3 DaysGorilla
3-Day Bwindi Gorilla Trek
A focused Bwindi gorilla trek with the $800 permit, Entebbe or Kigali starts and expert sector guides.
Uganda Gorilla Trekking · Bwindi & Mgahinga
Uganda Gorilla Trekking Packages & Tours
Spend one unforgettable hour with mountain gorillas in Bwindi or Mgahinga — private treks with permits secured, sector-matched lodges and honest planning from Entebbe or Kigali.
$800Uganda Permit
1 hourWith the Family
19+Habituated Groups
2Uganda Gorilla Parks
Uganda gorilla trekking packages are built around one main experience — walking into Bwindi Impenetrable National Park or Mgahinga Gorilla National Park to spend one hour with mountain gorillas in the wild. Uganda protects more than half of the world's remaining mountain gorillas, which makes it one of the most reliable places on earth for this safari.
Gorilla Trekking Packages 2026 / 2027
Choose a gorilla trekking safari
Private treks from a single day to longer primate and wildlife journeys — starting from Entebbe or Kigali, and adjustable around your dates and fitness.
4 DaysPrimates
4 Days Chimpanzees and Bwindi Trekking
For travellers short on time who want both chimpanzees and mountain gorillas in one trip.
4 DaysDouble Trek
4 Days Bwindi Double Gorilla Trekking
Trek gorillas twice in Bwindi, with permits, transport and lodging across two different sectors.
5 DaysGorilla & Wildlife
5-Day Gorilla & Lion Safari
Track gorillas in Bwindi and tree-climbing lions in Queen Elizabeth, with a boat cruise and game drives.
5 DaysGorilla & Monkeys
5-Day Mgahinga Gorilla & Golden Monkey Safari
Track silverbacks and golden monkeys in one park, with luxury or mid-range lodge options.
5 DaysPrimates
5 Day Bwindi & Kibale Forest Primate Trip
Mountain gorillas in Bwindi and chimpanzees in Kibale, with habituation options for primate lovers.
2 DaysShort Break
2-Day Bwindi Gorilla Trekking from Kigali
The fastest, best-value Bwindi gorilla trek, starting and ending in Kigali, Rwanda.
3 DaysHabituation
3 Days Bwindi Gorilla Habituation from Kigali
Up to four hours with a semi-habituated gorilla family on the habituation experience, from Kigali.
5 DaysCulture
5-Day Uganda Primates & Cultural Safari
Ziwa rhino tracking, Bwindi gorilla trekking and immersive Batwa and Ankole culture.
1 DayGorilla
1 Day Gorilla Trekking Tour
A single-day gorilla trek in Bwindi for travellers already nearby, or with very limited time.
3 DaysFly-In
3 Days Gorilla Trekking Flying Safari
A return flight to Bwindi to cut road time on a short, comfortable gorilla safari.
5 DaysAdventure
5 Days Jinja & Gorilla Trekking Experience
Combine Jinja's Nile adventure activities with a Bwindi forest gorilla trek.
Where to Go for Gorilla Trekking
Bwindi, Mgahinga & beyond
Mountain gorillas live in only three countries — Uganda, Rwanda and Congo. Here's where each trek happens and who it suits.
Bwindi Impenetrable
Uganda's main gorilla destination — about 321 km² of dense forest with four sectors (Buhoma, Ruhija, Rushaga, Nkuringo) and 19+ habituated families. Your permit is tied to a sector, so lodge placement matters.
View MoreMgahinga Gorilla
Smaller (33.7 km²) and dramatic, high in the Virunga volcanoes near Rwanda. Home to the Nyakagezi family, and the only Uganda park to combine gorillas with golden monkey tracking and volcano hikes.
View MoreRwanda & Congo
Rwanda's Volcanoes National Park suits short luxury safaris from Kigali with a quick drive to the park. Congo's Virunga offers the lowest-cost permit. Both sit along the same Virunga mountain chain.
View MorePermits & Planning
Gorilla permits at a glance
Permits are limited, date-specific and sell out early — we secure yours as soon as your dates are confirmed.
$800
Uganda GorillaBwindi & Mgahinga$1,500
Rwanda GorillaVolcanoes NP$1800
Gorilla HabituationVirunga NP$60
Golden MonkeyMgahinga (separate)Permit prices are set by the Uganda Wildlife Authority and can change — figures shown for foreign non-residents. Gorilla habituation (Rushaga) is priced separately and offers up to four hours with the family.
Bwindi's sectors — and why they matter
Bwindi has four sectors: Buhoma (north), Ruhija (east), Rushaga (south) and Nkuringo (south). Your permit is tied to a sector, so your lodge must be booked near it. Buhoma suits routes from Queen Elizabeth via Ishasha; Ruhija connects Kabale and Lake Bunyonyi; Rushaga has the most gorilla groups and the habituation experience; Nkuringo is steeper and very scenic.
The gorilla habituation experience
In Rushaga you can join researchers and rangers for up to four hours with a semi-habituated family — far longer than the standard one hour. Permits are very limited, so this needs booking well in advance.
Golden monkey tracking (Mgahinga)
Only Mgahinga lets you combine gorillas with golden monkey tracking in one park. Golden monkey permits are US$60 per person for foreign non-residents, separate from the gorilla permit — a great add-on alongside volcano scenery.
Fitness, age & what to pack
Treks range from short walks to several hours over steep, muddy terrain. Bring waterproof hiking boots, a rain jacket, gaiters, gloves, a walking stick and a daypack. Reasonable fitness helps and porters are available to assist. The minimum age is 15.
Where to Stay
Lodges matched to your sector
On a gorilla safari the lodge must match the park, the trekking sector and the permit — a good lodge in the wrong sector can add a long pre-dawn transfer.
We match the lodge to the sector first
In Bwindi, we confirm your permit's sector — Buhoma, Ruhija, Rushaga or Nkuringo — and then place you at a nearby lodge, so you're not driving across the forest before dawn on trek day.
Bwindi lodge options
Higher-end options include Sanctuary Gorilla Forest Lodge, Nkuringo Bwindi Gorilla Lodge, Mahogany Springs, Silverback Lodge, Gorilla Heights and Gorilla Safari Lodge — with comfortable mid-range and budget stays across every sector.
Staying for a Mgahinga trek
Mgahinga treks start early from Ntebeko near Kisoro and Lake Mutanda. We choose lodges for easy reporting time and road access — ideal for combining gorillas, golden monkeys and volcano scenery.
Best Time to Trek
When to go gorilla trekking
Trekking runs all year, but the season changes how the forest feels underfoot.
Jun – Sep & Dec – Feb
Dry seasonThe best and most popular months — easier forest walks, clearer travel days and less slippery trails in Bwindi and Mgahinga. Because demand is high, permits and sector-matched lodges sell out early, so book well ahead.
Mar – May & Oct – Nov
Green seasonTrekking still runs, but expect rain and slippery trails — pack a rain jacket, waterproof boots, gaiters, gloves and a walking stick. Forests are lush and green, and it can be quieter with better lodge availability.
Meet the Gorillas
Plan your gorilla trek
Tell us your dates and whether you'll start from Entebbe or Kigali. We'll secure the right permit and sector, match your lodge and build a private trek around you.
