Best Gorilla Trekking in Uganda and Rwanda: Prices -

Share this article

Where can I see Gorillas in Africa?

There are a number of gorilla species in the world, but most people travel to see the popular mountain gorilla. A mountain gorilla is a sub-species of the eastern gorilla species and currently, there are only around 980 – 1,100 mountain gorillas in the wild and listed as a critically endangered species.

Mountain gorillas, as the name suggests, inhabit mountainous regions, and can only be found in three African countries which are Uganda, Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

The first group of the only two wild populations of mountain gorillas left in the world inhabits the Virunga Mountains – a chain of volcanic mountains in East Africa. In this population the gorillas are scattered in groups across Rwanda (Volcanoes National Park), Uganda (Mgahinga Gorilla National Park), and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (Virunga National Park). The second population inhabits the mountainous Bwindi Impenetrable Forest in Uganda (aka Bwindi Impenetrable National Park).

Most travellers prefer visiting the mountain gorillas in either Uganda or Rwanda unlike the Democratic Republic of Congo due to the current safety issues there.

Note that if you do gorilla trekking in Rwanda or Congo, much of the information such as preparation, packing, and the actual hiking experience remain fairly similar.

Where can I See Gorillas in Uganda?

There are two gorilla trekking destinations in Uganda where travelers can see or experience an up-close encounter with these great apes. These include Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park in the Virunga Mountain Ranges.

Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, which provides a home to around 80 mountain gorillas, has two gorilla families habituated for visitors. It covers an estimated area of 13 square miles in the larger Virunga Mountains.

Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park is home to around 480 mountain gorillas, nearly half the world’s population. Fourteen gorilla families have been habituated for visitors here. It covers an estimated area of 128 square miles.

The two parks are located in southwestern Uganda next to each other, and both offer trekking excursions at five trailheads.

Buhoma Gorilla Sector, home to three habituated gorilla families
Ruhija Gorilla Sector in Bwindi, home to three habituated gorilla families
Rushaga Gorilla Sector, home to five habituated gorilla families
Nkuringo Gorilla Sector, home to three habituated gorilla families
Ntebeko Gorilla Sector in Mgahinga

All the sectors combined have 20 habituated mountain gorilla families, with 160 gorilla trekking permits available per day.

However, it is important to note that the gorillas keep roaming all over, which means they aren’t aware of things like park or country boundaries, and so the number of families that can be visited may vary if they migrate.

Most visitors to Uganda on gorilla trekking safaris go to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest NP, as there are more permits and gorilla families available for regular visits.

If you book a tour through Stingers Africa Safaris, we will pick the area and region for you based on your itinerary and lodging options.

Where is the better place to see gorillas in Uganda?

Many travelers are usually left wandering or unsure which of the two destinations—Bwindi or Mgahinga—is a better place to see the gorillas in Uganda.

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, which accounts for half of the world’s total gorilla population, is the best destination to see these great apes in Uganda. This prehistoric, montane, and lowland forest spans 131 sq km (128 sq mi). It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site because of its incredible biodiversity, and many endangered species find sanctuary within its protected boundaries.

Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is Uganda’s second gorilla park and takes a 13-square-mile portion of the more extensive Virunga habitat, stretching 168 square miles into Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Mgahinga is occupied by three of the eight major Virunga peaks: Mount Gahinga, Mount Sabyinyo, and Mount Muhabura.

However, Bwindi’s magnificence surpasses all the other gorilla trekking destinations, including Volcanoes and Virunga parks, with more habituated gorilla families and permits available for trekking excursions. The park has several other activities within and around it, including birding, nature walking safaris, community programs, and habituation experiences.

The section you choose for your gorilla trekking excursion will depend on where the gorilla permit will be available at the time of booking. It can be challenging to own the choice because of the scarcity of permits during the peak seasons of June to August and December to February (consider booking as early as 12 months upfront). But the low seasons of March to May and September to November offer you an opportunity to choose which trailhead suits you.

