Gorilla Trekking
Spend a protected hour with a mountain gorilla family in Uganda or Rwanda.
About gorilla trekking
Mountain gorilla trekking is the most sought-after wildlife experience in Africa, and East Africa is the only place on earth you can do it. Fewer than 1,100 mountain gorillas remain, living in the misty volcanic forests shared by Uganda, Rwanda and the DRC. A permit and a guided trek earn you one carefully protected hour in their company.
From the moment a silverback holds your gaze a few metres away, something rearranges itself inside you. Jabel arranges every gorilla journey end to end: the permit, the briefing, the porters and the lodge, so all you carry into the forest is wonder.
Where to do it
Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, Uganda
Home to roughly half the world's mountain gorillas across several habituated families and trailheads.
Mgahinga Gorilla NP, Uganda
A quieter Virunga option combining gorillas with golden monkeys and volcano hikes.
Volcanoes NP, Rwanda
Polished, easy-access trekking just two hours from Kigali on the Virunga slopes.
What to expect
Treks begin with an early-morning briefing at the park headquarters. You then set off on foot with rangers and expert trackers, following the family's movements through dense, often steep and muddy forest. Reaching them can take anywhere from one to six hours. Once you do, the clock starts on a strictly timed, unforgettable hour just metres away.
Best time to go
Gorillas are tracked all year. The drier months, June to September and December to February, make forest trails firmer and trekking easier, though rain is possible in any season. Permits for these peak months sell out earliest.
Good to know
| Uganda permit | USD 800 per person |
| Rwanda permit | USD 1,500 per person |
| Book ahead | Permits are limited daily and sell out months in advance |
| Porters | Around USD 15–20, highly recommended and supports the community |
What to bring
- Sturdy, waterproof hiking boots
- Long sleeves and trousers (nettles and thorns)
- Garden gloves and a rain jacket
- Insect repellent and at least 2 litres of water
- A daypack and a camera with no flash
Gorilla Trekking FAQs
How fit do I need to be?
A moderate level of fitness is enough. Treks vary from one to six-plus hours over hilly, forested terrain. Porters are available to carry your bag and help on steep sections.
How close do you get to the gorillas?
The guideline is about seven metres to protect the gorillas from disease, though they don't always read the rules and may pass closer.
What is the minimum age?
You must be 15 years or older to trek gorillas in both Uganda and Rwanda.
Is gorilla trekking safe?
Yes. Families are habituated, accompanied by armed rangers, and there is a long, strong safety record. Treks are strictly managed.
Safaris featuring gorilla trekking
Bwindi Gorilla Express
The classic short escape to meet Uganda's mountain gorillas, deep in the misty Bwindi Impenetrable Forest.
Rwanda Gorillas & Kigali
Rwanda's signature short gorilla safari, pairing easy-access trekking with the warmth of Kigali.
Gorillas, Chimps & Golden Monkeys
The ultimate East African primate adventure: three great-ape and forest-primate encounters across two countries.
Gorilla Trekking in pictures
Add gorilla trekking to your safari
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