Gorilla Trekking Adventure

Experience one of Africa’s most moving wildlife encounters as you trek through ancient rainforests in search of mountain gorillas.

Gorilla trekking in Rwanda and Uganda is one of the most powerful and unforgettable wildlife experiences in Africa. Walking through dense rainforest in search of mountain gorillas offers a rare opportunity to observe these remarkable animals in their natural habitat.

This journey takes you into some of East Africa’s most important conservation areas, including Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park and Uganda’s Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. These regions are home to a significant population of the world’s remaining mountain gorillas, as well as other primates, rare birdlife, and rich rainforest ecosystems.

The trek itself can vary in length depending on where the gorillas are located on the day. You may walk for under an hour or several hours through forest trails, accompanied by expert guides and park rangers. Once your group reaches the gorillas, you will spend a carefully managed hour in their presence - a truly moving and once-in-a-lifetime experience.

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TRIP FACTS

Activity Type:

Hike /Trek

Location:

Rwanada/Uganda (see location map here)

Difficulty:

Easy

Max Altitude:

None

Food Choices:

Kosher, Veggie, Vegan, Nut Free, Lactose Free, Halal

Duration:

5 Days

Accommodation:

Lodge

Fitness Level:

Good

Grading:

None

Best Time to Climb:

June - Sep & Dec - Feb

WHY CHOOSE THIS GORILLA TREKKING EXPERIENCE

Rare opportunity to see mountain gorillas in their natural habitat
Visit renowned conservation areas in Rwanda and Uganda
Includes chimpanzee tracking and rainforest experiences
Expert local guides, trackers, and rangers
A powerful combination of wildlife, conservation, and cultural insight

WHAT YOU WILL SEE & EXPERIENCE

Your adventure brings together wildlife, rainforest, culture, and conservation. In Rwanda, Volcanoes National Park is part of the Virunga Mountains and is regarded as one of the best places in the world for mountain gorilla trekking. The park is Africa’s oldest national park and offers an extraordinary setting for this rare encounter.

Gorilla trekking usually begins early in the morning with a briefing at the park headquarters. You’ll be assigned to a gorilla family and guided into the forest by experienced trackers and rangers. The route may lead through thick vegetation, uneven forest paths, and changing terrain, so a reasonable level of fitness and sturdy walking shoes are recommended.

Seeing mountain gorillas up close is difficult to describe - sitting quietly in the forest as they feed, rest, and interact around you is both humbling and deeply memorable. It is one of those rare travel experiences that stays with you long after the trip ends.

ITINERARY

Arrival Entebbe airport, Uganda

Transfer to Kibale Forest National Park. This Park is home to some 13 species of primates including the red colobus monkeys, chimpanzees and L'Hoest's monkeys as well as 70 mammal species. Overnight at Chimpanzee Forest lodge.

Chimpanzee tracking, Bigodi swamp walk and transfer to Queen Elizabeth Park

Seeing habituated chimps squabbling and swinging from the trees is an exhilarating experience. Later on, you will have the opportunity to visit Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary, which is rich in bird species, vegetation, and wildlife. This is also a great opportunity to support local tourism initiatives which benefit social and economic development in the area.

You will then drive to Queen Elizabeth National Park. This park which boasts one of the highest biodiversity ratings of any game park or reserve in the world and also Uganda’s second largest National Park, the 1,978 sq km has everything from open savannah to rain forest. Queen Elizabeth has over 100 mammal species, and an astounding 606 bird species, making it a premier safari destination. Take a boat trip on the Kazinga Channel, 32 Kms long followed by a game drive. This water system has the highest concentration of Hippos in the world and you will get quite close to them. See also crocodiles, buffalos and other game that drink from the channel, also marvel at the abundant ornitho-life that is supported here. Game drive before heading to the lodge.

Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park

Bwindi is a home to over half of the world’s mountain gorilla population. Interacting with these gentle giants is one of the most moving experiences that Africa has to offer and should not be missed!

The ancient rainforest of Bwindi spans 321 sq km and boasts 90 mammal species, including a range of primates, as well as 23 Albertine Rift endemic bird species, including the African Green Broadbill, the Bar Tailed Trogon and many others. Relax in the evening and get ready for the following day’s activity.

Gorilla trekking

Today after an energizing breakfast, you will embark on your gorilla trek. Before 8 am report to the ranger station for registration and briefing by one of the rangers; the guides will then lead you through the undergrowth, parting thick creepers, to track the gorillas. The trek can take anywhere from half an hour to 7 hours – a reasonable degree of fitness is required as well as a sturdy pair of walking boots. It is an extraordinary feeling sitting in the dense rainforest knowing you are with a few of the last remaining mountain gorillas. Later in the day, you can engage in optional activities including; batwa (pymies) cultural experience, curio shopping, visit communities to mention but a few.

What's included?

Airport transfers pick-up and drop-off
All meals
All accommodation based on two sharing throughout - single accommodation extra
Rwanda Gorilla trekking fees
Golden monkey trekking fees
Professional local guides
Luxury private 4 x 4 Land Cruisers
Meals each day: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Transportations, accommodation, wages, food, insurance, equipment for all staff
All necessary paper works and entry permits

What's excluded?

International flights
Insurance
Local Tips
Additional food & drink
Personal Items

GORILLA TREKKING INFORMATION

Over 18 gorilla families inhabit Volcanoes National Park, and only 12 of them are open for trekking. The others are reserved for research. Gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park always starts at Kinigi HQ with a briefing. It’s typically done by 8 people (in groups) and you’ll be assigned to a gorilla family for the day.

Your gorilla trekking permit will allow you one hour with an assigned gorilla group. Though it can take from 30 minutes to 9 hours for a gorilla trek, most tourists find them within 3 hours.

There are many things you can do after gorilla trekking permits in Rwanda. You can visit Nyungwe Forest – home to chimpanzees and many other primates, or go on Kibinga forest walk or Nyanza safari tour by boat. There are also several hiking trails that don’t require special permits : Ruhengeri Bridge trail , Mahoma trail or Kinigi Bigogwe trail.

Have a look at our other adventure trips in Uganda

Rwenzori Mountains

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Ready for an unforgettable wildlife experience?

Trek through ancient rainforest and experience the rare privilege of seeing mountain gorillas in their natural habitat.

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