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Gorilla trekking in Uganda, Rwanda and Congo
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The adventurous nature of gorilla trekking attracts people who want to see these great apes in their natural habitats. Uganda, Rwanda and Congo are the last remaining homes of the mountain gorilla, who trekkers can engage through observation from a safe distance. Find the best gorilla trekking locations, the best times to visit and what you should anticipate when trekking for gorillas.
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Covering 331 sq km, and situated in the mountainous southwestern corner of Uganda, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a sanctuary for around half the world’s population of mountain gorillas—an endangered species of large primate that inhabit the dense forests of east central Africa. The region is home to a fascinating array of other wildlife species. An important centre for tourism, much of the park’s trade is centred around gorilla trekking Uganda.
Although you can trek in Bwindi year-round, the dry seasons – June to August and December to February – offer the best conditions for walking through the forest. Even in the wet seasons, the vegetation is so lush and dense that it gives both the gorillas and their visitors plenty of shade. Uganda gorilla safaris can be booked all year long; advanced permits are available for any day.
Bwindi is home to 19 habituated gorilla groups, each led by a dominant silverback male and composed of a harem of females and any offspring. Trekkers are divided into small groups, up to eight people, and assigned to one gorilla family. Gorilla trekking permits must be booked in advance through the Uganda Wildlife Authority or a licensed tour operator. As of 2021, permits cost $700 per person to trek gorillas in Uganda. Daily participation fees for tourists helps to support conservancy and community development programmes.
Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, in the far southwest corner of Uganda, lies within the Virunga Conservation Area that straddles the borders of Uganda, Rwanda and Congo. Although it is a fairly small park with only one habituated gorilla group, it is worthwhile for that gorilla group alone, which, the Nyakagezi family of about nine, is relatively large and habituated. To visit Mgahinga is to experience the giant chain of volcanoes for which it is famous and, like Bwindi, also golden monkeys. Gorilla trekking tours Uganda most commonly combine Mgahinga with Bwindi.
As with Bwindi, gorilla treks in Mgahinga can take place all year round, and the dry seasons (in June to August and December to February) provide the best walking conditions. However, the park’s high altitude and cool temperatures mean that trekkers, particularly those who come from the lower-lying tropics, are advised to be prepared for frequent changes of weather and rain or mist at any time of the year. Mgahinga is usually visited as an extension tour added on to trips to Bwindi.
Mgahinga’s lone habituated group – the Nyakagezi family – moves freely and often across Uganda, Rwanda and Congo, so even knowing whether you’ll be able to go trekking in Mgahinga depends on whether the gorillas are in the park. Permits for Mgahinga also cost $800 per person, and only eight trekkers per day are allowed.
Volcanoes National Park (French: Parc National des Volcans) is Rwanda’s oldest national park, located in north-western Rwanda and part of the Virunga Mountains, a chain of seven extinct and three active volcanic mountains that run along the border between Rwanda, Uganda and Congo. There are about 20 habituated gorilla groups and a small population of golden monkeys. Famous for this primate research like Dian Fossey, the Karisoke Research Centre is located in the park. Gorilla trekking in Rwanda is possible in Volcanoes National Park.
Gorilla trekking in Volcanoes NP is possible year-round, and the best or easiest months for trekking coincide with the park’s dry seasons (June to September; and mid-December to mid-February). However, even in the dry season, hikers may be caught in mist or rain, due Volcanoes NP’s high altitude and cool temperatures. Be prepared to brave changing weather conditions and varied trail types.
There are 20 habituated gorilla groups that live within Volcanoes National Park, with each group consisting of an alpha silverback male. They then divide the groups of trekkers up into small groups of no more than eight people, depending on the gorilla family they have been assigned to.
Typically, a trek of gorilla viewing in Rwanda will cost about $1,500 per person in 2024, making it the most expensive gorilla viewing in Africa. However, these high permit fees lead to the success of Rwanda’s conservation culture and contribute to their investment in nearby villages and plans for their future conservation efforts. It is recommended to plan your gorilla trek well in advance as they sell out quickly.
The eastern Democratic Republic of Congo’s Virunga National Park is Africa’s oldest national park, and a UNESCO World Heritage area that now harbours around a third of the world’s mountain gorilla population plus lowland gorillas, chimpanzees and okapis. Virunga’s wild history of unrest and ongoing security issues make it hard for adventurers looking for a unique gorilla trek – Congo gorilla safaris often combine this park with visits to nearby parks and reserves.
