The Ultimate Gorilla Trekking Guide
Seeking the ultimate wildlife experience? Look no further than gorilla trekking in Uganda and Rwanda — a truly once-in-a-lifetime experience that allows you to get up close and personal with endangered mountain gorillas. Following my recent trip to Uganda in November, I have put together a quick guide with a few tips and tricks to help plan and prepare for your trek.
A mother and young mountain gorilla enjoying a snack of fresh leaves in the mountains of Bwindi Impenatrable Forest in Uganda.
UGANDA VS RWANDA
One of the biggest decisions when starting the planning process is whether to book your trek in Uganda or Rwanda. While neighboring countries, the experience offered by each country varies greatly. It is important to consider the differences in order to select the best destination to fulfill your vision and suit your preferred travel style.
Rwanda:
Will feel more polished and elevated due to the presence of luxury brands such as One&Only and Singita
The forest is more open and treks are generally considered to be a bit easier than the Uganda options, though more rigorous trekking routes can be arranged based on location of gorillas on that date
Easier logistics — you can fly into Kigali and be at your lodge within 2-3 hours.
trekking permits are more expensive, around $1500+ per person/per trek
Less permits are issued, so more exclusive experience
Best for quick treks paired with other safari destinations
Best for LGBTQ+ community
Uganda:
while also offering luxury options, it is going to feel a bit more authentic and immersive
The hikes are known for being more physically demanding through rugged terrain and dense rainforest
Complex logistics - Fly into Entebbe then fly or drive 8-10 hours to Bwindi National Park (can also fly into Kigali and cross the southern border into Uganda)
trekking permits are around $800 per person/per trek (habituation permits that allow up to 4 hours with the gorillas are available for $1500/pp)
More habituated gorilla families, so permits are a bit easier to access
Can easily pair with another destination OR build an entire itinerary within Uganda with chimpanzee treks and traditional safari experiences available.
Trekking Requirements
Minimum age of 15 to trek
Max 8 guests per trek
Cannot be sick/showing signs of illness
Must be physically fit to hike at altitude
Uganda visa ($50 application fee) or East Africa visa ($100 app fee) - good for 90 days
Yellow Fever Vaccine is mandatory
Malaria pills are recommended - always consult with a licensed physician!
How to get to Bwindi National Park
flight from Entebbe International Airport to Kihihi or Kisoro Airstrips (2-3 hour flight with 1.5 hour drive)
Private transfer from Kampala/Entebbe (8-10 hour drive)
Private transfer from Kigali International Airport, Rwanda (5-6 hour drive)
PACKING LIST
Quick-dry breathable hiking gear — this is not your cute safari photo op! With stinging nettles, vicious fire ants, and any number of things that will sting, bite, or poison you in the jungle you are going to want to be covered!
Good waterproof hiking boots with good quality, tall hiking socks
A raincoat
eco-friendly bug spray - check out Ben’s on amazon
gaiters - some hotels provide, but I wish I had brought my own as a matching pair is not always guaranteed
small day pack/back pack
hat
high quality camera with zoom lens
portable charger
refillable waterbottle - bring more water than you think you will need! I brought two large bottles. (my safari partners will likely provide a water bottle at the start of your trip)
Tissues and hand sanitizer - there are no bathrooms in the mountains, so prepare for the “bush toilet”
“No one who looks into a gorilla’s eyes… can remain unchanged” -George Schaller, field biologist
WHAT THE DAY LOOKS LIKE
6AM || early wake up!
6:45-7:15AM || quick breakfast — fuel up for a long day ahead!
