Gorilla trekking glossary

Gorilla trekking has its own vocabulary, and the words guides, rangers and permit offices use are not always obvious. This glossary explains each term in plain English, grouped by theme, so you know what people mean when they talk about sectors, silverbacks or habituation.

The gorillas

Mountain gorilla: The subspecies of gorilla that lives in the cool, high forests of the Virunga volcanoes and Bwindi. It has thicker, longer fur than lowland gorillas and is one of the most closely monitored wild animals on earth. Its scientific name is Gorilla beringei beringei. See our full guide to mountain gorillas.
Silverback: A mature adult male, named for the band of silver-grey hair that develops across his back at around twelve years old. The silverback leads the family, decides where it feeds and rests, and protects it from threats.
Blackback: A younger adult male, typically between about eight and twelve years old, who has not yet developed a silver saddle. Blackbacks often help guard the group and may eventually leave to form their own.
Juvenile and infant: Infants are under about three years old and depend on their mothers, often riding on their backs. Juveniles are older and more independent, and they are usually the most playful members of the family.
Family or group: The social unit a gorilla lives in, usually one silverback, several adult females and their offspring. Groups are commonly ten to thirty animals, though some are smaller. Guides usually call them families and give each a name.
Nest: A simple bed of bent vegetation that a gorilla builds each evening to sleep on. Trackers find a family each morning by locating the previous night's nests.
Chest beat: A display in which a gorilla, usually a silverback, slaps his chest with cupped hands. It signals strength or excitement and is not necessarily an attack. If it happens near you, stay calm and follow your guide's instructions.

The people you will meet

Ranger-guide: A trained wildlife officer employed by the Uganda Wildlife Authority who leads your group, enforces the rules and keeps you safe. Armed rangers may also accompany treks as a precaution against forest elephants and buffalo.
Tracker: A member of the team who goes into the forest before visitors set out to find where a family slept and where it is heading. Trackers radio the guides and are the reason sightings are so reliable.
Porter: A local person hired at the park office to carry your bag, help you on steep sections and support you if the walk is tiring. Hiring a porter is optional but recommended, and it directly benefits families near the park.
Driver-guide: The person who drives your vehicle between airports, lodges and park offices and helps with local knowledge. This is a different role from the ranger-guide.
Researcher: A scientist or trained field worker who follows a gorilla family to record its behaviour, health and movements. On the Habituation Experience you walk with the researchers.
Batwa: An indigenous forest people who lived in and around the forests of south-western Uganda before the creation of the national parks. Cultural experiences led by Batwa guides are offered near Bwindi and Mgahinga.

Permits and rules

Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA): The government agency that manages Uganda's national parks and wildlife reserves. It issues gorilla permits, sets tariffs and enforces the rules of the parks.
Gorilla permit: A document issued by the Uganda Wildlife Authority to a licensed tour operator, recording one named traveller's right to visit one gorilla family on one date. Read the full permit guide for how allocation and booking work.
Briefing: The short talk that rangers give at the park office before each trek. It covers the rules, how the walk will go and how you should behave around the gorillas. Attendance is compulsory.
Seven-metre rule: The minimum distance visitors must keep from the gorillas. It protects the animals from human diseases and reduces stress. If a gorilla approaches you, you should move back slowly.
Habituation: The years-long process of getting a wild gorilla family used to the presence of humans without causing it stress. A family that has completed the process is called habituated.
Habituation Experience: A special permit that lets a small group of visitors spend up to four hours with a family still being habituated. It is currently offered only in the Rushaga sector.
Double trek: Trekking gorillas on two consecutive days, usually with different families and sometimes in different sectors. It needs two permits and careful transport planning.

Places

Bwindi Impenetrable Forest: An ancient rainforest in south-western Uganda and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is home to roughly half of the world's mountain gorillas. See our guide to Bwindi.
Sector: One of the four trekking areas of Bwindi, each with its own park office, gorilla families and lodges. The sectors are Buhoma, Ruhija, Rushaga and Nkuringo.
Mgahinga Gorilla National Park: A small national park on the slopes of the Virunga volcanoes on the border with Rwanda and Congo. It has one habituated gorilla family and also offers golden monkey tracking and volcano hikes.
Virunga: A chain of volcanoes shared by Uganda, Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo. The other population of mountain gorillas lives here.
Trailhead: The point where a trek begins, usually a short drive from the park office. Some trailheads are only a few minutes' walk from a lodge, while others are much farther.
Airstrip: A small airfield used by scheduled and charter flights. Kihihi serves Buhoma and Ruhija, and Kisoro serves Rushaga, Nkuringo and Mgahinga.

Kit

Gaiters: Waterproof covers worn from the boot to the knee. They keep mud, water and ants out of your boots and are worth wearing on every trek.
Walking pole: A stick, often carved from local wood, that helps you balance on steep and slippery slopes. Many park offices lend or sell them.
Garden gloves: Cheap gloves that protect your hands when you grab vines or thorny plants to steady yourself.

Looking for something not covered here? Ask us and we will add it. To see how these terms fit together on a real trek, start with our gorilla trekking guide or browse itineraries.