Gorilla Trekking Guide in Uganda and Rwanda

Gorilla trekking in Uganda and Rwanda is one of the many tourist activities you will not want to miss when visiting the African Continent. The high-altitude, montane forests of East and Central Africa are a popular haven for these massive beauties due to their unique weather and forest environment. More than three-quarters of these majestic Giant Apes are found in Uganda and Rwanda, and a bucket list must have a trip to get up close and personal with these majestic primates on our guided gorilla tours with Superfine Safaris Limited

Watching the endangered mountain gorillas in their natural habitat is a dream for many primate enthusiasts, and the dense montane forests of Uganda and Rwanda are two of the great places to head out in search of the majestic Giant Apes. A once-in-a-lifetime experience for many travelers (although chances are you will want to do it again), these creatures are huge yet elusive, hidden in the depths of the Earth’s jungles. Seeing a silverback (adult male) with your own eyes is a truly memorable safari memory that no traveler can stop telling people about.

Make sure to add gorilla trekking, a once-in-a-lifetime experience, to your African safari itinerary. Here is everything you need to know to plan the perfect day in the forest. In this guide, we share information on everything you need to know about a gorilla trekking safari in Uganda and Rwanda, and share tips on how much it costs and what you need to take with you.

What to expect from a gorilla trekking tour in Uganda

Only one departure (morning tours) of gorilla trekking adventures is done, and starts with a briefing at the Park Headquarters, beginning at 7:30 am. The experienced Ranger guide introduces himself to the group/tourists before allocating everyone to any of the habituated gorilla families (depending on the sector).

Depending on which gorilla family you have been allocated (depending on your age, physical fitness, or preference), you will either walk or get transferred to the trailhead/starting point of the trek to the family. The walk through the forest (in the company of experienced guide/s and armed rangers) is an experience in itself; encountering other residents of the forest, such as birds, primates, butterflies, and unique tree species.

You will head through different areas of the forest, crossing streams, ascending and descending hill slopes, and going through thick undergrowth, with trails leading all the way to the gorilla family. This walk should last anywhere between one and six hours, depending on the location of the gorilla family. All in all, gorilla trekking is a patience game, and the team of trackers, Rangers, and guides all work together sharing information on the Giant Apes and where they are on the day of the adventure.

During the 1-6-hour gorilla trek, the guide/s will encourage you to be extra pairs of eyes, scanning for forest for other inhabitants. This moment will be climaxed with a one-hour encounter with the Giant Apes, learning about their unique human behavior and taking photos as they go about their daily routines- playing, foraging, resting, nursing babies, mating, and others. After one hour of watching the Giant Apes, you will make the trip/walk back to the Park Headquarters for your trekking certificate and back to the Lodge for the rest of your day’s activities.

Gorilla Trekking in Uganda

Gorilla trekking in Uganda is possible in two phenomenal safari destinations- Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, both in the southwestern part of the country.

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is the more popular of the two destinations with over 25 habituated gorilla families distributed throughout the four trekking sectors/regions- Buhoma, Ruhija, Nkuringo, and Rushaga. With a maximum of 8 visitors tracking each gorilla family each day, this means that a maximum of 200 gorilla permits are issued each day for the Park.

Accommodation options here depend on the sector you will be tracking from. You can stay at Buhoma Lodge, Mahogany Springs Lodge, Volcanoes Bwindi Lodge, Sanctuary Gorilla Forest Lodge, Ride 4 a woman Guesthouse, Buhoma Community Rest Camp, Engagi Lodge, Gorilla Bluff Lodge, and others when tracking from the Buhoma sector.

Ruhija sector accommodation options include Kiho Gorilla Lodge, Agandi Lodge, Bakiga Lodge, Gift of Nature Lodge, and Ruhija Community Rest Camp.

For the southern sectors (Nkuringo and Rushaga), you can stay at Rushaga Safari Lodge, Gorilla Safari Lodge, Four Gorillas Lodge, Chameleon Hill Forest Lodge, Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge, Gorilla Leisure Lodge, Gorilla Heights Lodge, Nkuringo Bwindi Gorilla Lodge, Lake Mulehe Safari Lodge, Ichumbi Gorilla Lodge, and many others.

