferred back to your accommodation.
The Gorilla Trek Itinerary Explained
Most people trek to the mountain gorillas in Uganda or Rwanda. You need a minimum of three days to go gorilla trekking in either country. The first day is spent getting to the town nearest the National Parks – Bwindi Impenetrable Forest in Uganda or Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda. The second day is spent trekking to see the gorillas and the third day will see you transfer back to the city/airport. Most travelers see the value in joining an overland tour which can help you see much more than just the gorilla trek. Here’s a gorilla trek adventure by G Adventures that I really like…
