This ultimate guide is based on my personal experience and is designed to help you choose where to go for mountain gorilla trekking, where to stay, what to pack and how your trekking supports the mountain gorillas and the local people. You will also get to know other activities you can do in Uganda and Rwanda as part of your gorilla trekking tour.
Critically endangered thanks to the most dangerous species in the world. Getting up close to these beautiful creatures in what remains of their natural habits, is truly special. Mountain gorillas are the largest and rarest of the subspecies of gorillas.
Trekking some of the 1063 remaining mountain gorillas in Rwanda, Uganda and Democratic Republic of Congo (western lowland gorillas), through the forested slopes of Africa in the Virunga volcanoes.
Now coming face to face with these mighty primates is overwhelming as adrenalin races through your body and a smile permeates across your face and tears in your eyes. Gorilla Trekking is a once in a lifetime experience which can be enjoyed in both Uganda and Rwanda.
This guide will assist you in planning your gorilla itinerary along with a few hints and trips to get the most out of your experience.
The Mountain Gorillas
The mountain gorillas you will visit are critically endangered mountain gorillas, the largest living primate with just over 1000 spread across four national parks in 3 countries: Uganda, Rwanda and Democratic Republic of Congo. These gorillas differ from other species such as the lowland eastern gorilla. The males are up to 182 tall and weigh close to 181kg and females up to 152cm tall and 97kg.
Uganda
Uganda is known as the Pearl of Africa, home to half of the world’s population of mountain gorillas and the unique experiences one can have with these incredible animals once in a lifetime. Staying in very comfortable lodges and camps, trek into the bush anywhere from 30 minutes to a few hours in search of the rare habituated gorilla families. The rangers know where the families are at any given time and therefore spotting them and spending time watching them is almost guaranteed. If time permits, you can opt for a longer safari for like 7 to 14 days.
Where can mountain gorillas be found in Uganda
Mountain gorillas in Uganda are found in two national parks namely: Bwindi Impenetrable Forest and Mgahinga Gorilla National Parks. Bwindi is a UNESCO World Heritage Site in southwestern Uganda, is a premier biodiversity hotpot protecting nearly half of the world’s endangered mountain gorillas. This park is located in a steep, rugged forest, it offers premier gorilla trekking, habituation experiences, and birding across four main sectors: Buhoma, Ruhija, Rushaga and Nkuringo.
Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is located in southwestern Uganda, the country’s smallest national park 33.7km but a premier destination for tracking endangered mountain gorillas, the Nyakagezi group and golden monkeys. Situated in the Virunga Mountains, the park features three extinct volcanoes and rich biodiversity offering trekking, hiking and cultural experience.
What are the treks like?
Gorilla treks can be up to 30 minutes to 8 hours depending location where they sighted the previous day. Trekking to see gorillas can sometimes be challenging, so a good level of fitness is recommend. Once you reach the gorillas family, you will have maximum of one hour to spend with them. Gorilla trekking is limited to people aged 15 or above.
When is the best time to see the gorillas?
The gorillas can be tracked anytime of the year in Uganda, however, we prefer the drier months from June, July, and August, to September and from December, January to February.
How much is a gorilla permit?
A Uganda gorilla permit costs USD$800 per person
Low season costs (April, May and November) USD$600 per person
Gorilla Habituation Experience USD$1500 per person
What else does Uganda have to offer?
Murchison Falls National Park
Murchison Falls is the largest conservation park offering a premier safari experience centered on the world’s most powerful waterfall. Key attractions include the dramatic boat cruise to the base of the falls for viewing hippos, crocodiles, and water birds, the exciting Big Five game drives, chimpanzee tracking in Budongo Forest, bird watching and the hot air balloon rides.
Queen Elizabeth National Park
Queen Elizabeth National Park is located in western Uganda and it offers premier savanna game viewing, famous tree climbing lions in Ishasha and boat cruises along Kazinga Channel. The park also features over 600 bird species, chimpanzee tracking in Kyambura Gorge and stunning volcanic crater lakes.
