Gorilla trekking in Uganda is a premier wildlife experience, offering visitors the rare chance to encounter endangered mountain gorillas in their natural habitat within lush, biodiverse rainforests. Uganda is home to the Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, which protect the largest populations of habituated mountain gorillas globally. Bwindi, in particular, is renowned for having the highest number of mountain gorillas and is divided into regions including Buhoma, Ruhija, Rushaga, and Nkuringo, each with habituated gorilla families available for trekking.
To trek gorillas in Uganda, visitors must secure a gorilla trekking permit, which currently costs around $800 per person for foreign non-residents , US$ 700 for foreign residents and UGX 300,000 per person for East African citizens– while the higher tire gorilla habituation experience permit costs USD $1,500. This fee contributes significantly (75%) to gorilla conservation efforts. In comparison, Rwanda offers gorilla trekking at a higher permit cost but with somewhat easier trekking conditions due to less dense forest terrain. The gorilla trekking experience in Uganda typically lasts about an hour spent with the gorillas after a trek that can vary from twenty minutes to several hours, depending on factors like gorilla movement and forest terrain.
A unique variation offered in Uganda is the Gorilla Habituation Experience, available in Bwindi’s southern part (Rushaga and Nkuringo). This immersive experience allows visitors to spend up to four hours with semi-habituated gorilla families and observe behavioral studies and daily habituation practices. This experience requires a higher permit fee (about $1500 for nonresidents) and is limited to four people per day, offering an intimate, scientific perspective on gorilla conservation.
The best time for gorilla trekking in Uganda is generally during the dry seasons from June to September and December to February, which provide better hiking conditions in the often rainy and humid rainforest. Despite the challenges of slippery and steep trails, the scenery and close encounters with mountain gorillas make the trek highly rewarding.
Gorilla trekking in Uganda is well-organized with a high likelihood (about 98%) of seeing gorillas due to advanced tracking teams that locate gorilla families daily. Visitors experience not only wildlife encounters but also the beauty and diversity of Uganda’s forests and the conservation efforts supporting one of the world’s most endangered species.
In summary, Uganda offers a world-class gorilla trekking experience characterized by rich biodiversity, conservation impact through permits, unique immersive habituation treks, variable trekking terrain, and a high probability of close gorilla encounters. Bwindi Impenetrable National Park stands out as the most popular destination for this unforgettable adventure in East Africa.
To rent a car in Uganda for self drive or driver-guided gorilla safari adventure- simply contact us now by sending an email to info@ugandacarrentalservices.com or call us now on +256-700135510 to speak with the reservations.
