Seek out Ugandas mountain gorillas in their highland rainforest home
Mountain gorillas live in the wilds of Africa’s rainforests
Mountain gorillas are estimated to be living in Uganda
Gorilla families can be tracked on gorilla trekking trips
Gorilla trekking permits are available per day for visitors
Uganda is the most popular destination for gorilla trekking, with travellers visiting from all corners of the world to spend an hour with these captivating creators. From watching the family forage & feed, mothers nursing & nurturing their young, to the babies swinging & playing amongst the trees, to marvelling at the mighty prowess of the silverbacks! There’s nothing quite like observing this close knit family in their natural rainforest home, surrounded by the sounds of the wilds echoing around you.
In our Uganda gorilla trekking guide you’ll find all the information you need to plan your own gorilla trekking safari & help you choose your perfect itinerary. Discover where to track the mountain gorillas, learn about the gorilla families, how to reach the rainforests, when to travel on your gorilla safari & take a look at our top recommendations for the best gorilla safari lodges.
Rivers of morning mist fill the valleys of south western Uganda, home to the mountain gorillas
Where to Track Gorillas in Uganda
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park nestled in the far southwestern corner of the country is the most visited Uganda gorilla trekking destination, an alluring world of ancient highland rainforest with swirling mists flowing through its valleys. Bwindi is home to the greatest number of habituated mountain gorillas of any national park & is the destination with the greatest number of daily gorilla trekking permits. Bwindi Impenetrable National Park was designated a UNESCO world heritage site in 1994, not only in recognition of its status as refuge to the remaining mountain gorillas, but also its staggering biodiversity which is truly breathtaking. The park also is renowned for its gorilla habituation exercise, the only gorilla safari destination to offer this experience. This is a truly authentic gorilla trekking trip deep into the rainforest off the beaten track, whereby you contribute to the habituation of a wild mountain gorilla family, before they’re regularly tracked on standard Uganda gorilla trekking trips.
Uganda’s second mountain gorilla population lives a short distance to the south of Bwindi across idyllic highland lakes on the slopes of the Virunga massif, a chain of mystical volcanoes with skirts of lush rainforest & crowns of clouds. Mgahinga Gorilla National Park protects the Uganda section of the Virunga Volcanoes, while Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda & Virunga National Park in D.R. Congo makes up the other cover the rest of the range, completing this very special transnational protected area. While the mountain gorillas do move between Mgahinga Gorilla National Park’s & those bordering, some gorillas are permanent residents & have been habituated for gorilla trekking. Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is a more secluded Uganda gorilla trekking destination thanks to the fewer number of available gorilla trekking permits, but still boasts many facets, with stunning volcano peak views, cultural experiences offered by the Batwa, volcano hiking trails & chance to track the Virunga massif’s endemic golden monkeys in bamboo forests, it’s an intriguing destination of its own.
Gorilla tracking in Uganda takes place from five gorilla trekking trailheads in two national parks
Uganda's Mountain Gorilla Families
Uganda is home to 20 habituated mountain gorilla families which can be tracked on gorilla trekking trips in both Bwindi Impenetrable National Park & Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. Uganda has both the region’s highest number of habituated gorilla families & number of daily available gorilla trekking permits. Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is home to 19 of these gorilla families, where gorilla trekkers track the gorillas from four trailheads leading into the rainforest at; Buhoma, Ruhija, Rushaga & Nkuringo. Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is home to the final habituated gorilla family in Uganda.
In addition to these 20 habituated gorilla families, there are three more families currently undergoing the habituation process, one family at each of the Bwindi’s trailheads at; Buhoma, Rushaga & Nkuringo. One more family at Ruhija has been identified as suitable to undergo the habituation process & is expected to commence soon. For those gorilla trekkers who want to participate in the gorilla habituation exercise, at present only the Bikingi gorilla family at Rushaga is open to this tourism activity. When booking your Uganda gorilla trekking permits please note it is possible to choose the trekking location, but the gorilla family you track on the day is decided by the park rangers. With the mountain gorillas estimated location & gorilla trekkers fitness taken into consideration. If there is a specific gorilla family you wish to track by all means do make it known to your safari operator & the park rangers, but there can be no guarantee.
