Mountain gorillas share about 98% of their DNA with humans, which means they’re also susceptible to many of our illnesses and stress responses. The rules enforced during trekking aren’t bureaucratic box-ticking — they exist because a careless visitor really can put a gorilla family at risk.

Distance and contact

Visitors are asked to stay roughly 7 meters (about 21 feet) from the gorillas at all times. In practice, the gorillas don’t read the rulebook, and a curious youngster may wander closer than that on their own terms — in that case, guides will quietly reposition your group rather than the gorilla. Never attempt to touch a gorilla, even if one approaches you.

Health rules

• Anyone with a cold, flu, cough, or other contagious illness will be asked not to trek that day — this protects the gorillas, not just fellow trekkers
• Face masks may be required or recommended near the gorillas, a practice that became standard in many parks after 2020
• If you feel unwell on trekking morning, tell your guide rather than pushing through — most operators can rebook a permit for a different day when possible

Behavior during the visit

• Keep your voice low and movements slow and predictable
• No flash photography — it can startle the gorillas and is strictly prohibited
• Never eat, drink, or smoke while in the group’s presence
• If a gorilla charges (a rare, usually bluff display), guides advise crouching down, avoiding eye contact, and staying calm — never running

Group size and time limits

Standard trekking groups are capped at eight visitors per gorilla family per day, and the visit itself is limited to one hour, strictly timed by your ranger-guide. These limits exist to minimize cumulative stress on habituated families that may receive a group every single day of the year.

Waste and environment

Pack out everything you bring in, and avoid leaving any food or wrappers in the forest — habituated gorillas showing interest in human food or waste is a real risk to their health and behavior long-term.

Frequently Asked Questions

What happens if a gorilla approaches me closer than the recommended distance?
Stay calm and still; your guide will manage the situation. It’s the gorilla’s forest, and close encounters like this are common and usually harmless.

Can I bring children on a gorilla trek?
The minimum age for gorilla trekking permits is 15 in both Uganda and Rwanda, primarily for health and safety reasons.

Is it true I might be turned away if I’m sick?
Yes — park authorities take this seriously, as respiratory illnesses can be transmitted to gorillas and are potentially dangerous to them.

Are these rules different in Rwanda versus Uganda?
The core rules are nearly identical across both countries, since they follow shared regional guidelines for great ape tourism.

Thrills & Chills Safaris briefs every guest thoroughly on trekking etiquette before departure, so nothing on the trail comes as a surprise.