Home to half of the world’s mountain gorilla population, Uganda is the best to see mountain gorillas. Seeing these gentle giants up close in the natural habitat is one of the most impressive wildlife encounters in Africa, also visiting the gorillas directly supports conservation efforts and population growth.
4 Days Bwindi Double Gorilla Trek Safari This 4 Days Bwindi Double Gorilla Trek Safari offers visitors an opportunity to trek two different gorilla families in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, the most famous and the best gorilla trekking destination in the world. On this Bwindi Double Gorilla Trek Safari you will visit two of the four gorilla trekking
4 Days Uganda Gorilla Adventure from Kigali Unlike the normal Uganda gorilla safari, this 4 Days Uganda Gorilla Adventure from Kigali, starts from Kigali City – the capital of Rwanda. Cross over to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park via Katuna Border. Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is the best gorilla trekking destination in the world and while
4 Days Gorilla Trekking & Wildlife Safari This 4 Days Gorilla Trekking & Wildlife Safari is a short Uganda safari tailored to offer you the best of Uganda in a shortest period of time. On this tour you will trek mountain gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, located in southwestern Uganda and home 22 habituated
5 Days Bwindi Gorilla Habituation and Queen Elizabeth Safari On this 5 Days Bwindi Gorilla Habituation and Queen Elizabeth Safari you will experience Uganda and its amazing wildlife, visit Bwindi Impenetrable National Park for an interaction with mountain gorillas on a gorilla habituation experience. Head to Queen Elizabeth National Park for game viewing safari, an
5 Days Gorillas and Game Safari This 5 Days Gorillas and Game Safari takes you on a grand Uganda safari to Queen Elizabeth National Park for game viewing and boat safari on Kazinga Channel. Then head to the popular Bwindi Impenetrable National Park for mountain gorilla trekking, here you will meet one of habituated gorilla
3 Days Bwindi Double Gorilla Trekking Through Kigali Visit two habituated gorilla families in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park – the best place to trek mountain gorillas on the planet on this 3 Days Bwindi Double Gorilla Trekking Through Kigali. A Bwindi double gorilla trekking through Kigali offers a double gorilla trekking experience, visiting two different
 2 Days Uganda Gorilla Tour in Bwindi From Kigali This 2 Days Uganda Gorilla Tour in Bwindi From Kigali, Rwanda is tailored for visitors interested in tracking mountain gorillas in Uganda’s Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Unlike the normal Bwindi gorilla safaris which start Entebbe which is a drive of approximately 8 to 9 hours, to
3 Days Bwindi Gorilla Habituation Experience Your 3 Days Bwindi Gorilla Habituation Experience takes you an immersive gorilla habituation experience which is only offered in Uganda’s Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in Rushaga Sector. This gorilla trekking experience is different from the usual gorilla trekking trips in the sense that you have a whole day of
5 Days Uganda Gorilla and Cultural Tour Our 5 Days Uganda Gorilla and Cultural Tour is tailored to take you on an adventure to the beautiful Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, found within the Virunga Conservation Area in Southwestern Uganda. Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is the smallest park in Uganda and the second gorilla trekking in
6 Days Flying Bwindi Gorilla Tracking Adventure Are you interested in an encounter with mountain gorillas and Uganda’s incredible wildlife, this 6 Days Flying Bwindi Gorilla Tracking Adventure is a perfect African safari package for you. This Uganda Safari Package takes to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Queen Elizabeth National Park which are the best
4 Days Gorilla Habituation Experience Have an immersive gorilla encounter on this 4 Days Gorilla Habituation Experience, this Uganda gorilla safari takes you to the iconic Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, the only place where this immersive experience is possible. Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is the best gorilla trekking destination in the world with half of
6 Days Uganda Gorilla And Wildlife Safari This 6 Days Uganda gorilla and wildlife safari takes on a safari journey to Uganda’s iconic safari destinations that is Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Queen Elizabeth National Park. In Bwindi Impenetrable National Park you will encounter the endangered mountain gorillas in the natural habitat, within one hour
Where to trek gorillas in Uganda
There are two gorilla trekking in Uganda that is Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. By far, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is the more popular choice for gorilla trekking in Uganda as it hosts a greater population of gorillas, it is best situated for fly-in safaris and has a great range of accommodation options.
The park you will choose to do gorilla trekking in Uganda will depend on your wider plans and the time you have for a gorilla trek, there is no difference in gorilla permit prices or chances of sighting across these two gorilla destination.
These two gorilla trekking destinations are found in the South-west region of Uganda, making it easy to combine a savannah safari with gorilla trekking thus creating a single Uganda safari itinerary with once-in—lifetime experiences.
Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is the best gorilla trekking destination in Africa and the main gorilla destination in Uganda, the park is home to half of the remaining mountain gorilla population.
Bwindi has 20 habituated gorilla families which can be accessed from four trail heads; Buhoma, Ruhija, Rushaga and Nkuringo.
Each trail head in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park has its own characteristics, families and levels of difficulty.
Departing from one of the four trailheads on the perimeters of the forest, you join a group of other trekkers (maximum group size of 8 people) for a guided hike into the forest in search of one of the 20 habituated gorilla families.
Led by an experienced Uganda Wildlife Authority guides, you will be introduced to the ecology of the forest and the changing landscape as you trek to the gorillas. Your guides are in communication with the team of trackers who will have been shadowing the gorillas since day break. The trackers direct your guides to bring you to the mountain gorillas.
The 4 Trailheads of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park’s habituated gorilla families can be accessed from four trail heads: Buhoma, Ruhija, Rushaga and Nkuringo. Each trail head has its own characteristics, families and levels of difficulty.
These trailheads serve as launch points for treks to 11 fully habituated (and three semi-habituated) gorilla family groups. The standard gorilla treks depart in the morning and include up to one hour observing the gorillas from a distance of about seven meters.
The treks can be quite challenging, and you need to be prepared to trek for up to 6 hours, although most sightings happen within 2-3 hours.
Gorilla Families in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Gorilla Families in Buhoma Sector
Gorilla Families in Ruhija Sector
Gorilla Families in Rushaga Sector
Gorilla Families in Nkuringo Sector
Gorilla Trekking in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park
Situated close to the border with Rwanda, Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is a popular gorilla trekking destination for cross over itineraries with Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park. Also, it is the only place in Uganda where you can trek golden monkeys.
Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is more secluded than Bwindi and the treks are not as challenging. There are fewer permits available here. Although gorilla families constantly cross the border from Rwanda to Uganda, there is only one family habituated to visit on a gorilla trekking in Uganda adventure that is the Nyakagezi group, this family has five silverbacks, two adult females and three young gorillas.
Traditionally, Mgahinga Gorilla National Park was used as an over-flow gorilla trekking destination for Bwindi but that has changed for two reasons. The first is that the increase in the cost of Rwandan gorilla permits to $ 1,500 per person has prompted visitors to explore Rwanda and then cross the border to Mgahinga where the treks cost $800 per person.
The second reason is that Mgahinga is such a wonderful place to visit. Situated so closely to the beautiful lakes of Mutanda and Bunyonyi, you could spend a week in the far south-west.
Also, you can climb the Volcanoes at Mgahinga, all pretty intense hikes surpassing 4,000 metres with 8-9 hours hiking, but a very rewarding adventure.
Mgahinga accounts for around 10% of all gorilla treks in Uganda, the vast majority are done in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.
Securing a gorilla permit in Uganda
Gorilla permits in Uganda currently cost US$ 800 per person.
Gorilla permits in Uganda are no longer discounted during the rainy season, but they are easier to secure at short notice if are traveling during Uganda’s long rainy season (March to May) or in the short rainy season (October to November).
In the peak travel months (January – February and June – August), gorilla permits can sell out as early as a year in advance. The permit numbers are strictly limited, so we strongly recommend planning early.
On advantage of visiting gorillas in Uganda is the relatively cheap permit costs compared to neighboring Rwanda where the permit prices sit at an eye-watering $1,500 USD per person at time of writing.
If you are interested in spend more time with mountain gorillas, consider joining the gorilla habituation experience in the Rushaga sector of Southern Bwindi. This experiences includes up to four hours with the family, observing the individuals and their interactions, and costs $ 1,500 per person.
Gorilla permits are non-refundable, but if you trek and do not see the gorillas, the Uganda Wildlife Authority will refund 50% of the permit cost. This happens very rarely.
Best Time to go gorilla trekking in Uganda
Uganda experiences equatorial climate meaning temperatures remain quite consistent all year-round. Rainfall is all that separates the seasons. March to May is the long rainy season, and October to November is the short rainy season.
Gorilla trekking in Uganda can be done any time of year
What to wear on gorilla trekking in Uganda
Trekking through the dense forest thickets in both Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park require a well-considered get up. Because of the equatorial climate, you will need to be prepared for rains no matter what time of year you are travelling. While you want clothing that protects you from the elements, you also need to keep cool for the 2-6 hour trekking, so you will want light and comfortable clothing.
Here is the essential clothing to carry
Accommodation in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park
There are limited accommodation options in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, these options range from budget, midrange to luxury and they include
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Accommodation in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park has a wide range of accommodation ranging from budget, midrange to luxury found in the four sectors. These include