Gorilla Trekking in Uganda

Gorilla trekking in Uganda is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to connect with nature and witness the beauty of mountain gorillas. With proper preparation and respect for the environment, your adventure will leave you with lasting memories of this incredible experience.

Deep within the lush rainforests of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, you'll have the chance to witness the rare and majestic mountain gorillas in their natural habitat. Uganda, a premier destination for this activity, promises an unforgettable journey filled with excitement, education, and awe.

What is Gorilla Trekking?

Gorilla trekking involves venturing into dense forests in search of habituated gorilla families. Once located, you spend one magical hour observing these magnificent creatures up close, learning about their behaviors, snapping photos, and recording memories. It’s a heartwarming experience that combines adventure with education.

Where to Trek Gorillas in Uganda?

Uganda boasts two exceptional destinations for gorilla trekking:

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

Located in southwestern Uganda, Bwindi is home to 19 habituated gorilla families across four sectors: Buhoma, Ruhija, Rushaga, and Nkuringo. Its dense forests also harbor unique bird species, butterflies, and scenic hiking trails.

Mgahinga Gorilla National Park

Nestled in Kisoro District, this park is part of the larger Virunga Conservation Area. It is home to two gorilla families: Nyakagezi and Hirwa. Mgahinga also offers golden monkey trekking and spectacular views of the Virunga volcanoes.

Permit Cost:

Gorilla permit - Non Foreign residents in Uganda will pay $800 and $700 foreign residents with working permits. Citizens of the East African Community will pay UGX300,000 for a gorilla permit.

Best Time to Visit:

The dry seasons from June to September and December to February are ideal. Trails are less muddy, and the weather is more favorable.

Minimum Age:

Visitors must be at least 15 years old to participate in gorilla trekking

Group Size:

A maximum of 8 people is allowed per gorilla family to minimize disturbance and enhance the experience.

Essential Information for Gorilla Trekking in Uganda

What is the best time to go for gorilla trekking?

Gorilla trekking in all national parks in Africa can be done at any time throughout the year though the best period is during the dry season in the months of June to September and December to February. The dry season is also known as the peak season and visitors prefer to do gorilla trekking during this time when there is less rainfall in the destinations, therefore access roads will be passable and the trails in the jungle will be dry and less slippery compared to the wet season when the trails are muddy and slippery.

Can a disabled person participate in gorilla trekking?

Yes, gorilla trekking is also possible for the disabled visitors in that they will be carried in a traditional bamboo stretcher or a modern sedan chair which is made of steel base, seat belts and handles to make transportation so easy and comfortable. This activity is for all the youth, old, elderly, among others.

What is the minimum age for trekking?

Gorilla trekking in the gorilla destinations allows any visitor that is above the age of fifteen years, therefore any child below the age of 15 are prohibited from trekking these apes because the children’s behaviors are unpredictable in that they can make noise while in the presence of the gorillas or even run which is not allowed therefore to prevent such behaviors, children are not fit to trek gorillas.

Where can I stay during the gorilla trekking safari?

There are a wide range of up market, mid-range and budget accommodation offering quality services and facilities like comfortable beds, en suites bathrooms with cold and warm water, restaurant where you can access meals at any time of the day, free WIFI in public areas, gardens for relaxation after gorilla trekking great scenic views among others.

What can do apart from gorilla trekking?

Gorilla destinations in Africa have a wide range of interesting activities to offer apart from gorilla trekking such as golden monkey trekking in Mgahinga national park, volcanoes national park, bird watching, Batwa trail experience in Bwindi national park, cultural encounters, nature walks, visiting Dian Fossey graves in volcanoes national park, among others.

Gorilla trekking is an incredible and breathtaking activity in Africa which offers unforgettable experiences on your safari.

What to Pack for Gorilla Trekking

To ensure a comfortable and safe trek, pack these essentials:

Long-sleeved shirts and trousers
Sturdy hiking boots
Waterproof rain jacket
Gardening gloves
Hat and sunscreen
Backpack for snacks and water
Camera (no flash allowed)

Rules and Etiquette During Gorilla Trekking

Keep a 7-meter distance from the gorillas.
Do not feed or touch the animals.
Maintain a low voice during the trek.
Follow your guide’s instructions at all times.
Do not litter in the park.

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Jungle Uganda Car Rental

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Jose

11:36 15 Sep 24

The experience has been spectacular. Both my family and I are more than delighted. It has been a truly magical journey. We hired a guide in Spanish, Derrick, who accompanied us at all times and showed us each of the beautiful places in this wonderful pearl that is Uganda, and also facilitated and helped us at all times with each of our requests. Derrick is a very good driver and it is clear that he knows every corner perfectly, he was very professional, kind and polite. The accommodations where we stayed were fantastic, with incredible views, surrounded by nature and animals. We were able to see elephants, monkeys, chimpanzees, gorillas, giraffes, zebras, crocodiles, hippos and a long etc.We went to coffee, juice, beer and banana gin cooperatives and met indigenous tribes. I definitely recommend this agency and of course this wonderful experience of visiting Uganda. Thanks for everything spectrum nature safaris!!