If you would like to read more details of each of the mountain gorilla families you can visit in Uganda, you can browse our ‘Meet Uganda’s Gorilla Families’ article for more in depth information.
A mountain gorilla and her baby spotted on a gorilla trekking safari to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
How to Travel to Uganda's Gorillas
When travelling from outside of East Africa, gorilla trekkers travelling to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park or Mgahinga Gorilla National Park will fly to either Entebbe International AIrport in Uganda, which is 40 km south of the countries capital city Kampala, or to Kigali International Airport, in Rwanda’s capital city and then cross the border overland. These airports are well connected through routes such as from Johannesburg which is a 4 – 7 hours flight with carriers such as Uganda Airlines, RwandAir, Kenya Airways & Qatar Airways, from Dubai which is a 6 – 8 hours flight when flying with Uganda & Rwanda’s national carriers, Emirate * Flydubai or from many of the European hubs with flights ranging from 9 – 15 hours with carriers such as KLM, Brussels Airlines & Turkish Airlines. If travelling from Asia, Australasia or the Americas there are no direct flights, so you’ll need to travel to one of the above mentioned for a connecting flight.
The drive times for gorilla trekkers travelling to the Bwindi Impenetrable National Parks & Mgahinga Gorilla National Parks gorilla trekking trailheads vary widely, this is due to the distances involved & different road qualities. If driving anticlockwise along the rainforest edge, it would take about 9 hours to complete the route from Buhoma in the northwest to Nkuringo in the southwest. As a rough guide the drive times from Kampala are 9 – 10 hours to Bwindi’s Buhoma or Ruhija gorilla trekking trailheads & 11 – 12 hours to Rushaga or Nkuringo gorilla trekking trailheads, the latter also applies to reaching Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. From Kigali it’s approximately a 5 hours drive plus border crossing time to reach Bwindi’s Rushaga & Nkuringo trailheads or Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, or 6 hours to Ruhija & 7 hours drive to Buhoma. Due to the drive times from Kampala to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park when travelling overland gorilla trekkers often break up the journey with a night at Lake Bunyonyi, Queen Elizabeth National Park or Lake Mburo National Park.
Many gorilla trekkers whose international flights land in Uganda often opt to reduce the travel times with a domestic flight into the rainforest. These domestic flights are operated in Cessna Caravans which fly at lower altitudes offering you some stunning views over the swamps spreading out from Lake Victoria, rolling hills, savannah plains the rainforest highlands. Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is serviced by two airstrips, connecting the park to Uganda’s capital Kampala via Kajjansi Airfield, to Entebbe International Airport & numerous other Ugandan safari destinations. Kihihi Airstrip lies to the north of Bwindi, an approximate 1 hour 30 minutes drive from Buhoma on the north western edge of the rainforest & Ruhija on the north eastern boundary. Kisoro Airstrip is located to the south of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in the shadow of the Virunga Volcano range, a 1 hour 45 minutes drive from Rushaga on the southern park boundary & Nkruingo on the park’s south western edge, as well as Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. Numerous helicopter landing spots are also located dotted around the rainforest, which are used on a chartered basis & serve the more exclusive gorilla safari lodges.
Uganda Wildlife Authority rangers lead gorilla trekking groups in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Uganda's Gorilla Safari Lodges
A wide range of Uganda gorilla safari lodges are available from budget to high end luxury to cater to each gorilla trekker’s needs. Each of Uganda’s gorilla trekking sectors has a varied make up of safari lodge styles & stunning sceneries which gorilla trekkers should weigh up before choosing their gorilla trekking location. We’ve summarised the differences between Uganda’s five gorilla trekking locations & showcased some of our top recommended gorilla safari lodges.
