Best Uganda Gorilla Trekking Guide – Uganda is one of the two best places in the world for mountain gorilla trekking. That is why thousands of tourists fly in every year to see mountain gorillas. Gorilla trekking is the top tourism activity in Uganda and brings in the most money for the Uganda Wildlife Authority.
Before we continue, what is gorilla trekking? Gorilla trekking is a tourism activity where people go on a long walk through the forest to look for gorillas in their natural homes. This walk can take up to 8 hours, and once you find the gorillas, you spend 1 hour with them.
This Uganda gorilla trekking guide is written to help future travelers plan a successful gorilla trekking trip in Uganda. It explains the whole process, from booking your safari to the time you leave. I have included all the important points, tips, and advice. I hope it helps you.
You can book gorilla trekking safaris from Kampala or from Kigali.
Why Uganda for Gorilla Trekking?
Why is Uganda so well known for gorilla trekking? The main reason is the number of mountain gorillas living in the country. Uganda has more than 400 mountain gorillas, and the number can go up to around 500, depending on the season and how many are in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park.
Uganda is home to more than half of all the mountain gorillas left in the world. Most of them live in the forests of Bwindi. That is why Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is one of the most visited parks in Uganda.
If you want to see many mountain gorillas, Bwindi Forest is the best place to visit. This forest has more than 10 gorilla families found in different areas: Buhoma, Ruhija, Rushaga, and Nkuringo.
You can also enjoy other activities like the Batwa Trail or visit places like Lake Bunyonyi, Lake Mutanda, and many others while on your trip. Uganda is called the Pearl of Africa, and I believe you will enjoy every moment of your safari.
Uganda is a good place for both luxury and budget gorilla trekking tours.
Choosing an Operator
In my previous Uganda safaris guide, I gave two types of tour operator lists. One list included general safari companies, and the other focused on gorilla trekking companies.
There is a reason for this. Not all companies can give you a good gorilla trekking experience.
Some companies focus only on gorilla tours. Others focus on bird watching or general wildlife safaris. My article about gorilla trekking companies explains why you should choose a company that specializes in gorilla trekking.
Check out my recommended list of gorilla trekking companies
The company you choose will decide how your trip turns out. If you choose a company with little experience, your trip may not go well. That’s why I suggest you check the list I linked above before paying a deposit.
The companies I recommend have been doing this for a long time, and they have the experience to plan a good gorilla trip. If you want to be sure, check what their past clients say about them on TripAdvisor or Safari Bookings.
Buying a Gorilla Permit
You need a gorilla permit to see gorillas in Uganda. You can buy it from Uganda Wildlife Authority through a tour operator or by yourself. But using a tour operator is easier because they know the process well.
Permits cost $800 in the high season. They are sold on a first-come, first-served basis. So, you should book months in advance if you want to trek in areas with good lodges like Buhoma or Nkuringo.
Most operators ask for the full permit fee and a small deposit for your lodge when booking. You should pay this deposit so that they can buy your permit and reserve your accommodation.
If you book early, try to choose Buhoma or Nkuringo. If you book closer to your travel dates, ask your operator if these areas are still available. If not, you can still get permits for Ruhija or Rushaga.
I suggest you check with Uganda Wildlife Authority to confirm permit availability before you talk to your operator. Some operators wait too long before buying the permit, and you may miss the better trekking areas.
Once you confirm availability, tell your operator, pay the deposit, and ask for the permit receipt after a week. The permit and deposit are yours, and the operator should do what you ask.
Where to Go for Gorilla Trekking in Uganda
There are only two places where you can trek gorillas in Uganda:
- Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park (most popular)
- Mgahinga Gorilla National Park
Bwindi is the most popular and one of the best places in the world to see mountain gorillas. It is home to over half of all the mountain gorillas left and is one of the top revenue-generating parks in Uganda.
Mgahinga is not visited as much as Bwindi, but it is still a good place. That is why it is still open to visitors even though it does not bring in as much money.
So why is Mgahinga important? This park is part of the Virunga Conservation Area, where the Virunga Mountains are found. It shares gorillas with Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park and Congo’s Virunga National Park. Since there are no fences, gorillas can move freely between these countries.
That’s why Mgahinga has fewer gorillas—because they move in and out of Uganda based on things like weather.
Between the two parks, I recommend Bwindi. You are more likely to see a good number of gorillas there.
When to Go for Gorilla Trekking in Uganda
The best time to see gorillas in Uganda is during the dry months. Just like people, gorillas hide from the rain and try to stay warm. So, trekking in the rainy season may not give you the best experience.
The best months are:
- June to September
- December to February
- The worst months are:
- March
- April
- May (these have the most rain)
Also Read: gorilla trekking video for a Safari or Holiday
Why is it important to travel in the dry season? You may not understand until you experience it.
I once met a traveler in March 2017. She said she was tired from a long trip but excited to relax at Lake Bunyonyi. Sadly, things did not go as planned. She had to cut her trip short because the roads were muddy, and she could not do her planned activities. She had paid for car hire but couldn’t use it. It was very cold, and she spent most of her time indoors at Buhoma Community Haven Lodge.
