Can You Choose Which Gorilla Group to Visit? Understanding Allocations
Gorilla group allocation. When booking your gorilla trek, you might wonder if you can choose the specific gorilla family you’ll visit. After all, every group is unique. Some are closer to the trailhead; others require longer treks. Some have large silverbacks or young playful juveniles. While choosing a group sounds ideal, the process of allocation doesn’t work that way. Gorilla groups are assigned by park rangers on the day of your trek—based on several key factors.
How Gorilla Group Allocation Works
On the morning of your trek, all visitors gather at the park headquarters for a pre-trek briefing. Here, park officials divide tourists into small groups of eight. Each group is then assigned to one habituated gorilla family. This assignment happens just before the trek begins—not during the permit booking process.
Park rangers make group assignments by evaluating several things. They look at your age, fitness level, and special requests. They also consider where each gorilla family was last seen by trackers that morning. If a gorilla group is located far away and involves a steep hike, rangers assign that group to physically fit trekkers. Easier, shorter treks are often given to older guests or those who request a less demanding hike.
Can You Make Special Requests?
While you cannot officially select your gorilla group in advance, you can request certain preferences during the briefing. For example, you can ask for a shorter trek or mention interest in seeing a specific group if you know its name. Rangers try their best to match your request, but they cannot guarantee it. Weather, gorilla movement, and group sizes all affect how allocations are made.
Tour operators can also make early requests on your behalf, especially if you have mobility issues, medical concerns, or need a lighter trek. These requests should be made at least one day before your trek. Still, all allocations remain subject to the final decision of the rangers.
Why Groups Are Assigned and Not Pre-Selected
Gorilla trekking takes place in wild, unpredictable conditions. Gorillas roam freely through dense forests, and their location changes daily. Because of this, it’s impossible to schedule fixed visits to a specific group weeks or months in advance. The allocation system helps spread visitors evenly across all gorilla groups, reduces trekking pressure, and ensures safety for both visitors and animals.
Final Thought: Plan Your Safari
While you can’t handpick your gorilla family, the allocation system works in your favor. It ensures a well-balanced and safe trek for everyone. Trust your rangers—they know the terrain, the gorillas, and how to match you with the right experience. Whether your trek is long or short, each gorilla group offers something special, and your encounter will be unforgettable.
