This approach worked for me: http://www.janes.co.za/easy-ipad-gestures-in-your-website-with-jquery/
Below is the code I added to my Functions.php to add in the necessary javascript:
function child_theme_head_script() {
?>
<script src="<?php bloginfo('stylesheet_directory') ?>/js/jquery.touchwipe.min.js"></script>
<script>
jQuery(document).ready(function(){
jQuery('body').touchwipe({
wipeLeft: function(){ jQuery(".nivo-lightbox-next").click(); },
wipeRight: function(){ jQuery(".nivo-lightbox-prev").click(); },
min_move_x: 20,
min_move_y: 20,
preventDefaultEvents: false
})
});
</script>
<?php
}
add_action( 'wp_head', 'child_theme_head_script' );