Gorilla Trekking vs. Gorilla Tracking – What’s the Difference?

What is the difference between gorilla trekking and gorilla tracking? Gorilla trekking involves following gorillas in the wild and is done in groups of eight visitors, each assigned to a specific gorilla family. A trained park ranger guide leads each group throughout the trek.

The phrase “gorilla tracking” is often used to mean “gorilla trekking,” but tracking specifically refers to monitoring and locating a particular habituated gorilla family.

Park rangers and trackers use different methods and signs to find where the gorillas are before visitors begin their trek. Trackers usually go into the forest early to locate the gorillas, and once they are found, the visitors start the trekking.

Gorilla tracking and gorilla trekking are often used interchangeably, but there is a slight difference. Gorilla trekking means walking through the forest to find and observe the gorillas, while gorilla tracking involves the initial process of locating the gorillas using tracking methods.

During gorilla trekking, visitors walk through the forest, climb steep slopes, and move through thick vegetation to find the gorilla family assigned to them by the park authorities.

Each group is accompanied by a park guide, who leads them through the trek and explains the gorillas’ behavior and unique features.

The guide stays in contact with the trackers, who help direct the group to the exact location of the gorillas.

Gorilla tracking mainly involves using different signs and techniques to find a habituated gorilla group before the visitors begin trekking. This part of the process is handled by the park rangers and trackers.

Once the gorillas are located, the trekking begins, allowing visitors to follow and observe the gorillas in their natural habitat.

Gorilla trekking is one of the main reasons many visitors travel to Africa, seeking a memorable wildlife experience. This adventure can be enjoyed in Uganda, Rwanda, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Gorillas are among the most fascinating animals, sharing about 98% of their DNA with humans.

Gorilla trekking is a way for visitors to see gorillas in the wild. While there are different gorilla species, the most sought-after are the endangered mountain gorillas and the Eastern Lowland gorillas, which are subspecies of the Eastern gorilla.

To take part in gorilla trekking, visitors must have a gorilla permit. The trek is done on foot, taking visitors through the rainforest to see and learn about the gorillas while also taking photos.

The trekking experience typically lasts between 2 to 6 hours, depending on the visitors’ hiking speed, the nature of the terrain, and the location of the gorillas on that day.

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