Recommended Camera Settings
The forest canopy blocks most direct sunlight, creating challenging low-light conditions even at midday. Set your ISO high — start at 1600 and increase to 3200 or 6400 as needed. Use aperture priority mode with the widest aperture your lens allows (f/2.8-4) to maximise light.
Shutter speed is critical for sharp images. Aim for at least 1/250s to freeze gorilla movement, and 1/500s if gorillas are active or playing. Use continuous autofocus (AF-C) to track movement. Shoot in burst mode for action sequences — a baby gorilla swinging or a silverback beating his chest happens in seconds.
Shoot in RAW format if your camera supports it. The low-light conditions and dappled forest light create challenging exposure situations that benefit from RAW processing flexibility.
Lens Selection
A versatile zoom lens in the 24-200mm range is ideal for gorilla trekking. You will be close enough (sometimes just 3-5 metres) that a telephoto is not essential — wide-angle shots showing gorillas in their forest habitat can be more compelling than tight headshots.
If you carry a prime lens, a 50mm f/1.8 or 85mm f/1.8 produces beautiful portraits with creamy backgrounds in the dappled forest light. A fast 70-200mm f/2.8 zoom is the gold standard but is heavy to carry through the forest.
Avoid bringing a tripod — it snags on vegetation and slows you down. A monopod is lighter but still cumbersome. Instead, brace your camera against a tree trunk for stability, or increase your ISO and accept some grain in exchange for sharper images.
Smartphone Photography
Modern smartphones take excellent gorilla photos. The close viewing distances mean that phone cameras — which have smaller sensors but increasingly good computational photography — produce surprisingly good results. Portrait mode can create effective background blur.
Keep your phone in a waterproof case or ziplock bag between shots to protect it from rain and humidity. Wipe the lens frequently. Use the volume button as a shutter release for more stability than tapping the screen.
If your phone supports manual or pro mode, set a faster shutter speed and higher ISO manually rather than relying on auto mode, which tends to choose slow shutter speeds in low light.
Composition and Etiquette
Focus on the eyes. The intelligence and expressiveness of a gorilla's gaze is the most powerful element of any gorilla photograph. Wait for moments when the gorilla looks toward you or at another family member.
Include the environment. Wide shots showing the gorilla in its forest habitat tell a more complete story than a tight crop of the face. Look for shafts of light filtering through the canopy, misty backgrounds, and the lush green vegetation that frames the scene.
Remember: no flash, ever. Flash photography is strictly prohibited as it can startle and distress the gorillas. Disable flash on all devices before entering the forest. The sound of a flash recycling can also disturb the animals.
Put the camera down for at least part of your hour. The temptation to shoot continuously is strong, but experiencing the encounter with your own eyes — not through a viewfinder — creates memories that no photograph can match.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use flash when photographing gorillas?
No, flash photography is strictly prohibited. It can startle and stress the gorillas. Set all cameras and phones to no-flash mode before the trek.
What is the best camera for gorilla trekking?
Any camera with good high-ISO performance works well. Full-frame mirrorless cameras excel in the low light, but modern smartphones also produce excellent results given the close viewing distances.
Should I bring a tripod?
No, tripods are impractical in the dense forest and slow you down on the trek. Brace against trees for stability or increase your ISO instead.
Summary
Shoot at high ISO (1600-6400), wide aperture, and fast shutter speed (1/250s+). A 24-200mm zoom covers most situations. No flash. Bring a lens cloth for condensation. Focus on the eyes, include the forest habitat, and remember to put the camera down and simply watch.