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To photograph mountain gorillas, use a lens between 70 and 300mm, raise your ISO instead of using flash, shoot at 1/500 second or faster, and expose for the dark fur. Flash is banned. You have one hour, so learn your settings beforehand and put the camera down now and then.
Table of Contents
- Why gorillas are hard to photograph
- Choose your lens
- Camera settings that work
- No flash, and why
- Composition and light
- Protect your camera from rain and mud
- Use a porter for your gear
- Put the camera down
- Photographing from a safe distance
- After the trek
- Shooting video and using a phone
- A simple pre-trek checklist
- Ethics and the picture
- Frequently Asked Questions
Why gorillas are hard to photograph
Gorillas are black, they sit in deep green shade, and they move without warning. The forest floor is dim even at noon, and the animals are often half hidden behind leaves. You cannot use flash, you cannot ask the gorillas to turn around, and you cannot move closer than the guides allow. The good news is that with the right settings and some patience, you can come home with sharp, moving images.
Before you plan any gear, know what your permit gives you: one hour with the family once you find them. If you have not yet booked, our page on gorilla trekking in Rwanda explains how the trek works. This guide is about making the most of that hour.
Choose your lens
There is no single right lens, because distances vary from a few metres to more than seven. In practice, a range of about 70 to 300mm covers most situations. A 70-200mm f/2.8 is popular because it is fast enough for dim light. A 100-400mm gives more reach if the family is sitting across a gap. A wide zoom, such as 24-70mm, is useful when a young gorilla wanders close and fills the frame.
| Lens | Best for | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|
| 24-70mm | Close encounters, habitat shots | Gorillas seem small unless very near |
| 70-200mm | Portraits, most family scenes | Slightly short if they sit far away |
| 100-400mm | Distant groups, tight faces | Heavy, slow in dim light |
| Phone | Quick moments, video | Small sensor struggles in shade |
If you can only carry one lens, choose a fast 70-200mm. It is light enough for a long hike and sharp enough for large prints.
Camera settings that work
Start with these, then adjust:
- Shoot in aperture priority or manual, with the widest aperture your lens offers.
- Set ISO to 1600 to 3200 and go higher if needed. Modern cameras handle noise far better than blurry images.
- Keep shutter speed at 1/500 second or faster for moving animals. For a resting gorilla you can drop to 1/250 if you brace the camera.
- Use continuous autofocus and burst mode so you catch expressions.
- Shoot in RAW so you can recover shadow detail later.
Metering matters more than most people expect. Dark fur fools the camera into overexposing, which turns black into grey. Underexpose by about one stop, or use spot metering on the face, and check your histogram now and then.
Set your camera up in the lodge the night before, not on the trail. Nothing wastes the hour like fumbling with a dial while a silverback yawns.
No flash, and why
Flash is forbidden near the gorillas. It startles them, it can cause stress and it is unfair to the animals and to other visitors. The guides will stop you if you try. Plan your exposure around available light, and be ready to accept some grain in the picture.
You should also turn off any autofocus assist lamp. Some cameras fire a red or white beam that looks like flash to the animals. Your guide will remind you, and it is worth checking your menu settings before you go.
Composition and light
The best images show relationship, not just a face. A mother grooming, an infant clinging to an adult's back, or a juvenile swinging in bamboo tells a story. Wait for eye contact and keep the eyes sharp. Include a hint of vegetation for scale, and try shooting through leaves to add depth.
Shafts of sunlight break through the canopy in patches. If a gorilla steps into one, expose for the highlights, not the shadows. Overcast days are kinder, because the light is even and the shadows are soft.
If you want more ideas about where and when to photograph across the country, our Rwanda photography guide covers other subjects and seasons.
Protect your camera from rain and mud
The forest can turn wet within minutes, even in the dry season. Use a rain cover or a waterproof bag, and carry a soft cloth for your lens. Dust and moisture are real problems, so change lenses only when you must, and do it under cover.
