Gorilla trekking is an adventure like no other, providing a rare chance to witness the largest primates on earth, the mountain gorillas, in their natural habitat. Uganda is one of the world’s top destinations to experience gorilla trekking, with over 50% of the remaining mountain gorillas found in its protected national parks.

Uganda offers an unmatched gorilla trekking experience, featuring stunning landscapes, abundant biodiversity, and a captivating cultural heritage. Gorilla trekking is an eco-tourism activity that promotes sustainable income for local communities while also supporting conservation efforts.

Two national parks in Uganda, namely Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, offer visitors the opportunity to trek gorillas.

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is situated in southwestern Uganda, spanning an area of 331 square kilometers. The park is home to over 400 mountain gorillas, representing nearly half of the global population. Other primates that call the park home include chimpanzees, colobus monkeys, and baboons.

Trekking gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is a challenging yet gratifying experience. The park has 12 habituated gorilla families, each with its unique traits and behaviors. The trek can take anywhere between 1 to 8 hours, depending on the gorilla family’s location and the terrain’s difficulty. Visitors should be in good physical condition to undertake this trek.

Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is also located in southwestern Uganda, covering an area of 33.7 square kilometers. The park is part of the Virunga Massif, a range of volcanoes that stretch into Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Mgahinga is home to one habituated gorilla family, the Nyakagezi group.

Trekking gorillas in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is a distinctive experience that merges hiking through lush forests and volcanic landscapes with the chance to observe the Nyakagezi group of gorillas. The trek can last between 1 to 4 hours, depending on the gorilla family’s location and the terrain’s complexity.

Gorilla trekking is a strictly controlled activity in Uganda, with only a limited number of permits issued each day. It is recommended to book permits in advance, particularly during peak seasons, which fall between June to September and December to February.