Uganda Gorilla Safari Tours | Gorilla Trekking Uganda & Rwanda

What is gorilla tracking?

Gorilla trekking is the act of hiking up a hill in search of the adorable mountain gorillas of Uganda, Rwanda or Congo. Many people refer to it as Gorilla tracking, a Gorilla trek or even Gorilla monitoring. It’s the same thing.

Gorilla Tracking is the act of allocating the locations of gorillas so that it can be trekked by guests. This is done by a team of highly qualified trackers that search for them in the Bwindi jungle a few hours just before the guest start the trek to spend the adorable one hour with the gorillas.

The main reason for gorilla tracking is to ensure visitors do not take too long in search for them as this may make the entire process very challenging and less fun than it is.

In Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, these trackers head for the hills very early in the morning to find the gorillas before the tourists start their trek.

The chances of spotting wild gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable National Forest are very high. In fact, there is a 99% chance of seeing them because the Uganda Wildlife trackers would already be knowing their last location. All you have to do is get ready for the adventure!

Where is the best place to see gorillas in the wild?

You probably already know that you can only find mountain gorillas in Uganda, Rwanda, and the Democratic Republic of Congo and yes, Uganda has over 50% of these adorable gentle giants and given the fact that there are so much more other attractions to see in Uganda beyond gorillas, the hospitable and friendly nature of the locals in Uganda and the relatively cheaper gorilla permits – you definitely want to go Gorilla trekking in Uganda instead.

Actually, Uganda has two gorilla trekking parks – the lesser visited Mgahinga National Park found in Southwest Uganda close to Volcanoes National park and Virunga National Park in Easter DRC.

What is included with the Uganda/Rwanda gorilla permit?

Rwanda gorilla trekking permit and Uganda gorilla safaris permits shall grant you access to see mountain gorillas in Volcanoes National Park, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park or Mgahinga depending on the one you book.

Your Uganda gorilla permit grants you the unique opportunity to spend one hour with mountain gorillas in the breathtaking jungle of Bwindi Impenetrable or Mgahinga Gorilla National parks in Uganda, or Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda.

There is no further payment for park entrance as opposed to other wildlife parks where activities and entrances are paid for separately. the permit cost includes entry fees for the respective parks, giving you access to the gorillas’ natural habitat.

Additionally, the services of experienced gorilla park guides and rangers, who will accompany you to the forest to ensure you just don’t have a great gorilla trekking experience but also a secured one.

To ensure a seamless adventure experience, you do not need to bother yourself because Friendly gorillas shall take care of securing your permits well in advance, ensuring a hassle-free and unforgettable encounter.

How long does a gorilla trek in Uganda or Rwanda take?

The duration of a mountain gorilla trek in Uganda or Rwanda can vary widely vary from 1 hour to 8 hours depending on a variety of factors such as the movement patterns of the mountain gorillas, the location where they spent the previous night, the allocated gorilla family, the fitness level of the team members and the gorilla trekking sector.

If you require further explanations on the same subject, our experienced team at friendly Gorillas are always happy to answer any questions you may have. Just get in touch and we shall hit you with answers.

What are the chances of seeing a mountain gorilla?

Whether you choose to trek in Rwanda or Uganda, you shall definitely see gorillas. If you prefer a mathematical possibility, there is up to 98% chance that you shall see them. Since these gorillas are already tracked earlier before you sat foot into the trail, you are guaranteed to find them before embarking on a return to the starting point. In fact, no client has ever missed gorillas with us.

It’s common for some tourists to consider booking multiple gorilla treks, fearing they might miss out on seeing gorillas during the first trek and hoping for better luck on subsequent treks but the reality is that gorilla trekking in Bwindi, Mgahinga, and Volcanoes in Rwanda is well-organized and we only advice that the reason for booking multiple trek should be because you want to experience the different trekking sectors not because you think you may miss seeing them on day one.