Gorilla trekking in Virunga is possible all year round, though the driest periods, when hikers can most easily penetrate the forest, are December to February and June to September. However, because of the park’s equatorial location and high altitude ranges, weather cannot be guaranteed, and trekkers should anticipate periodic rains or mist even during the drier months. Anyone considering Virunga should always check the current security situation and travel advisories first: instability in the area has see-sawed since the park’s inception.
Virunga National Park has around 10 habituated gorilla groups (i.e., they have been desensitised to human presence), each led by one dominant silverback male. Trekkers are typically split up into parties of no more than eight people and assigned to a certain gorilla family. Permits for Virunga National Park cost $400 per person in 2021, the cheapest gorilla-trekking destination in Africa. However, the lower prices reflect Virunga’s ongoing security issues and lack of infrastructure. I’d recommend going with an experienced tour operator who has vetted the area.
The UNESCO World Heritage Site of Kahuzi-Biega National Park in mountainous eastern Congo hosts the largest remaining wild population of eastern lowland gorillas, also known as Grauer’s gorillas. These gorillas are somewhat larger than mountain gorillas and live in its luxuriant lowland forests. Like its neighbour Virunga, Kahuzi-Biega is also home to chimpanzees, baboons and several species of macaque and mangabey monkeys. Gorilla trekking Congo often entails a trip to Kahuzi-Biega. However, the park receives fewer tourists as it is more remote, with less infrastructure.
Gorillas may be trekked during the dry seasons (June to September; December to February) and rainy seasons (March to May; October to November) of the year. The warm and driest months are June to August, providing better hiking conditions for trekkers in the forest. The year-round low altitude region of Kahuzi-Biega and dense vegetation creates high humidity throughout the year, which could be accompanied by rain on the trail at any time. Check with your local foreign office for any travel warnings and advice before travelling to the region, as there have been periods of instability in Kahuzi-Biega.
There are two inhabited gorilla family groups within Kahuzi-Biega National Park, each with a dominant silverback male but, because of its remoteness, with comparatively fewer habituation and, therefore, gorilla trekking opportunities. Gorilla permits cost $400 per person in 2024, making gorilla tourism at Kahuzi-Biega a more affordable option than other regions, although both trails going to different gorilla families require a two-day hike, making it best suited for those who wish to get off the beaten track. It is best to arrange permits through a local tour operator with experience in the region.
Gorilla trekking is a physically demanding, strenuous activity, so visitors need to prepare. Treks can last between 30 minutes to a full day, depending upon the location of the gorilla family; the terrain may include hiking in steep, muddy areas, with slippery, muddy downhills. Tourists should expect to hike anywhere from 20 minutes to three hours. It is recommended that you engage in some level of regular exercise and cardiovascular activity for at least six months prior to your trip, to condition yourself for the rigours of the trek. Gorilla trekking in Africa commonly offers the use of porters to carry your backpack and gear, in addition to lending support on the hike.
Mountain gorillas live in thick high-altitude forests, and so trekkers might well suffer typical effects of altitude sickness such as headaches, shortness of breath and fatigue. Stay hydrated and take breaks along the way. Report how you feel to your guide and the park rangers. The weather in the gorilla Mountains can change quickly, pretty much all year round. Short and unexpected spells of rain or mist, even in the dry seasons, are not unusual, and it is worth packing extra clothing, including waterproof jackets, sturdy hiking boots and layers for warmth.
Venturing out for a gorilla’s silverback is not a solitary endeavour. No one is sent out in the bush on their own. Every trekking group is accompanied by an expert gorilla group guide, an army of armed porters, and park rangers. All are well-educated and well-trained in gorilla behaviour, gorilla habitat and gorilla conservation skills, and are dedicated to the safety and well-being of participants in the trek as well as of the gorillas. The guides are the most interesting source of information during the gorilla trek; they inform the trekkers on the gorillas, their family life, and what the jungle within which they live has to offer. Porters are an additional element that enriches the trekking party. They carry your gear and are there to support you as you go on your hike. Park rangers are an essential part of the trekking plan. They are there to make sure trekkers obey all the rules written for a safe and responsible interaction with the gorillas.
