How Hard Is Gorilla Trekking? Fitness, Altitude & What to Expect
You don't need to be an athlete, but you should be ready for steep, muddy, high-altitude walking. Here's how to prepare.
Eben Safari Tours Team2 min read
Altitude
Volcanoes National Park trailheads sit around 2,400–2,600 m, and gorillas range higher. You may feel breathless on climbs. Walk slowly, drink water and take breaks: the guides set an easy pace.
Terrain
Expect farmland paths, then bamboo and nettles, then forest without formal trails as you follow the trackers. It can be slippery after rain.
How long will it take?
Treks range from about 30 minutes to over three hours each way. You won't know exactly until the trackers find the gorillas that morning.
Can older travellers trek?
Yes. We regularly host guests in their sixties and seventies. Tell us in advance and our guide will request an easier family at the briefing. Hire a porter: they will carry your bag and steady you on tricky sections. For travellers with limited mobility, sedan-chair porters can be arranged.
How to prepare
- Walk hills or stairs regularly for a month beforehand
- Break in your boots
- Arrive a day early to acclimatise in Musanze
- Pack gloves, rain gear and water (see our packing list)
Written by the Eben Safari Tours team
We are a Kigali-based tour operator, guiding travellers through Rwanda, Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania since 2015. Our guides trek with the gorillas, drive Akagera and climb the volcanoes every week, and we update these guides whenever rules or prices change.
