Thousands of people visit Uganda every year to see mountain gorillas in their natural habitat. If you’re planning to be one of these people, you might be wondering – can you do a one-day gorilla trek in Uganda?
Here, I explain what you need to know if you’re planning to see these magnificent creatures in a 24-hour window.
Is it possible to do a one-day gorilla trek in Uganda?
Yes, it is possible to do a one-day gorilla trek in Uganda. In fact, one day is all you need to see the gorillas in their natural habitat, as you arrive at the entrance to the national park early in the morning and trek the gorillas from there for several hours. Read on to learn more about how to arrange a one-day gorilla trek in the Pearl of Africa.
Gorilla trekking in Uganda: Two options
There are two national parks in Uganda that are home to mountain gorillas – Bwindi National Park and Mgahinga National Park, as I explain below.
Bwindi Impenetrable Forest
Bwindi Impenetrable Forest (sometimes called Buhoma) is the best place to arrange a one-day gorilla trek in Uganda. There are lots of exclusive lodges in the area and several budget options, too, which is ideal for budget and high-end travelers alike.
There are approximately 460 mountain gorillas in Bwindi, and you can trek to visit fourteen of the habituated groups in the park. You will also have the chance to see a raft of other wildlife during your time in the Bwindi forest, including 120 other mammal species and more than 350 bird species.
Bwindi is situated in the extreme southwest corner of Uganda, practically a day’s drive from the capital city, Kampala. You can fly to Bwindi via Kihihi to shorten the transit time, which is a good idea if you’re only in Uganda for a short period of time.
Ultimately, if you’re looking to do a one-day gorilla trek in Uganda, Bwindi Impenetrable forest is the best option.
Mgahinga National Park
Photo credit: Jeremy Stewardson
Alternatively, you can arrange a one-day gorilla trek in Mgahinga National Park. Mgahinga is actually close to Bwindi but is accessed via the town of Kisoro, also in the southwestern region of the country.
In Mgahinga, there are approximately 30 mountain gorillas, though only one of the three groups is habituated, meaning you can only track one of the groups.
The fact that Mgahinga is much smaller than Bwindi is an advantage to some people, as treks to see the gorillas here are often much shorter.
If time is of the essence and you’re keen to see gorillas as quickly as possible due to constraints, Mgahinga is a good option to consider.
How much does a one-day gorilla trek in Uganda cost?
The cost of a permit to trek mountain gorillas in Uganda is currently $700. This excludes things like travel, accommodation, and meals and is purely the cost of entering the park to see the mountain gorillas in their natural habitat.
Though it seems expensive for a one-day gorilla trek, it’s half the price of gorilla trekking in Rwanda! It’s also a truly once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, and in my opinion, it’s the best wildlife experience in the world!
It’s certainly the most memorable thing I’ve ever done!
Is one day enough time to trek gorillas in Uganda?
Yes, one day is definitely enough time for a gorilla trek. When you trek in Bwindi or Mgahinga, the day starts at sunrise (around 7 am), and you head into the forest to see the gorillas.
Some treks take less than twenty minutes, while some take several hours to reach the current location of the gorillas.
You then spend approximately one hour in the company of the gorillas before making your way back to the park entrance. From there, you can go and chill out at your lodge or hit the road if you’re on a tight schedule.
When I did my gorilla trek in Bwindi back in 2012, I was in the park for about five hours, including the time we spent with the gorillas.
The bottom line is that one day is more than enough time for a gorilla trek in Uganda, as the activity shouldn’t take more than half a day to complete.
How to book a gorilla trek in Uganda?
If you’re keen to book a one-day gorilla trek for your upcoming visit to Uganda, you can do so via AJ Tours & Travel, the safari company I have partnered with.
I have been on countless tours over the years with AJ Tours, and they arranged my gorilla trekking trip back in 2012.
Drop Andrew a line and explain that you’re keen to arrange a permit to trek the gorillas in one day, and he will gladly help you out. Just make sure to tell him that I sent you!
Other considerations before booking your trip
Although you can certainly do a one-day gorilla trek in Uganda, you need to be mindful of the fact that you need to travel to the southwest of Uganda to do the activity.
