Gorilla Trekking in Uganda
A permit, a trailhead and one hour with a mountain gorilla family in Bwindi.
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
One permit, one date, one gorilla family
Gorilla permits are limited and tied to a date. We confirm availability before you pay, secure the permit, and plan the lodges and drive times around your trek.
10 days · Mid-Range
10-Day Uganda Safari Adventure
Ten days across Uganda, combining Murchison Falls, Kibale, Queen Elizabeth, Bwindi and Lake Mburo. The route takes in the Nile, chimpanzees, game drives and gorilla trekking.
6 days · Mid-Range
6-Day Gorilla Sundowner
Six days through Lake Mburo, Lake Bunyonyi and Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, with a gorilla trek in Bwindi.
6 days · Mid-Range
6-Day Western Axis Safari (Queen Elizabeth, Bwindi, Lake Bunyonyi, Lake Mburo)
A 6-day journey through Uganda’s western circuit, featuring iconic game drives, Kazinga Channel cruise, gorilla trekking, Lake Bunyonyi canoeing, and Lake Mburo walking safaris.
8 days · Mid-Range
8-Day Best of Western Uganda Safari
An 8-day western Uganda circuit featuring rhino tracking, Murchison Falls, chimp tracking in Kibale, Queen Elizabeth game drives, Kazinga Channel cruise, Ishasha tree-climbing lions, gorilla trekking, and Lake Bunyonyi.
9 days · Mid-Range
9-Day Primates & Plains Safari
A 9-day deep-dive into Uganda’s primate hotspots and savannah plains — chimp trekking, gorilla tracking, Kazinga Channel cruise, Ishasha tree-climbing lions, and classic game drives across Uganda’s top parks.
Practical
Gorilla trekking questions
The answers below come from the UWA briefing and our own trips. If your question is not here, ask us before you book.
Ask about permitsHow long does a gorilla trek take?
A gorilla trek can take from two to eight hours depending on where the family is and the trail conditions. You spend one hour with the gorillas once you reach them.
Is the gorilla permit included in the trip price?
A gorilla permit is included only when the trip lists it in the inclusions. Where it is not, we secure the permit and show it as a separate line in your quote.
How fit do I need to be?
Gorilla trekking crosses steep, muddy forest at altitude. If you can walk for a few hours on uneven ground, you can trek. Porters can carry bags and help on the steep sections.
When is the best time to trek?
The drier months for gorilla trekking are June to September and December to February. Gorillas are tracked year-round; March to May and October to November are wetter.
Where do the treks start?
Gorilla treks in Bwindi start at one of four trailheads: Buhoma, Ruhija, Rushaga or Nkuringo. UWA assigns the family and trailhead, and we book lodges with that in mind.
How much is a gorilla permit?
A foreign non-resident gorilla permit in Uganda is US$800 under the current UWA tariff. We confirm the current rate when we book.
Ready to plan your safari?
Tell us your dates, group and what you want to see
You’ll get a route and a price back, not a template. Planned by the team in Kampala before you land in Entebbe.