Is Gorilla Trekking Right for You?

The most common question before booking gorilla trekking: am I fit enough? Most people who want to do it can do it. The right support structure makes all the difference.

Gorilla trekking ranges from a gentle 45-minute walk to a demanding 6-hour climb through steep equatorial forest at altitude. The actual difficulty depends on where the gorilla family has ranged overnight. Your guide knows their approximate location before you set out.

Porters are available at every trailhead for approximately $15. They carry your bag, steady you on steep sections and make a material difference to the experience. There is no minimum fitness requirement, only a minimum age of 15 years.

Rwanda vs Uganda: Rwanda's Volcanoes NP treks are generally shorter and less steep than Bwindi. If fitness is a concern, Rwanda is the better starting point.