You don’t want the same thing to happen to you. If you want to follow your planned itinerary, I suggest trekking during the dry season.
What’s the Price – Cost of Gorilla Trekking?
The cost of gorilla trekking in Uganda depends on several things. The first is the type of accommodation, second is the kind of vehicle you are booking (van or land cruiser), third is the number of gorilla trekking or other activities you want to do, and last is how many days you want to spend on your gorilla tour.
Accommodation and transport (vehicle or flights) will affect whether your safari is budget, mid-range, or luxury. The choice is yours.
Normally, your safari will cost less if you choose budget lodges and travel by safari van. It will cost more if you choose expensive lodges, use land cruisers, or fly by chartered flights.
Another important cost is the gorilla permit. You need a permit for each trek. Each permit costs $400 in low season and $600 in high season. So your safari starts from that amount.
When you add the price of accommodation, transport, and other things, you will get the full cost of your safari. Please watch the gorilla trekking video below.
Budget or Luxury Gorilla Trekking – Which Is Better?
Which is better between budget and luxury gorilla trekking in Uganda? If you have the money, luxury is always better.
Think of flying from Entebbe to an airstrip near Bwindi in just 2 hours, compared to an 8-hour road trip. Also, think about staying in lodges with great services. Only go for budget trekking if you truly cannot afford luxury.
If you hope to get more money later, I advise you to wait and save for a better trip. Gorilla trekking might be a once-in-a-lifetime experience, so try to make it the best.
Lodging – Accommodation
Your choice of accommodation will affect your comfort during the safari. There is nothing worse than having a good experience with gorillas and then returning to a bad lodge.
Your whole trip can be ruined by a poor lodge. So try to choose good accommodation for your gorilla tour. Some travelers are limited by budget and choose lodges as cheap as $30 per night, but I do not recommend this, especially for foreign travelers.
Some very cheap lodges may have bed bugs, broken toilets, no hot water, leaking roofs, and other problems. You do not want to face such problems during your trip. Good lodges make a big difference.
Are these lodges expensive? Some are, but when you check online, the prices shown are usually “rack rates” (the highest prices). Local operators often have discounts or special rates.
Tour operators have agreements with some lodges, so you can get a $300 room for $150 or even less. The challenge is to find operators who have such deals.
I can connect you with a few of them, but I will not list them here because these rates are confidential. Lodges do not want the discounts to be made public.
What You Should Know
I already shared the main points, but here are some more important things to keep in mind when planning gorilla trekking in Uganda:
- Distance: View the map of Bwindi, learn about its areas, and check the distances between them before contacting a tour operator. The best way to do this is by contacting the Uganda Wildlife Authority or the Association of Uganda Tour Operators for the most accurate information. Some operators book lodges far from your tracking area, which means you may have to drive for hours before and after your trek. For example, if your permit is for Nkuringo, make sure your lodge is also in Nkuringo.
- Buy permits for areas with good lodges: Buhoma and Nkuringo have the best lodges. Permits for these areas sell out quickly, so always try to book them first before Ruhija and Rushaga.
- Listen: Pay close attention during the pre-briefing before the trek. This meeting lasts about 30 minutes and includes useful information. Some tourists do not listen carefully. Make sure you do.
- Carry trekking gear: Try to bring your own gear. If you forget, tell your tour operator so they can help you buy or rent what you need. The most important items are hiking boots, a raincoat, strong clothes, and a hat.
- Be honest about your fitness and health: Tell your operator the truth about your health and fitness level. This helps them choose the right trekking group for you. Gorilla trekking is very physical and not for everyone. If you have health issues, your operator will advise you.
- Take photos, but turn off the flash: Flash scares gorillas and may make them aggressive. Always turn off your camera flash. Also, carry extra batteries in case your main battery runs out.
- Do not get too close to gorillas: Always keep a 10-meter distance from the gorillas. These animals can catch diseases from humans, like flu, which can harm them. Also, some gorillas may become aggressive if you get too close.
- Pack enough snacks and water: Eat a heavy breakfast and carry snacks and drinks. There are no shops in the forest, so take everything with you from the lodge.
- Greet the gorillas: To greet a gorilla, beat your chest with one hand and bend slightly. Gorillas often respond the same way, which helps you connect with them during the trek.
- Age limit: Children under 15 years are not allowed to go gorilla trekking. This is a rule by the Uganda Wildlife Authority. If you plan to go with your children, make sure they are at least 15.
Over to You
In my opinion, Uganda is the best country for gorilla trekking. I have done treks in other countries, but I found Uganda’s experience to be the best. I believe you will feel the same.
Earlier, I wrote a step-by-step guide for booking a safari or holiday in Uganda. If you plan to visit gorillas in Uganda soon, you might want to read it.
I tried to share all the important information and tips in this article. Some of the points have links included for further reading. If you think I missed anything, feel free to email me or comment below. I will be happy to respond.
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