February 18, 2025 | Bujo Safaris
For nature lovers planning a gorilla trekking safari, Uganda offers a chance to get up close with the endangered mountain gorillas of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, though this experience requires one to have a gorilla trekking permit. Uganda has two prime gorilla trekking destinations: Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga National Park which offer amazing safari experiences. This article highlights the process of booking a gorilla trekking permit in Uganda, gorilla trekking permit costs, gorilla trekking destinations and other related information which includes the following;
A gorilla trekking permit is an essential and mandatory requirement that every traveller on a gorilla trekking safari should provide. The gorilla trekking permits are required for the safety and conservation purposes of mountain gorillas. Gorilla national parks consist of Habituated gorilla families and non-habituated gorilla families. Habituated gorilla families have trained for a visitor's experience and research as well and wild gorillas are not considered for conservation purposes. Therefore, it is essential for all travellers planning a gorilla trekking safari to have all the possible gorilla trekking permits to track the habituated gorilla families for a safe trekking experience.
Mountain gorillas can only be seen in three countries Uganda, Rwanda and Congo and Uganda Habits almost half of the world’s mountain gorillas. Mountain gorillas in Uganda can be seen in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park.
Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park: Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is located in the southwestern part of Uganda covers an area of about 326sqkm and is a UNESCO World Heritage site popular for endangered mountain gorillas and other primate species. The park is also home to other wildlife species such as elephants, buffaloes, hippos, monkeys, baboons, and other different species of birds. Bwindi Impenetrable National Park consists of about 400 habituated mountain gorillas that can be tracked in the four major gorilla tracking points of Ruhija, Rushaga, Buhoma and Nkuringo sectors. Gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is done in groups of 8 Pax with 2 armed rangers per gorilla family per trek.
Mgahinga Gorilla National Park: Located in the southwestern part of Uganda in Kisoro district at the border with Rwanda and Volcanoes National Park. Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is part of the Virunga Mountain ranges and home to one large Habituated gorilla family called Nyakagezi. The park is also home to other primate species including the golden monkeys, blue monkeys, vervet monkeys, red colobus monkeys, white and black colobus monkeys, olive baboons and different bird species. Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is one of the four mountain gorilla trekking regions in the world offering unforgettable memories to travellers on a Uganda gorilla trekking safari.
Embark on a thrilling gorilla trekking adventure in one of Uganda’s gorilla trekking destinations that gives you a chance to get up close to mountain gorillas. For one to see the gorillas in their natural habitat, they require a gorilla trekking permit that is issued by the Uganda Wildlife Authority. Uganda. The gorilla trekking experience starts with a briefing at the visitor’s information centre by UWA park rangers about the rules and guidelines while observing the mountain gorillas in their habitats. Visitors are divided into groups of 8 pax who are allowed to visit a particular gorilla family per trek and 2 armed rangers.
Later, embark on the actual gorilla trekking experience navigating through the dense forests of the park in search of mountain gorillas giving you a chance to spot other wildlife species such as blue monkeys, vervet monkeys, red colobus monkeys, white and black colobus monkeys, olive baboons and different bird species such as including broadbill, blue-headed sunbird, Grader’s broadbill, black-faced rufous warbler, handsome francolin, purple breasted sunbird, Ruwenzori Apalis, yellow streaked greenbul, Shelley's Crimsoning, regal sunbird, olive breasted greenbul, mountain masked Apalis and Neumann's warbler among others.
On finding the gorillas, you shall be granted a chance to spend 1 full hour with the mountain gorillas as you watch them play and feed with the young ones. Remember to keep a 10-meter distance as instructed by the ranger guide.
A gorilla trekking permit is a physical document issued by the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) allowing tourists to see mountain gorillas in their natural sanctuary. A gorilla trekking permit in Uganda costs USD 800 for Foreign Non-Residents, USD 700 for foreign residents and UGX 300,000 for East African citizens. Travellers planning a gorilla trekking safari are highly advised to book their gorilla trekking permits in advance to avoid inconveniences.
Choose the best time and gorilla park: Uganda consists of two gorilla national parks with different gorilla trekking regions such as Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park with Ruhija, Buhoma, Nkuringo, and Rushaga and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park with only one gorilla trekking Family Nyakagezi. A traveller planning to book a gorilla trekking safari should be mindful of the gorilla trekking point to choose and the best time to track the mountain gorillas. The best time to track mountain gorillas is during the dry season which runs from December to February and June to August when the trekking trails are drier and short vegetation making it easy for trekkers to access the park. However, gorilla trekking can also be done during the wet season though may be hindered by heavy rains and slippery trekking trails.
Book a reputable Tour Operator: For an amazing gorilla trekking experience, book your gorilla trekking permit through a reputable tour operator who has handled quite several gorilla trekking safaris in the region. Your tour operator can also help and combine your gorilla trekking safari with wildlife viewing experiences in other savannah national parks such as Murchison Falls National Pak and Queen Elizabeth National Park making it an adventure of a lifetime.
In a nutshell, travellers planning a gorilla trekking safari in Uganda are highly advised to book their gorilla trekking permits in advance for a memorable experience. Gorilla trekking is one of the most sought-after safari experiences for travellers planning a vacation Holiday in East Africa thus creating beautiful memories that are cherished forever.
October 31, 2026
September 24, 2026
August 13, 2026
© Copyright Bujo Safaris All Right Reserved | Privacy Policy
