Is Gorilla Trekking Ethical? An Expert Breaks It Down

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If you’re a wildlife lover, you’ve likely heard of the eco-tourism activity called gorilla trekking. Gorilla trekking is a guided hike through the dense forests of Africa, where wild gorillas reside. Through this regulated journey, you can witness these beautiful creatures in their natural habitats.

Gorilla trekking is a popular tourism activity, but many wonder just how ethical this guided adventure really is. Are there risks associated with the treks, both to humans and gorillas? If so, how can we mitigate them? In this article, we speak with an expert about the ins and outs of gorilla trekking—and how to ensure it’s done ethically.

Is Gorilla Trekking Ethical?

For the most part, gorilla trekking is considered an ethical, regulated ecotourism activity. Many even deem it a crucial contribution to wildlife conservation. In most cases, it directly funds conservation efforts.

“In Uganda, Rwanda, and Gabon, tourism funds ranger salaries, habitat protection, community incentives, and anti-poaching initiatives,” says Oliver Browne, CEO & Founder of True Summit Adventures.

However, as with most things in life, gorilla trekking can become unethical if poorly practiced. For example, if tourists don’t follow regulations (e.g., staying at a safe distance from wild gorillas) or a guide or group does not carry out safe procedures, it can lead to unfavorable consequences for the animal.  

“Gorilla trekking can be unethical or irresponsible if poorly managed, oversold, or if visiting groups are disrespectful of the environment and the animals,” says Browne. “The flip side to that coin is, when tightly regulated and controlled, it offers the strongest economic potential for protecting gorillas and their habitat.”

According to Browne, gorilla trekking trips are only unethical if the encounters become performative, not observational. 

How Can Gorilla Trekking Be Done Ethically?

Ethical gorilla trekking is as simple as respecting the animals you’re observing. For example, Browne says, “There should be no intention or pressure to get close to the animals, and no overcrowding or behavior that might cause stress to the animals.”

Discover Africa outlines some great Dos and Don’ts for gorilla trekking, including avoiding eye contact with the animal, keeping a safe distance from them, and not mimicking any gorilla sounds, as these behaviors could trigger confusion or agitation.

“Ethical wildlife travel should ensure natural, respectful observation as opposed to entertainment for the viewers,” Browne adds. “If you are participating in a trek, make sure you do it in a way that is as unobtrusive to the animals as possible.”

Risks of Gorilla Trekking to Humans

Browne notes that there are very few risks to humans from gorilla trekking. While gorillas are massive, strong creatures, they’re usually calm and peaceful in nature. If a gorilla does act out, “it’s [typically] a lack of habituation,” he states. Remember, these are wild animals in their own habitats. As humans, we are invading their spaces and must be respectful of them. Most gorilla trekking tours only involve gorillas that have been gradually habituated to tolerate human presence.

“The more habituated the families are, the less likely they are to act out or become stressed,” Browne explains. “That said, any number of things can cause habituated families, and in particular, the males to act up. The best advice is to listen to the guides who know the animals the best.”

Gorilla trekking can be unethical or irresponsible if poorly managed, oversold, or if visiting groups are disrespectful of the environment and the animals.

Risks of Gorilla Trekking to Gorillas

When it comes to the gorillas themselves, there are some potential risks of this ecotourism activity. One in particular is the potential for fatal illnesses.

“The animals are very susceptible to human respiratory diseases, which makes them vulnerable,” says Browne. 

According to a study published in the journal Springer, “Respiratory illness (RI) accounts for a large proportion of mortalities in mountain gorillas (Gorilla beringei beringei), and fatal outbreaks, including disease caused by human metapneumovirus (HMPV) infections, have heightened concern about the risk of human pathogen transmission to this endangered species, which is not only critically important to the biodiversity of its ecosystem but also to the economies of the surrounding human communities.”

The study found that pathogenic human respiratory viruses are transmitted to gorillas from humans. This means that a potentially fatal illness can be introduced into the mountain gorilla population, leading to deaths among the animals.

“Hence why the management of the animals is so important,” says Browne. “In Bwindi, for example, there are 40 families, but only 10 have any interaction with people, while two more might be in the habituation process. That way, a big part of the population is kept back and shielded from humans and potential diseases.”

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