Naila Fdez

18:14 11 Sep 24

We had an incredible 15 days tour!Everything was perfectly organized. Great experience. We had a comfortable and spacious car and well prepared for their roads and lands.Special thanks to Gerald, our driver and guide! The itinerary was wisely done so that we could see,learn and enjoy about Ugandan people, its gorgeous landscapes and wild life. He is really well informed about all the tourist and other information about Uganda. He greatly contributed to our beautiful experience.Gerald is not only an excellent driver, but very professional, helpful, attentive, patient, flexible person, and always caring for the smallest detail to make the experience unforgettable and make you feel comfortableOur driver has been much more than a driver and a guide to us, we got to know his beautiful soul through all the long drives, multiple dinners and all the knowledge he has about his home country.We fell in love with Uganda and all the unique and diverse landscapes has to offer.Unforgettable experience and an amazing driver that you can’t miss it.Can only recommend that company and him :)Million thanks!

mathias asiimwe T

15:03 08 Jul 24

E S

08:06 13 May 24

Gerald was an awesome guide. He drove us to Jinja where he booked an amazing nile tour for us. He was very well informed and shared a bunch of tid bits about Uganda during the entire time he drove. He answered all of our questions. After that we did a self drive to Kibale, queen elizabeth national park, Bwindi, Bunyonyi, and Kigali, Rwanada where we met him at the airport. Durning our entire trip he was always available via WhatsApp to answer questions. He booked out gorilla trekking and chimpanzee trekking which was amazing!!! He also got us connected to recommend tour guides for other locations. He is very well connected and does NOT rip you off, a very honest guy! We almost did gorilla habituation which is double the price but he told us to do the trekking instead because then you get to be close to gorillas since they are more comfortable to humans. He knows Uganda very well and will ensure you have a wonderful experience based on what you want to do!

Xavier Rivera

20:59 14 Oct 23

The best experience of our lives discovering the pearl of Africa. Gerarld was the best host we could have had, he adapted the route 100% based on the weather since we are in the rainy season and we lived a 360 degree experience of the country, both seeing animals on the different safaris and getting to know the culture of the country by getting to know different people and sharing all the knowledge.100% recommended, good hotels and we ate very very well, both local and continental food (adapting to the different tastes of the group)

Emilie Fortin-Perreault

13:42 12 Jun 23

Hiring Gerald as our driver was the best thing about our trip in Uganda. His priority is the customer service so he made sure we were satisfied with very details of our travel.Gerald is knowledgeable about his country and very passionate about his job.The price paid is totally worth it. Well, I highly recommend him as a driver.

Jeremy Jacob

19:32 01 Jun 23

During our recent trip to Uganda, we had the pleasure of having Gerald as our driver, and we were absolutely delighted with his exceptional service. From the moment we met him, Gerald's professionalism and expertise behind the wheel were evident. He ensured our comfort and safety throughout the entire journey, making him an invaluable part of our travel experience.Gerald's extensive knowledge of the local area impressed us. He knew the best routes to take, avoiding traffic and providing us with a smooth and efficient travel experience. His driving skills were top-notch, and he remained attentive to road conditions, ensuring a safe and enjoyable trip. We felt at ease knowing we were in the hands of such a competent driver.What truly set Gerald apart was his friendly and warm demeanor. He not only provided transportation but also engaged us in insightful conversations about the local culture, attractions, and wildlife. His passion for his country shone through, and we learned so much from him during our journey. Gerald's dedication to making our trip memorable was truly remarkable.We highly recommend Gerald as your driver when visiting Uganda. His reliability and punctuality were commendable, and we never had to worry about being late or missing out on any activities. With his exceptional service, extensive knowledge, and friendly nature, Gerald truly made our trip unforgettable. If you're looking for a skilled, knowledgeable, and personable driver, look no further than Gerald - he is simply the best!

Tobi Desch

17:33 28 Jan 23

Well where should we even start? It’s been such an amazing experience with Gerald and Matthias (his trainee) traveling and exploring Uganda! We would never have imagined this country as beautiful and full of joy as it is! Gerald made us feel very safe and loved the whole trip! We could talk about everything and ask him anything about everything and we had a LOT of questions! We really got to know the country and it’s local people! It’s been the best mixture of safari/tourist staff and the local experience for us! If it didn’t suited, we changed the itinerary for everyone’s happiness :-)! Gerald made it as easy as it sounds und his first priority was always getting the best out of everything for his clients - everywhere!After some days it didn’t feel like “guide and clients” anymore, it felt just like family!We’ll be back for sure and really looking forward doing further trips with you!See you soon!

JUNGLE UGANDA CAR RENTAL

At Jungle Uganda Car Rental, we offer a wide range of car rental services, including short- and long-term rentals, self-drive safaris, and chauffeur-guided tours. Whether you need an airport transfer, a vehicle for events, or a convenient pickup and drop-off location anywhere in Uganda, we have you covered.

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