Buhoma Gorilla Safari Lodges
Buhoma has the highest number of gorilla safari lodges, with a particular concentration of high midrange & luxury lodges. Buhoma’s lodges mostly lie to the south of the village along a single road leading to the gorilla tracking trailhead, many perched on the hillside above & below. Those on the eastern side of the road tend to be placed lower in the landscape, with the properties running down to the park boundary, giving views into the rainforest as it looms overhead. Those on the west side of the road tend to have higher vantage points, with views over the rainforest onto the other side of the valley.
Ruhija Gorilla Safari Lodges
Ruhija’s collection of gorilla safari lodges are mostly of a budget or mid range level. This in part is due to the close proximity of the many affluent lodges based at Buhoma & the option of staying at the idyllic Lake Bunyonyi. Both are located a 1 hour 30 minutes drive away, allowing travellers the option to track from Ruhija’s trailhead on day trips. The lodges at Ruhija are nestled amongst the village itself, which is situated along a ridge spur angled away from the rainforest. The scenery combines the terraced farmhill sides leading up to the rainforest fringe, rather than into the forest itself. Thanks to Ruhija’s higher altitude setting, there are also some views on offer over the rainforest on a clear day to the volcano peaks in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park beyond.
Rushaga Gorilla Safari Lodges
The gorilla safari lodges at Rushaga are the most secluded at Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, mostly spread along the park boundaries with rainforest views, rather than in the village of Rushaga itself. A range of lodges catering to different budget levels are available in the area, with the most luxurious lodge of the southern side of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is in Nkuringo. Apart from the gorilla safari lodges on the park boundaries, those located at Lake Mutanda are also popular with travellers gorilla trekking in Rushaga, these are a 1 hour drive away from the gorilla trekking trailhead & offers stunning views over a highland lake to the volcano panorama of the Virunga volcanoes.
Nkuringo Gorilla Safari Lodges
Nkuringo hosts a range of lodges, varying from budget to that amongst the highest of luxury on offer at Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. The relatively few gorilla trekking permits available in the area means there’s a greater feel of seclusion, off the beaten path. The lodges here spread along the rainforest edge, offer views over the Kigezi highlands of southwestern Uganda & the iconic Virunga volcano panorama. Travellers also choose to stay at the idyllic Lake Mutanda, a 1 hour 30 minutes drive from the trailhead rather than on the edge of the rainforest.
Mgahinga Gorilla Safari Lodges
The number of lodges for visitors to Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is limited due to the park’s compact nature & generally lower visitor footprint. There are however lodges available which cater from budget to luxury levels of service & comfort. The lodges are not physically located within the park boundaries, rather most visitors stay in the surrounding rural farmlands, close by in the town of Kisoro, or on the shores of Lake Mutanda which offers a stunning volcano panoramic view, then drive to the park on day trips.
Haven Lodge
A community owned lodge in Buhoma, Haven Lodge is set high up the hillside offering stunning views over the rainforest canopies. Each of the rooms are comfortably furnished & completed with sunken bathtubs.
Mutanda Lake Resort
A comfortable lodge perched on a peninsular in idyllic Lake Mutanda, bathed in stunning views of the Virunga Volcanoes dominating the skyline. Mutanda Lake Resort is a favourite among gorilla trekkers base for tracking in Rushaga, Nkuringo & Mgahinga Gorilla National Park.
Mahogany Springs
A secluded lodge with comfortable cottages nestled in manicured gardens & excellent service, Mahogany Springs is set amidst farmlands, with the Munyanga River flowing past its grounds & rainforest views, a short distance from the Buhoma gorilla trekking trailhead.
Nkuringo Bwindi Gorilla Lodge
A multi-award-winning eco-lodge nestled on a rainforest draped ridge with breathtaking views over the highlands to the Virunga Volcanoes on the horizon. Nkuringo Bwindi Gorilla Lodge is popular with families, couples & friends alike, a must for gorilla trekkers visiting Nkuringo.