So, whether it is Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park or Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, you have about the same chances of seeing the gorillas, although there are a lot more gorillas in Bwindi than in Mgahinga, and you are more likely to get a permit and trek gorillas in Bwindi. However, the chances are about the same regardless of which park or section of Bwindi you trek, as each group will be assigned to trek a specific gorilla family.

The actual hiking experience may vary a bit depending on which region one chooses. However, they are all relatively similar. Although hiking is a bit easier in Mgahinga than in Bwindi, it all depends on the day and the location of the gorillas.

Where can I See Gorillas in Rwanda?

The magnificent Volcanoes National Park, which spans 160 square kilometers (62 square miles) of outstanding rainforest, settles in north-west Rwanda. It constitutes five of the eight volcanoes in the Virunga Mountains range: Mount Muhabura, Mount Sabyinyo, Mount Karisimbi, Mount Gahinga, and Mount Bisoke.

Volcanoes National Park is home to ten gorilla families with a total of about 380 mountain gorilla individuals. It is part of the wider Virunga Mountain ranges, which extend all the way to the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Volcanoes is a mystical backdrop for Rwanda’s intensive gorilla conservation adventures. Gorillas are critically endangered primates that spend the majority of their waking time on the ground in search of food. They are easy to track because they travel less than 1 kilometer (0.6 miles) each day. You will be guided by a skilled gorilla tracker through the park’s towering African redwoods, bamboo, tangles of vines, and blooming lobelias to the location of your exciting up-close encounter with one of humans’ closest living relatives.

What is gorilla trekking?

Gorilla trekking entails a guided hike through towering, dense brush and ancient trees with a machete-wielding guide in the tropical rainforest jungles of the Virunga-Bwindi highlands to see mountain gorillas in their natural habitat.

Tourists may only see these endangered apes by trekking into their mountainous home since they cannot thrive in captivity. The forest jungles are dense and misty and reach a height of 14,763 feet (4,500 meters) above sea level in this rugged, steep terrain.

Daily treks begin at 8:00 a.m. in five visitor center locations in small, controlled groups of eight tourists, an expert tracker, and two armed rangers. You will be moving through an untamed area where anything could be harmful. So, armed rangers are for your safety from dangerous animals or any potential threat that causes visitors harm. The expert tracker will also carry a walkie-talkie to connect with other rangers and trackers and a sharp-edged machete to clear your route. Your tracker guide will be in touch with a different team of rangers who set out early in the morning to locate the gorillas before they leave their nests and stay with them all day. After identifying their location, coordinates are sent to your tracker, which makes trekking less challenging on your side.

After finally finding a gorilla family, you’ll be required to wear your facemask and observe them from a safe distance of about 32 feet (10 meters) in silence for one hour. There is less movement during your encounter because they are usually found during their mid-morning break. Mountain gorillas are relatively placid creatures, and they will kindly ignore you unless you start to break the norms. The opportunity to spend a whole hour sitting quietly on the chilly ground of a forest in Uganda would be one of life’s greatest gifts. Any traveler must be of average fitness to participate in the activity.

Therefore, gorilla trekking in Uganda is a once-in-a-lifetime journey to see the incredible apes of East Africa’s rainforests on the slopes of the Virunga Mountains and in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Travelers who have been on this excursion in Uganda or Rwanda highly rate the activity.

Do I Need a Permit to go Gorilla Trekking?

Yes! To go gorilla trekking, you must first obtain a tracking permit from the Uganda Wildlife Authority in Uganda or the Rwanda Development Board in Rwanda. We are able to purchase permits on your behalf for up to 2 years from the month of tracking if you prefer to avoid the bureaucracy and delays associated with obtaining them.

Stingers Africa Safaris helps many visitors obtain Uganda gorilla permits for the Nkuringo, Bushasho, Nshongi, MIshaya, Bweza Kahungye, or Busingye groups on the south side of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest or gorilla groups on the Buhoma sector of Bwindi where there is availability. We also process Rwanda gorilla permits on behalf of travelers intending to take a Rwanda safari.

Mountain gorillas are a very rare and endangered animal species, yet they live in a remote and difficult-to-access part of the world. Visiting them in their natural habitat is a very popular activity. As such, you can’t just wander into the thick African jungles on your own and seek out the primates. Even if it were allowed, it would be very difficult and rather dangerous.