As mentioned, if you’re traveling by road, Bwindi NP is a day from Kampala/Entebbe. You can take a domestic flight to nearby Kihihi, which takes about 80-90 minutes. You can also fly to Kisoro, which is the gateway to Mgahinga.
If you’re doing a safari while in Uganda, Bwindi is about 2 hours from the Ishasha sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park. Therefore, it’s a good idea to tie your one-day gorilla trek to the end of your safari.
Check out my guide to booking domestic flights in Uganda for more information on how to get to the southwest for gorilla trekking.
Recap: 1-day gorilla trekking in Uganda
Ultimately, one day is more than enough to go gorilla trekking in Uganda. After all, the activity itself takes no more than a day.
But given the fact that gorilla trekking is an activity based in the extreme southwest of Uganda, you need to plan your travel accordingly, and if you’re on a tight schedule, a domestic flight is your best option!
Is gorilla trekking safe? Yes! Read on to set your mind at ease!
Gorilla trekking in East Africa is arguably the best wildlife experience on the planet. Spending an hour with these magnificent creatures is something that is on so many people’s bucket lists, and it’s one of those once-in-a-lifetime experiences that certainly doesn’t disappoint!
But given that some people perceive countries in East Africa to be somewhat unstable – is gorilla trekking safe?
I’ve been on a gorilla trek myself, and I live less than an hour away from Bwindi Impenetrable forest, Uganda’s premier gorilla trekking destination. So, in this article, I explain, from my experience, why gorilla trekking in East Africa is perfectly safe and why you shouldn’t hesitate when it comes to booking this incredible experience!
So – is gorilla trekking safe?
Yes, gorilla trekking in East Africa is completely safe. You are guided into the national park by armed rangers, who remain by your side at all times and during your experience with the gorillas. They then lead you back out of the park and to the park entrance, where your driver will be waiting to take you back to your hotel.
Ultimately, gorilla trekking is extremely safe and well-organized, both in Uganda and Rwanda. That being said, I offer some important safety tips to consider before undertaking gorilla trekking in what remains of this article.
Things to consider before gorilla trekking: 4 Safety Tips
Some people are slightly anxious about visiting East Africa for the first time, as the region has a history of instability. However, at the time of writing, both Uganda and Rwanda are peaceful and generally very safe for tourists. DR Congo, on the other hand, is a different issue and should be avoided. Provided that you arrange your safari trip through a certified and trusted safari company, you don’t need to worry about your general safety throughout your trip.
So, with that in mind, here are some things to think about to make sure that your upcoming gorilla trek is as safe as possible:
Book your trek with a trusted safari company
As is the case with any tourism activity, make sure you book your gorilla trek with a trusted safari company to ensure that they take care of your safety and security. The vast majority of Ugandans & Rwandans are courteous and friendly toward tourists, but arranging your trip with a trusted tour company adds an element of security to your trip.
I highly recommend Andrew and the team at AJ Tours & Travel, specialists in gorilla trekking, safaris, and other activities in East Africa. You can reach out to the team to ask them to arrange your gorilla trek in either Uganda or Rwanda.
Listen to the rangers
When you arrive at the national park in preparation for your gorilla trek, you will be greeted by armed rangers who are tasked with protecting you – and the animals – as they take you on your trek through the forest.
The rangers are highly trained and friendly and are there to ensure that you have a memorable experience for all the right reasons. Before your trek begins, the rangers run you through a safety briefing, which explains how close you can get to the gorillas and what you need to look out for during your trek.
Provided that you listen to the rangers and follow their guidance and advice, your gorilla trek will be completely safe. The rangers will be by your side for the entirety of your trek, and they are there to protect you – so you can rest assured that the entire trek is safe from start to finish.
Be respectful to wild animals
A gorilla in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, Uganda. Photo credit: Leila Boujnane
When you enter a national park, you’re entering the home of wild animals. Of course, wild animals are unpredictable, which is why you need to show them respect. The gorillas that you trek in Uganda and Rwanda are habituated, meaning they’re used to humans and don’t typically show aggression.
However, if you overstep the mark and get too close, you risk provoking the gorillas, which is a bad idea! Naturally, the rangers will explain how close you can get to the animals and will warn you if you encroach on their space during your trek.
But make sure you enter the forest in the mindset that you’re entering the natural territory of wild animals, and you need to show them respect! This will help you to avoid any unforeseen circumstances during your encounters.
