Before 8:00am, report to the ranger station for registration and a talk by one of the rangers. The guides will then take you through the bush, pushing your way through the undergrowth, to track the gorillas. Each trekking group is allowed a maximum of 8 visitors per day. Tracking commences from the Park office, with a park guide, three armed rangers and porters (you can hire the services of a porter to carry your one bag, if required). The guide communicates with about 2-3 trackers, who have gone ahead to determine the gorilla group's location. Once the gorillas have been located, your trekking group will be allowed a maximum of one hour to observe them (this time limit is carefully monitored to protect the gorillas from unnecessary stress).

This trip is rated as a demanding Touring/Trekking. The time taken to track the gorillas varies enormously, from as little as thirty minutes to as much as nine hours before returning to your lodge/tented camp. The ground is extremely difficult, with steep gradients (frequently steeper than a flight of stairs), covered in dense undergrowth. In addition, the altitude of 5,200 feet and more means that trekkers must be physically prepared to enjoy the trek. Obviously the location of the gorilla group determines the tracking conditions, therefore making it impractical to judge the time or the degree of difficulty. With this in mind, only those who are completely fit, able to walk long distances at higher altitudes over steep, slippery and muddy ground, able to bend and clamber over tree roots, thick undergrowth and vines should consider this trek. This trek should not be considered by those who have back or heart conditions.