Rather, the only safer option to see gorillas in the wild is by booking a permit and taking an official gorilla trek. These are all arranged by the Uganda Wildlife Authority in Uganda and the Rwanda Development Board in Rwanda, and you need to book a permit in advance. Be sure to arrange your gorilla trek, most likely with a trusted tour operator like Stingers Africa Safaris, before you travel to Uganda or Rwanda.

How Much is Gorilla Trekking?

Gorilla trekking is definitely not a budget experience. The cost of gorilla trekking in Uganda depends on a number of factors, and these are what we need to look at, but first we’ll look at the cost of a gorilla permit.

A gorilla permit in Uganda primarily costs $700 for foreign non-residents. The permit is discounted at $600 for foreign residents of East African countries and UGX 250,000 for East African citizens.

These prices include park entry, ranger/guide fees (who accompany you and bush trackers who track the gorilla family’s movement, so you have a better experience seeing them), and a contribution to local community development. However, they don’t include visitors’ transport to and from the park or any accommodation, tips for guides and trackers, or the cost of hiring a porter (between $15 and $20 per person).

While the prices are a little bit high, you should be aware that the proceeds are used for both gorilla and wildlife conservation in Uganda and Rwanda in general. Some of the funds go to the local community to encourage gorilla conservation efforts. The mountain gorilla population has been growing in the past several years, and much of it is attributed to controlled tourism and conservation efforts, partly through trekking permits.

The cost of gorilla trekking in Uganda compares very favorably with the cost of gorilla trekking in Rwanda, where permits are currently $1500 for foreign non-residents.

However, you’ll need more than a permit to access the gorilla sanctuary. Because treks begin early in the morning, take into consideration lodging close to the park’s entrance, which usually includes meals. Also, consider transfers, other activities, and tour operator fees if you’re not backpacking, which we can properly arrange for you in a package.

For instance, if you choose to travel with Stingers Africa Safaris, we’ll charge you $30 to process your gorilla permit alone, without other services. However, the following shows a tentative breakdown should we include the entire package, including but not limited to:

The cost of transportation by road from the airport to the gorilla lodge you reserve in Bwindi can range from $120 to $300. This price covers driver fees and petrol for a 4×4 hired vehicle.
A scheduled return flight between Entebbe and Kisoro/Kihihi airstrip (2.5 hours) outside Bwindi costs about $350.
All-inclusive accommodation around Bwindi ranges from $100 to $1000 per night.
Agency fees are between 5% and 30% of the quote.

From the above highlights of the costs of the trip, you can now make an estimate of what you’re likely to spend on a gorilla trekking safari.

Price Comparisons

Country/Authority

Non-Resident

East African Resident

East African Citizen

Uganda

$700

$600

UGX 250,000

Rwanda

$1500

Is Gorilla trekking worth the money?

You can’t put a price on hiking in this impenetrable jungle and having an encounter with a 400-pound silverback in its natural domain. However, gorilla trekking is definitely worth the money because you’ll not only have a lifetime experience but also generously contribute to the conservation of the endangered apes and their habitat. In fact, a big chunk of the proceeds from gorilla permits are put back into conservation efforts.

Conclusively, yes! Once-in-a-lifetime gorilla trekking in Uganda is worth your savings, given that a typical all-inclusive gorilla trekking safari in Uganda is way cheaper than trekking in Rwanda.

How Many People Go on a Gorilla Trek?

The number of people allowed to visit each gorilla family and the amount of time humans interact with them are controlled in order to protect the apes from contracting human-related illnesses or any such threats that could pose hazards. Each group is limited to a maximum of eight visitors in the company of rangers, trackers, and any porters.

Therefore, only eight people are allowed to see a gorilla family in a day. But the number will just depend on the number of people who purchased permits for that particular day and the way that the rangers divide the groups into each habituated gorilla family.

How Likely Am I to See Gorillas in Uganda or Rwanda?