Buhoma Lodge
An upmarket gorilla safari lodge located a few minutes walk from the Buhoma gorilla trekking trailhead. Buhoma Lodge offers high levels of both service & comfort, with secluded cottages spread over a rainforest hillside, each with a verandah offering stunning rainforest views.
Sanctuary Gorilla Forest Camp
An intimate gorilla safari camp blending to the rainforest located just inside the park boundaries, offering unparalleled service & memorable stay in their luxury tents. Sanctuary Gorilla Forest Camp is minutes away from the trailhead & is known to have the mountain gorillas visit the camp.
Bwindi Lodge
One of Uganda’s premier gorilla safari lodges, offering unparalleled levels of service from a prime position on the edge of the rainforest in Buhoma. Bwindi Lodge is frequented by local gorilla families & has a range of amenities such as a spa, premium stocked bar & personal butler service.
Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge
The most luxurious lodge positioned in Nkuringo on the southern fringes of Bwindi’s rainforest, offering the pinnacle of comfort, complete personal butler for the duration of your stay. Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge is set to magical views over the highlands to the Virunga Volcanoes.
Bwindi Lodge is one of Bwindi Impenetrable National Parks premier gorilla safari lodges
Best Time Of Year For Gorilla Trekking
Both Bwindi Impenetrable National Park & Mgahinga Gorilla National Park are considered year round Uganda gorilla trekking safari destinations. But when planning your safari, gorilla trekkers should consider both the rainy seasons & the busy tourism seasons before making a decision on when to travel as gorilla trekking permits can become fully booked far in advance.
Uganda’s gorilla national parks have two rainy seasons, one that runs from April to May & the other from October to November, with those months either side tapering into the two dry seasons. The driest months are June to August & January to February. For gorilla trekking the paths are more difficult to navigate during the rainy seasons, making for a harder gorilla trek but they’re not impassable. However the advantage of gorilla trekking in the rains is that it can also give respite from the heat & reduce the haze, which is a bonus for photography. Please note that as the world’s climate patterns shift, the weather seasons have become less regular & tied to these months than they once were. Also both Bwindi Impenetrable National Park & Mgahinga Gorilla National Park are located in the highlands, supporting lush rainforest so it will still rain to some degree throughout the year.
The busiest Uganda gorilla trekking tourism seasons largely mirror that of the dry seasons, but even in the quieter rainy seasons there is still a constant stream of visitors, with the gorilla safari lodges remaining open for gorilla trekkers. The busiest time of year is June to September & the second half of December to January, when nearly all the gorilla trekking permits book up far in advance, leaving only occasional availability. For the lower seasons months of March to May & October to November, gorilla trekking permits can still become fully booked but this occurs closer to the tracking date. In order to avoid disappointment, it’s best to reserve your permits as far in advance as possible, giving you the widest choice of locations to fit your perfect Uganda gorilla safari itinerary.
Gorilla trekking groups are often greeted with stunning sunrises as they commence their gorilla trekking trip
How to Secure Gorilla Trekking Permits
Uganda’s mountain gorilla trekking permits are sold on a first come first served basis, so gorilla trekkers should book their permits in advance, to avoid disappointment. If you are a Ugandan citizen or foreign resident then you can book your gorilla trekking permits directly through the Uganda Wildlife Authority, whose offices are in Kampala. If you are not resident in Uganda you will need to use the services of either an international travel agent or local Ugandan safari operator who will book your gorilla trekking permits on your behalf. While using the latter will incur a booking fee either for solely booking your gorilla permits or as a part of an all inclusive safari package, it has the advantage of removing the bureaucracy surrounding booking the gorilla trekking permits. Additionally when booking as part of a package this removes the hassle of checking availability of the best gorilla safari lodges in relation to the gorilla permit availability to ensure that you stay close by to the correct trailhead & your gorilla safari runs smoothly.