Throughout the trek, the prior team of trackers and guides maintain communication with each other ensuring you are right on track. If the gorilla family is on the move at a rapid pace, the team will coordinate with your guide. If necessary, and to ensure your safety and enjoyment, the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) may decide to redirect you to another gorilla family.

What is the age limit for gorilla tracking?

If you were wondering, yes gorilla trekking whether in Uganda or Rwanda has age restrictions. In fact, chimpanzee and golden all have age restrictions. The age limit for gorilla tracking in Uganda and Rwanda, as well as golden monkey trekking in Uganda, is 15 years.

This age limit is strictly followed because the hike is somewhat strenuous and younger kids may be scared by gorillas causing some sort of a scene.

Therefore, all clients and children must be 15 or older to participate in these activities to avoid any disappointments, such as being refused to track. Before booking your Gorilla Tracking Uganda safari holidays with us, we ensure that you have all the necessary details regarding age restrictions.

For chimpanzee and Golden monkey trekking in Uganda, the age limit is 12 years. In Rwanda, children aged 10 years and older are allowed to trek golden monkeys as long as they are accompanied by an adult. While children under 15 years are permitted to visit Dian Fossey’s tomb in Rwanda, it’s essential to note that the hike to the tomb is challenging, so it is not recommended for most children unless they possess a high level of fitness.

What should I pack for a gorilla trekking trip in Uganda?

A Uganda gorilla safari is an adventure and therefor it requires some level of preparation.

We recommend packing trousers, long-sleeved shirts or blouses, and long socks to tuck into your trousers for added protection. Since the trek in in the jungle, you shall also need garden gloves, a hat, sunglasses, and hiking boots for comfort and safety on the trek. Insect repellents to avoid the bites from insects.

Additionally, pack some energy-giving foods to keep you fueled and energized throughout the trek, remember you shall be in the forest for at least 4 hours, you don’t want to have your energy depleted.

Is it Uganda gorilla safari from Kigali possible?

For many, a whole day drive from Entebbe to Bwindi is hectic and very tiresome and for some travelers who are already in Rwanda who want to continue straight for gorilla trekking, yes, it is indeed possible to track Uganda gorillas via Kigali, Rwanda.

The transfer drive from Kigali to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is approximately 4.5 hours including border clearance, also it gives you an opportunity to visit the famous Kigali genocide museum right before embarking on the transfer. This is a more time-efficient option compared to using Entebbe International Airport, where the drive time can range from 8-9, and sometimes up to 10 hours.

The Uganda gorilla trekking from Kigali doesn’t increase to travel cost on your end because the same East African travel visa can be used in both Rwanda and Uganda at no extra cost.

The same visa may be used even in Kenya. Additionally, travelers can now apply for a Rwanda visa upon arrival, simplifying the visa acquisition process.

Uganda gorilla safaris from Kigali are designed to cater for guests who do not have much time or simply want to see gorillas over the weekend before resuming with their normal schedules. In fact, Friendly Gorillas can arrange 1 Day Gorilla trekking from Kigali and 2 Days Gorilla Trekking from Kigali among other exciting safaris departing from Kigali.

If you need further information regarding Bwindi gorilla safaris through Kigali Airport and assistance with travel arrangements, feel free to get in touch with Friendly Gorillas Safaris and we shall be delightful to help.

Does DR Congo have discounted gorilla permits?

Yes, the Democratic Republic of Congo offers discounted gorilla permits and their gorilla permits are the cheapest compared to the other two Gorilla trekking countries.

The regular gorilla permits to trek mountain gorillas in Congo’s Virunga National Park costs USD 400.00.

This fee covers park entry fees, one hour with the gorillas, and the services of a ranger guide during the trek. However, time after time, Congo offers discounted gorilla permits reduced up to USD 300.00.

For further details about how you can get this discounted permit, get in touch with Friendly Gorillas and we shall give you all necessary information and assistance in planning a memorable and budget-friendly gorilla trekking experience in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

How many people are allowed to trek a gorilla family?

On a daily basis and irrespective of the country, only a maximum of 8 people is allowed to trek or visit a given gorilla family in Bwindi, Mgahinga, and Volcanoes National parks.

