The main activity at Ngaga Camp – and a true Congo highlight – is tracking habituated groups of western lowland gorillas through the rainforest. Led by skilled local trackers, and with expert guides to interpret the sights and sounds of the forest, you will use the network of forest trails to get close to some of our nearest living relatives in the wild, and observe their behavior as they go about the daily business of being a gorilla.

Gorilla Tracking expeditions typically leave on foot from Ngaga Camp although they may involve a short drive depending on where the gorillas are.

At intervals throughout the year the gorillas also seek out fruiting trees within the forest. Lowland gorillas are very at home in the trees, which can provide some very special sightings.

Expeditions do not cover enormous distances and can range in length from 1 to 8 kilometres (0.5 to 5 miles) over undulating country. The undergrowth can be thick, however, and including the time spent with a gorilla group, excursions can last between 2 and 8 hours (including time spent with the gorillas). Please note that although every effort is made, gorilla viewing cannot be guaranteed.

GORILLA VIEWING PROTOCOLS

Gorilla viewing protocol is based on the guidelines issued by the IUCN for great ape viewing and is very similar to that of Rwanda/Uganda. Protocols are designed specifically to limit stress and behavioural impact and also potential disease transmission from humans to gorillas. They are critical for gorilla conservation.

• Minimum age for gorilla viewing is 15 years – this is for reasons of safety, but also to guard against possible disease transmission as children under this age are more prone to infection.
• We do not approach closer than is 7 metres (22 feet) to the gorillas and we typically view the animals at 10- 15 metres (32-50 feet).
• Maximum viewing duration of any group is one hour per day.
• Maximum number of guests per gorilla tracking excursion is 4, plus a guide and local tracker to make a maximum group size of 6.
• Guests that display cold, flu or other respiratory tract symptoms will not be allowed to track gorillas. Your camp manager will speak with you about what to do if you are sick and cannot go out on your gorilla trek.
• No food or drinks may be consumed when near the gorillas, but guides will carry water and snacks for rest stops.
• Smoking is not allowed.
• Although gorilla sightings and encounters are very reliable, viewing is dependent on variables such as weather and tracking conditions.