Uganda Gorilla Trekking Guide - Safaris, Permits & Best Parks

Ultimate Guide for Gorilla Trekking in Uganda

This guide helps you plan your Uganda gorilla trekking safari. Uganda has many natural wonders and is home to half of the world’s mountain gorillas.

It offers some of the best gorilla trekking and habituation safaris in East Africa. You can trek gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, which are part of the Virunga Massif.

The Virunga area also covers Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda and Virunga National Park in Congo.

This guide answers many questions about mountain gorilla trekking in Uganda to help you prepare for your safari easily.

What is gorilla trekking in Uganda?

Gorilla trekking in Uganda is a safari activity where travelers walk through the forests of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park or Mgahinga Gorilla National Park to find a gorilla group that has been habituated to human presence.

Trekkers are led by an experienced guide or park ranger who answers questions during the trek.

This is why gorilla trekking in Uganda is more than a wildlife activity. It is also a chance to learn about nature conservation.

When trekkers meet a gorilla family, they can spend one hour watching them and learning about their behaviors.

What is gorilla habituation in Uganda?

Gorilla habituation in Uganda allows tourists to follow a gorilla family that is not yet used to human presence.

Even though mountain gorillas share many traits with humans, they are still wild animals, and some are shy around people.

To help these gorillas get used to humans, a group of four people follows a gorilla family and observes them until the family becomes comfortable around people.

Once the family is used to human presence, it is named and opened for trekking.

Some habituated gorilla families in Uganda include the Habiyanja, Nyakagezi, Bitukura, Bweza, Rwamutwe, Nkuringo, Kyaguriro, and Oruzogo families, among others.

Book your Uganda gorilla trekking or habituation permit and enjoy a lasting adventure in Uganda.

Where can I trek gorillas in Uganda?

Gorilla trekking in Uganda is done in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park.

These parks are in the southwestern part of Uganda near the borders with Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Other gorilla trekking destinations in East Africa include Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda and Virunga National Park in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

You can combine gorilla trekking in these parks in a single safari. Talk to a Uganda gorilla trekking safari expert to help you plan your safari and create memorable experiences.

Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is Uganda’s main mountain gorilla trekking destination. It is in the southwestern part of the country and is home to about 26 habituated mountain gorilla families ready for trekking.

The park has rainforest, swamps, thick vegetation, and rugged land. The bamboo and many tree species make Bwindi a good place for mountain gorillas and other primates like white colobus monkeys.

Gorilla trekking in Bwindi takes place in four main sectors. These are the Ruhija sector, Rushaga sector, Nkuringo sector, and Buhoma sector.

You must have a valid gorilla trekking or habituation permit to go on a gorilla trip in Bwindi.

Gorilla trekking sectors in Bwindi

Bwindi is divided into four main sectors. Each sector gives a different experience, and the gorillas in each group behave differently. Some are playful, some are shy, and others may act aggressively.

Some sectors are also good for bird watching, with many bird species found there, including Rift Valley endemics.

The four sectors are:

• Nkuringo sector
• Ruhija sector
• Buhoma sector
• Rushaga sector

All these sectors have places to stay, from budget to mid-range and luxury options.

How gorilla trekking is done in Bwindi

Gorilla trekking in Bwindi is one of the best activities you can do on a Uganda safari. It allows travelers to spend one hour with mountain gorillas. It is a chance to satisfy your curiosity while enjoying your Uganda gorilla trekking safari.

The day starts with breakfast at your lodge. You then go to the park headquarters for a briefing about gorilla trekking. Each sector has an office in charge of trekking and park activities. The briefing will give you the rules and guidelines you need to follow.

These rules help keep both visitors and wildlife safe during the trek.

After the briefing, you will enter the forest with an experienced guide to search for a gorilla family. Each gorilla family is visited by not more than eight people per day.

The guides know where the gorillas spent the night and will help you find them quickly. Once you find the gorilla family, you will spend one hour with them.

You can take pictures while following the photography rules given to you.

After trekking, you return to your lodge for lunch and rest. Gorilla trekking in Bwindi can take two to eight hours.

After the trek, you can join other activities like guided nature walks and visiting the Batwa community.

Contact with gorillas in Bwindi

Direct contact with gorillas in Bwindi is not allowed for these reasons:

• Safety: Gorillas are wild animals. Even if they seem calm, they are strong and can act in ways that may put you or them in danger if you get too close.
• Disease: Gorillas share much of their DNA with humans, so they can catch human diseases easily. Even a small illness can harm gorillas. Visitors must keep a safe distance to protect the gorillas.
• Conservation: Gorillas are endangered, and there are strict rules to protect them. The habituation process is managed carefully to help gorillas get used to people in a safe way. Direct contact can disrupt their behavior and affect conservation work.

Gorilla Trekking in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park

In Kisoro district, near the borders of Uganda, Rwanda, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, is Mgahinga Gorilla National Park.

Mgahinga is managed by the Uganda Wildlife Authority. It is also called “Where Silver Meets Gold” because it is home to silverbacks (adult male gorillas) and golden monkeys.

Mgahinga is a good place for mountain gorilla trekking in Uganda.

The park has one habituated gorilla family called the Nyakagezi family. This family is known for having many members and playful babies.

Gorilla trekking in Mgahinga starts at 8:00 am with a briefing, and trekkers are guided by experienced guides to search for the gorillas.

The park has steep slopes and rugged land, making trekking here more challenging than in Bwindi.

