Meeting the gentle giants of the forests
There are very few wildlife moments as deep and unforgettable as meeting a mountain gorilla in its cool, misty forest home. When you go gorilla trekking in Uganda or Rwanda, you step into their peaceful world. These Great Apes share more than 98% of our DNA, and when you look into their eyes, you feel a strong and almost human connection. Mountain gorillas (Gorilla beringei beringei) live only in the cloud forests of the Virunga Volcanoes and in Uganda’s Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. They stay in family groups led by a strong silverback who guides them, protects them, and keeps order. Watching them forage, play or care for their young in the wild is a privilege that leaves a lasting imprint on every traveller fortunate enough to witness it
Where to Go FOR Gorilla Trekking
Uganda
RWANDA
BWINDI
Our gORILLA tREKKING tOURS
Let our Africa trips inspire you. We are happy to tailor each trip to your wishes and ideas.
What Makes Us Special?
With us you always come first!
EXPERTISE
Our team has many years of experience planning gorilla trekking trips in Uganda and Rwanda. We know the forests, the animals, and the best routes. We guide you carefully so your trip is safe, smooth, and enjoyable. Every step is planned to make your adventure exciting, memorable, and full of discovery.
PASSIONATE
We truly love what we do and care deeply about wildlife, nature, and the joy our guests feel. Every day we work to create an amazing safari experience. We focus on giving you adventure, fun, and connection with the gorillas and forests, making your journey in Africa meaningful, exciting, and full of memories.
PERSONAL
We treat every traveller like a friend. We listen carefully to your wishes and create a trip that fits your needs perfectly. We stay in touch from the very beginning of your planning until the very end of your safari. Every single detail is designed to make your journey smooth, personal, and unforgettable.
Gorilla Habituation Experience
The Gorilla Habituation Experience gives you something very special. Instead of spending only one hour with the gorillas, you can spend up to four hours with them in the forest. This long visit allows you to watch them closely as they feed, rest, play and interact with each other. The time moves slowly and peacefully, and you feel like you are part of their world.
The price for this amazing experience is the same as what you would pay in Rwanda for just one hour of viewing. It is a wonderful choice for travellers who want more time and a deeper connection with the gorillas.
ABOUT US
We are Gorilla Hiking Uganda, a trusted local safari company that operates in both Uganda and Rwanda. We invite you to join us for an unforgettable gorilla trekking adventure. We are an outdoor travel company that focuses on gorilla safaris and we have many years of experience guiding travellers into the tropical rainforests of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and the Virunga Region. We offer these incredible experiences at unbeatable prices. Our gorilla tours are planned by a team of skilled and passionate staff who love nature and understand what makes a safari truly special. If you are planning a trip to see mountain gorillas in the wild, booking with us will give you a safe, exciting, and memorable outdoor experience. You can read more about our company and our values to understand what drives us and how we work.
Contribute to Gorilla conservation with the help of a gorilla trekking tour
Africa is the only place where you can see gorillas living freely in the wild. Western lowland gorillas live in West Africa, and in the east, you will find the eastern lowland gorillas and the famous mountain gorillas. Although gorillas are very large and strong, they are gentle, peaceful and highly intelligent animals.
Sadly, all gorilla species are endangered. Their numbers dropped for many years due to habitat loss and poaching. The mountain gorillas, however, are slowly recovering. In 1981, there were only 254 mountain gorillas left in the world. Thanks to strong protection programs in Uganda, Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo, the number has now grown to more than 1000.
Gorilla trekking plays a big part in this success. The money from gorilla permits helps protect the forests, supports local communities and funds anti-poaching teams. When communities benefit from gorilla tourism, they help protect the animals and their habitat. When you go gorilla trekking in Uganda or Rwanda, you not only meet these wonderful animals, you also help keep them safe for future generations. We would be happy to help you plan your own life-changing gorilla trek.
What our customers ask about Gorilla Tours
What is Gorilla Trekking?
Gorilla trekking is an activity where small groups hike through a forest, led by guides, to observe and spend a set amount of time with habituated mountain gorillas in their natural habitat. The trek can be physically challenging, involving hiking through dense and often muddy terrain, but when you find the gorillas, you get to spend up to one hour watching them in their social setting. The activity requires a special permit, and proceeds help fund conservation efforts and support local communities.
What is the Gorilla habituation Experience?
The gorilla habituation experience is an immersive activity in Uganda’s Bwindi Impenetrable National Park that allows a small group of visitors to spend up to four hours with a family of wild gorillas that are in the process of becoming accustomed to human presence.
Unlike a standard trek, this experience involves accompanying researchers and rangers as they go about their daily routine with the gorillas, offering a unique opportunity to witness their behavior up close and contribute to conservation efforts. It is a longer and more in-depth experience than traditional gorilla trekking, which typically allows for only one hour with a fully habituated group.
What is a gorilla permit?
A gorilla permit is a legal document that authorizes a tourist to trek and view mountain gorillas in a national park for a limited time. These permits are issued by government wildlife authorities and are required to access gorilla habitats in countries like Uganda, Rwanda, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. The number of permits issued per day is limited to protect the gorillas and fund conservation efforts.
How much is a gorilla permit?
A Uganda gorilla trekking permit costs $800 for foreign non-residents, while a Rwanda permit costs $1,500. Uganda’s gorilla habituation permit is $1,500, allowing four hours with semi-habituated gorillas, whereas Uganda’s standard trek is a one-hour experience with fully habituated gorillas. Rwanda does not offer a habituation experience in the same way, and its standard permit allows for one hour with a habituated group.