Mgahinga Gorilla National Park has only one habituated gorilla family; hence, only 8 gorilla permits are issued each day.

Regardless of which destination you choose, expect to pay $800 per person for a gorilla permit for a Uganda gorilla trekking experience.

Gorilla Trekking in Rwanda

The once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see Rwanda’s mountain gorillas in Volcanoes National Park is memorable, with some visitors even calling it life-changing. Encounters with the Giant Apes as they go about their day-to-day routines are carefully managed, with seasoned trackers and guides leading groups of 8 visitors up the bamboo-covered slopes to search and spend time with them just a few meters away.

Over 35% of the World’s mountain gorilla population is found in Volcanoes National Park, with 12 habituated gorilla families open for tracking. This means a total of 96 gorilla permits are sold each day for tracking, while others are set aside for scientific research.

You need $1500 per person to buy a Rwanda gorilla permit, only issued by the Rwanda Development Board. Accommodation options for Volcanoes National Park include Virunga Lodge, Bisate Lodge, One & Only Gorilla’s Nest, Mountain Gorilla View Lodge, Kinigi Guesthouse, Muhabura Hotel, Five Volcanoes Boutique Hotel, Bishop’s House Lodge, Tiloreza Volcanoes Eco Lodge, Sambora Kinigi, Singita Kwitonda Lodge, and Amakoro Songa Lodge.

What is the best time of the year to see mountain gorillas in Uganda and Rwanda?

There isn’t really a specific best time of the year to see mountain gorillas in Uganda and Rwanda, and gorilla treks are conducted all year round. Interestingly, in the jungles of Bwindi and Mgahinga, temperatures and humidity levels don’t change much over the course of the year, but the amount of rainfall does.

These jungles are verdant and green because of the abundance of rainfall they receive, but the weather doesn’t interfere with gorilla trekking adventures. However, every season provides different experiences, and you will read. The dry season (June to September and December to February) provides drier hiking trails, clearer days, hence making it less challenging to walk through the forest while searching for mountain gorillas.

Increased rainfall levels in the rainy season (March to May, and October to November) make forest trails muddy and slippery, thus difficult to navigate while searching for the Giant Apes. However, the upside is that the season brings the forest to life with blooming flora and birds.

What to wear/pack on a Gorilla Trekking tour in Uganda and Rwanda

Before you travel to Uganda and/or Rwanda for your gorilla trekking tour, it is important to ensure that you have everything needed for an unforgettable experience. For this reason, it is advisable to pack comfortable layers, including long safari pants. When it is a dry season, remember that you are trekking gorillas through a forest at high altitude, hence temperatures drop considerably. Also, bring a rainproof jacket, regardless of the month/season. For your feet, carrying closed-toe flat shoes, preferably a pair of hiking boots, is recommended.

You also need a wide-brimmed hat for shielding your face from the sun. Additionally, sunglasses are helpful if you are trekking with mountain gorillas into the sun’s glare. Similarly, you need a sunscreen as there is nowhere to hide from the sun’s rays while trekking, hence make sure to bring one to reapply during the gorilla trekking adventure.

You also need a pair of binoculars to keep mountain gorillas and other wildlife or bird species wild. Keep in mind that you have to stay a certain distance from the Giant Apes; hence, the binoculars are handy for seeing other forest residents in all their glory.

You will most definitely want to make sure you have your camera (plus extra batteries and memory space) for your unforgettable gorilla trekking adventure. If you have a zoom lens, ensure that you pack it too.

You will also need a reusable water bottle as you need to stay hydrated. Most Safari Lodges have big water bottles/containers that you will be able to refill from.

You will also need healthy energy-giving snacks. Remember that you will be out in the jungle for a while, hence making sure you pack them in case you get peckish during the one to six-hour gorilla trekking adventure.