For gorilla habituation experiences, which instead of one hour, give you a maximum of 4 hours with the gorillas, only 4 people are permitted to watch, learn and further habituate the gentle giants. This smaller group size ensures a more controlled and intimate experience for those participating in the gorilla habituation process as opposed to the usual gorilla trekking.

When should you book a gorilla permit?

Without a gorilla permit, you shall not be allowed to see gorillas in Uganda or Rwanda and yes a gorilla permit is valid per person per day. In order to secure these permits, you need a reliable company like Friendly Gorillas to liaise with Uganda Wildlife Authority and make reservations and payments on your behalf.

Currently, It’s not possible for you to get the permit without the service of a company.

Booking Uganda Gorilla permits in advance is the best thing you want to do because during the busy months of June, July, August, September, December, January and February, may people want to see gorillas because of the great weather and therefore permits are in high demand and tend to sell out quickly.

At Friendly Gorillas Safaris, we recommend acquiring your gorilla permit 3-4 months before your safari departure to avoid last-minute disappointments.

If you happen to find yourself planning a last-minute gorilla trekking, get in touch with Friendly Gorillas to check if we still have our reserve gorilla permits available. We always expect some guest booking last-minute so that you do not miss your gorilla trekking experience of a lifetime.

When is the best time to go on a Gorilla safari in Uganda?

Well, Uganda is a country with great climate and can be visited at any time. Mountain gorilla trekking is the main reason for most travelers to Uganda and it takes a lion’s share in many tourists’ itineraries. Gorilla trekking permits are available throughout the year and may be booked as early as 12 months to the tracking day.

Uganda is a country with Tropical climate and because of this, it receives a lot of rainfall especially in the wettest months of March to May. Yes, you got it, these months can be somewhat problematic to travel in. During these Wet season months, some roads become extremely muddy and hard to navigate. Actually, you may have to pass through a different and unexpected path to access your next destination.

The Dry season months of June to August, a short rainy season between September and November before the dry season resumes on December to February offer the easiest travel conditions and yes, that’s the most recommended time to go Gorilla trekking in Uganda.

If your purpose of the visit is not gorillas, even General wildlife viewing in the savannah parks of Uganda are best done during these drier months as animals gather around rivers and waterholes, and the grass is shorter making it easier to spot them.

Many other guests are looking towards the same season as you, therefore remember to reserve your trips as early as possible so that all the necessary logistics and permits are acquired in advance. This way, you shall have an unforgettable safari in Uganda.

Why visit Uganda, what are the major attractions?

It’s not surprising that Uganda is majorly known for gorilla trekking and yes, many guests will visit to see the mesmerizing gorillas of Uganda but, upon a visit to the pearl of Africa, you shall learn that the country has much to offer than just gorillas.

Uganda has the world’s best chimpanzee trekking destination – the Kibale Forest national park that presents a huge number of other amazing primates including the olive baboons, golden monkeys, velvet monkeys, and of course the chimpanzees, Queen Elizabeth National Park offers an exciting chimpanzee trekking in Kyambura Gorge (or nearby Kalinzu Forest) and a boat trip on Kazinga Channel plus an opportunity to sightsee the African Big 4 animals.

The Queen Elizabeth national park is further known for its famous tree-climbing lions on the Ishasha Plains and for many people this is the highlight of your Queen Elizabeth safari. Murchison Falls National Park on the other hand offers a visit to all the African Big 5 games plus a visit to the world’s most powerful waterfalls coupled with excellent wildlife viewing as well as spectacular scenic beauty.

The aquatic game viewing boat trip on the Nile River to the famous Murchison Falls or to the delta is truly rewarding for birders, and sightings of the prehistoric-looking shoebill, hippos, Nile crocodile and many other animals.

Authentic wilderness can be experienced in Kidepo Valley National Park which it home to many other wildlife not found elsewhere in the country Infect, many times Kibale has been in the frontline as one of the world’s best wilderness and virgin destination. As a plus, you shall meet the amazing Karamojong during your visit to Kidepo Valley national park.