Wear appropriate footwear
One of the biggest threats to your safety when entering a national park in East Africa is the terrain, not the animals that you’re likely to encounter. Whether you’re trekking in Uganda or Rwanda, things are likely to be wet underfoot, and as you’re walking through the bush, you can easily lose your footing if you’re not wearing the correct footwear.
So, be sure to wear a pair of sturdy walking boots for your gorilla trek and ensure that you follow the path laid out by the rangers. Walking through the African bush can be exhilarating, but if you’re not careful where you put your feet, it can also lead to injury!
Recap: Is gorilla trekking safe in Africa?
The bottom line is yes, gorilla trekking in Africa is safe. However, to make sure your experience is memorable for all the right reasons, be sure to bear the following safety tips in mind:
Book your experience with a reputable tour company.
Listen to the rangers and follow their instructions at all times!
Be respectful to the wild animals that you encounter.
Wear appropriate footwear.
Provided that you book with a reputable company, the moment that you arrive at the entrance to the national park in Uganda or Rwanda, the rangers take care of everything for you. They guide you into the park and are present for the entire time that you’re with the gorillas. They then lead you out of the park and back to your awaiting safari vehicle.
So, provided that you’re sensible, gorilla trekking in East Africa is a perfectly safe activity.
Keen to discover your options for this once-in-a-lifetime tourism opportunity? Discover where to go gorilla trekking in East Africa in this comprehensive guide!
Gorilla trekking in East Africa – the best wildlife experience on the planet? I certainly think so!
If you’ve started researching your gorilla trekking options, you will be aware that three countries in East Africa provide gorilla trekking opportunities: Rwanda, Uganda, and DR Congo.
In this article, I introduce you to each of these options, weighing up the pros and cons of each, before providing you with a helpful resource that will give you more information about the destination in question.
I also answer some FAQs relating to gorilla trekking in East Africa to help you make up your mind about whether you should opt for gorilla trekking in Uganda, Rwanda, or DR Congo in 2023 and beyond!
How much is gorilla trekking in East Africa?
When you head into the forest, you do so on the gorillas’ terms! I took this photo in Bwindi National Park, during a trek in 2012.
The price of gorilla trekking in East Africa depends on the country in which you do it. In Rwanda, a permit costs $1,500; in Uganda, the same permit is $700, while a permit to trek gorillas in DR Congo costs $450.
While the difference between gorilla trekking in each country varies significantly, you’re essentially paying for the same experience: a trek through the wilderness to spend around one hour in the company of mountain gorillas in their natural habitat.
Although it’s expensive, gorilla trekking is by far the best animal experience I have ever had, and I loved every second of my trek back in 2012. I would love to do it again someday soon, but I will need to get better at saving money!
In what remains of this article, I provide you with a complete guide to your East African gorilla trekking options in 2023. I run through the cost of the activity in each of the three countries that offer this unique wildlife adventure and help you decide which is the best option for your budget.
I begin with the most expensive option – Rwanda – and work through to the cheapest – DR Congo. After reading through each of the options, the choice of which to opt for is very much yours!
Option #1: Gorilla trekking in Rwanda
At $1,500, gorilla trekking in Rwanda is twice the price of the same activity in neighboring Uganda and three times the price of the same activity in DR Congo. So, why is it so expensive in Rwanda?
Well, it’s not an easy question to answer, as there are various factors that contribute to the cost of acquiring a gorilla trekking permit. I would speculate that gorilla trekking is so expensive in Rwanda because it is the country’s focal tourism activity, while Uganda has more to offer the tourists that arrive in the country each year.
What’s more, Rwanda has invested heavily in infrastructural development since the 1994 genocide, and a visit to Rwanda is extremely convenient for tourists, given the small size of the country and the ease of accessibility to its various points of interest.
I’ve visited Rwanda on three separate occasions, and each time I’ve been struck by how organized the country is. It’s also like a microcosm of East Africa, offering stunning mountain views, lakeside retreats, and unrivaled wildlife opportunities, as evidenced primarily by gorilla trekking in the Park National Des Volcans.
But if you plan to visit Rwanda for your gorilla trekking adventure, you need to be prepared to pay the big bucks, and the fact that the cost of a permit is so much higher in Rwanda than in Uganda and DR Congo will be off-putting for many potential visitors to this part of the world.
