Tailor-made Uganda gorilla trekking safaris
What is gorilla trekking?
Gorilla trekking is when you trek through the jungle to spend one hour with habituated mountain gorillas.
The gorilla trekking day starts in the morning with a briefing about how you should behave in the jungle. You then head into the jungle in a group of up to eight people with a specialised guide. The distance you’ll walk during your Uganda gorilla trekking before reaching the gorillas depends on where they are that day. The hike takes you through beautiful jungle scenery and is an experience in itself.
When you get to where the gorillas are you are allowed one hour with the gorillas. Respect the instructions you get from the guide and enjoy the amazing moment of being close to these gentle giants! When your time with the gorillas is coming to an end the guide will inform you and lead you out of the area where they are to start the trek back.
Read more:
How does Gorilla trekking in Uganda work?
– A 6-step guide to how gorilla trekking in Uganda works & our answers to frequently asked questions about gorilla trekking.
My first Gorilla trekking experience
– Follow along during a gorilla trek, to get an idea of how it is.
Popular safaris for Gorilla trekking Uganda
3 days Gorilla trekking
This safari takes you down to Bwindi Mountains for an unforgettable meeting with the Mountain Gorillas. The first day you transfer south to the mountains to be ready for the trek on day 2. The highlight of gorilla trekking takes you for a trek in the jungle and you then spend one hour with the gorillas. After the trek your guide takes you down the mountains to spend the night at the edge of Queen Elizabeth NP’s Ishasha sector. Letting you see another beautiful scenery before you make the journey back on day 3.
4 days Uganda safari
Get the most out of your time during this 4 days Uganda safari. You will trek in the jungle for chimps and gorillas. Look for tree-climbing lions in Ishasha and experience a cruise to see hippos and more on Kazinga channel. Come for a 4 days Uganda safari with gorilla trekking, game-drive in Ishasha, boat-cruise on Kazinga channel and chimpanzee trekking in Kyambura Gorge.
6 days Chimps, Lions & Gorillas
Tick off three of Uganda’s top attractions during this safari. You start with chimps trekking in Kibale Forest, where you trek through the jungle to meet our close cousins the chimpanzees. The journey then continues to Queen Elizabeth NP for a boat-cruise on Kazinga channel and a search for tree-climbing lions in Ishasha. We have saved the best for last in this itinerary as you on the 5th day head into the jungle again, this time to trek the mountain gorillas.
12 days Big 5 & gorillas + chimps
During this safari you journey through Uganda with the chance to tick off “the big 5” and head into the jungle to trek chimps & gorillas. You start with rhino trekking at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary and then continue to Murchison Falls NP to explore the savanna in search for lion, leopard, elephant and buffalo. Heading southwards you visit the crater lakes region, go for chimps trekking, search for tree-climbing lions & more. You then finish with gorilla trekking and a visit to scenic Lake Bunyonyi.
Gorilla trekking in Uganda
Uganda is blessed with a number of different primates, the one that we are most famous for is undoubtedly the Mountain Gorilla. Half the worlds population of Mountain Gorillas live in Uganda. Of these most are found in Bwindi Impenetrable NP and a few in Mgahinga Gorilla NP. A step in the conservation of mountain gorillas is to habituate groups for tourists on safari to go visit during gorilla trekking in Uganda. The benefits of this, aside from providing money for conservation, is to provide work opportunities for the locals in the tourism industry.
Trekking the Mountain Gorillas is an unforgettable adventure. You get to experience amazing views of the mountains, a hike through the beautiful forest and the highlight of spending one hour with the Mountain Gorillas. In Bwindi there are four locations where gorilla trekking is possible and in Mgahinga Gorilla NP there is one habituated gorilla group.
Read more:
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
– Learn more about the gorilla hot spot in Uganda.
Mgahinga Gorilla National Park
– See what the less visited Mgahinga Gorilla National Park has to offer.
Mountain Gorillas
The Mountain Gorillas are together with us humans one of the the Great Apes. We are actually closely related which is maybe why we find them so fascinating. Mountain Gorillas are social animals and live in groups lead by a Silver back, the strongest male in the group.
Sadly the Mountain Gorillas have been victims of habitat encroachment and poaching which have resulted in declining numbers. Luckily efforts from dedicated humans and set up of conservation areas for their remaining habitats have had a positive effect. Currently the number of Mountain Gorillas are slowly increasing and there are around 1000 of them in the world. It is hopeful that they have gone from being listed as critically endangered to being listed as endangered.
Read More:
Mountain Gorillas | Facts & conservation efforts
– Learn more about the fascinating gentle giants as well as the story of saving them with steps taken for conservation.
WHAT TO THINK ABOUT WHEN GORILLA TREKKING
- Wear comfortable hiking shoes as well as long-sleeved pants & shirt during the gorilla trek
- It is recommended to tuck your pants into the socks to avoid insects
- Bring rain gear just incase
- Water and a snack is needed (we will provide you with packed lunch)
- Take a good camera along
- The hills are steep so you should be reasonably fit (don’t let this scare you off unnecessarily though, it is not an extreme hike)
- You have to be above 15 years old
- Due to the close dna connections between humans and Gorillas you should not visit them if you have any contagious illness.
ABOUT OUR GORILLA TREKKING SAFARIS
On our website you can find example itineraries for gorilla trekking safaris, all of these can be tailor-made to fit your wishes, time-frame and budget (check under “Safaris” in the menu above).
The minimum number of days needed for a gorilla trekking safari is 3-days since we need to allow for time to travel to and from Bwindi Impenetrable NP or Mgahinga Gorilla NP. The starting point of the safari can be Entebbe, Kampala, Kigali (in Rwanda) or another location in Uganda where you are based.
We are focused on private safaris so you travel in a 4×4 safari vehicle with your own guide. We can arrange everything from budget gorilla trekking safaris to luxury gorilla trekking safari options where you can fly from Entebbe to Bwindi and stay in exclusive lodges.
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We are happy to answer any questions and help you plan the gorilla trekking safari of YOUR dreams. RELAX AS WE HANDLE ALL!
“UNREAL GORILLA EXPERIENCE!!
What a magical trip which was only made better by the guide Paul. He went over and above to support us and we felt like we were leaving a friend. Magical experience in Bwindi to see the gorillas, a breath taking stay at Gorilla Mist camp and plenty of excitement as we opted for certain bespoke travel arrangements. Paul and Edrisa supported our unique itinerary and made sure we were as comfortable as possible. We will definitely be back for more of Uganda. Look no further for a tour operator! ”
