Gorilla trekking can fund conservation and local livelihoods when it follows strict rules and your operator spends locally. Treks are limited to small groups, one hour with the gorillas, and a minimum distance of about seven metres.
Mountain gorillas number roughly a thousand worldwide, and around half live in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. Tourism income is a big reason their numbers have recovered.
The rules and why they exist
Only eight visitors per habituated family per day can trek, which limits stress and disease risk. You get one hour once you find them. Stay around seven metres, about 21 feet, away, keep your voice low, and never eat near them. Visitors must be 15 or older.
Gorillas share about 98 percent of their DNA with humans and catch our colds easily. If you are unwell on the day, tell your guide. You may be asked to stay behind, and the permit policy for illness is worth reading before you book.
Where the money goes
Permit fees go to Uganda Wildlife Authority for park management and anti-poaching work. A share is directed to communities bordering the parks through revenue sharing. Your operator’s choices decide the rest: which lodges you stay in, who guides and drives you, and whether you buy from local producers.
What to ask before you book
Ask whether the company is licensed and books permits in its own name, since foreign visitors must book through licensed Ugandan operators. Ask what the price includes. Ask who owns the lodges and where staff come from. Ask what concrete community projects the company supports and whether you can see them.
At Rafiki Safaris, our trips include time with women-led enterprises in Rushaga, and we work with Positive Impact Tourism and Uganda’s tourism and wildlife bodies. Read more on our
Sustainability page.
Your own footprint
Carry a refillable bottle, take back plastic, hire a porter (it supports local income), and keep photography quiet, with no flash. Choose a longer stay instead of several short ones when you can.
FAQ
Is gorilla trekking harmful to gorillas?
Done under the rules above, it is a managed activity that funds their protection.
Can I choose which gorilla family?
Allocation depends on fitness, preferences, and availability, and your guide can explain.
Should I hire a porter?
Yes. It helps you on steep ground and puts money in a local household.
Read about our
Gorilla Trekking Safaris.
