You can show respect to a gorilla by keeping your distance, staying calm, and sticking to the trekking rules. That way, the gorilla doesn’t feel threatened.
Give gorillas their space. Don’t make sudden moves or loud noises, and always listen to your guide—these steps protect everyone, including you.
As you pick up on the simple gestures and signals gorillas use, you’ll start to notice how they greet each other, show submission, or keep their group safe.
This post covers practical steps for respectful gorilla viewing and lays out the trekking rules that help keep both wild gorillas and visitors out of harm’s way.
Key Ways to Show Respect to Gorillas
Let the gorillas lead the encounter. Keep your distance, move slowly, and pay attention to the group’s signals.
Watch their body language and stay quiet. Follow the ranger’s instructions—they’re there to keep everyone safe.
Avoid Direct Eye Contact and Recognize Gorilla Body Language
Don’t stare at gorillas. Direct eye contact feels like a challenge, especially to a protective silverback.
Try using soft, sideways glances instead. Keep your head a little lower if you need to look at them.
Pick up on a few common signals. When gorillas feel calm, they’ll sit, groom, or snack.
If a gorilla gets tense, it might bare its teeth, raise its hair, grunt loudly, or beat its chest. A silverback’s long stare, a charging pose, or loud hoots mean stress is rising.
If you spot these signs, back away slowly. Rangers usually explain behavior before treks.
Trust their read of the group and copy their stance. If you’re unsure about a gesture, ask quietly during the briefing.
Crouching and Positioning: Posture Matters
When a gorilla comes close, crouch or kneel. Lowering yourself makes you look less threatening.
Move slowly and keep your adjustments small. Face a bit sideways instead of head-on.
Turning your body slightly makes you seem less challenging. Keep your hands where they can see them, but don’t wave or move suddenly.
Stay behind or beside the ranger. Rangers usually place you between the group and the gorillas, which lowers risk and helps you follow the right posture.
If a young gorilla wanders over, stay calm and let it pass—don’t reach out.
Staying Quiet and Minimizing Sudden Movements
If you have to speak, whisper. Loud talking or laughing can startle gorillas and ruin the mood.
The quieter you are, the better the experience. Move like the forest—slow and steady.
Don’t make quick turns or jump around, and keep your camera steady. Turn off your phone’s vibrations and set everything to silent, just in case.
Hold your camera ready, but don’t use a flash. If a gorilla comes closer, freeze and wait for the ranger’s cue.
What to Do When a Gorilla Charges
Sometimes a gorilla charges as a bluff, sometimes it’s real. If this happens, stay still and avoid eye contact.
Don’t run—running can trigger a chase. Drop to one knee or crouch if the gorilla comes really close.
Keep your movements slow and calm. Listen for the ranger’s instructions—they’ll know when to step in or use a command.
If the silverback marks territory or lunges, stay motionless and quiet unless told otherwise. Wait for the ranger’s signal before you move again.
Guidelines for Gorilla Trekking and Responsible Encounters
You’ll pick up a few clear actions that keep both you and the gorillas safe. Stick to the rules about movement, distance, and health.
That way, you help protect mountain gorillas and make your trek a lot more enjoyable.
Follow Ranger Instructions Closely
Rangers know the gorilla family’s habits and moods. Listen up during the briefing and follow directions while trekking.
If a ranger tells you to stop, crouch, or step back, do it calmly and right away. Sometimes, rangers put you in a semicircle to avoid crowding a silverback—trust their call.
Keep your group together and stay near the ranger. Rangers might ask you to switch lenses, lower your camera, or stop talking—just go with it to avoid startling the gorillas.
If a gorilla comes close, stay still and quiet until the ranger gives the all-clear. Rangers also guide safe exits if the weather or gorilla behavior changes suddenly.
Maintain a Safe Distance and Never Touch
Keep at least 7–10 meters (about 23–33 feet) away from gorillas unless the ranger says otherwise. This space lowers the risk of spreading disease and helps gorillas relax.
If a gorilla approaches you, don’t reach out—keep your hands still and avoid sudden moves. Avoid direct eye contact and turn your body a bit to the side.
Use a zoom lens for close-up photos, and turn off the camera flash before you get there. If a young gorilla comes close, resist the urge to touch—touching can pass on germs and mess with their behavior.
Step back slowly if the ranger asks for more distance.
Health Precautions to Protect Gorillas
Skip the trek if you’re feeling sick, have a fever, or had recent respiratory issues. Mountain gorillas can catch human illnesses easily because they’re so closely related to us.
Park staff usually screen visitors, so answer their health questions honestly at registration and the trailhead. Carry a face mask and use it if asked, especially if you have a cough or cold.
Wash or sanitize your hands before and after the trek. Don’t eat, drink, or smoke near gorillas; keep food packed away until you’re on a break away from the group.
If you need medication, keep it sealed and out of sight until the ranger says it’s okay to use.
Best Practices in Volcanoes National Park
When you visit Volcanoes National Park, stick to the marked trails. Respect the briefing times, and always join authorized treks with trained guides.
Rangers will brief you on the gorilla family you’ll see. Pay attention—they’ll share updates on recent behavior and mention any special precautions for the day.
Wear neutral-colored clothes. Quiet shoes help you blend in and keep the forest peaceful.
Pack light. Just bring a small day pack with water, rain gear, and insect repellent.
Skip strong perfumes or lotions since those can bother the wildlife. If you want to take photos, remember: never use flash, move slowly, and only shoot during the one-hour viewing window.
Pay your park fees, and if rangers have post-visit instructions, follow them. That way, you’ll help conservation efforts and support local communities.
