Gorilla trekking in Uganda: how it works
Gorilla trekking in Uganda takes place in Bwindi and in Mgahinga. You walk with UWA guides and trackers to a gorilla group, stay with it for up to one hour and walk back. The whole experience takes 2 to 7 hours, depending on where the group is that day. The search time and the time with the gorillas are different things: the hour is for the animals, not for the walk.
Treks to the Bwindi gorillas start at an approved trailhead in one of four sectors. A guide checks your documents before you set out. The permit for foreign non-residents is $800 in the UWA tariff for July 2024 to December 2026, and it includes the guide, park entry on the day and a community contribution. Check the current amount before you book, and see the permit page for all categories.
Our picks: Bwindi gorilla treks
Our take: the Bunyonyi trip includes the permit and a boat trip, the other two leave the permit to you. Pick by how many days you have and whether you want to see the permit cost up front.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in US dollars (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
3-day gorilla trek with a Lake Bunyonyi boat trip
- Gorilla permit included
- Accommodation and meals
- Lake Bunyonyi boat trip
Starts with pick-up in Kigali or Entebbe, so the same trek works from either side of the border. Ask about visa costs before you book.
Check availability →3-day private Bwindi trekking safari
- Private 4x4 with driver-guide
- Accommodation and meals
- Park entry fees
A private three-day trip with the Bwindi trek in the itinerary, collected from your hotel. Gorilla permits are extra.
Check availability →
3-day private Bwindi trek from Kigali or Entebbe
- Airport pick-up and drop-off
- Accommodation with breakfast
- Park entry fees
A private three-day trip that starts at either airport. Gorilla permit extra, so add it to the price you compare.
Check availability →Gorilla trekking tours in Bwindi
Gorilla treks and multi-day safaris to Bwindi, with live prices and availability. Check whether the permit and park fees are included before you book.
The rules for a gorilla visit
The conditions that apply to every trek.
| Rule | What applies |
|---|---|
| Minimum age | 15 years |
| Group size | At most 8 visitors per gorilla group |
| Time with the gorillas | At most 1 hour per group and day |
| Distance | 10 m |
| Flash | Not allowed |
| Illness | No visit with a cold or a contagious illness |
| Guides | UWA guides and trackers are compulsory, and you start from an approved trailhead |
If you feel unwell before the trek, tell your operator and the guides early. Surgical masks are advised within 10 m of gorillas, so ask your operator what to bring. These rules protect the gorillas, which can catch human illnesses, and they are not negotiable on the day.
Gorilla trekking in Bwindi: a trek day
What the day looks like from briefing to return.
Arrival and briefing
Tracking starts at 08:00. You need to arrive before that for the briefing, so confirm the exact report time with your operator. Times can differ by sector and season.
The search
You follow the UWA trackers over steep ridges and through deep valleys. The search can take from a short walk to most of the day, and that is why the range is 2 to 7 hours.
The hour with the gorillas
You keep 10 m away and take photos without flash. The hour is the maximum for the group, and your guides lead the visit.
The walk back
You return to the trailhead on foot. Plan the rest of the day loosely, because the length of the trek is not fixed in advance.
Gorilla trekking Bwindi: fitness and terrain
What to expect underfoot.
The terrain is steep ridges and deep valleys, and moderate fitness is expected. No one can promise that a particular trek will be short or easy, because the gorillas move. If you have health concerns, talk to your operator about the sector and the group before you book. The sectors page compares the four starting points, and what to wear covers boots, rain gear and porters.
On the Uganda side, a permit also exists for Mgahinga, where roughly 8 permits a day are available for one habituated gorilla group. The Mgahinga page explains that park. Rwanda also has mountain gorilla trekking, and its trek rules are covered separately.
What if you do not see gorillas?
Not a guarantee, but there is a rule for it.
If a full day of tracking brings no sighting, the rules allow a rebooking for the next day. When that is not possible, 60 percent of the permit is refunded after the park management confirms the result. This is not a sighting guarantee, and the refund rules for cancellations are on the permit page. The Habituation Experience is a longer encounter with a gorilla family that is still getting used to people.
Gorilla trekking in Uganda: frequently asked questions
How long does a gorilla trek take?
The whole experience takes 2 to 7 hours. The time with the gorillas is one hour.
How close can I get to a gorilla?
Keep 10 m away. Do not touch the animals, and use no flash.
How hard is gorilla trekking in Bwindi?
Moderate fitness is required. The forest has steep ridges and deep valleys. A porter can carry your bag and help on slopes, and the packing page has the details.
Can I trek if I have a cold?
No. A cold or any contagious illness rules out a visit, because gorillas can catch human diseases. If you feel ill before the trek, tell your operator.
What does a gorilla trek in Uganda cost?
$800 for a foreign non-resident permit in the UWA tariff for July 2024 to December 2026, plus transport, lodging and meals. Reduced rates are announced for April, May and November. Check the amount before you book.