Mountain gorillas in Bwindi
The mountain gorillas of Bwindi live in a cool, steep forest in southwest Uganda at the edge of the Albertine Rift. They share the forest with more than 160 tree species and more than 100 fern species. The other population lives in the Virunga massif, where Mgahinga lies on the Ugandan side. Most visitors meet them on a guided hike, so see our page on gorilla trekking in Bwindi for how a day works, and the permit page for prices.
This page covers the animals themselves: how many there are, how a gorilla family is organised, and the rules that keep both sides safe. A visit means good chances of finding a family, not a guarantee, because gorillas move through the forest every day.
How many mountain gorillas are there
Two counts from different years, added together.
Two surveys give the main numbers. The Bwindi-Sarambwe area, which crosses the border, held at least 459 gorillas in 2018. The Virunga massif held 604 in 2015 and 2016. Together that gives a total of 1,063. Because the surveys took place in different years, the sum is a minimum figure and not a count from 2026.
The 459 remains the reference value for Bwindi, and a new genetic survey covering 2025 and 2026 is still awaited, so treat any higher number you see as an estimate. The mountain gorilla subspecies was moved from Critically Endangered to Endangered in 2018. That means it remains at risk, and the status of the wider gorilla species is a separate matter.
Our pick: a Bwindi trek
A private three-day trek puts you with mountain gorillas, whose sighting can never be promised.
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.
Gorilla trekking tours in Bwindi
Guided trips with a UWA guide, from short permit-only days to multi-day safaris from Entebbe, Kampala or Kigali.
Silverback gorilla: who leads the family
A silverback is an adult male. The hair on his back turns silver-grey as he matures, which gives him the name. In a family the silverback is the one the others follow, and he is the animal your guide will tell you to give the most space. Other members you may see are adult females, youngsters and infants.
A family is not a fixed list of animals. Members are born, grow up and move, so no one can tell you in advance exactly who will be in the group on your day. Your tracker and guide will name the individuals when you meet them.
Habituated families in Bwindi
Only some groups are used to people.
Bwindi has 25 habituated gorilla groups. Nine of them are available for visitors and one is used for research. Group numbers change, so treat any count as approximate and ask your booking partner which sector and group your permit covers. The groups sit in four sectors: Buhoma, Ruhija, Rushaga and Nkuringo. Our sector comparison explains how they differ in terrain and access.
Habituated means the gorillas have been introduced to human presence slowly, over a long period, until they tolerate quiet observers. A longer version of that process is open to a small number of visitors. See the Habituation Experience page for how it differs from a normal visit.
Rules that protect the gorillas
These come first because gorillas can catch human illnesses.
Minimum age 15
Visitors must be at least 15 years old. The children's rate in the park tariff does not apply to gorilla permits.
Eight visitors per group
No more than 8 visitors may be with one gorilla group, and the visit lasts a maximum of 1 hour per group per day. The whole trekking experience, including the walk to find them, can take 2 to 7 hours.
Keep 10 m away
The distance is 10 m, not the 7 m you may read elsewhere. Your guide explains what to do if an animal moves closer.
No flash, no visit with a cold
Flash photography is not allowed. Anyone with a cold or another contagious illness must not go. Surgical masks are advised within 10 m, so ask your guide what applies on the day.
Permits for foreign non-residents cost $800 under the UWA tariff for July 2024 to December 2026. Check the current amount before booking; tour offers state whether the permit and park fees are included.
More on Bwindi and the neighbours
Where to go next.
Gorilla trekking in Bwindi
How a trek works, what to expect and the rules for the day.
Mgahinga Gorilla National Park
One habituated family and golden monkeys near Kisoro.
History of Bwindi
From forest reserve in 1932 to World Heritage in 1994.
Gorillas in the Virunga massif can also be visited from Rwanda; the neighbouring guide to gorilla trekking in Rwanda has the details. For another primate day in Uganda, see chimpanzee trekking in Kibale.
Mountain gorillas: frequently asked questions
How many mountain gorillas live in Bwindi?
The latest count is at least 459 for Bwindi-Sarambwe in 2018. Results of a new survey covering 2025 and 2026 are still awaited.
What is a silverback?
A silverback is a mature male whose back hair has turned silver-grey. He leads the family and is the animal you should give the most room.
Will I see gorillas on a trek?
Chances are good, but nobody can promise it, because the groups move every day. A UWA guide and trackers lead the way.
How long can I stay with the gorillas?
One hour per group per day. The walk before and after takes longer, between 2 and 7 hours for the whole trekking experience.
Who sells gorilla permits?
Permits and rules come from UWA, and bookings for foreign visitors go through licensed tour operators.
Are mountain gorillas endangered?
Yes. The subspecies has been classed as Endangered since 2018. The count is low and the animals are vulnerable to human illness, which is why the visiting rules are strict.