Whether you’re booking your gorilla trekking permit directly with the Uganda Wildlife Authority or through a safari operator the gorilla permit is registered to your full name, date of birth, passport number & nationality. The Uganda Wildlife Authority rangers will check these details registered on your gorilla trekking permit on the morning of tracking, so you need to make sure that you carry this document with you for checks. If you get a new passport between booking your gorilla permit & the date of tracking, then you should carry your expired & new corresponding document.
A mother and baby mountain gorilla form strong bonds in the depth of Bwindi’s rainforest
Uganda Gorilla Safaris
For many gorilla trekkers the trip to see the mountain gorillas in their natural habitat is a once in a lifetime opportunity, & certainly a memorable experience! Whether planning your trip independently or through a safari operator there are many components to consider when choosing your perfect Uganda gorilla safari itinerary. From where to start & end your journey, to the different gorilla trekking locations, stunning vistas to enjoy & perfect gorilla safari lodge to be your home away from home, there are many ways to make your trip unique.
Our gorilla safari specialists have written a collection of Uganda gorilla trekking safari itineraries to inspire you & hopefully guide you to deciding on your perfect trip! If you’re interested in gorilla tracking in Rwanda, D.R. Congo or a multiple country itinerary, you can browse our full Gorilla Safari collection for more ideas.
Gorilla Safari Itinerary 1
5 Day Gorilla Safari
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Gorilla Safari Itinerary 2
6 Day Gorilla Safari
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Gorilla Safari Itinerary 3
7 Day Gorilla Safari
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Our Gorilla Safari Collection
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Uganda Gorilla Trekking Guidelines
Our gorilla safari specialists have collected together both the official gorilla trekking guidelines from the Uganda Wildlife Authority & also added some advice of their own for an overview of best practices while gorilla trekking in Uganda. After all, we want to make sure the experience is enjoyable for gorilla trekkers, while not producing a negative effect on the mountain gorillas we’re all trying to preserve.
UWA Gorilla Trekking Guidelines
- Don’t visit the mountain gorillas if you have a cold or other infectious illness as gorillas are vulnerable to many common diseases carried by humans.
- If you do need to sneeze or cough while with the mountain gorillas, please make sure to cover your face and turn away in order to minimise the chances of spreading disease.
- The minimum age for trekkers is 15 years old, there are no exceptions & no waiver system.
- If you need to urinate or the other while in the rainforest, please do so off the trail & bury in a hole (30 cm deep).
- Maximum 8 people can visit each gorilla family per day.
- Maintain a distance of 7 metres from the mountain gorillas at all times.
- Smoking is not permitted in the national parks on your gorilla trekking trip.
- Eating & drinking is not permitted when with the mountain gorillas.
- Do not use flash photography in the presence of the mountain gorillas .
- Time spent with each mountain gorilla family is limited to one hour on gorilla trekking trips & four hours from when you first find fresh trails or previous nights nests on the gorilla habituation exercise.
Gorilla Safari Specialist Advice
- When you are with the mountain gorillas make sure to keep your voice low & not to mimic the gorilla’s vocalisation, you do not know what you might be saying!
- When in the presence of the mountain gorillas try not to make any rapid movements that may spook them.
- If a mountain gorilla should begin to display or vocalise at you do not be alarmed, stay calm, stand still, look away from the gorilla & follow your rangers directions.
- Don’t spit in the park, this can also spread diseases to the mountain gorillas.
- Do not leave litter in the forest, we want to keep the rainforest in a pristine condition.
- Try to avoid wearing loud, bright colours or fluorescents for wildlife tracking.
- A pair of gardening gloves come in useful for clambering through the vegetation as some of the plants are spikey. You will follow trails into the rainforest, but on nearing the mountain gorillas they’ll most likely not be on the trail & you’ll need to climb some through the undergrowth.
- Don’t overpack your day bag, if the trek turns out to be long you don’t want to weigh yourself down with unnecessary kit. The rainforest is truly beautiful so you should enjoy the hike too.