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8 people are allowed to visit a gorilla family each day. In Uganda, there are 10 habituated gorilla families in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park, and therefore can host up to 80 people tacking the gorillas on a single day. Rwanda as well takes 80 people each day. All being equal, the Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda has a trivial edge over the rest since its gorillas are the mainly entirely habituated, and are commonly seen in bamboo than in the thick forest that makes photography much easier.
The biggest challenge with tracking mountain gorillas within Rwanda is actually the cost of the gorilla permit which goes for US$1500 than the US$600 per permit in Uganda. nonetheless, the pride of Rwanda is in its ability for a tourist to do gorilla trekking even in a day and even fly back to your home which is not possible in Uganda. Volcanoes National Park is situated 116 kilometers from the capital Kigali and may be driven in only two hours. However, Bwindi is situated 500 kilometers from the capital Kampala or Entebbe Airport and it is an 8 hours drive or even more. For that reason, you will need a minimum of three days for a gorilla trek safari one to Bwindi impenetrable forest, the other for the gorilla trek, and then the third on the drive back to the capital Kampala or Entebbe. In case a tour operator is doing your tour package, they certainly have to think about this cost and then include it in your safari cost.
nonetheless, the lengthy drive to Bwindi NP is quite fascinating with amazing views such as the Equator and Lake Mburo National Park (and at times Queen Elizabeth National Park with plenty of wildlife), beautiful terraced mountains having flowing rivers, plus various rural Africa. This isn’t the case when driving from Kigali in Rwanda to Volcanoes National Park.
a number of tourists have as well decided to fly from Entebbe to either Kihihi or Kisoro towns close to Bwindi to track the mountain gorillas. A flight ticket goes for $250 with AeroLink in Uganda. For that case you’ll have to organize your transfer from this airstrip into Bwindi, and even the return. Visit any of the nearest tour operators for help to organize this tour.
You will actually have to spend additional money on transport and more time to trek the gorillas in Uganda compared to that in Rwanda though this price is compensated for by the affordable gorilla permit.
Other than, some parts of the roads leading to Bwindi Impenetrable NP aren’t as comfortable to traverse on although in Rwanda, you will drive on nice tarmac all the way to the headquarters of Volcanoes National Park. however, the roads from the park offices of Volcanoes to the start point of the gorilla trek can only be reached with a high 4WD safari vehicle.
generally, the experience may differ because of the way the gorilla family actually behaves in the presence of the trackers, how far and long one has to trek before finding the gorillas and how the park staff carry on this exercise. Personally, I discovered that Rwanda gorilla trekking package is more fascinating than the Ugandan one on the day of tracking. May be I could say that this is due to the difference in the gorilla permit prices? However, on the day of the gorilla tracking day in Rwanda, you will definitely get more than that. At around 7:00am you will have an early tea or coffee as you are entertained by a traditional dance group – the SACOLA Traditional Dancers who will unveil to you the thrilling cultural traditions of Rwanda.
on the Ugandan side, you will be able to enjoy this in the evening at an additional cost as the various locals living near the park entertain you with songs and dances. the drive from the capital Kampala to Bwindi NP is a very thrilling as you drive through one of the other national park (may be Kibale NP or Queen Elizabeth National Park renowned for its tree climbing lions plus various other large mammals, or even Lake Mburo National Park as well as stop by the Equator. before you actually reach Bwindi you will have enjoyed the wonders of this ‘Pearl of Africa’ as is affectionately known. To most visitors, driving on paved eucalyptus avenues into the gorillas’ sanctuary isn’t the best choice. certainly many to tend to buy tour packages that combine Rwanda with Uganda, doing Gorilla treks in Rwanda and crossing over to Uganda to see Queen Elizabeth National Park for it’s BIG 5 animals and trek chimpanzees as well as other tours.
Finally in case your not only traveling to see the gorillas, and you are interested in other safari activities, Rwanda is not be the ideal choice. The majority of the tourists have from time to time crossed into Uganda following their gorilla trek tour in Rwanda to check out other reserves such as Queen Elizabeth National Parks well gifted with a great profusion of wildlife not seen in Rwanda. This is perhaps why may people have endured with the lengthy drives into Bwindi and yet there is a quicker Rwanda alternative.