If you want a challenging trekking experience, Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is a good choice for your safari.

After finding the gorilla family, trekkers spend one hour with them before returning to the lodge for lunch.

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

Gorilla trekking in Uganda can be done all year. It is available on weekends and public holidays.

However, it is easier during the dry seasons from June to September and December to February. This makes the dry season the best time to go gorilla trekking in Uganda.

The wet seasons also have some advantages, such as lower accommodation prices and fewer crowds in the parks. Gorilla trekking permits are easier to get during the wet season compared to the dry season.

Securing a gorilla permit in Uganda

You can get a gorilla trekking permit in Uganda through a trusted tour operator or tour company. Permits are given on a first-come, first-served basis, so it is best to book your permit at least three months before you arrive.

A gorilla trekking permit in Uganda costs USD 800 per person for each trek. A gorilla habituation permit costs USD 1500 per person.

Book your permit early to enjoy this special adventure.

How difficult is gorilla trekking in Uganda?

Gorilla trekking in Uganda is suitable for many people. It involves walking through rainforests, so some level of physical fitness is needed.

It is good to practice some walking before your trek. You can also request a gorilla family and sector that is easier to reach.

Uganda provides facilities for people with disabilities, and you can hire a porter to carry your bags during the trek.

Having the right equipment will help you enjoy your trekking safari.

What to wear on a gorilla trek

Gorilla trekking in Uganda involves walking through thick forests on steep and sometimes slippery ground to find mountain gorillas.

You need to have the right gear to make your trek comfortable. Here are some things to wear:

• Rain jacket: Uganda can get rain at any time of the year, even in the morning when trekking begins. A rain jacket will keep you dry during sudden showers.
• Hiking boots: These help you walk on steep, muddy, and rough paths.
• Long-sleeved shirts: These protect you from sharp branches and insects in the forest.
• Khaki pants: These protect your legs from the thick vegetation and are strong for hiking conditions.
• Gloves: These protect your hands from cold, mist, scratching branches, and insect bites.
• Reusable water bottle: Trekking can take several hours, and you will need to stay hydrated.
• Sunglasses: These protect your eyes from the sun and flying insects.
• Camera: A camera will help you capture memories of the mountain gorillas.
• Snacks: Bring energy snacks to help you stay energized during the long trek.

Rules for gorilla trekking

Before the trek, visitors are given a briefing on rules and how to behave during the activity. Here are some of the rules:

• Gorilla trekking is done in groups of up to eight people, and each group spends one hour with the gorillas to reduce stress on them.
• Only people aged 15 and above can go gorilla trekking.
• Flash photography is not allowed as it may scare the gorillas.
• Do not surround the gorillas while with them, as this may frighten them.
• Do not go trekking if you have a communicable disease like flu or cough to protect the gorillas from getting sick.
• Keep quiet while with the gorillas to avoid stressing them.
• Do not litter in the park. Keep it clean.
• Maintain a distance of about 15 feet from the gorillas to avoid spreading diseases.
• If you need to use the toilet, a ranger will dig a hole for you, and you must cover it after use to protect the gorillas from getting diseases.
• If a gorilla charges, stay calm and lower yourself to show you are not a threat. Do not run or fight back.

These are some of the rules you will learn during the briefing at the park headquarters before your trek.

Are gorilla sightings guaranteed in Uganda?

Uganda has more than half of the world’s mountain gorilla population, so seeing one in the wild is possible, but it is not always easy.

To understand if you will see gorillas, you need to consider the following factors:

• Gorilla movements: Mountain gorillas move for many reasons, such as forming new families or looking for food, and they have a large area to move in. This makes it hard to predict where they will be.
• Weather: Weather can affect your chances of seeing gorillas, especially during the cold and wet seasons. Mist and rain can reduce visibility and make it harder to find them.
• Vegetation: During the wet season, the vegetation grows thick, making it harder to see the gorillas in the forest.

What are the accommodation options?

Accommodation is important to plan before going for your gorilla experience.

The gorilla parks in Uganda have many options, including hotels, lodges, and campsites. These range from luxury to midrange and budget choices.

Accommodation in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is in southwestern Uganda and has the largest number of mountain gorillas in the country. The park attracts many visitors.

There are many accommodation options in and around Bwindi with views of the forest. These range from luxury to midrange and budget. Some examples include Ride for a Woman Guesthouse, Rushaga Gorilla Havens Lodge, Bakiga Lodge Ruhija, Gorilla Mist Camp, Nkuringo Gorilla Lodge, and Buhoma Lodge.

Accommodation in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park

Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is known for having mountain gorillas. If you plan to trek here, you will need to find good accommodation for your overnight stay.

You can find places to stay outside the park and in Kisoro town. Lodges in Mgahinga range from luxury to midrange and budget. Some options include Mount Gahinga Lodge, Ichumbi Hotel, Mucha Hotel, Travelers Rest Hotel, Mutanda Lake Resort, and Lake Mulehe Lodge.

The mountain gorillas in Uganda

The mountain gorilla (Gorilla beringei beringei) is a type of eastern gorilla found in the forests of the Virunga Massif, which covers parts of Uganda, Rwanda, and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Uganda has about half of the world’s mountain gorillas, making it one of the best places to see and protect these endangered animals.

Mountain gorillas live in high-altitude areas with cooler weather. They eat fruits, shoots, roots, leaves, and small insects.

They are social animals and live in groups called families. Each family is led by an adult male called a silverback. When the silverback becomes old, his strongest son will take over as the leader.