Luxury Gorilla Trekking in Uganda
If seeing mountain gorillas in Africa is on your list, a luxury gorilla trekking safari in Uganda, the Pearl of Africa, is one of the best ways to do it.
Uganda has two main gorilla destinations: Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, both in the southwest of the country.
Bwindi is home to over 459 mountain gorillas, almost half of the world’s total population of 1,063. Mountain gorillas live in only a few African countries, including Uganda and Rwanda.
Bwindi has 20 habituated gorilla families open for trekking, spread across four areas: Ruhija, Nkuringo, Rushaga, and Buhoma. In Rushaga alone, you can visit families including Kutu, Kahungye, Busingye, Bikingi, Rwigi, Mucunguzi, Nshongi, Bweza, and Mishaya.
Bwindi was established in 1991 and became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1994. It covers 331 square kilometers of thick rainforest and is reachable by road in 8 to 9 hours from Kampala, or 3 to 4 hours from Kigali, Rwanda.
Mgahinga Gorilla National Park offers a quieter luxury experience in southwestern Uganda. It has one habituated family, Nyakagezi, and only 8 people can visit this group each day.
Book your Uganda luxury gorilla trek today
Uganda Luxury Gorilla Permits
Permit prices are the same for budget and luxury safaris. Foreign non-residents pay $800 for Bwindi or Mgahinga, foreign residents pay $700, and East African Community citizens pay 250,000 Ugandan shillings.
Gorilla habituation, which gives you more time with the gorillas as they get used to visitors, is only available in Bwindi. Permits cost $1,500 for foreign non-residents, $1,000 for foreign residents, and 750,000 Ugandan shillings for East African citizens.
Book your permit through a trusted tour operator or directly through the Uganda Wildlife Authority. We recommend booking 2 to 6 months before your trip.
How to Get to Bwindi and Mgahinga
By road from Kampala, the drive takes 8 to 10 hours. For Bwindi, drive through Masaka and Mbarara to Kabale. For Mgahinga, continue on from Kisoro.
From Kigali, Rwanda, cross at Katuna border to reach Kabale for Bwindi, or at Chanika border to reach Kisoro for Mgahinga, a 3 to 5 hour drive to either park. From Queen Elizabeth National Park, Bwindi is 3 to 4 hours away.
By air, small airstrips serve both parks at Kihihi and Kisoro, with flights available from Entebbe Airport or Kajjansi Airfield.
Luxury Gorilla Trekking in Rwanda
Rwanda is one of a small number of countries where you can trek endangered mountain gorillas. They live in Volcanoes National Park in the northwest, near Ruhengeri, about 2 to 3 hours by car from Kigali.
Volcanoes National Park covers 160 square kilometers and is home to about 30 percent of the world’s mountain gorillas. From the Kinigi park offices, you can trek to see 13 habituated gorilla families.
Gorilla permits in Rwanda cost $1,500 per person. Book through a registered tour operator or directly through the Rwanda Development Board.
Book your Rwanda luxury gorilla trek today
Gorilla Trekking Guidelines for Uganda and Rwanda
- Keep a distance of 8 to 10 meters from the gorillas.
- Only visitors aged 15 and older can trek gorillas.
- You spend one hour with the gorillas per trek.
- Wear a mask during your visit to avoid spreading disease.
Other Luxury Activities Besides Gorilla Trekking
Africa offers plenty more to add to your luxury gorilla safari.
Mountain Gorilla Habituation Experience
This full day experience is only available in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and gives you about 4 hours face to face with a semi-habituated gorilla family, far more than the usual one hour trek.
Permit prices vary by visitor type: foreign non-residents pay $1,500, foreign residents pay $1,000, and East African Community citizens pay 750,000 Ugandan shillings. This permit lets you visit the Kutu gorilla family in the Rushaga region.
Book your gorilla habituation experience today
Chimpanzee Trekking
Chimpanzee trekking is available in Uganda, Rwanda, and Tanzania. Uganda has over 5,050 chimpanzees, with Kibale Forest National Park the top spot for trekking.
Permits cost $250 for foreign non-residents, $200 for foreign residents, and 200,000 Ugandan shillings for East African Community citizens. In Rwanda, chimpanzee trekking is available at Nyungwe Forest National Park and Gishwati-Mukura National Park.
Book your chimpanzee trekking safari today
Chimpanzee Habituation Experience
Chimpanzee habituation is mainly available in Uganda’s Kibale Forest National Park and Budongo Forest. This full day activity lets you follow a semi-habituated chimpanzee group, helping researchers prepare them for official trekking.