There are pretty high chances (at 99%) of seeing mountain gorillas in Uganda or Rwanda since both countries are home to sizable populations of mountain gorillas, the rarest and most critically endangered primate species in the world. On rare occasions, visitors have reported not having the opportunity to see these incredible primates.

Because rangers, researchers, and guides closely monitor the mountain gorilla families and the trackers are in close contact with field workers from dawn till dusk every day, guides know more or less where the different families are all the time.

Of course, there are no guarantees with animals in the wild. An unexpected encounter with a predator or an overnight thunderstorm may cause a troop to move unexpectedly in a completely different direction during the night when no one is there. However, rangers on monitoring duty will likely pick up their trail the following day. A team of scouts goes out to follow the gorilla tracks before any gorilla trekking excursion starts and stays with the gorillas once they are found. That’s why your guide will carry a walkie-talkie to keep in touch with the scouts for directions.

Some people don’t see the gorillas because they choose to return before they can reach them and encounter them. The reason being that trekking to see these endangered apes can be challenging, especially if the family being visited is further away, and some visitors may find it more strenuous than they imagined and return.

There are no guarantees, of course, as these are wild animals. Although bush trackers usually go out very early each day to find the gorillas, they do not have GPS tags or anything like that, so there is normally a small possibility that they will not be able to locate them, but on rare occasions.

How Long Do I Spend with the Gorillas?

Once you find a gorilla family, you are allowed to spend one hour with them so as to minimize their disturbance. It’s true that sometimes visitors find that this time goes by very quickly, but they have plenty of time to observe them and get all the photos that they want.

How can I Book a Gorilla Trek?

Although visitors can choose to purchase permits directly from the wildlife governing bodies (Uganda Wildlife Authority, UWA, and Rwanda Development Board, RDB) of the two countries, it is more convenient to book through a local tour operator that is able to make all necessary arrangements for a tour, from accommodation to logistics and cafeterias, in the form of a tour package. Therefore, Stingers Africa Safaris will process the Uganda gorilla permit or Rwanda gorilla permit on your behalf at a reasonable booking date. Gorilla trekking is a very popular activity in Uganda and Rwanda and something you will want to book at least six months in advance for convenience purposes as there is limited availability.

How Difficult is Gorilla Trekking in Uganda or Rwanda?

Although the answer to this question clearly varies, gorilla trekking remains a generally challenging and physically demanding activity. Mountain gorillas inhabit remote, heavily forested areas in Uganda and Rwanda. Travel access to the appropriately named Impenetrable Forest of Uganda is only on foot with no paths, no signs, and no directions—and more often than not, in impenetrable jungles without clearings, expect there to be plenty of branches and thorns to watch out for as you walk (which prompts park rangers to carry machetes), challenging terrain, unpredictable weather (very hot, very wet, and very humid, as well as very muddy), and you’ll be hiking at high altitudes of about 2,600m (8,500 ft).

Since gorillas move around on their own free will, there is no particular route to visit them in the wild. So, the amount of time it takes to visit them varies from under an hour to almost a full day, depending on their location and how long it takes the trackers to find them. Treks can be as long as 6 hours each day.

Gorilla trekking in Uganda and Rwanda promises to be the adventure of a lifetime for a traveler hiking in the high altitude and challenging terrain, and the reward seems much better after all of the hard work. So, you can spend most of the day in the jungle or be lucky and have a shorter hike.

However, the good news is that you can get help in the form of porters, a group of young, uniformed men and women offering their services at the trailhead. They are extremely fit locals who can carry your bag or bags at a cost. They offer their services for a minimum of $15 per person, and you’ll be providing a livelihood to several inhabitants of a nearby village. We strongly encourage you to use their services, especially if you feel you are not fit enough to cope with the terrain while carrying your daypack up and down any particularly tricky sections.

Porters are usually former poachers or people who would have looked to the protected forest for a livelihood. Many will be compelled to return to poaching, killing wildlife for bush meat, including the critically endangered primates, if they are unable to find employment or other means of livelihood within gorilla conservation. It’s best to kindly accept their assistance and pay the money for their livelihood because doing so would help to ensure the on-going conservation of gorillas.

