Gorilla trekking in Uganda is offered in only two national parks: Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga National Park, both found in the southwestern region. These parks are close to the Virunga Mountains but each is unique in its own way.
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is home to almost half of the world’s mountain gorillas, about 450 individuals. They are spread across four sectors of the park: Buhoma, Ruhija, Nkuringo, and Rushaga. Gorilla habituation is also possible in the Rushaga sector. In total, there are 20 habituated gorilla families open to tourists.
Mgahinga is one of the smallest national parks in Uganda, covering 31.9 square kilometers. Despite its size, it is home to both mountain gorillas and golden monkeys. Nyakagezi is the only gorilla family available for trekking in Mgahinga.
Gorilla trekking allows visitors to spend one hour with mountain gorillas, though the full experience can take between 1 and 8 hours. Only eight visitors are allowed to trek a gorilla family per day, and all participants must attend a briefing before entering the forest.
Beyond gorilla trekking, Uganda has many other experiences to enjoy.
Top things to do after gorilla trekking in Uganda
- Visit Lakes: If you have limited time, you can visit Lake Bunyonyi or Lake Mutanda, both located in southwestern Uganda near Bwindi and Mgahinga. Activities here include canoeing, boat cruises, fishing, bird watching, hiking, cycling, visiting islands, and relaxing by the lakeshores.
- Game Drives: From Bwindi, you can easily drive to Queen Elizabeth or Lake Mburo National Park for game drives. These parks offer many animals such as elephants, lions, zebras, warthogs, baboons, antelopes, and birds like hornbills, eagles, and weavers.
- Boat Trips: In Queen Elizabeth, boat rides on the Kazinga Channel give you a chance to see hippos, crocodiles, and many water birds. At Lake Mburo, you can also enjoy a rewarding boat cruise.
- Golden Monkey Trekking: In Mgahinga, you can trek golden monkeys either before or after gorilla trekking. The tour starts with a briefing and then you head into the forest, spending about three hours in total, with one hour spent watching the monkeys.
- Cultural Encounters: Visit the Batwa or Bakiga communities to learn about their traditions. You can taste local food, buy handmade crafts, and enjoy music and dances. Uganda has over 50 different cultures, and these visits give you a taste of that heritage.
- Hiking: You can hike one of the Virunga volcanoes such as Mount Sabyinyo, Muhabura, or Gahinga. At the peak, you get views of Uganda, Rwanda, and DR Congo. Along the trails, you may also see gorillas, golden monkeys, birds, and unique plants.
- Bird Watching: Bird lovers can explore Bwindi or Mgahinga after gorilla trekking to spot species such as Pin-tailed Whydah, Speckled Mousebird, Stonechat, and Grey-capped Warbler.
Other activities include cycling, nature walks, chimpanzee trekking in Kyambura Gorge (Queen Elizabeth National Park), and visiting the Garama Caves. Contact us to help you plan your next adventure after gorilla trekking in Uganda.
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