The Complete Guide to Trekking Mountain Gorillas in Africa
Africa is one of the best places on earth to trek endangered mountain gorillas in the wild. Book a primate safari with Magical Gorilla Adventures and trek in Uganda or Rwanda, in national parks close to each other.
Trekking Mountain Gorillas in Uganda
Bwindi has about half of the world’s mountain gorillas, making it one of the top places for gorilla trekking in Uganda. You can trek gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, both in the southwest of the country.
Bwindi has gorilla families spread across different sectors, so book your accommodation near the sector where you will trek. Both parks are far from the main international airport, so plan to arrive the day before your trek. Trekking starts early in the morning.
Book your Uganda safari today.
Meeting the Gorillas of Rwanda
Volcanoes National Park is the only place for gorilla trekking in Rwanda. The park has over 12 habituated gorilla families you can visit. Rwanda has a higher permit price than Uganda, but it also offers some of the easiest access and top lodges.
Book your Rwanda safari today.
Gorilla Trekking on a Budget
Permits can be expensive. A permit in Rwanda costs $1,500, and this does not include flights, transport, or accommodation.
Here is how to save money on your trip:
- Travel in the low season. Permit and hotel prices drop in the off-season, so you save on both.
- Travel in a group. Sharing transport and rooms cuts costs for everyone.
- Choose Uganda. Uganda offers a mid-range permit price compared to Rwanda.
Book your budget safari today.
Luxury Gorilla Safaris
Luxury trekking is most popular in Rwanda, where you can stay at a 5-star lodge inside the park and fly directly in from Kigali International Airport.
Uganda also offers a luxury experience. Fly to Bwindi from Entebbe International Airport or Kajjansi Airfield and stay at a top 5-star lodge.
Book your luxury safari today.
Gorilla Habituation Experience (GHEX)
Habituation is the process of preparing wild gorilla families for tourism. A team of researchers and rangers spends about three years with a gorilla family to help them get used to humans.
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park offers this experience in small groups. Instead of the usual one hour with gorillas, you spend four hours with them. You can also combine trekking and habituation on the same trip to see both habituated and newly forming families.
Book your habituation experience today.
Where to See Mountain Gorillas in Africa
Mountain gorillas are the most visited gorilla species in Africa, and they live only in a few countries on the continent, including Uganda and Rwanda. Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park in Uganda, along with Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda, are the top places to see them.
Why Visit Gorillas in Africa
You see them in their natural habitat. Mountain gorillas do not survive in zoos, so the only way to see them is in the wild in Africa.
They live only in Africa. Mountain gorillas exist in only a handful of countries in the world. If you want to see them, Africa is the only place to go.
About Mountain Gorillas
Mountain gorillas are an endangered primate found only in Africa. They share 96 percent of their DNA with humans. Each group is led by a male silverback, who guides the family and is the only male that mates with the females in the group.
Female gorillas are pregnant for about eight and a half months and have only one or two fertile days each month. After giving birth, it takes four to five years before she has another baby. The mother carries, feeds, and sleeps with her infant until it is about four years old, then the young gorilla moves to its own nest nearby.
Gorillas eat mostly plants, along with some insects, ants, and termites. They feed in the morning, rest at midday, feed again in the afternoon, then build a new nest each night after 7 pm.
Top Mountain Gorilla Parks in Africa
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park (Uganda)
Bwindi offers the best mountain gorilla experience in Africa, with the largest number of gorillas and habituated families of any park. Get your permit through the Uganda Wildlife Authority or a trusted travel company like Magical Gorilla Adventures.
Volcanoes National Park (Rwanda)
Book your permit at least three months ahead to avoid missing out. Trekking starts early with a briefing at park headquarters, where you are assigned a gorilla family based on your age and fitness. Energetic trekkers go to families at higher elevations, while older visitors trek to closer families.
How Much Does It Cost to See the Gorillas?
