Yes. Gorilla trekking in Uganda requires a gorilla permit, which currently costs $800 for international tourists, $700 for foreign residents, and UGX 300,000 for East African citizens. This fee grants you one hour with a habituated gorilla family and includes guide and ranger services.

Uganda’s mountain gorillas live in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, both located in the country’s southwest region. Bwindi has multiple sectors with over 20 gorilla families, while Mgahinga is home to the Nyakagezi group.

You can book your trek through a licensed tour operator or directly through the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA). Booking with a tour company is often easier as they also handle your accommodation, transport, and sector alignment based on permit availability.

Wear long-sleeved shirts, long pants, waterproof hiking boots, a rain jacket, gardening gloves, and neutral colors. The forest is dense and can be muddy or rainy, so protective and moisture-resistant clothing is essential.

Some of the most important rules include:

1. Maintain a 7-meter distance from gorillas.
2. Do not touch the gorillas.
3. No flash photography.
4. Stay quiet and avoid sudden movements.
5. If you’re sick (even with a cold), you cannot trek.
6. Treks are limited to 8 people per gorilla family per day.

The dry seasons—June to September and December to February—offer the best conditions. Trails are drier and gorillas tend to stay at lower altitudes. However, trekking is possible year-round, and rainy season treks often feel more primal and mystical.

All sectors offer magical encounters, but Rushaga and Nkuringo in southern Bwindi are most accessible from Kigali and have many gorilla families. Mgahinga is best for a quieter trek and scenic volcano views.

Yes. Uganda is considered one of the safest destinations in Africa, and gorilla trekking is tightly regulated by trained rangers and guides. The gorillas are habituated to humans, and treks are escorted with high safety protocols.

You can access Bwindi by:

Road: 8–10 hours from Entebbe or 4–5 hours from Kigali.

Air: Fly to Kihihi or Kisoro airstrips via domestic flights from Entebbe, then transfer to your lodge.

The trek can range from moderate to strenuous, depending on the gorilla family’s location. Some trails involve steep climbs, thick forest, or mud, but most healthy adults can complete the trek with determination. Porters and walking sticks are highly recommended.

No. Gorilla permits are non-refundable and non-transferable, except under extreme health conditions verified by UWA, and even then, postponement—not refund—is more likely.

As of 2025:

$800 – International visitors

$700 – Foreign residents

UGX 300,000 – East African citizens

Gorilla conservation is costly. Funds from permits support anti-poaching, research, ranger salaries, community projects, and forest preservation. This tourism model has saved mountain gorillas from extinction.

Yes. Rangers are trained to handle treks and behavior in the presence of gorillas. Physical aggression is rare due to proper habituation. However, it’s important to respect all instructions for everyone’s safety.

Rushaga – Many gorilla families; also offers the gorilla habituation experience.

Nkuringo – Remote, scenic, and physically demanding.

Buhoma – The original sector, more accessible from northern Uganda.

Ruhija – Peaceful and great for birders.

Bwindi is home to 20+ habituated gorilla families, divided across four sectors: Buhoma, Ruhija, Rushaga, and Nkuringo. Each family can only be visited by one group of tourists per day.

Yes and no. It depends on your fitness level, trekking sector, and weather. Some treks are short and easy, others involve hours of climbing. With the right mindset and porter support, most visitors successfully complete their trek.

Absolutely. No permit, no trek. Each trekker must have a permit issued for a specific gorilla family and sector on a specific day.

Rushaga is great for accessibility and variety. Nkuringo offers epic views and fewer tourists. Your choice depends on permit availability, trek difficulty, and your preferred lodge location.

Very high—nearly 98–100%. Rangers track the gorillas at dawn and guide your group accordingly. Missing them is extremely rare.

Bwindi protects over 450 mountain gorillas, the largest population in a single forest. This includes both habituated and unhabituated groups.

Stay near your permit sector! Top lodge areas:

Buhoma – Mahogany Springs, Bwindi Lodge

Rushaga – Four Gorillas Lodge, Rushaga Gorilla Camp

Nkuringo – Clouds Mountain Lodge, Nkuringo Bwindi Lodge

Mgahinga – Mount Gahinga Lodge, Lake Mulehe Safari Lodge

You can book through a registered Uganda tour company that arranges:

• Gorilla permits
• Transport
• Accommodation
• Park fees and meals

Treks range from 30 minutes to over 6 hours, depending on gorilla location. You may walk for 2–4 hours on average.

Report to the park headquarters at 7:30 AM for briefing.

Join your assigned group (max 8 people).

Follow rangers into the forest.

Once gorillas are found, you get 1 full hour with them.

Return to base and receive a certificate of participation.

Essentials include:

• Long-sleeved clothing
• Waterproof hiking boots
• Rain jacket
• Gloves
• Hat
• Insect repellent
• Walking stick
• Snacks and water

Yes! This is a popular option. Kigali to southern Bwindi or Mgahinga takes 4–5 hours, making it the fastest and most cost-effective way to reach Uganda’s gorillas.

Cost: Uganda ($800), Rwanda ($1,500)

Landscape: Uganda – thicker rainforest; Rwanda – bamboo volcano slopes

Accessibility: Rwanda is closer to airport; Uganda offers more budget options

Experience: Both are exceptional; Uganda has more gorilla families and trekking sectors.

Mountain gorillas are gentle and peaceful, especially when habituated. They ignore respectful human visitors and rarely show aggression unless threatened.

15 years old. No exceptions, as per Uganda Wildlife Authority rules.

Depending on the length and comfort level:

Budget: $1,200–$1,600

Mid-range: $1,700–$2,500

Luxury: $3,000–$6,000+

• Book early: Permits are limited. Reserve at least 3–6 months in advance.
• Choose your sector wisely: Your accommodation must match your trekking permit location.
• Hire a porter: Not only do they carry your bag, they support local livelihoods.
• Be honest about your fitness: Rangers assign groups based on ability if informed.
• Support eco-lodges: Many help protect the forest and uplift nearby communities.
• Bring cash: ATMs are scarce near the parks.
• Use East African Visa: If entering via Kigali, get the multi-country visa for ease.
• Respect the rules: The gorillas’ safety comes before selfies.
• Stay a night after the trek: You’ll want to rest, reflect, and relive the moment.

A silverback is a dominant adult male gorilla, named for the silver hair on its back. He leads the family, protects it, and makes all group decisions.

Infants stay with their mothers for 3–4 years, often nursing for the first two and riding on her back. Families are tightly bonded.

Your journey into the jungle is more than a safari—it’s a story waiting to be lived. Now that you’re armed with the knowledge, the insight, and the tips, all that’s left is to step into the mist.