7:30-8AM || short drive to the Bwindi National Park welcome center, CIBIC performance (local NGO), orientation and introduction to your ranger guide + team for the day. You will sign waivers, learn about the gorilla family you are trekking to meet, and load up to drive to the trailheads. The trackers notify the ranger guides where each gorilla family was last seen so you can trek to that general area in the hopes that they have not moved. I HIGHLY recommend paying a porter for the day to accompany you — they can carry your bags and provide general assistance throughout the hike. You will be paired to a gorilla family based on your desired trekking intensity (easier treks = assignment to families who were last seen lower in the mountains, more difficult hikes = families that are further into the forest)
8AM - ??? || The trek begins! We drove into the mountains for the start of the hike, though the first hour of the hike was still fairly grueling with a steep incline and high humidity. The views — 10/10, with sweeping views of the surrounding mountains and valleys, lined with banana trees and fields of tea plants. Though your ranger guide can estimate how long it will take you to find your assigned gorilla family, you really don’t know how long the hike will take. They estimated a 4 hour hike for us and it turned into an 8 hour trek as our gorillas kept moving away from us further into the mountains. Other times you may get lucky and the gorillas move towards you. It is all part of the adventure!
Arrival to gorilla family || you will enjoy 1 hour amongst your gorilla family. Masks are essential as gorillas share 99% of our DNA and are susceptible to most human illnesses. You must keep a safe distance from the gorillas (about 10 meters), but you may catch the eye of a playful youngster who will approach you! The gorillas were surprisingly unbothered by our presence as they continuously munched on leaves. You do have armed rangers with you in the unlikely event of an emergency, though I never felt unsafe or threatened.
Afternoon || descend back to the welcome center. We all received certificates of completion from our ranger guide in recognition of completing the trek! Book a MUCH deserved massage at the spa to recover!
Where to Stay
(not an exhaustive list, these are just the properties I had the opportunity to tour in Buhoma)
Silverback Lodge - **this is where I stayed** - contemporary lodge with 12 rooms, private plunge pools, and sweeping views of the mountains. The lodge feels more modern and updated than many of the other properties. Best for: couples
Gorilla Forest Lodge, an A&K Sanctuary - located inside the Bwindi National Park, arguably the most upscale property with 10 private villas tucked seamlessly into the jungle canopy, an earthy color palette, and focus on local art and design. Strong emphasis on conservation and local philanthropy. Best for: couples and families
Buhoma Lodge - one of just two properties located within the Bwindi National Park (along with Gorilla Forest Lodge), this property offers a more moderate — though still quite cozy — accommodation option. With a large communal space and 10 large villas, this is a great option for couples or families.
Engagi Lodge - a more moderate option, this comfortable lodge truly feels like a home-away-from-home in Buhoma. Located on the bank of the River Munyaga, the property is a quiet oasis nestled just outside of the park. Best for: families
Volcanoes Bwindi Lodge - a STUNNINGLY designed luxury retreat, this lodge provides a modern feel while still delivering a strong sense of place. It feels like the ultimate safari lodge with natural fibers, local artwork, and charming antique touches. Best for: couples
Mahogany Springs Lodge - one of the larger properties, with 16 total rooms available, this property offers a wide variety of accommodations from standalone cottages, triples, to two bedroom villas featuring 4 king sized beds. The decor is a bit more rustic, but the ambiance is warm and inviting with an active common area. The staff here are exceptional, and I loved access to a small shop featuring local handicrafts in the lobby. Best for: families and couples
Note: These are all located in Buhoma sector, which is located to the NW side of the park along the Congo border. There are also lodges to the south which may be easier to access if you are coming from Rwanda. All lodges that we visited include full room and board (all-inclusive) in their nightly rates.
Best Time to Visit
December - February [OR] June - September - take advantage of the dry seasons for optimal gorilla viewing
Note: I visited in November and enjoyed fewer crowds and more favorable pricing. We encountered brief afternoon showers, but no major rain delays.
Pairs Well With
Rwanda - experience the full range of gorilla trekking with a combined visit to Uganda and Rwanda
Kenya - iconic wildlife viewing in the Masai Mara, famous for the Great Migration and Big Five sightings
Tanzania - catch the Great Migration in the famous Serengeti or travel south to the Ngorongoro Crater
Zanzibar - enjoy a bush and beach escape with relaxing time on the coast following your gorilla trekking adventure
Ready to plan your own gorilla trekking adventure? I would love to connect you with my trusted partners in Uganda to plan a sustainable and seamless travel package. Reach out today via my inquiry form to get started! Continue reading about my recent trip to Uganda on my Uganda Travel Guide.