Keep your camera bag small. Guides ask you to carry only what you need into the gorilla area, and a large bag makes a steep climb harder. If you are unsure how much to carry, our list of what to pack for gorilla trekking helps you decide.
Use a porter for your gear
A porter carries your bag on the walk and can take a heavy lens until you reach the gorillas. It is a good idea when you are carrying serious equipment, and it supports a local job as well. Read our note on whether to hire a porter for how the system works.
Put the camera down
Take your best frames in the first ten or fifteen minutes, then lower the camera and watch. Many guests come home with hundreds of pictures and only a hazy memory of the hour. The gorillas do not perform, and the most memorable moments often come when you are simply looking.
If you have never seen a mountain gorilla family up close, read about how gorilla families are organised before you go. Knowing who is who makes it easier to anticipate behaviour and to catch a good moment.
Photographing from a safe distance
Keep to the rules on distance even when a gorilla comes to you. If a young one approaches, do not raise your camera to its face. Move back slowly and let the guide manage the situation. Never chase a picture. Our overview of gorilla trekking rules and etiquette explains what is expected of every visitor.
After the trek
Back at the lodge, back up your cards the same day. Delete obvious misses and keep the best. Editing the shadows and slightly lifting the exposure often rescues images that looked dark on the screen. If you are travelling on to other parks, our Rwanda photography tours are designed around light, location and patience.
Shooting video and using a phone
Short video clips often capture what stills cannot: a mother turning her head, an infant tumbling out of a branch, a silverback's slow chew. Hold the camera steady with elbows tucked in, and record ten to fifteen seconds at a time rather than one long take. Turn off any lights on your phone and switch it to silent, because a chirp in the forest carries.
If you use a phone, tap on the gorilla's face to set focus and exposure, then slide the brightness down slightly so the fur keeps its texture. Avoid digital zoom, which blurs detail, and move only when the guide allows it. Phones cope better on bright days, so expect darker, grainier results under thick cloud.
A simple pre-trek checklist
Run through this the evening before:
- Charge every battery and pack at least one spare.
- Format your memory cards and carry a second one.
- Clean the lens and sensor as far as you can, because dust shows in dark scenes.
- Set ISO, aperture and burst mode in advance.
- Pack a rain cover, a microfibre cloth and a resealable bag.
- Switch off flash, autofocus assist lamps and beeps.
Most missed pictures come from small preparation errors, not from bad luck. A five-minute check at the lodge saves a great deal of frustration on the mountain.
Ethics and the picture
The photograph is never worth stressing an animal. If a gorilla turns away or shows signs of unease, stop shooting and let it settle. If a silverback stands and beats his chest, stay still and follow your guide. Guides are trained to manage these moments, and cooperation is the best way to keep the encounter safe for everyone.
Do not share the exact location of a family on social media, and avoid captions suggesting that you touched or fed an animal. Responsible images help conservation by showing how well the system works. Our note on why mountain gorillas remain endangered explains why careful behaviour matters.
Frequently Asked Questions
What lens is best for photographing mountain gorillas?
A fast lens in the 70-200mm range suits most situations. If you can carry more, a 100-400mm helps at a distance, and a wide zoom helps when a gorilla comes close.
Can I use flash near gorillas?
No. Flash is banned because it can stress the animals. Raise your ISO and shoot in the available light instead.
Is a phone good enough for gorilla photos?
A phone can capture good moments, especially video, but small sensors struggle in the dim forest. A camera with a zoom lens will give sharper results.
How much time do I have to take photos?
You have one hour with the gorillas once your group reaches them. Plan your settings in advance so you do not lose time.
What should I do if it rains during the trek?
Use a rain cover and keep your gear in a waterproof bag. Wipe your lens gently, and avoid changing lenses in the open.
Can I bring a tripod?
It is not practical. The forest is dense, the animals move constantly and the trek is hard enough without one. A monopod is easier to carry, and you can also brace against a tree.