Why shouldn’t you make eye contact with a gorilla?

Gorilla trekking in Africa, particularly in Uganda, Rwanda, and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), is a bucket-list experience that brings you face-to-face with endangered mountain gorillas.

However, one critical rule stands out: do not make direct eye contact with a gorilla. This guideline, enforced by park authorities like the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) and Rwanda Development Board (RDB), is rooted in gorilla behavior, psychology, and conservation needs.

Below, we explain why avoiding eye contact is essential, how it impacts gorilla interactions, and practical tips for a safe, respectful trekking experience.

Understanding Gorilla Behavior

Mountain gorillas, sharing 98% of human DNA, are highly social primates living in family groups led by a dominant silverback gorilla.

These groups, found in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Volcanoes National Park, and Virunga National Park, are habituated to human presence through years of careful ranger-led exposure. Despite this, gorillas remain wild animals with complex social structures and instincts.

Direct eye contact in gorilla society is a form of communication often interpreted as a challenge or threat, especially by silverbacks.

A prolonged stare signals aggression or dominance, triggering defensive or assertive behaviors. For example, a silverback may perceive eye contact from a human as a rival’s attempt to challenge his authority over the group.

This can lead to displays like chest-beating, vocalizations (hoots or roars), or, in rare cases, a mock charge—where the gorilla rushes toward you to intimidate but typically stops short.

Understanding this is crucial: gorillas don’t differentiate between human and gorilla intentions.

A stare, even if curious or admiring, can be misread, escalating a peaceful encounter into a tense one. Avoiding eye contact respects their social norms, keeping interactions calm and safe.

Risks of Eye Contact

Making eye contact with a gorilla can provoke several responses, each posing risks to trekkers, guides, and the gorillas themselves:

• Aggressive Displays: A silverback may respond with a charge, scream, or physical display to assert dominance. While charges are often bluffs, they can be terrifying and, in rare cases, lead to physical contact if the gorilla feels genuinely threatened. For instance, a 2018 incident in Bwindi saw a silverback charge a trekker who ignored ranger instructions, though no injuries occurred.
• Stress on Gorillas: Prolonged eye contact stresses gorillas, disrupting their natural behavior. Stress can weaken their immune systems, making them more susceptible to diseases like respiratory infections, to which they’re vulnerable due to genetic similarities with humans. This undermines conservation efforts, as the 1,063 remaining mountain gorillas (2023 estimate) are still classified as endangered.
• Group Disruption: An agitated silverback may redirect aggression toward other group members, such as females or juveniles, causing internal conflicts. This can alter group dynamics, potentially leading to injuries or social instability.
• Trek Termination: Rangers, prioritizing safety, may end the trek early if a gorilla becomes agitated due to eye contact, cutting short the one-hour observation period and disappointing the group. Permits ($800-$1,500) are non-refunded in such cases.

By avoiding eye contact, you will minimize these risks, ensuring a safer, more harmonious encounter that respects the gorillas’ well-being.

Conservation and Ethical Considerations

Avoiding eye contact is not just about safety—it’s a cornerstone of responsible tourism. Gorilla trekking generates critical revenue for conservation, with permit fees funding ranger patrols, anti-poaching efforts, and community projects.

For example, Uganda’s UWA uses permit revenue to protect Bwindi’s 459 gorillas, while Rwanda’s RDB supports Volcanoes National Park’s biodiversity.

Disrupting gorilla behavior through eye contact jeopardizes these efforts by stressing animals already facing threats like habitat loss and disease.

Gorillas’ susceptibility to human diseases, such as flu or COVID-19, underscores the need for minimal disturbance. Stress from eye contact can exacerbate health risks, as cortisol levels rise, weakening immunity.

Ethical trekking prioritizes gorilla welfare, ensuring future generations can witness these majestic creatures. By following this rule, you contribute to the species’ survival, supporting the population growth from 620 in 1989 to over 1,000 today.

Cultural and Practical Context

In gorilla trekking, avoiding eye contact aligns with broader protocols designed to mimic submissive, non-threatening behavior.

Rangers teach trekkers to crouch, move slowly, and keep voices low, signaling respect for the silverback’s authority.

Eye contact contradicts this posture, as it’s akin to standing tall or shouting—actions that assert dominance in gorilla language.

Practically, avoiding eye contact is simple but requires mindfulness. Gorillas may approach within 7 meters (the minimum distance rule), especially curious juveniles.

In such moments, the instinct to stare is strong, but trekkers must lower their gaze or look at the gorilla’s body rather than its eyes. Rangers, often armed for wildlife protection, guide these interactions, ensuring compliance.

For example, if a gorilla charges, trekkers are instructed to crouch, avoid eye contact, and remain still, allowing the ranger to de-escalate using vocal cues or body language.

Tips for You

To prepare yourselves for a gorilla trek without eye contact, these are some of the tips to consider:

• Understand the Rule Pre-Trek: During the mandatory briefing at the trailhead, rangers explain the no-eye-contact rule. Encourage clients to listen attentively and ask questions if unclear. Briefings also cover other rules, like maintaining distance and disabling camera flashes.
• Practice Situational Awareness: Learn to observe gorillas indirectly, focusing on their movements or surroundings. For example, watching a gorilla’s hands while it feeds or a juvenile playing nearby avoids direct stares while still enjoying the experience.
• Follow Ranger Guidance: Rangers are experts in gorilla behavior. If a gorilla approaches or shows agitation, clients must trust the ranger’s instructions, such as looking down or backing away slowly.
• Manage Curiosity: Just know that avoiding eye contact doesn’t diminish your experience. Gorillas’ behaviors—grooming, playing, or foraging—are captivating without needing to lock eyes.
• Prepare for Close Encounters: If a gorilla approaches, you should stay calm, lower your gaze, and avoid sudden movements. This respects the gorilla’s space and prevents miscommunication.
• Use Binoculars Wisely: Binoculars enhance observation without requiring direct eye contact. We recommend bringing a pair for detailed views from a safe distance.
• Respect the One-Hour Limit: The one-hour observation period is strictly enforced to minimize disturbance. Avoiding eye contact ensures the full hour is spent peacefully, maximizing the experience.

Why This Matters to You

Adhering to the no-eye-contact rule enhances your trekking experience while aligning with ethical tourism. A single trek, costing $800 in Uganda or $1,500 in Rwanda, is a significant investment, and violating rules risks early termination or safety issues. More importantly, clients become ambassadors for conservation by respecting gorilla needs, and contributing to the species’ survival.

The emotional reward of observing a silverback lead his family or a juvenile tumble playfully is profound when done responsibly.

Trekking also supports local communities. In Uganda, 20% of Bwindi’s permit revenue funds schools and hospitals, while Rwanda’s “revenue-sharing” model builds infrastructure. By following rules, you ensure these benefits continue, fostering goodwill with locals who rely on tourism.

By avoiding eye contact with gorillas is a non-negotiable rule rooted in their social behavior, safety considerations, and conservation imperatives.

For your clients, this guideline ensures a safe, respectful encounter with mountain gorillas, preserving their health and natural behaviors.

By lowering your gaze, you signal submission to the silverback, reducing stress and the risk of aggression. This small act of mindfulness enhances the trekking experience, supports ethical tourism, and contributes to the survival of Africa’s 1,063 mountain gorillas.

We encourage you to embrace this rule, follow ranger guidance, and prepare for an unforgettable, responsible adventure in the wild.