Do gorilla permits have to be booked in advance?
Yes, gorilla permits must be booked in advance, ideally 3 to 6 months ahead, because they are limited and sell out quickly, especially during peak seasons like June to September and December to February. While last-minute availability is sometimes possible, it is not guaranteed.
What do gorilla trekking permits cover?
Your gorilla trekking permit includes all the essentials for an unforgettable experience. It covers park entry, the trekking fee, and expert guides who know exactly where to find the gorillas. Armed rangers accompany every trek to ensure your safety, and you can hire porters to carry your gear if needed. The standard permit allows a full hour with one gorilla family, giving you plenty of time to observe and photograph them. We can help arrange your permit, but it’s important to book early, as they often sell out months in advance.
When is the best time to trek gorillas?
The best time for gorilla trekking is during the dry seasons, from June to September and December to February, when trails are easier to navigate. In Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, temperatures are comfortable, ranging from 60–77°F (15–25°C). However, gorilla trekking is possible year-round, and many travelers have had amazing experiences even in the wet months. Staying at lodges like Orugano Bwindi Lodge makes rainy days more comfortable, allowing you to warm up and dry off after your trek while still enjoying incredible encounters with the gorillas.
How long does a gorilla trek take?
A gorilla trek can take anywhere from 2 to 8 hours, but it depends on how far the gorilla family has moved and the physical difficulty of the terrain. The time spent with the gorillas themselves is limited to one hour once they are located.
How old do you have to be for a gorilla trekking?
The minimum age for gorilla trekking is 15 years old in all countries where it is permitted, including Uganda, Rwanda, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. This rule is in place for safety reasons, as younger children may not be mature enough to follow the necessary rules and can be more vulnerable to diseases that gorillas are susceptible to.
Are gorilla sightings guaranteed?
No, gorilla sightings are not guaranteed because they are wild animals, but the chances are extremely high, often over 98%, due to expert trackers and rangers who monitor the gorilla families daily. These professionals use knowledge of the gorillas’ habits and daily tracking to guide trekkers to the family’s approximate location. While unpredictable factors like weather can sometimes affect sightings, the success rate for seeing the gorillas on a trek is very high.
What happens if I want to cancel the gorilla trekking?
If you cancel a gorilla trekking permit, the refund amount depends on how far in advance you cancel, with no refund given for cancellations within 8 days of the trek. For cancellations made 9 to 45 days in advance, you get a 25% refund; for 46 to 90 days, you receive a 50% refund; and for more than 91 days in advance, you get a 75% refund. These policies apply to fully paid permits, as deposits are non-refundable.
What to pack for a gorilla trekking trip
For a gorilla trekking trip, pack waterproof hiking boots, thick socks, long-sleeved shirt, long trousers, and a lightweight rain jacket to protect against scratches and mud. You’ll also need gardening gloves for hand protection, insect repellent, sunscreen, and a waterproof daypack with snacks, water, and a camera. It’s recommended to wear neutral colors like greens and browns.
Is it necessary to book a porter?
Booking a porter is not mandatory, but it is highly recommended due to the physically challenging and rugged terrain of gorilla trekking. Hiring a porter is a way to receive physical support on steep paths, have your heavy gear carried, and contribute to the local community’s economy. The porter fee range from 15 to 20 USD.
Is it possible to track Uganda gorillas via Kigali Airport?
Yes, it is possible to track Uganda gorillas via Kigali Airport by driving from Kigali, Rwanda to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in Uganda. This is often a faster option than driving from Entebbe International Airport in Uganda, with a drive time of about 5-6 hours from Kigali compared to 8-9 hours from Entebbe.
How many people are allowed to trek a gorilla family?
A maximum of eight people are allowed to trek a single gorilla family per day to minimize stress, prevent disease transmission, and enhance the visitor experience. For the special gorilla habituation experience, the group size is limited to four people, allowing for up to four hours with the gorillas instead of the standard one hour.
Are gorillas dangerous?
Gorillas are social, calm, peaceful, gentle, friendly and used to humans due to the fact they always spend a lot of time with the guides, and researchers. However, they only tend to be aggressive against humans if only they are being threatened and they will only attack after their peace is being disturbed.
How close can I get to the gorillas?
During your one-hour encounter, you will stay about 7 meters (21 feet) from the gorillas. This distance lets you observe them safely while still feeling very close to their world. You can watch them feed on bamboo, play with their babies, or simply relax in the forest. There are plenty of opportunities to take amazing photos while respecting their space and keeping both you and the gorillas safe.
What other activities do gorilla trekking tours include?
Gorilla trekking tours offer so much more than just gorilla encounters. In Uganda and Rwanda, you can track chimpanzees in Kibale Forest, go on thrilling game drives in Queen Elizabeth National Park to spot elephants, lions, and other wildlife, and visit local communities to experience their culture. For those interested in history, Rwanda tours often include scenic boat trips on Lake Ihema and visits to the moving Kigali Genocide Memorial, providing a meaningful and unforgettable cultural experience alongside your wildlife adventure.
What's the difference between Uganda and Rwanda for gorilla trekking?
Uganda offers a more affordable gorilla trekking experience, with permits priced at 800 USD compared to Rwanda’s 1,500 USD. Beyond gorillas, Uganda allows you to combine your trek with chimpanzee tracking in Kibale Forest and wildlife safaris in Queen Elizabeth National Park. While both countries provide incredible gorilla encounters, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in Uganda offers a more challenging yet highly rewarding trek. With Uganda, you can enjoy the full wildlife experience—gorillas, chimps, and classic safari—all in one unforgettable adventure.