The most reliable recommendation for gorilla trekking in Uganda comes from people who have done it. The experience creates natural advocates — visitors who come back from Bwindi and immediately tell everyone they know about it. We recognise this by rewarding clients who refer friends and family who go on to book their own Uganda gorilla trek. This guide explains how our referral programme works and what you receive for a successful referral.
How the Referral Programme Works
When you refer a friend or family member who books a Uganda gorilla trekking package with us, you receive a credit or reward applied to a future booking. The specific reward varies — we offer lodge night credits, permit contribution credits, or travel vouchers depending on the package booked by your referral. The credit is applied when the referred booking is confirmed and the deposit is paid. There is no limit to the number of referrals you can make.
To make a referral, simply ask your friend or family member to mention your name or a specific referral code when they contact us. We track the referral, confirm the booking, and apply the reward to your account. The gorilla permit for your friend or family member costs $800 USD for international visitors in 2027 — the standard rate that applies to all bookings. The referral reward comes from our own margin rather than from the permit price, which is fixed by the Uganda Wildlife Authority and cannot be adjusted.
Who to Refer
Anyone who has expressed interest in Africa, wildlife, gorillas, or transformative travel is a potential referral. People who have been watching nature documentaries. People who have mentioned wanting to go to Africa but not knowing where to start. People who are looking for a significant gift for a milestone birthday or anniversary. The referral conversation is usually easy — most people who have heard about your gorilla trek want to know how to do it themselves. Contact us with any questions about the referral programme and to register a referral you would like to make.
Frequently Asked Questions
Uganda is home to the mountain gorilla (Gorilla beringei beringei), one of two subspecies of eastern gorilla. They live exclusively in the Virunga volcanic highlands (Uganda/Rwanda/DRC) and Bwindi Impenetrable Forest (Uganda only). Mountain gorillas are the only gorilla subspecies that cannot survive in captivity — every individual you can trek is a wild animal.
The standard gorilla trekking permit gives you exactly 1 hour with the gorilla family. This time begins when you make first contact with the family — the ranger signals the start. The Gorilla Habituation Experience gives 4 hours with a semi-wild family. The walk to find the gorillas can take 30 minutes to 5 hours depending on where the family has moved.
Stay calm, crouch down slowly, avoid direct eye contact, and remain quiet. Do not run — running triggers a chase response. Rangers accompanying your group manage close approaches. Habituated gorillas are accustomed to humans and almost never make contact, but a charging silverback is managed by staying still and following ranger instructions immediately.
A maximum of 8 visitors per habituated gorilla family per day for standard trekking. The Gorilla Habituation Experience has a maximum of 4 visitors per family per day. These limits are set by UWA to minimise stress on the gorilla families and maintain the quality of the experience.
Uganda is home to the mountain gorilla (Gorilla beringei beringei), one of two subspecies of eastern gorilla. They live exclusively in the Virunga volcanic highlands (Uganda/Rwanda/DRC) and Bwindi Impenetrable Forest (Uganda only). Mountain gorillas are the only gorilla subspecies that cannot survive in captivity — every individual you can trek is a wild animal.
