WATCH: Tourist laughs off being nudged by a gorilla during Rwandan trek

Gorilla trekking in the mountainous forests of Uganda and Rwanda is rapidly gaining popularity among safari enthusiasts eager to get up close and personal with these magnificent creatures.

In a TikTok video that has gone viral, a British mother experienced an unexpected moment during her gorilla trekking adventure in Rwanda.

The video, titled ‘POV: my mum and dad went on a gorilla hike in Rwanda and this happened to my poor mum’, was shared by Ella Wenlock and has amassed over 3.7 million views.

The footage captures a group of tourists, donned in masks and raincoats, as they encounter gorillas on their hike.

One gorilla approaches the tourists standing in a pathway within the lush green forest.

As the gorilla moves closer, a guide instructs the travellers to make way and to stop taking pictures.

As the gorilla passes Wenlock’s mum, it gently nudges her off its path.

Wenlock’s mum lets out a little screech, and what began as an intense moment quickly turns into laughter.

“I’m sorry but I can’t stop laughing, it’s the way she tries to escape & then the noise she makes😭😭😭😭 #fyp #hahaha #gorilla #rwanda #rwandagorillas,” Wenlock commented.

Netizens shared their reactions to the video:

@mummah91 remarked, “It’s funny because he didn’t actually need to push her, he did it out of spite 😂.”

Another user, @mgar0033, added: “To be fair, she was taking her time lol🤣.”

@xksbelle commented: “Glad she didn’t get hurt but that was funny as hell because she wasn’t even in the way 😭😂.”

Whilst @xcx.xx.xcx questioned: “Now why would anyone wanna play with their life like this 😭 this is the equivalent to getting in the sea with sharks.”

Fortunately, no injuries were reported during this encounter, and the tour was conducted under the supervision of an experienced guide.

Gorilla trekking is generally safe when participants adhere to the rules and instructions provided by their guides.

The mountain gorillas encountered are habituated to humans and are gentle giants, not inherently aggressive.

Key safety measures include maintaining a recommended distance from the gorillas, avoiding sudden movements or noises, wearing masks to prevent disease transmission, and ensuring necessary vaccinations are up to date.

Travellers are also advised to stay informed about travel advisories for the specific country they are visiting, as security conditions can change over time.