A typical gorilla trek in popular gorilla trekking destinations like Uganda’s Bwindi Impenetrable National Park or Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park involves several stages and can vary in duration. Here’s a breakdown of the process and estimated timeframes:

Briefing and Preparation (Morning) (Duration 30 minutes to 1 hour)

  • The activity isn’t just about hiking on well-paved and predictable trails. Once you have to deal with biting insects, thorns and dense forests. Rain and altitude sickness are also a real problem in some parks. When you meet the National Park Rangers for your briefing in the morning, they will already have a rough idea of where the various gorilla troops are.
  • Before the trek begins, tourists are required to attend a briefing session conducted by park rangers or guides. This briefing typically covers gorilla trekking etiquette, safety guidelines, and what to expect during the trek.
  • Visitors can choose between a short, medium or long hike. If you choose a short hike, you can expect to find your troop in about half an hour. If you choose the long hike, it can take two to three hours or longer. Gorilla trekking is a safe company as long as you follow a few basic rules and listen to your trek guide. Gorilla trekking is exhausting and physical exercise is required before the actual hike in the forest.

Travel to Trek Starting Point:

  • Depending on the location of the gorilla group being visited, tourists may need to travel by vehicle to the starting point of the trek.
  • Duration: Varies depending on the proximity of the starting point to the park entrance and road conditions. It can range from 30 minutes to a few hours.

Gorilla Trekking (Morning to Mid-noon):

  • The actual trek through the forest to locate the gorilla group can take several hours. The duration of the trek depends on various factors such as the location of the gorilla group, the terrain (which can be challenging and steep in some areas), and the pace of the group.
  • The hike usually takes between 2 and 5 hours, depending on the location of the gorilla family. A maximum of eight visitors are allowed per gorilla family. Uganda and Rwanda share a common climate and although gorilla trekking is considered an activity throughout the year, the best time to visit the rainforests is one of the two dry seasons. Elderly and physically disabled people can also go gorilla trekking if they inform their tour operator in advance for better planning.

Gorilla Viewing (1 Hour):

  • Once the gorilla group is located, tourists are allowed a strictly regulated one-hour visit with the gorillas. During this time, they can observe the gorillas in their natural habitat, take photographs, and learn from the guides about gorilla behavior and conservation efforts.

Return Trek (Afternoon):

  • After the one-hour gorilla viewing experience, tourists begin the trek back to the starting point. The return trek typically follows the same route taken to reach the gorilla group.
  • Duration: 1 to 4 hours, depending on the distance covered during the initial trek and the pace of the group.

Return Journey (Afternoon to Evening):

  • After completing the trek, tourists travel back to their accommodation or departure point. This may involve a vehicle transfer or hike depending on the location.
  • Duration: Varies based on the distance to accommodation and road conditions, typically 30 minutes to a few hours.