Mountaineering
Add mountain climbing to your luxury safari at Mount Rwenzori in Uganda, or the Gahinga, Muhabura, and Sabyinyo volcanoes in Uganda’s Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. In Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park, you can climb Mount Karisimbi.
Recommended Luxury Lodges and Hotels
Uganda
- Nkuringo Bwindi Gorilla Lodge: south of Bwindi, overlooking the Mgahinga volcanoes of Muhabura, Sabyinyo, and Gahinga, with 12 chalet-style rooms.
- Buhoma Lodge: in northern Bwindi, with 10 en-suite chalets.
- Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge: near the Christmas, Bikingi, and Nkuringo trekking points, with 7 guesthouses and 10 stone cottages.
- Chameleon Hill Lodge, Mahogany Springs Lodge, and Engagi Lodge: also around Bwindi.
- Gahinga Lodge: a top choice in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park.
Rwanda
- One&Only Gorilla Nest: close to the park, ideal for gorilla trekking and golden monkey tracking.
- Bisate Lodge: 6 individual villas with grass thatched roofs.
- Sabyinyo Silverback Lodge: next to Kinigi, where gorilla briefings start.
- Singita Kwitonda Lodge: 4 rooms, ideal for families or groups.
- Virunga Lodge: African art and views of the Twin Lakes, Virunga volcanoes, and Musanze valleys.
Best Time for Luxury Gorilla Trekking
You can plan luxury gorilla trekking in Uganda and Rwanda at any time of year, though most travelers prefer the dry season.
The longer dry season runs from June to September, and the shorter one from December to February. The longer rainy season runs from March to May, and the shorter one from October to November. Whichever season you choose, pack well.
Bring long-sleeved shirts, trousers, a non-flash camera, a sweater, rain jacket, first aid kit, toiletries, gardening gloves, your valid gorilla permit, snacks, bottled water, visa, hiking boots, and a waterproof day pack.
Frequently Asked Questions About Luxury Gorilla Trekking
Got questions about luxury gorilla trekking? Here are answers to what travelers ask most, from permit prices to the best time to visit.
What is luxury gorilla trekking?
Luxury gorilla trekking lets you see mountain gorillas in Uganda and Rwanda with premium lodges, expert guides, and a more comfortable safari experience.
Where can I do luxury gorilla trekking?
In Uganda, at Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, and in Rwanda, at Volcanoes National Park.
How much does a gorilla permit cost in Uganda?
Foreign non-residents pay $800 for Bwindi or Mgahinga, foreign residents pay $700, and East African Community citizens pay 250,000 Ugandan shillings.
How much does a gorilla permit cost in Rwanda?
Gorilla permits in Rwanda cost $1,500 per person.
How many mountain gorillas live in Bwindi?
Bwindi is home to over 459 mountain gorillas, almost half of the world’s total population of 1,063.
How many gorilla families can I trek in Bwindi?
Bwindi has 20 habituated gorilla families, spread across four areas: Ruhija, Nkuringo, Rushaga, and Buhoma.
How many gorilla families can I trek in Mgahinga?
Mgahinga has one habituated family, Nyakagezi, and only 8 people can visit this group each day.
How many gorilla families can I trek in Rwanda?
Volcanoes National Park has 13 habituated gorilla families open for trekking.
When was Bwindi Impenetrable National Park established?
Bwindi was established in 1991 and became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1994.
How do I get to Bwindi from Kampala?
By road, the drive takes 8 to 9 hours through Masaka and Mbarara to Kabale.
How do I get to Bwindi from Kigali?
By road, cross at Katuna border to reach Kabale, about 3 to 4 hours away.
Can I fly to Bwindi or Mgahinga?
Yes, both parks have small airstrips at Kihihi and Kisoro, with flights from Entebbe Airport or Kajjansi Airfield.
How far is Volcanoes National Park from Kigali?
About 2 to 3 hours by car near Ruhengeri in the northwest of Rwanda.
What is the Mountain Gorilla Habituation Experience?
A full day activity in Bwindi that gives you about 4 hours with a semi-habituated gorilla family, compared to the usual one hour trek.
How much does the gorilla habituation permit cost?
Foreign non-residents pay $1,500, foreign residents pay $1,000, and East African Community citizens pay 750,000 Ugandan shillings.
What mountains can I climb during a gorilla safari?
Mount Gahinga, Muhabura, and Sabyinyo volcanoes in Uganda, or Mount Karisimbi in Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park.
How long can I spend with the gorillas?
One hour per trek, or about 4 hours with the Gorilla Habituation Experience.
When is the best time for luxury gorilla trekking?
The dry seasons, from June to September and December to February, offer the best conditions, though trekking is possible year round with the right packing.
Book your luxury gorilla trekking safari with Magical Gorilla Adventures today.