- Rwanda: $1,500 per person for foreign visitors. Off-season rate is $1,050 (November and May only, and only if you have visited another Rwandan national park). Foreign residents pay $500. East African citizens (Uganda, Rwanda, Kenya, Tanzania, South Sudan, Burundi) pay $200.
- Uganda: $800 per person for foreign visitors, a mid-range price compared to Rwanda.
Bwindi: A Highlight Not to Miss
Bwindi Impenetrable Forest sits in southwestern Uganda and has habituated gorilla families across four sectors: Ruhija, Buhoma, Nkuringo, and Rushaga.
Permits cost $800 per person, and you should book at least three months ahead. Your gorilla family assignment depends on your age, health, and fitness, with energetic trekkers sent to higher elevations. Book your accommodation in the same sector as your permit.
Book your Bwindi safari today.
Is Gorilla Trekking Worth It?
Yes. It lets you see our closest wild relatives in their natural home, not behind glass at a zoo. Mountain gorillas live in only a few countries in the world, so the experience is rare. You also travel on foot through the forest, which brings you closer to nature than a vehicle safari ever could.
Getting Your Gorilla Permit
Anyone over 15 years old needs a permit to see mountain gorillas. Book at least three months ahead, especially in peak season, through a trusted travel company or directly through the Uganda Wildlife Authority or Rwanda Development Board.
Best Time to See the Gorillas
Mountain gorillas live in the high elevations of the Virunga Conservation Area, which has wet and dry seasons. The dry seasons, from June to September and December to February, offer the best conditions, since trails are easier to walk without mud.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is gorilla trekking?
Gorilla trekking is walking through the forest to see mountain gorillas in their natural home.
Where can I trek mountain gorillas in Africa?
In Uganda and Rwanda.
Which country has the most mountain gorillas?
Uganda, with about half of the world’s population.
Where can I trek gorillas in Uganda?
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park.
Which park is best for gorilla trekking in Rwanda?
Volcanoes National Park, the only gorilla trekking site in the country.
Which country has cheaper gorilla trekking permits?
Uganda offers a lower permit price than Rwanda.
Which country has the most expensive permits?
Rwanda, at $1,500 per trek.
How much does a gorilla permit cost in Uganda?
$800 per person.
Do I need a permit for gorilla trekking?
Yes, all visitors over 15 years old need one.
How many gorilla families are in Bwindi?
Several, spread across four sectors: Ruhija, Buhoma, Nkuringo, and Rushaga.
When does gorilla trekking start?
Early in the morning, after a briefing from park rangers.
How much time do I spend with the gorillas?
One hour during normal trekking.
What is the Gorilla Habituation Experience?
A special activity where you spend four hours with gorillas as they get used to humans.
Where can I do the Gorilla Habituation Experience?
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in Uganda.
How do I book a gorilla permit?
Through the Uganda Wildlife Authority, Rwanda Development Board, or a trusted travel company like Magical Gorilla Adventures.
When should I book my permit?
At least three months before your trip.
What is the best time of year for gorilla trekking?
The dry seasons: June to September and December to February.
Why should I see gorillas in Africa?
Because mountain gorillas live only in Africa and cannot survive in zoos.
What do gorillas eat?
Mostly plants, along with ants, termites, and insects.
How long is a gorilla pregnancy?
About eight and a half months.
Who leads a gorilla group?
A silverback male, who leads and makes all the decisions.
How can budget travelers save money on trekking?
Travel in a group, go in the low season, or choose Uganda, where permits cost less than Rwanda.
Is gorilla trekking possible for luxury travelers?
Yes. Stay at a 5-star lodge or fly directly into the park for a premium experience.
How long do gorillas live?
Mountain gorillas can live 35 to 40 years in the wild.
Is gorilla trekking safe?
Yes, as long as you follow the rules and listen to your ranger guide.
Why is gorilla trekking worth the money?
Because you see rare, endangered gorillas in the wild, an experience found nowhere else on earth.
Can children do gorilla trekking?
No. Only visitors 15 years and older can trek gorillas.
Ready to see mountain gorillas in the wild? Book your safari with Magical Gorilla Adventures today.