There is more to explore and experience in Uganda than you could have thought of. There is quite more like the true source of River Nile in Jinja, the famous Sipi falls visit, the incredible lush beaches of Kalangala island in Lake Victoria, the magnificent Rwenzori mountains among many other enticing attractions and destinations.

How much is gorilla trekking in Uganda?

Gorilla trekking cost depends on a few factors like the accommodation cost, number of days, number of people. However, the most affordable price with Friendly Gorillas without permit fees for a 3-day gorilla trekking is USD 490 per person depending on 4 adults.

The permit fee for mountain gorilla trekking in Uganda is currently US$800 for visitors from outside of Africa. Although this might seem expensive, it is almost half the price of gorilla permits in Rwanda which is US$1,500, which currently is your only other option to see gorillas.

The gorilla permit cost is the same whether you desire to track in any of the four sectors of Bwindi Impenetrable national park or Mgahinga Gorilla park – closest to the Virunga ranges however, if you prefer a more intimate moment with gorillas and want to go gorilla habituation instead, an activity which involves visiting a gorilla group that is still in the process of getting used to tourist visits to spend four hours and learn more about the cost of the permit alone is USD 1500 per person.

How is the wildlife viewing in Uganda?

Uganda is un doubtfully an enticing destination for wildlife viewing, and its strength can be recorded in the multiple variety of wild games. Because of Uganda’s beautiful rainforests, you expect to see as many primates as possible from mountain gorillas, chimpanzees, baboons, monkeys. Almost in every park you visit, you shall see a primate.

Mountain gorilla trekking is the top attraction here in Uganda, but almost equally exciting is chimpanzee trekking.  If you want to go golden monkey trekking, you have Mgahinga gorilla park to visit, for conventional game viewing, you have Murchison falls, Queen Elizabeth National park and the most remote Kidepo Valley for an authentic wilderness adventure as you meet the famous Karamojong.

Variety is key on a Uganda safari. The one great think you need to know about Uganda is, you shall see very few of different species. Each national park in the country offers a very unique and distinct experience with set of activities from the other. The country is immensely beautiful, with many scenic highlights and landmarks such as Murchison Falls on the Nile River in the greater Murchison Falls National Park, the volcanoes of the Virunga Mountains in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, true rainforest in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, and a string of Rift Valley lakes in Queen Elizabeth National Park.

Compared to Serengeti National Park in Tanzania or the Maasai Mara National Reserve in Kenya, the wildlife concentration is less in Uganda but the scenic beauty in Uganda is unparalleled and the birding experience is much more rewarding in Uganda as opposed to Kenya and Tanzania.

How safe is Uganda for tourists?

In short Uganda is a safe country to visit for any tourist. Uganda boasts of having one of the most hospitable people in the world. Much as the country especially the has had periods of instability, the region is now very safe and you can be assured to be as safe as you would imagine in other country.

It is, however, throughout your safari, your driver guide shall advice depending on the destination you visit and he will always brief you on how to behave and a few expectations form the local especially when heading into the remote Karamoja region and Kidepo Valley National Park.

As is the case in any developing country, petty crime like grabbing of phones in city areas, and when you visit Uganda, you should take normal safety precautions when visiting cities and to be even safer, try to avoid traveling at night. Should you face any issue, get in touch with us and we shall have the matter handled or advice accordingly.

You also need to know that all national parks have security police to maintain the safety of all visitors.

How do I select a reliable Ugandan tour operator?

Since Uganda is your best gorilla trekking destination, many Africa-specialist operators will add a Uganda gorilla trekking package to their safari, some of them are located far from Uganda and don’t have the ground expertise as far as Uganda gorilla trekking goes. If having a remarkable gorilla safari is important to you and you want to experience Uganda better, a specialist Uganda operator is highly recommended.

