Easiest gorilla family to trek: how rangers assign groups

The easiest gorilla family: the honest answer

No single easiest gorilla family exists, because gorillas move every day. A group that was a short walk away last week may be a long climb away today. What you can do is ask for an easier trek, and rangers will often try to match you to a group that suits your pace.

This is good news in one way. Rangers assign visitors to families after a briefing, and they listen to what you tell them about your fitness. Therefore the real skill is not picking a famous family. It is describing your needs clearly and choosing a sector that gives you room.

This guide explains how groups are assigned, what makes a trek easier or harder, and how to ask for the easiest gorilla family on the day. For the full list of groups, read our gorilla families guide. For a general view of effort, see the difficulty guide.

How rangers assign you to a gorilla family

In both countries, visitors gather at the park office early in the morning. A ranger gives a briefing on the rules and the plan for the day. Then the rangers divide visitors into small groups, and each group is sent to one habituated family. The number of visitors per family is limited to eight, and you spend one hour with the gorillas.

Assignments are usually made at this briefing. Rangers consider the number of visitors, the position of each family that morning and the fitness or wishes of each guest. That is why your words at the briefing matter. Say plainly if you want a gentler walk, and say it politely. Rangers cannot promise the easiest gorilla family, but they can match your pace to the day's options.

Rules and practice can change, so confirm the current system with the Uganda Wildlife Authority or the Rwanda Development Board. Your operator should know the process in each park. Our permit booking guide explains how the permit and the family relate.

What makes a trek easier or harder

Several factors decide how hard a walk will be. Trackers find the family each morning, so the starting point depends on where the gorillas slept. Terrain, weather and altitude then shape the effort.

• Distance from the trailhead. Families that nest close to the path need a shorter walk.
• Slope. Steep ridges take more effort than rolling ground.
• Mud and rain. Wet days slow everyone down.
• Vegetation. Thick undergrowth means slow going.
• Group speed. A calm group moves with its slowest member.

None of these factors can be fixed in advance. Even so, a few choices change your odds. Read our rainy season guide to see how weather affects the trail.

Choosing a sector to find an easier gorilla family

The park sector you choose shapes your chances of an easier trek. Some areas are known for gentler ground, while others are steeper. Even so, every sector can give a short walk or a long one on a given day.

Bwindi has four sectors. Buhoma is often described as more forgiving for first-time trekkers, while the southern ridges around Nkuringo are known for steeper slopes. Rushaga offers a wide spread of groups, which gives rangers more choice when they match you. See our Bwindi sector comparison for the details.

In Rwanda, the park is smaller and the volcano slopes are steep in places. Distances to the groups vary from day to day. Our Rwanda gorilla guide and Volcanoes guide show what to expect.

The simplest rule for finding the easiest gorilla family is this: ask your operator which sector offers more options for a gentle trek on your dates.

How to ask for the easiest gorilla family

Ask early and ask clearly. Tell your operator before the trip, and repeat the request at the briefing. Rangers hear many requests, so give them useful facts rather than a general wish.

Good information includes your age range, your usual walking pace and any health matters. Mention knee or heart concerns, past injuries and a fear of heights if they apply. Say how long you can walk comfortably, and note whether you would like a porter.

Then offer a sensible attitude. Rangers can only match visitors to the families available that day. If you politely ask for the easiest gorilla family and accept their judgement, you give them the best chance to help. Pushing for a specific group by name rarely works.

A briefing morning, step by step

Knowing the routine takes away the stress. You arrive at the park office around the start of the day and register with your permit and passport. Tea or coffee is often served while rangers prepare.

Next, the head ranger introduces the team and explains the rules. After that, visitors are sorted into small groups. Some people wish to walk fast, while others prefer a slow pace, and rangers try to keep similar walkers together.

Once your group is set, you meet your guides and trackers, collect walking sticks and set off. The first part of the walk may be on a farm path before you enter the forest. Trackers ahead of you radio back the position of the family. Therefore the length of the walk becomes clear only after you start.

What to tell your guide at the start

Short, specific words work best. A sentence such as "I would like a steady pace because of my knees" gives the guide a clear picture. It also keeps the group together.

Mention anyone in your party who walks slowly, since the easiest gorilla family for a slow walker may differ from the one for a fast walker, and say if a member of your group is nervous about steep ground. Guides can pause and plan rest points. In contrast, silence can lead to a pace that is too hard.

Be honest, and be kind. Rangers work long days in a tough place, and they remember polite visitors. A calm request, plus a thank-you, goes a long way.

Fitness choices that help on any family

You cannot control where the gorillas are, but you can control how ready you are. A few weeks of walking uphill on uneven ground make a real difference. Wear boots that you have already broken in.

Hire a porter. Porters carry your bag and give a steady hand on slippery ground, and your fee supports local families. Many visitors say a porter turned a hard walk into an enjoyable one.

Pack light, drink water and eat a proper breakfast. Our packing list lists what to carry. If you are older or less mobile, read the senior travellers guide before you choose the sector.

Myths about the easiest gorilla family

Several stories circulate online. Some say a certain family is always close to the road. Others claim you can buy a permit for a named group and be sure of a short walk. Neither is reliable.

Gorillas are wild animals that choose their own path. A family that has been easy for a month may move far on the next. In addition, group assignments change with the number of visitors and the demand on the day.

Be wary of anyone who promises the easiest gorilla family for a fee. A fair operator can explain the process and help you prepare, but it cannot control the animals. Our guide to verifying an operator lists the warning signs of overpromising.

If the walk turns out harder than you hoped

Sometimes the trek is longer than planned. Do not worry, because help is built in. Guides set a pace that suits the group, and rests are normal. Porters can assist, and in some parks a stretcher-style carry is available for those who truly need it. Ask about this in advance and confirm the current offer.

Remember that slow walking is not failure. Many visitors reach the family after a long, patient climb, and the hour with the gorillas feels better for the effort. Read our guide on how long a trek takes to set your expectations for the whole day.

Plan your trek around your pace

Tell us your comfort level and your dates, and we will suggest a sector that fits. We will also help you prepare so that you enjoy the hour. Write to us through the booking page, and ask us to check your dates once you have a plan.

Whichever easiest gorilla family or harder one you meet, the encounter is wild and unrepeatable. Viewing distances are set at 10 metres in Uganda and 7 metres in Rwanda, though gorillas sometimes come closer on their own. Minimum age is 15 for gorilla trekking. For the full planning picture, see our gorilla trek planning guide.

Frequently asked questions