Is it safe to trek gorillas in Uganda or Rwanda?

Tracking the mountain gorillas in Uganda or Rwanda is a once-in-a lifetime experience, yet the idea of getting up close to such an imposing creature is terrifying. Contrary to common belief, gorilla trekking is a safe activity, and all reasonable precautions are normally taken to ensure visitors’ safety.

Primatologists have habituated and made these great apes used to human presence and available for trekking excursions. Safety precautions have also been put in place to allow travelers to come close to them safely. Although they are habituated to human presence, mountain gorillas remain powerful and unpredictable wild creatures. A silverback could tear you apart if they detected any harmful intent you imposed on them. Actually, they are the strongest gorilla species and are able to pull twice as much weight off the ground. To prevent such unforeseen encounters, we strongly advise all visitors to strictly follow the gorilla trekking rules.

Basically, gorilla trekking in Uganda or Rwanda is one of the best wildlife experiences in Africa. There are stringent safety precautions in place, and the field guides who accompany you on the treks are total professionals who know more about the gorillas and their behavior than anyone else. That means you will track the gorillas with expert field guides who have been in this game for decades and are as knowledgeable of the forest as they are of the back of their hands.

You will delve into the gorilla jungle in the company of two armed rangers to ensure your safety from any aggressive attacks. Make sure that you’re very safe and never wander away from the trekking group. Gorillas will bear with your presence for the allotted amount of time if you remember that you are a visitor in the wild. To stay safe, follow the guide’s instructions during the entire expedition.

Gorillas are vulnerable to human diseases, and therefore, by law, you’re not allowed to reach out and touch them in any way. There are times when they reach out and touch you, especially the curious young ones. Until then, follow the instructions issued by your guide and humbly avoid any contact with the gorillas. Never make sudden movements when the silverback charges; curl down in a submissive position, and he’ll back down.

When is the Best Time to Go Gorilla Trekking in Uganda or Rwanda?

While gorilla trekking is a year-round activity, the best time to see mountain gorillas in Uganda and Rwanda is during the dry seasons of June to August and December to February, if you are flexible when you visit. These periods offer the best hiking conditions since the forest floor is drier, less slippery, and has the lowest risk of malaria.

Although there is always a possibility of rain in this mountainous region (remember, it’s a tropical rainforest), it is less likely at this time of year, meaning you are less likely to get soaked during your trekking experience, and photography will be more rewarding.

The roads may be impassable with mud during the heavy rains of April and May, and your safari experience could be disrupted, which at times is annoying. The wet seasons are considered the low travel seasons in Uganda and Rwanda, where fewer travelers are hosted in the country. That means prices are usually lowered to attract the few that may come in. Some bold travelers who can withstand the drenching walks use the low seasons to take advantage of the discounts (if there are any) and privacy at some of these destinations. You could find yourself alone in the entire lodge or trekking with only the rangers during these periods.

What Is the Minimum Age for Gorilla Trekking in Uganda and Rwanda?

To begin with, the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) and Rwanda Development Board (RDB) recommend a minimum age of 15 for gorilla trekking. The applicant’s passport date of birth is used to verify each person’s age.

However, it is still possible for children under 15 to go gorilla trekking only in Uganda. They can go trekking in Uganda’s Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, which is more of a forested area with vegetation cover than mountainous terrain. Here, parents of such children will be required to sign an indemnity form so that in case they (the children) fail to make it through the trek, parents may not hold it against the park authorities. But they will always try to allocate them to a gorilla group known to be closer. Anyhow, there are minimal cases where they fail to make it. Above all, we encourage parents to make necessary arrangements for their children’s care in advance by hiring porters because you’ll probably be on your feet for several hours, if not the majority of the day.

Gorilla Trekking Tours in Uganda and Rwanda

Stingers Africa Safaris offers many packaged itineraries that include gorilla trekking, which is very popular. However, if you just have a short amount of time in Uganda or Rwanda, you may also reserve shorter, more focused packages that concentrate on gorilla trekking. Make sure the trekking permit is included when considering gorilla tours, as they are rather expensive. There are a few choices to think about listed below.