There are several good local outfitters online and many of them offer Uganda gorilla trekking tours. You want to ask the operator to send you links to their review platforms to check the customer reviews as this will give you a good indication on reliability and quality of the guides and vehicles offered by the different operators.

Even if you book through online travel agencies or other international agents, they usually work through these local outfits, but they sometimes offer higher costs and they might not be in any position to deal with issues regarding ground experiences during your Uganda gorilla trek. You want to book directly with a local operator for better, unforgettable experience and definitely for a better price offer.

What type of accommodations can I expect?

Uganda has developed infrastructures especially for tourism more recently than some of the more established safari destinations in the region and therefore the parks have various accommodation for all budgets ranging from camping, budget, standard to super luxury with world class services and facilities.

The only determinant here Is how much you are willing and able to spend.  Most accommodations in the gorilla safari areas are therefore built to match the kind of climate in the areas they are in, and you can expect cozy cottages with log fires.

Luxury tented camps are a popular option in the savannah reserves but in gorilla trekking areas, you shall find mostly lodges with hot showers, enough warmth and more conducive rooms.

When is the best time of year to see gorillas in Bwindi?

It’s no surprise that gorilla trekking can be done anytime of the year however, if you would like the very best time, then you want to plan your Bwindi/Uganda gorilla trekking definitely during the dry season.

Uganda has two dry seasons – June to August and December to February. This does not mean you shouldn’t expect rain during your gorilla trek. Bwindi is a rain forest and therefore, it can rain anytime. Ensure a rain coat is not missed among your Uganda gorilla trekking packing list.

Also, if you would like a discounted gorilla trekking, consider the months of March January to May – many accommodation providers always offer reduced rates by this time. You could enjoy this incredible adventure at a cheaper cost.

How many days should I stay in Bwindi for?

Gorilla trekking doesn’t take more than one day and given the fact that you won’t miss finding gorillas. You could say one day is enough but you need to know that there are quite more activities to do in Bwindi than just seeing gorillas. I would recommend a 3-night, 2-day gorilla tracking itinerary for Bwindi.

During your visit to Bwindi, we recommend you proceed for a relaxation in the evening at Lake Bunyonyi as you sightsee the endless view of the adorable 29 islands found here. Arranging a simple boat-ride before returning to your Lake Bunyonyi accommodation shall provide a more exciting and unforgettable experience.

What to wear to track gorillas?

When goring for a gorilla trek, you have to keep in mind that you shall be walking in the jungle that has multiple insects, leeches, caterpillars and a thick foliage- some of them are actually quite sharp, because of this we recommended you wear long sleeve tops and trousers for trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest.

To add an extra layer of safety, you should also wear gaiters to avoid anything crawling up your trouser leg! No worries, if you don’t have them, you can easily hire them. Ensure you get in touch with your Friendly Gorillas safari guide to have this arranged in advance.

Sturdy hiking boots are a must, not only because of their grip but also because of their ankle support. Bwindi’s mountainous terrain is steep and uneven in almost throughout the trek, and it can become very muddy and slippery if it rains. Unfortunately, there is no mountain rescue here, if you fall, your only option is to pay locals to carry you out! So this is not the time to wear the wrong footwear!

Are you ready for rain?

Throughout the gorilla trekking day, or should I say almost throughout your stay in Africa, you should always move with your rain jacket even during dry seasons because it could rain anytime. Even if it is sunny when you set out, it doesn’t mean it won’t rain in the afternoon, so make sure you always carry a good waterproof jacket with you.

Of course, you want to keep it lightweight and with taped seams. At friendly gorillas, we also recommend waterproof trousers during the rainy season as you could be out in the rain all day!

Just in case, you don’t have them, you can get in touch with our guide to have an Umbrella is arranged for you at no extra cost. You know we want you to enjoy your adventure but, we may not know what you are lacking if you don’t tell us.

Lastly, you will want a walking stick. The Uganda Wildlife team shall always provide walking sticks at the trekking center to help you add a layer of grip during the trek, you will be surprised how much they help you both up and downhill!