Porters are local people, often members of community associations, who carry visitors’ daypacks and help them on steep and muddy sections of gorilla and chimp treks. In Uganda and Rwanda, porters are hired at the trailhead for a set fee, often around US$15–20, plus a tip. Many are from families living next to the parks, some former poachers, and the income gives them a reason to protect the forest.
Key takeaways
- Porters carry daypacks and help on steep slopes.
- Hired at the trailhead for a set fee.
- Income supports families next to the parks.
- A tip is appreciated.
Gorilla treks can be tough. Trails in Bwindi and the Virungas are steep, slippery and often cross streams and thick vegetation. Even fit trekkers find a helping hand useful. Porters make the day safer and more enjoyable.
What porters do
- Carry your daypack, camera and water.
- Help you up steep slopes and down slippery sections.
- Clear vegetation and point out roots and holes.
- Share stories about the forest and local life.
Why it matters for conservation
Communities living next to the parks often face crop raiding by wild animals and have few jobs. Porter associations give local people an income from tourism, and many porters are former poachers. When people earn from gorillas, they protect them.
How it works
At the trailhead, porters wait in an organised group. Your guide assigns one to you, and you pay the fee, often in US dollars or local currency. Some lodges arrange porters in advance.
Cost and tipping
The porter fee is often around US$15–20 per trek. A tip at the end is appreciated, especially on long treks. Your guide can advise on current rates.
When to go
Porters are available year-round. They are especially helpful in the rainy seasons, when trails are muddy.
Good to know
- Hire a porter even if you feel fit; it supports the community.
- Bring small notes for the fee and tip.
- Porters also work on chimp treks and volcano hikes.
- Read how fit do you need to be for gorilla trekking.
Who it suits
Porters suit every trekker, especially older travellers, those carrying camera gear and anyone unsure about steep terrain.
Stories from the trail
Many porters have trekked hundreds of times and know the forest well. Ask them about their families, their villages and the animals they have seen. Their stories add a personal side to the trek.
Other ways to support communities
Buy crafts from local cooperatives, visit community projects and choose lodges that employ local staff. See the Buhoma community walk.
What makes trekking hard
Gorillas move every day, so the trek can last from under an hour to five hours or more each way. Trails in Bwindi climb and descend steep ridges, and in the Virungas they cross bamboo and nettles at altitude. Rain makes the ground slippery. A porter’s steady hand on a steep, muddy slope can prevent a fall, and carrying your bag leaves you free to concentrate on your footing and enjoy the forest.
Porters and older or less mobile trekkers
For travellers with limited mobility, some parks offer sedan chairs carried by a team of porters for an extra fee. Guides also try to assign families that are easier to reach. Tell us about any mobility concerns when booking, and we will advise on the best sector and arrangements.
Porter associations
In Bwindi and around Volcanoes National Park, porters are organised in community associations that rotate work fairly among members. Part of the fee may go to a community fund. These associations were set up to make sure that tourism income reaches families living next to the parks, many of whom once depended on the forest for hunting and firewood.
Packing your daypack
Your porter will carry it, but keep it light: water, a packed lunch, rain jacket, camera and spare batteries, gloves and a small first-aid kit.
Etiquette with your porter
Introduce yourself, learn their name and thank them at the end. Pay the agreed fee directly and give the tip personally. A photo together at the end of the trek is a nice memory for both of you.
Plan it
Porters can be hired on all our gorilla treks, such as the 3-day Uganda gorilla trekking safari and 2-day Rwanda gorilla trekking safari.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a porter for gorilla trekking?
Not required, but strongly recommended for safety and to support the community.
How much does a porter cost?
Often around US$15–20, plus a tip.
What does a porter carry?
Your daypack, water and camera.
Are porters available in Rwanda?
Yes, at the trailheads in Volcanoes National Park.
Should I tip my porter?
Yes, a tip is appreciated.
What if I do not need help?
Hire a porter anyway; carrying your bag still helps, and the income supports a family next to the park.
Can porters help with children or older travellers?
Yes. Porters are experienced at helping anyone who needs support on steep ground.
Written by our Kampala-based planners and guides, who arrange these trips every season. Prices and rules are checked before every quote.
