Be prepared for your gorilla or chimpanzee trekking
Age and health
To protect gorillas/chimpanzees from disease, no children under 15 or people with illnesses may go tracking. Trackers must be fit and in good health as tracking in thick forest at heights up to 3,000m traversing steep-sided mountains and ravines can be tough, arduous and wet. Part of the gorilla permit fee goes to communities living around the gorilla parks and to the conservancy.
Requested behavior to visit gorillas
Obtaining a gorilla permit is not a guarantee of seeing a gorilla. One hour is allowed with the gorillas, at a distance of at least 7 meters. Flash photography is not allowed, so fast film is useful (400-1600 ASA). Personal DVD recorders are allowed. Switch your sound off from your camera or Smartphone. Professional filmmakers require permission and need to purchase filming permits. At the National Parks, you will meet your ranger who explains the rules for tracking gorillas and will take you up to the Gorillas. Please follow the rules stated.
There are different gorilla families which are habituated. Groups of trekkers will have a maximum of 8 visitors per gorilla family. Their trek will vary in length depending on which gorilla group you have been assigned. Please be noted that the mountain gorillas live in areas with an altitude of around 2.500 m.
Rangers, porters, trackers.
Walking sticks and stretchers
Each trekking will be guided by a ranger who is very experienced in the forest and interacts and react in communication with gorillas or chimpanzees. The ranger is in contact with the trackers who are trekking in front of you to check the area of the primates. Each trekking follows paths that can be steep, or slippery, and the walking is steep but not overly strenuous. We recommend taking a porter with you.
Porters are (registered) people from the local community and they can assist you to carry your daypack and help you up the steep slopes in the mountains/forest. Porters are available at a small fee (around US$10-15). Besides the assistance you also support the local community with a small income.
A walking stick will be provided by porters and they can be very helpful during your trekking. For people who are unable to hike and trek, there is a possibility to be carried by porters on a stretcher.
A stretcher will also be used in case of emergency when trekkers get unfit during the trekking.
What to bring?
Once you are on the mountain, you will not have a chance to access water or food. We recommend bringing 2L water per person for the day. Pack snacks or lunch that have a little sugar and high protein in them to keep you going on the trek. You’ll also need space to pack layers, camera gear and other things you need for the experience. A porter can help you carrying your daypack.
What to wear?
The best clothing for trekking is layers including long sleeves and trousers to protect your arms and legs from branches in the forest. Important is to wear good hiking shoes with a profile. The path can be slippery, uneven and steep. A raincoat can be necessary for the rainy season. As you are pushing your way through large bushes of stinging nettles, fallen trees and thorny branches, gloves can be useful to prevent your hands. One way to keep the stinging nettles is to add gaiters to your outfit. They also offer protection against branches, rocks, mud, moisture and moss during your gorilla trek. Avoid bright colors during your trekking in the forest.
Enjoy!
Most of all we want you to look forward to this amazing and unforgettable experience to spot the gorilla or chimpanzee in his natural habitat.