Pros of gorilla trekking in Rwanda
Rwanda is super organized, with great roads and excellent tourist infrastructure, making traveling in the country largely hassle-free for tourists.
The Park National Des Volcans – the location of gorilla trekking in Rwanda – is nothing short of spectacular, with incredible views and amazing photo opportunities at every turn.
Many flights from Europe fly directly into Kigali, making Rwanda slightly more accessible than Uganda and DR Congo for some tourists.
Cons of gorilla trekking in Rwanda
The biggest downside to gorilla trekking in Rwanda is the cost. At $1,500, it is three times the price of the same activity in DR Congo and twice the price of trekking in Uganda. For some tourists, it’s simply too much money to spend.
More information?
If you would like more information about gorilla trekking in Rwanda, head to the dedicated page at Visit Rwanda.
Option #2: Gorilla trekking in Uganda
During my trek in Bwindi, I was amazed at the human likeness of gorillas. I could have spent much more than the allotted hour in their presence.
When I went gorilla trekking in 2012, I did so in Uganda’s Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. The experience was beyond my wildest expectations, and it was genuinely one of the most remarkable things I’ve ever done in my life.
Spending an hour with mountain gorillas in their natural habitat is so rewarding, and to see these guys up close and personal is something that will truly stay with me forever.
In all honestly, I didn’t choose Uganda over Rwanda or DR Congo specifically; I simply opted to go gorilla trekking in Uganda because I was in the country for another purpose.
But when I consider the cost of the activity in Rwanda and the political instability in DR Congo, I believe that gorilla trekking in Uganda is the best option for most tourists.
Uganda is safe for tourists, and Ugandan people are extremely welcoming. In comparison, the roads and infrastructure are behind neighboring Rwanda, but Uganda more than makes up for it with access to so many wildlife opportunities in addition to gorilla trekking, with the famous tree-climbing lions of Ishasha just over an hour’s drive away from Bwindi National Park.
So, if I had to recommend one option over the other two, I would recommend gorilla trekking in Uganda as your best bet. I’ve listed the pros and cons below in the interest of fairness to the other destinations!
Pros of gorilla trekking in Uganda
At $700 for a permit, gorilla trekking in Uganda is half the price of the same activity in neighboring Rwanda.
While gorilla trekking is one of the main tourist activities in Uganda, there’s so much else to see and do in the country at the same time. You can visit Queen Elizabeth NP, Murchison Falls NP, and even Kidepo NP for the ultimate safari experience.
Trekking through Bwindi Impenetrable Forest is an experience like no other, and it’s a true wilderness. The moment you finally see the gorillas in their natural habitat is a joy to behold, making the trek through the unforgiving terrain worth every second.
Cons of gorilla trekking in Uganda
Bwindi National Park is located in the extreme southwest of Uganda. If you’re traveling directly from Entebbe/Kampala and going by road, it will take you a full day (10+ hours) to reach your destination, with around 3-4 hours of the journey on bumpy murram roads. You can book a domestic flight to Kihihi Airstrip, but internal flights are expensive, and you will then need to arrange a transfer from Kihihi to Bwindi.
The third and final option for gorilla trekking in East Africa is DR Congo. Disclaimer – I’ve never been to DR Congo, even though I live less than 1km from the border between Congo and Uganda!
Although gorilla trekking in DR Congo is the cheapest option in East Africa, it is often overlooked by tourists, who favor trips to Rwanda or Uganda.
The main reason for this is that DR Congo is not particularly safe for tourists, and there has been a lot of civil unrest in recent times, particularly in Eastern Congo, where gorilla trekking is an option.
It’s not my intention to turn this article into a discussion about politics and civil unrest in DR Congo, but you should read your government’s advice carefully before planning a trip to the country, and take out all of the necessary insurance if you do opt to go gorilla trekking there.
At $450, a gorilla trekking permit in DR Congo is the cheapest option in East Africa.
There are some fascinating places to visit in DR Congo. For instance, Nyiragongo is an active volcano close to Goma that provides incredible hiking opportunities.
Cons of gorilla trekking in DR Congo
At the time of writing, most governments consider travel to Eastern DRC to be unsafe and advise against it. Therefore, you should review all travel advice before planning to travel there.
