This is the shortest sensible way to go gorilla trekking in Uganda: a travel day in, a trekking day and a travel day out. Everything is arranged around the hour you spend with a habituated mountain gorilla family in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, home to roughly half of the world's remaining mountain gorillas.
There is no padding, so it suits travellers who are short on time, people adding a gorilla trek to a Kenya or Tanzania safari, and anyone combining Uganda with Rwanda. The trek itself is the uncertain part - it might be a short walk or a long, steep one, depending on where the gorillas have moved overnight. A porter, hired at the park, makes a real difference on the harder days.
Permits are limited and sell out, especially in the drier months, so we secure yours as soon as your dates are confirmed. Our gorilla trekking guide explains how the day works, what to wear and how fit you need to be.
Journey at-a-glance:Customize This Journey. Request More Information »
BWINDI IMPENETRABLE FOREST
One gorilla trekking permit and an hour with a habituated gorilla family
Bwindi's steep, dense rainforest
Visitor numbers per gorilla family are capped each day
Tight three-day schedule built around the trek
Depending on where you start, you drive or take a scheduled flight to the Bwindi area. It is a long travel day, with stops along the way. You arrive with time to rest before the early start tomorrow.
The trek starts with a briefing at the park office, where rangers assign you to a gorilla family. Trackers go ahead to find where the group spent the night, and you follow with your ranger guide. The walk can take under an hour or several hours over steep, muddy ground, depending on where the gorillas have moved. Once you reach them, you spend one hour watching at close range before walking back. The afternoon is free to rest at the lodge.
A slower morning, then the journey back to your departure point, timed to connect with onward flights or travel.
Planning tip: see our guide on Gorilla Trekking in Uganda: How It Works and How to Prepare.
Accommodation: Two nights at a mid-range lodge near Bwindi, upgradeable to luxury.
Vehicle: 4x4 safari vehicle
Gorilla trekking runs all year. The drier months, roughly June to August and December to February, make trails less slippery and are the most popular, so permits sell out earlier. The wetter months still see treks every day.
Full Bwindi Impenetrable Forest destination guide »
It varies from day to day because it depends on where the gorillas are. Some treks are short and gentle, others take several hours on steep, slippery slopes. Reasonable fitness helps, and hiring a porter is a good idea.
Yes. Uganda issues a fixed number of permits per gorilla family per day, and they often sell out weeks or months ahead in busy periods. We book yours as soon as your dates are confirmed.
It is rare, because trackers locate the group before or during your trek, but it can happen. We will explain the Uganda Wildlife Authority's policy for that situation when you book.
Yes, gorilla trekking has a minimum age set by the Uganda Wildlife Authority (currently 15). Check with us if you are travelling with teenagers.
Send us your travel dates and group size and we'll confirm availability and pricing.
