If a gorilla charges you, try to stay calm. Lower yourself slowly into a crouch, keep your eyes down, and listen to your guide—whatever you do, don’t run.
That keeps you looking harmless and really cuts down the odds that the gorilla will keep coming at you.
You’ll notice silverbacks usually bluff-charge, not attack. Even little things, like a loud noise or a sudden move, can set one off.
This article breaks down the steps for staying safe, what guides actually do during a charge, and how you can avoid getting charged in the first place.
Knowing what to do ahead of time makes it way easier to keep your cool if the moment comes. It also keeps both you and the gorillas out of unnecessary trouble.
What to Do if a Gorilla Charges You
Stay calm. Make yourself small, don’t look the gorilla in the eye, and always do what your guide says.
If a gorilla grabs you, just go limp and let your guide handle the situation. If the gorilla takes your hand and seems relaxed, you can try gentle grooming—just move your fingers slowly along its hand.
Stay Calm and Do Not Run
Don’t run. Running makes things worse and can make the gorilla want to chase you.
Focus on slow, steady breaths. Keep your voice low if you have to speak.
Guides go through training for moments like this. Let them lead and don’t try to make up your own plan.
Move slowly and deliberately. Avoid sudden gestures—flailing or stepping back fast can turn a bluff into something much scarier.
Make Yourself Small and Crouch Down
Lower your body so you look less threatening. Crouch down, keep your hands visible, palms down, and bow your head a bit.
Don’t curl up into a ball—you want to be ready to move if your guide tells you to.
If you’ve got a backpack, keep it on. It can actually help block a sudden grab and protect your body.
Move slowly, one step at a time, if you need to shift position. Never turn your back on the gorilla.
If your guide tells you to sit or kneel, do it gently and avoid sudden movements.
Mountain gorilla treks teach you to keep about 8–10 meters away. If a charge breaks that distance, crouching helps calm things down.
Avoid Eye Contact and Remain Silent
Don’t stare at the gorilla. Direct eye contact comes off as a challenge and can make things worse.
Glance down or to the side, but keep the gorilla in your peripheral vision.
Stay quiet. Silence helps the gorilla feel less threatened.
Only speak if your guide tells you to, and keep your voice low and calm.
Loud noises or camera flashes? Bad idea—they can provoke more chest-beating or charges.
If you need to signal the guide, use small, slow hand gestures, but only when the gorilla isn’t looking.
Keep camera and phone movements minimal. Definitely don’t take photos during a charge.
Follow Your Guide’s Instructions
Your guide knows gorilla behavior and the park’s safety rules. Do exactly what they say, right away.
Listen for commands like “freeze,” “crouch,” or “slowly back away.” Stick to their instructions.
If your guide steps between you and the gorilla, stay put unless they tell you otherwise.
Let the guide take charge if things get tense. Their training is for your safety and the gorilla’s, too.
If Grabbed: Passive Response and Grooming
If a gorilla grabs you, go passive. Don’t pull away, hit, or scream.
Struggling just makes things worse. Let the gorilla hold you until it relaxes or the guide tells you what to do.
If the gorilla holds your hand, you can try gentle, slow movements. Some guides say soft grooming—moving your fingers gently along the gorilla’s hand—can help calm it.
Only do this if the gorilla starts the hold and you feel safe.
Keep breathing slowly. Only talk if your guide tells you to. Staying passive is the safest bet and matches what guides teach on gorilla treks.
When to Imitate Gorilla Behavior as a Last Resort
Imitating gorilla behavior, like chest-beating, is risky. Only try it if your guide tells you to and the situation really calls for it.
Sometimes, a low, calm posture can show you’re not a threat if the silverback seems unsure. Never try loud or aggressive mimicry—those moves can turn a tense moment into a real attack.
Follow your guide’s lead if they suggest a subtle, group action to reassure the gorilla. Don’t try this alone; it works best when the whole group responds calmly together.
Understanding Gorilla Behavior and Preventing Charges
Gorillas usually give you plenty of warning before doing anything serious. You can lower your risk by watching their body language, keeping your distance, and listening to your guide.
Why Gorillas Charge: Bluff vs. Real Attacks
Most gorilla charges are just a silverback showing off or protecting his group. You’ll see chest-beating, hear loud grunts, and watch him rush toward you—but usually, he’ll stop short.
These displays are about dominance or territory, not about hurting you.
Real attacks hardly ever happen. They only occur if a gorilla feels trapped, thinks its infants are in danger, or if someone keeps ignoring the warnings.
If you provoke a gorilla with sudden moves or food, or if it tries to reach your group, the risk goes up. In parks like Virunga, Bwindi, Mgahinga, and Volcanoes, rangers teach you how to avoid turning a bluff charge into real aggression.
Signs That a Gorilla Might Charge
Watch for warning signs. Upset gorillas might:
- Beat their chest and slap the ground
- Exhale loudly, grunt, or roar
- Stare at you without blinking
- Rush toward you while making lots of noise
If a silverback stands between you and the rest of the group, that’s a big red flag. Young gorillas darting toward you or females pulling babies close also mean you should be extra careful.
When you notice these signs, stop moving, lower your body, avoid eye contact, and stay quiet until your guide tells you what to do.
Importance of Keeping a Safe Distance
Stick to the park’s distance rule—usually about 7 meters (23 feet). Staying back keeps you out of the gorillas’ personal space and helps them stay relaxed.
Never try to touch, feed, or sneak closer for a selfie.
Use a tripod or a zoom lens so you don’t have to move forward. If the group gets closer, just stay still and avoid sudden moves.
Guides will often reposition you or signal a slow, safe retreat. Following these rules protects both you and the gorillas, including the Beringei beringei families in Bwindi and Mgahinga.
Guided Treks and Gorilla Habituation
Guides in Volcanoes, Virunga, Bwindi, and Mgahinga really get to know each gorilla troop and how comfortable they are around people.
Habituated gorillas usually let trained humans hang around, but they’ll still react if something feels off or if you bring weird equipment.
Guides pick up on tiny signals from the gorillas and might use calm sounds or careful body language to keep things chill.
You should always just do what your guide says—no arguing, no second-guessing.
Sometimes guides will step forward, make a low vocal sound, or even put themselves between you and a gorilla if they think it’s safe.
Stick to the trek rules: small groups, quiet voices, and absolutely no camera flashes.
All of this really helps keep the gorillas calm and makes it much less likely for anything to go sideways.
