How to Photograph Gorillas in the Wild: A Complete Guide
Ever dreamt of staring into the soulful, wise eyes of a mountain gorilla while it casually munches on leaves and silently judges your camera settings? Well, good news—if you play your cards right (and follow these photography tips), you can do just that without getting side-eyed by a 400-pound silverback.
Photographing gorillas in the wild is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. However, capturing these incredible creatures requires more than just a camera—it demands preparation, patience, and an understanding of both photography techniques and gorilla behaviour. In this guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know, from choosing the right camera gear for photographing gorillas in the wild to reading gorilla body language and ethically photographing these endangered animals.
Table of Contents
1. Choosing the Right Camera Gear for Photographing Gorillas in the Wild
When trekking through Bwindi Impenetrable Forest or Volcanoes National Park, you don’t want to be caught unprepared. The dense jungle, unpredictable lighting, and fast-moving gorillas require the right equipment and settings. Trust me, you don’t want to be that photographer who hiked five hours only to realise their battery died.
Recommended Camera & Lenses for Gorilla Photography
Camera: A full-frame mirrorless or DSLR with excellent low-light performance (e.g., Canon EOS R5, Sony A7R IV, Nikon Z9).
Lenses: A 70-200mm f/2.8 or 100-400mm f/4-5.6 provides versatility and zoom while maintaining a safe distance. A wide-angle lens might seem tempting, but unless you’re planning on getting uncomfortably close to a silverback (not recommended), stick with telephoto.
Accessories: Bring a rain cover, extra batteries, and fast memory cards. The jungle can be tough on equipment—and let’s be real, your camera isn’t going to charge itself when you’re in the middle of nowhere.
Best Camera Settings for Photographing Gorillas in the Wild
Shutter Speed: 1/500s or faster to freeze movement—because gorillas don’t do retakes.
Aperture: f/4-f/5.6 for sharp focus with a blurred background.
ISO: 800-3200, depending on light conditions. The jungle is darker than it looks, so don’t be afraid to crank it up.
Focus Mode: Continuous Autofocus (AI-Servo/AF-C) for tracking movement.
Shooting Mode: Burst mode ensures you capture every fleeting moment—because that perfect expression lasts about as long as your patience for bad Wi-Fi.
(Looking for more photography tips? Check out this guide on improving your wildlife shots.)
2. Understanding Gorilla Behaviour & Body Language While Photographing
Gorillas are intelligent, expressive, and sometimes hilariously dramatic. Understanding their body language helps you anticipate their movements and photograph them respectfully. Plus, it helps avoid accidentally provoking a silverback (not on the travel itinerary, I assume).
Key Gorilla Expressions to Look for When Photographing Gorillas in the Wild
Chest Beating: A display of dominance—a powerful moment to capture! But also a great time to stay still.
Eye Contact: While it can make for an engaging shot, prolonged direct eye contact can be seen as a challenge. In other words, don’t start a staring contest with a gorilla—you will lose.
Yawning or Showing Teeth: A sign of tension or mild aggression. Not a cute sleepy yawn—take a step back.
Playful Behaviour: Young gorillas are curious and active, creating great storytelling images. If they approach you, stay calm—this is a photo op, not an invitation to wrestle.
Grooming & Bonding: These interactions show emotional connections within the group, and they make for heartwarming shots.
Respecting Gorilla Space While Capturing Wildlife Photography
- Keep a minimum distance of 7 meters (23 feet)—not only does this protect both you and the gorillas, but it also ensures you’re not stressing them out. Plus, let’s be honest—they don’t want your germs, and you definitely don’t want theirs. Keeping your distance isn’t just a guideline; it’s essential for responsible wildlife photography.
- Avoid flash photography—because, really, do you want to see what an annoyed gorilla looks like? Spoiler alert: you don’t. Flash can startle them, disrupt their natural behaviour, and ruin your shot anyway. Instead, use natural light and adjust your camera settings accordingly for the best results.
- Stay quiet and move slowly—since gorillas appreciate a calm, non-threatening presence, sudden movements are a no-go. The last thing you want is to startle a silverback because you got a little too excited. So, breathe, stay relaxed, and let the moment unfold naturally.
3. Framing & Composition: How to Photograph Gorillas in the Wild Effectively
Now that you understand gorilla behaviour let’s discuss how to frame your shots for maximum impact. You didn’t hike all this way for mediocre photos, right?
Tips for Capturing Emotion & Detail in Gorilla Photography
Focus on the Eyes: Without a doubt, the most powerful wildlife shots always draw attention to the subject’s eyes. After all, the eyes are where the emotion lives and that connection instantly pulls viewers into the scene. So, whenever possible, make the eyes the focal point of your composition.
Use Natural Frames: To take your shot from good to jaw-dropping, use leaves, branches, or even the natural surroundings to frame your subject. Not only does this add depth and dimension, but it also reminds viewers that, yes, you were actually in the jungle, not just at a zoo with a long lens. Furthermore, this technique helps direct the viewer’s gaze straight to the gorilla, making your composition feel more immersive.
Go Low for Perspective: Instead of shooting at eye level, try dropping slightly lower to change the entire dynamic of the image. As a result, the gorilla will appear larger, more powerful, and undeniably majestic. Plus, this angle naturally enhances the background separation, helping your subject stand out even more.
4. Ethical Gorilla Photography & Conservation
Why Responsible Wildlife Photography Matters
Alright, let’s get real for a second. Mountain gorillas? Critically endangered. Fewer than 1,000 left in the wild. And here you are, wanting to photograph gorillas in the wild. Cool. But if you’re gonna do it, do it right.
- Rule #1: Listen to the park rangers. No, really. These folks know their stuff. You? Not so much. Just follow their lead, and you’ll be fine.
- Do not, under any circumstances, try to touch or feed a gorilla. I promise you, they are not waiting for your banana.
- Want that perfect shot? Great. But don’t go pulling any David Attenborough moves trying to get a reaction. No sudden movements, flash photography or “let’s see if I can make him look this way.” The last thing you want is to become a viral meme titled “Photographer Gets Wrecked by a Silverback.”
- Pick the right tour operator. Because if they don’t care about conservation, you’re just throwing money at someone who’s exploiting wildlife. And that’s not a good look, my friend.
- Here’s the kicker: A chunk of your gorilla trekking permit fee actually goes toward conservation and supporting local communities. So not only do you get to photograph gorillas in the wild, but you’re also making sure future generations get the same shot (pun absolutely intended). That, my friend, is what we call a win-win.
(Want even more photography tips on how to capture gorillas without being that tourist? Check out WWF’s work on protecting mountain gorillas.)
Final Thoughts: Capturing a Once-in-a-Lifetime Shot
Photographing gorillas in the wild is about more than just technical skills—it’s about patience, respect, and storytelling. With the right approach and ethical mindset, you’ll walk away with breathtaking images and unforgettable memories.
Want to experience this firsthand?
Join our exclusive Uganda Gorilla Photography Safari and capture the untamed wild under expert guidance with one of the world’s best photographers, Tim Flach!
