Gorilla Trekking Uganda in 2024 - Ultimate Guide & Gorilla Safaris

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Gorilla trekking in Uganda is a once-in-a-lifetime experience that has you seeing a habituated family of endangered gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. This is one of the most popular activities to include on your bucket list. Meeting the gorillas face-to-face in their natural habitat is a life-transforming activity that never leaves you the same.

However, gorilla trekking in the wild is an expensive activity in terms of costs and requires strenuous hiking to reach places where gorillas live. Therefore, this article aims at helping you plan your gorilla trekking safari expedition beforehand.

What is gorilla trekking?
Where do you go to see gorillas in Uganda?
How much does it cost to go gorilla trekking in Uganda?
How do I get a gorilla permit in Uganda?
How difficult is gorilla trekking?
How old do you have to be for a gorilla trek in Uganda?
Is gorilla trekking worth the money?
Is gorilla trekking in Uganda safe?
When is the best time to go gorilla trekking in Uganda?
What should I wear for gorilla trekking in Uganda?
Best gorilla trekking safaris

What is gorilla trekking?

Gorilla trekking is a guided hike through dense forest jungles to see mountain gorillas in their natural habitat. The activity involves walking through towering, dense brush, ancient trees, and streams with a machete-wielding guide in the tropical rainforest jungles of the Virunga-Bwindi Mountains to see a family of habituated mountain gorillas.

There are an estimated 1,063 mountain gorillas left in the wild and listed as a critically endangered species. Uganda is home to almost half the population of the world’s remaining mountain gorillas. So rare are mountain gorillas that trekking them in the wild is one of the world’s premier wildlife experiences. Observing these gentle giants up close in their natural habitat is one of the most thrilling wildlife encounters in Uganda that transforms you forever.

Daily gorilla treks in Uganda begin at 8:00 a.m. in five visitor centre locations. Trekking travelers are divided into small, controlled groups of eight, an expert tracker, and two armed rangers. Since trekking is done in an untamed area where anything could be potentially harmful, armed rangers are meant to protect trekkers from dangerous animals or anything that could pose a threat.

The expert tracker carries a walkie-talkie to connect with other rangers and trackers and a sharp-edged machete to clear the route. After finding a gorilla family, trekkers are allowed to observe them in silence for a maximum of one hour from a safe distance of about 10 meters. The opportunity to spend a whole hour sitting quietly on the chilly ground of a rainforest jungle in Uganda is one of life’s greatest gifts.

Mountain gorillas can only be seen by trekking into the wild, 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 rugged, steep terrain. Therefore, any traveler intending to go gorilla trekking in Uganda must consider their fitness levels to participate in the activity.

Gorillas live in mountainous areas, which is why they are called mountain gorillas. So, you will be hiking up these mountainous areas to have a great chance of seeing a family of habituated gorillas. Trekking gorillas in their natural habitat directly supports conservation efforts and population growth.

Where do you go to see gorillas in Uganda?

In Uganda, you can go to see gorillas or go gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park in the Virunga Mountain Ranges. These two incredible parks are located in southwestern Uganda, next to each other. They are home to more than half the world’s remaining mountain gorillas, and both offer trekking excursions at five trailheads.

Buhoma Gorilla Sector in Bwindi is home to five habituated gorilla families.
Ruhija Gorilla Sector in Bwindi is home to four habituated gorilla families.
Rushaga Gorilla Sector in Bwindi is home to five fully habituated gorilla families.
Nkuringo Gorilla Sector in Bwindi is home to three habituated gorilla families.
Ntebeko Gorilla Sector in Mgahinga is home to two habituated gorilla families.

There are 160 gorilla trekking permits available per day in all the sectors combined, which have 20 habituated mountain gorilla families.

On the one hand, Mgahinga Gorilla National Park spans an estimated area of 13 square miles in the larger Virunga Mountain ranges. It is home to around 80 mountain gorillas and has two gorilla families habituated for daily visits.

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, on the other hand, spans an estimated area of 128 square miles. It is home to around 480 mountain gorillas, which is half the world’s gorilla population. There are a total of fourteen habituated gorilla families available for visitors here.

Generally, most travelers to Uganda on gorilla trekking safaris go to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park since there are more trekking permits and gorilla families available for trekking than in Mgahinga.