Although a gorilla trekking permit is comparably cheap in DRC, the lack of tourist infrastructure and the expense of hotels in Eastern DR Congo add to the overall price of your trip.
More information?
You can find out more information about gorilla trekking in DR Congo by visiting the official website of the Virunga National Park.
What are the other costs associated with gorilla trekking in Africa?
I rank my gorilla trekking experience in Uganda as one of the most incredible things I’ve ever done.
Whether you go gorilla trekking in Rwanda, Uganda, or DR Congo, the cost of the permit itself is just one of a number of things you need to think about before checking this incredible wildlife experience off your bucket list.
Of course, you will need to think about the expense of getting to East Africa in the first place, including things like flights, visas, and inoculations. But when you’re in the region, there are a number of things that you need to prepare for.
The biggest expense in each of the gorilla trekking regions is the cost of accommodation, which is offered at eye-watering prices.
I live just 45 minutes away from Bwindi National Park, and it blows my mind that many of the lodges that surround the National Park offer rooms for more than $1,000 per night!
To help you find budget accommodation options in Bwindi, I’ve put together this helpful guide to affordable spots to stay in and around the National Park to alleviate the financial burden of the activity.
As well as accommodation, you need to plan for your transport to the destination. Most tourists arrange for safari companies to take them to the respective national parks in each country, which is the safest and most comfortable way of reaching the gorilla trekking destinations in East Africa.
I’ve partnered with the good people at AJ Tours and Travel, who offer excellent rates for internal transfers in and around East Africa. They can also help you with affordable lodgings around each national park, saving you from spending the big bucks when it comes to making reservations at the most popular lodges!
Is gorilla trekking worth the price?
Something I have come to realize is that price is subjective. For some people, the thought of paying between $450 – $1,500 to spend an hour with gorillas is crazy!
But to others, it’s the pinnacle of wildlife tourism, and the opportunity to see mountain gorillas in their natural habitat is worth practically any price.
I’m in the latter of the two camps, and having been gorilla trekking; I can honestly say that it’s an incredible experience. The trek through the forest and the time spent in the company of the gorillas was absolutely worth the price I paid (I think permits were around $500 at the time).
I also spend a lot of time in Bwindi, living so close to the park, and I regularly speak to tourists who emerge from the forest, commenting on how it’s quite simply the most remarkable thing that they’ve ever done.
So, in my personal opinion, gorilla trekking is absolutely worth the price. You should also note that a significant proportion of the fee that you pay goes towards the contribution of the mountain gorillas for future generations, which helps many people justify the price of the experience.
Do you need to get a gorilla trekking permit in advance?
While you can arrange a permit when you arrive in the country, it’s always better to get it in advance. You can arrange your permit via the three links provided earlier in this article.
If you’re looking for a budget tour company to arrange a permit on your behalf, I again recommend my friends at AJ Tours and Travel, but you can also arrange a gorilla trekking safari with practically every tour provider in East Africa.
The reason that it’s important to arrange your permit in advance is that each country only issues a specific number of permits on any given day, so you need to book in advance to avoid disappointment.
Can you do gorilla trekking in East Africa on a budget?
Unfortunately, gorilla trekking is one of those activities that is super difficult to achieve if you’re constrained by budget. The cost of the permit, the accommodation fees, and the travel to the destination in East Africa makes it a pretty expensive experience overall.
Of course, traveling by public means and staying in budget hotels along the way can significantly reduce the cost of gorilla trekking, but it’s still an expensive experience.
If you’re a citizen or resident of East Africa, you can apply for a permit for a reduced fee. Again, you can find information on reduced permits via the links already provided.
The verdict: Which is the best option for gorilla trekking in East Africa?
In my humble opinion, and with all things considered, Uganda represents the best option for gorilla trekking in East Africa. But that being said, and in spite of the cost, Rwanda is also a super popular destination for this once-in-a-lifetime activity.
While DR Congo offers the cheapest gorilla trekking permits in the region, the civil unrest in the country and the fact that most governments deem the country to be unsafe rules it out for many tourists.
If you’ve got any questions about gorilla trekking in East Africa or would like to share your own recommendations, please do so in the comments below!
