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One hour in the forest

How gorilla trekking works: Uganda and Rwanda

Bwindi holds about half of the world’s surviving mountain gorillas. Here is how a trek day runs, how fit you need to be, and how to choose between Uganda and Rwanda.

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Sun at Bwindi today Sunrise 06:41 Sunset 18:50

A young gorilla hugging a tree trunk and glancing at the camera in Bwindi
8
People at most visit each gorilla family a day
1 hr
Up to one hour with the family once it is found
1 to 8
Hours a trek in Bwindi can take, depending on where the gorillas slept
20
About this many gorilla families are habituated to visitors in Bwindi

A trek day

How a gorilla trek works

The same shape in Uganda and Rwanda: an early start, a briefing, a walk of unknown length, and an hour you will not forget.

  1. Early

    Breakfast and a packed lunch

    Your guide confirms the wake-up time the evening before. It is an early start, with a packed lunch for the trail.

  2. Briefing

    Park headquarters

    The briefing covers voices, how close you may go and the time limit with the animals.

  3. The walk

    Into the forest

    A guide and trackers lead you to where the family is. It can take under an hour or most of the day, depending on where the gorillas slept the night before, on steep and often muddy paths.

  4. The hour

    With the family

    Once you find them you have up to one hour with the habituated family, watching them feed and play.

  5. Afterwards

    Back to the lodge

    You walk back out and return to your lodge.

Up to eight people visit each gorilla family a day, so the group at the briefing is small.

A young mountain gorilla chewing bamboo grass in Mgahinga An infant mountain gorilla looking up in Mgahinga
Forested hills of Bwindi rolling away under soft cloud

The forest sets the effort

Fitness

How fit do I need to be?

The forest, not the gorillas, sets the effort. Paths are steep and often muddy, and you may be asked to leave the trail. A reasonable level of fitness and sturdy footwear are what matter.

If you are worried about your knees, your back or your age, tell us before you book. Your guide outlines the likely walking time and terrain at the briefing before a trek day, and we plan the days around it.

Children are welcome on many family safaris, but the park authorities set a minimum age for treks. Tell us the ages and we will check.

Permits

Permits are part of the trip

Every trekker needs a permit, and the fees go towards protecting the gorillas’ habitat. On our gorilla trips, the permit is included and we secure it for your dates with the Uganda Wildlife Authority.

Permits can sell out months ahead, particularly from June to September, so ask early. We do not print a permit price on this page because the park authorities set it and it can change. Ask us for today’s figure, and see what a Uganda safari costs with the permit in the price.

Uganda or Rwanda

Uganda or Rwanda for gorillas: which is better?

Both give you one hour with a gorilla family. Tell us what matters to you and we will say which fits.

A gorilla with amber eyes looking out of bright leaves in Bwindi

Uganda

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

  • Treks range from about one hour to eight, on steep, muddy slopes.
  • About twenty gorilla families have been habituated to visitors in Bwindi.
  • Easy to pair with chimpanzees in Kibale and a Batwa community walk.
  • Our gorilla trips are in Bwindi; each lists whether the permit is included.
A volcano cone and ridges above the clouds at sunrise

Rwanda

Volcanoes National Park

  • Hikes of about one to four hours through bamboo and nettles, on the slopes of five volcanoes.
  • The park covers 160 square kilometres, as part of the wider Virunga area shared with Uganda and the Congo.
  • Rwanda is the more polished, higher-end choice of the two.
  • We arrange Rwanda gorilla treks on request.
  • Our 6 day Rwanda trip is for chimpanzees and golden monkeys, not gorillas.

When to go

The best months

Gorilla treks run all year. The drier months, June to September and December to February, are the easiest: trails are less slick, and your chances of finding the gorillas are best. Rain can fall in any month.

June to September is also the busiest time at Bwindi. March to May, October and November are the wettest, when some lodges and camps close and forest paths are harder going. For every park, see the best time to visit Uganda.

“Meeting our closest relatives was a joy to watch in a lifetime”
Nabakiibi O · Tripadvisor
A mountain gorilla looking up, close, in Bwindi

In pictures

Mountain gorillas, close up

  • A young mountain gorilla holding a leafy stem, with amber eyes, in Mgahinga
    Mgahinga
  • A mountain gorilla face with bamboo behind it in Mgahinga
    Mgahinga
  • A mountain gorilla looking at the camera through leaves in Bwindi
    Bwindi
  • A young gorilla chewing a leaf and looking at the camera in Bwindi
    Bwindi
  • A mother gorilla in Bwindi with her baby tucked in against her, its face peeking out below through the leaves
    Bwindi

Request a trip

17 gorilla trips from Entebbe

Every trip includes the gorilla permit and is request-to-book: choose one, send your dates, and we confirm.

Plan it with us

Gorillas in Rwanda

Our Rwanda trip is for chimpanzees and golden monkeys. If you would rather track gorillas in Volcanoes National Park, tell us your dates and we plan it with you.

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Questions

Gorilla trekking questions

How strenuous is gorilla trekking?

Bwindi treks can range from under an hour to several hours on steep, muddy forest paths, depending on where the gorillas slept the previous night. A reasonable level of fitness and a willingness to walk off the trail are important. Your guide outlines the likely walking time and terrain at the briefing.

How long do we spend with the gorillas?

Up to one hour with the family once it is found. The trek to reach them is the part that varies, from a couple of hours to most of the day.

Are gorilla permits included on your trips?

Most of our gorilla trips list the permits and park entry fees as included. Each trip page shows exactly what is in the price, so check the included list for the trip you like.

Is gorilla trekking included on the 6 day Rwanda trip?

No. That route follows chimpanzees in Nyungwe and golden monkeys in Volcanoes National Park, not mountain gorillas. If you want gorillas in Rwanda, ask us and we will plan it.

Are children welcome?

Many family groups travel together on private safaris. Gorilla and chimpanzee treks have minimum age rules set by the park authorities, and long road days suit older children and teenagers best. Tell us the ages in advance so we can pace the days sensibly.

What should I pack for a trek?

Waterproof hiking boots, long trousers, gloves for nettles, a light rain jacket and a day pack. Neutral colours work best in the forest. A hat, sunscreen and insect repellent help, and binoculars are worth bringing for the birds.

Do I need a visa?

Most visitors need a visa for Uganda or Rwanda, depending on the route. Check the current requirements for your passport before you travel, and carry the right documents when you fly.

Do I need travel insurance?

It is strongly recommended for any international safari, with cover for medical evacuation, since the forests are remote.

From the journal

Read more about gorillas

Photos: Uganda Wildlife Authority and Uganda Tourism Board.