While undeniably the climax of the day, a gorilla safari is not all about the encounter; rather the experience in its entirety, starting with your forest approach. Whether visiting Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in Uganda or Rwanda’s Volcanos National Park, enjoy fantastically scenic vistas. Drive through a tapestry of tea fields and terraced hillsides against a backdrop of volcanic peaks in the distance, enveloped in the early morning mist.

Trekking begins with an early morning briefing where you’ll find out everything you need to know ahead of the trek and be assigned a gorilla family, before heading into the forest in small groups with expert trackers leading the way. Trek time can vary as each group will be tracking a different habituated family, taking anywhere between two and six hours. Porterage can be arranged (payable locally) to help traverse the tricky terrain and carry your belongings. 

Anticipation brews as you make your way through dense vegetation, your tracker hacking away branches to clear a path through the forest as they communicate with spotters via radio. Look out for exotic flora and fauna and enjoy the birdsong from above. Before you know it you’ll hear the whisper that you’ve been waiting for: “they’re here”.

Time seems to slow down when you reach the gorillas, and your first glimpse is a simply mesmerising experience. Nothing quite compares to finding them in the wild and the intimacy of the encounter often takes travellers by surprise; the unobscured proximity and knowing you’re in their domain is truly surreal. 

Spend an hour in their company (a rule to protect their wellbeing) and witness expressions and gestures that feel incredibly familiar. There’s no theatrical performance; simply observe a wild family going about their day. Youngsters tumbling through the undergrowth and playfully making their way across the canopy above, siblings squabbling and reconciling, a silverback calmly looking over his family or a mother tending to her babies are just a few of the interactions you can expect.

Once the gorillas have been located, face masks must be worn for their safety (we share over 98% of our DNA with them!)

Waterproofs are a must as the heavens can open heavily and without warning, especially during wet seasons (approx. March to May and October to November). Sturdy walking shoes with good grip are equally important as trails can be steep and slippery underfoot. Insect repellent, long sleeves and trousers are recommended for protection against insects and scratchy vegetation, while gloves are great for holding onto branches and vines as you make your way through dense undergrowth. 

A small daypack is ideal for carrying the essentials without weighing you down. It can get very humid under the canopy so make sure to take plenty of water, especially on warmer days. 

To get a real feeling of having experienced the gorillas in their natural habitat, it’s best not to spend the entirety of the hour behind a lens. However, do take a camera to capture the moment and show off to your friends and family later; just remember to turn the flash off.

Back at your lodge, freshen up before gathering over drinks to reflect on the day’s encounters. Exchange stories and photographs with fellow travellers, each sighting unique yet equally memorable. It’s a relaxed and convivial close to an unforgettable experience.