- While we all want some good photographs of our trip to see the mountain gorillas, try to make sure you spend some time just enjoying observing them as well. An hour can pass very quickly so make sure you strike a balance.
An adult mountain gorilla relaxing in he dense vegetation of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Uganda Gorilla Trekking FAQ's
Our gorilla safari specialists have collected & answered some of your most frequently asked questions on tracking Uganda’s mountain gorillas so you can find the details you need.
A standard Uganda gorilla trekking permit costs $700 USD for foreign non-residents, $600 USD for foreign residents & 250,000 UGX for East African citizens. While there have previously been discounted low season standard gorilla trekking permits, these are now not regularly offered, but we’ll be sure to update you on our Gorilla Articles page if these are available. A mountain gorilla habituation permit, which allows you to spend up to four hours tracking the mountain gorillas from when you find their previous night’s nest costs $1,500 (USD) for foreign non-residents, $1,000 USD for foreign residents, & 750,000 UGX for East African citizens.
You should be of a good level of fitness to complete your Uganda gorilla trek, but you don’t need to be a superstar athlete. It’s impossible to accurately predict how long a specific trek will be in advance on a specific day, as it depends on where the mountain gorillas are in relation to the trailhead on that morning.
Gorilla trekking is considered to be a year-round activity in Uganda, with both Bwindi Impenetrable National Park & Mgahinga Gorilla National Park open & welcoming guests everyday of the year. The easiest trekking takes place in Uganda’s two dry seasons which span from January – February & June – September, these are also the busier tourism months.
The trek to see Uganda’s mountain gorillas can last anywhere from 30 minutes to eight hours, with one hour spent with the gorilla family. In Uganda gorilla trekkers are divided into groups on the day based on ability to try & make sure the trek is enjoyable for everyone.
The mountain gorilla trekking permit costs $400 USD in D.R. Congo, $700 USD in Uganda & $1,500 USD in Rwanda. While D.R. Congo offers the cheapest mountain gorilla trekking permits, when planning the budget for your gorilla trek you should also take into consideration other costs such as flights to closest international airports, visa fees, gorilla safari lodges & overland transportation.
Yes, gorilla trekking is considered safe in Uganda. Before the commencement of the gorilla trek you will receive a safety briefing from the Uganda Wildlife Authority rangers at the park gate, when travelling with a safari company they will also brief you prior to your gorilla trek. So long as you are adequately prepared for what can be a strenuous trek & you follow the guidance of your guides, you should have a safe & enjoyable time.
While gorilla trekkers can’t be promised a 100% guarantee to viewing the mountain gorillas, the gorilla trekking trips in Uganda can boast in excess of 95% successful tracking rates. Each of the mountain gorilla families are tracked daily so the Uganda Wildlife Authority is aware of each groups location the previous day & in addition to this rangers closely monitor their movements, even staying close by to them for days at a time. In the event your Uganda gorilla trekking trip doesn’t result in a successful sighting, the Uganda Wildlife Authority may refund a portion of the cost of your gorilla trekking permit or offer you to track again on the same permit at the head warden’s discretion.
In Uganda gorilla trekkers must be a minimum age of 15 years old on the day of tracking. This restriction is in place for the safety of both the gorilla trekkers & mountain gorillas. There is currently no waiver system in place, so if you’re offered this by a safari company or trekking permit provider, tread with caution. For those below the age limit there are numerous gorillas safari lodges which offer childcare services, or there are other activities available to amuse them such as nature & village walks while the adults track the mountain gorillas.
As a rule of thumb gorilla trekkers tip between $5 – $15 USD per Uganda Wildlife Authority ranger leading the gorilla trek & porter if you’ve chosen to hire one for your gorilla trekking trip. Please note that tipping is not mandatory in Uganda but is always well received. If you don’t wish to tip directly you can give the tip to the lead ranger who will divide it amongst the rangers or there is usually a central tipping box at the ranger post at the start of the gorilla trekking trailhead where you can leave a tip.
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