At the finish of the day the eventual jury are people searching for the exact country to go to in orgder to trek gorillas, this is not Uganda, Rwanda or even the DR congo but your budget and your personal preference. In case you are particularly interested in tracking mountain gorillas and not anything else, take the one day Rwanda trek, but if you are interested in more adventure, then enjoy the lengthy drive.
Gorilla trekking in Uganda is a once in a lifetime experience that is continually growing in popularity with tourists from various parts of the world. Bwindi impenetrable forest and Mgahinga Gorilla national park have become famous and popular because of gorilla trekking.
Mountain gorillas cannot be found in zoos. While their fellow primates, the chimpanzees, and other endangered species such as panda, and orangutans can be found in the zoo, gorillas can only be found in the wild. Specifically in Rwanda, Democratic Republic of Congo, and Uganda. More than half of the world’s gorilla population is found Uganda shared by Bwindi impenetrable forest, and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. Gorillas became a popular tourist attraction during the “befriend a gorilla” campaign, and their popularity has not waned since then.
Why and how is gorilla tracking different from viewing other species of Wildlife?Tracking gorillas is very different from going on a game drive to view lions in savannah plains of Africa, or going to the zoo to see animals in cages doing tricks. Gorillas have to be habituated to adapt to human presence in their habitats, and only a few people can see them at a time. Uganda has a total of about 30 mountain gorilla groups only ten of these have been habituated and can therefore be visited by tourists. Habituated Nine groups are found in Bwindi, and one in Mgahinga. Habituation is a long process that can take up to two years.
First of all you should have a gorilla trekking permit. Then you can go ahead to ready yourself for your adventure by packing your lunch, you will need at least two litres of water, a hat, boots, tough pants, a long sleeved shirt, rain jacket, insect repellent, a back pack to carry most of these things, lots of batteries, and a walking. Trekking through the forest can be hard sometimes.
After you have put all your gear together and are ready, you can proceed to the appropriate park office. Where you meet is dependent on which group of gorillas you will be tracking. It can either be in the Buhoma, Ruhija, Rushaga, or Nkuringo area of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. Each group of habituated mountain gorillas can only receive 8 visitors a day, for one hour.
For some people, one day and one hour of this gorilla adventure is not enough so they schedule two days of gorilla trekking in Uganda. For others it’s an experience they can never tire of repeating, so they could come back to Uganda several times to d it again.
Before you start on your gorilla tracking adventure, there is usually some orientation where guidelines on what to do and what not to do are given and you are assigned to your guide. Guides are important because they are experts on that particular group of gorillas you are going to track and can answer all your questions. Most time the guides were part of the habituation of the gorilla grip they are assigned to so they are a fountain of information and knowledge, know the habits and movement patterns of the group and will lead you to find them in the shortest time possible. Average tracking time is about 8 hours. The hikes can be tiring but the scenery as you move through the forest is amazing and breathtakingly beautiful. And you will also get to see other animals in addition to the mountain gorillas.
Chimpanzees, forest elephants, butterflies and several species of birds are can all be found in Bwindi impenetrable forest and Mgahinga national park. The rugged scenic beauty of western Uganda is something else to enjoy.
re there any restrictions to gorilla trekking in Uganda?There are some restrictions that Uganda has in place with regards to gorilla trekking. These include: No flu, coughs or colds, not diarrhea problems, reasonably fit, and a minimum age of 15, no feeding the gorillas, no dumping trash anywhere near the gorillas.
For some people the cost of the permits might bring about some budgetary constraints that restrict them from enjoying this amazing adventure.
Gorilla permits cost $600 in Uganda, and $1500 in Rwanda. These are the two most popular mountain gorilla tourism destinations in Africa, and the world.
There are a number of lodges in the mountain gorilla area in Uganda. There is something for everyone, from four star lodging for those with a desire for maximum comfort and the ability to spend and good low budget lodging for those hoping to cut costs.
You can get on a bus to Kisoro district in South Western Uganda, and when you get there; use public transportation such as a taxi to get to the gorilla locations of Bwindi or Mgahinga.
The best thing to do however, is to get in touch tour operators such as us and have plan your gorilla adventure trip for you.
We do hope you enjoy you gorilla trekking trip in Uganda
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Wild Whispers Africa Safaris
Uganda, East Africa
Mob: +256753299565
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Plot 19 Bukoto Road , Kampala Uganda
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