Gorilla trekking

What it is

You walk into the forest with UWA rangers and trackers to find a mountain gorilla family that is used to people, then spend one hour with them. Uganda is home to about half of the world’s mountain gorillas.

Where in Uganda

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park (Buhoma, Ruhija, Rushaga and Nkuringo sectors) and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park.

What to expect

A full day. After a briefing you trek with rangers. Each gorilla family has no more than 8 visitors a day, and you stay with them for one hour. Porters can be hired at the start.

Activity level

Level 4, Challenging. Most treks take 2 to 6 hours in total, but some take longer. Ranger teams try to match slower walkers with a nearer gorilla family, porters can carry your bag and help you on steep parts, and a carried-chair service exists in Bwindi for people with limited mobility (ask us).

Good to know

• Minimum age 15.
• No trekking with a cold, flu or other illness.
• Keep at least 10 metres away, no flash, and never touch or feed the gorillas.
• Bring waterproof boots, gloves, a rain jacket and water.

Price (UWA permit, per person, to 31 December 2026): USD 800 FNR, USD 700 FR, USD 500 ROA, UGX 300,000 EAC. Low season (April, May, November): USD 600 FNR, USD 500 FR; low-season permits cannot be rescheduled. UWA requires full payment at booking. New UWA prices start on 1 January 2027.