How much does it cost to go gorilla trekking in Uganda?

The cost of gorilla trekking in Uganda is determined by the cost of a permit, which is $800 for foreign non-residents, $700 for foreign residents, and UGX 300,000 for East African citizens, as well as other factors like transportation and accommodation, among others. Going gorilla trekking in Uganda is expensive, and the cost of a permit makes it definitely not a budget experience as it increases the overall cost of the activity. Please note that the permit fees you pay to see gorillas directly contribute to the conservation and protection of these incredible species in the wild.

How do I get a gorilla permit in Uganda?

You can get a gorilla permit in Uganda by purchasing it directly from the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) in Kampala. However, to avoid the long queues and bureaucratic process, we recommend buying through a trusted tour operator. It is more convenient to book through a local tour operator that is able to make all necessary arrangements for a tour. Due to limited availability each day, it is advisable to book in advance. It will give you quick access to the park to trek the gorillas.

How difficult is gorilla trekking?

Gorilla trekking in Uganda involves hiking, which requires a moderate fitness level. Trekkers have to be physically fit and healthy to be more than up to the challenge. Although it is a strenuous activity, 98% of trekking travelers eventually complete it and are issued certificates.

Mountain gorillas live in the remote, densely forested tropical rainforests of Uganda. Going to the appropriately named Impenetrable Forest of Uganda at high altitudes of about 2,600m (8,500 ft) to see the gorillas requires hiking. Trekking through these moderately steep tropical rainforest slopes in search of gorillas is what makes gorilla trekking a very thrilling and life-changing experience.

How old do you have to be for a gorilla trek in Uganda?

15 years. The minimum age for gorilla trekking in Uganda, as recommended by the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA), is 15 years. The applicant’s passport date of birth is used to verify each person’s age. This measure is seriously taken to ensure the safety of both trekking travelers and gorillas.

Trekkers have to be physically capable and mature enough to follow the rules and regulations of trekking. However, children under 15 can still go gorilla trekking in Uganda. Their parents will be required to sign a letter of consent before they embark on the activity.

Is gorilla trekking worth the money?

Is gorilla trekking worth the money? Yes! Gorilla trekking is worth the money and cost because you will be seeing one of the world’s rarest and endangered species in their natural habitat. Mountain gorillas cannot survive in captivity, and therefore, you will have to go trekking them in the wild to have the rare opportunity of seeing them.

Generally, gorilla trekking is worth the money because you’ll not only have a once-in-a-lifetime experience but also generously contribute to the conservation and protection of the endangered gorillas and their habitat. Much of the proceeds from gorilla permits are put back into conservation efforts.

Is gorilla trekking in Uganda safe?

Yes, gorilla trekking in Uganda is considered safe because you’ll be seeing a habituated family of gorillas that are used to human presence. Besides, the Ugandan Wildlife Authority and various conservation organizations have established measures to ensure the safety of both visitors and gorillas during the trek.

Visitors normally go through a mandatory safety briefing before the trek and are led into the forest jungle in a group of only 8 trekkers by an expert ranger guide and two armed rangers for their safety against dangerous animals or attacking gorillas. Conclusively, the activity is safe and not dangerous.

When is the best time to go gorilla trekking in Uganda?

When is the best time to go gorilla trekking in Uganda? The long dry season from June to September and the short dry season from December to February is the best time to go gorilla trekking in Uganda. Many travelers prefer this time of year because it is generally drier and less likely to rain. The ground is less slippery, which makes trekking or following the trails easier than when it rains.

However, you can still go gorilla trekking in Uganda at any time of the year. Those who are not interested in crowds and relatively low-cost gorilla trekking would prefer the rainy season from March to May and August to November (low season).

What should I wear for gorilla trekking in Uganda?

You should wear sturdy hiking boots with good traction, a rain jacket and sweater, lightweight and breathable clothing that protects you from the elements, a hat, sunglasses and a sunscreen, long pants and sleeves to protect against scratches and insect bites, a camera with a strong battery and memory, binoculars, a walking stick, a headband and hair ties, and toiletries, among others.

Proper preparation for what to wear and carrying these items will make for a safe and comfortable gorilla trekking expedition in one of Africa’s rainforests. Read more about what to pack and wear for gorilla trekking.