Kibale National Park
Kibale National Park is located in western Uganda and it is Africa’s premier primate destination with over 1,500 chimps, offering world renowned chimpanzee tracking and habituation experiences. The park features 13 primates including the red Colobus and L’Hoest’s monkeys, diverse birding over 370 species, tropical forest nature walks, and the scenic crater lakes tours.
Kidepo Valley National Park
Kidepo Valley National Park is located in the northeastern Uganda and it offers a remote, breathtaking wilderness experience featuring dramatic mountain scenery, vast golden savannas and rich wildlife. The key highlights include premier big game drives lions, cheetahs, elephants, buffaloes, bird watching over 475 species, cultural encounters with the karamojong and IK people and visits to the Kanangorok Hot Springs.
Rwanda
Rwanda is the Land of a Thousand Hill, with green undulating landscape of hills, gardens and tea plantations. Rwanda offers visitors a one of a kind journey as it home to the world’s remaining mountain gorillas. Rwanda is a third of Africa’s bird species, several species of primates, volcanoes, game reserves, resorts and islands on the expansive Lake Kivu, graceful dancers, artistic crafts and friendly people.
Where can mountain gorillas be found in Rwanda?
Mountain gorillas are found in Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park located in the northwest corner of Rwanda and is home to the rare mountain gorilla. The setting of lush volcanoes offers incredible dramatic scenery.
How are the treks like?
The terrain in Rwanda is less challenging with treks often shorter than Uganda although the higher altitude can have an effect on some people. Gorilla safaris in Rwanda are shorter making it possible for 1 day gorilla trekking tour. Gorilla trekking is limited to people aged 15 or above.
When is the best time to see gorillas in Rwanda?
The dry season in Rwanda is from May to October. It rains more frequently and heavily in the northeast, where the volcanoes are covered by dense rainforest.
How much do permits cost?
A gorilla permit in Rwanda costs USD$1500 per person
What else does Rwanda have to offer?
Akagera National Park
Akagera National Park is located in northeastern Rwanda offers a diverse savanna and wetland experience, featuring unique wildlife viewing, water based adventures and community engagement. With the reintroduction of black rhino and African lion, the park is now home to all of Africa’s Big Five.
Golden Monkeys in Volcanoes National Park
Apart from gorilla trekking, Volcanoes National Park presents another activity called golden monkey trekking. It has two habituated groups very active creatures jump from tree to tree and are quite difficult to photograph, but are a rare and delightful experience.
Dian Fossey Research Camp
The camp is located in Volcanoes National Park and was founded Dian Fossey in 1967 to study the endangered mountain gorilla. This renowned American conservationist and primatologist studied mountain gorillas daily in the forest of Rwanda and wrote the book Gorillas in the Mist.
Nyungwe Forest
The park is located in the southwestern Rwanda and it is one of Africa’s oldest and most significant rain forests, offering a premier biodiversity experience. The park has a high altitude, mountainous region known for its dense, ancient canopy and vast, varied ecosystem.
Nyungwe is a great location for chimpanzee trekking which can be combined with a gorilla trek in Volcanoes National Park. The Nyungwe Forest Canopy walk is 90m taking visitors through the canopy 50m above the ground and is a great way to see monkeys move around in the treetops.
Lake Kivu
Lake Kivu offers a serene lakeside escape featuring safe, bilharzia free swimming, sandy beaches in Gisenyi and Karongi, kayaking and boat trips to scenic islands. It is popular post gorilla trekking stop offering relaxing, adventurous and cultural experiences, including hiking, mountain biking and exploring local. The small towns occupy the lake’s edge along the route from Nyungwe and Volcanoes National Parks.
Accommodation in and around Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Buhoma Sector
Buhoma is the most popular gorilla trekking trailhead, offering access to range of luxury, mid-range and Budget accommodation primary focused on providing easy access to gorilla trekking for groups of Mubare, Habinyanja, Rushegura and Katwe.
- Sanctuary Gorilla Forest Camp
- Silverback Lodge
- Volcanoes Bwindi Lodge
- Buhoma Lodge
- Mahogany Springs
- Buhoma Gorilla Camp
- Buhoma Community Rest Camp
- Kaara Gorilla Mountain
- Karungi Camp
- Ruhondeza Lodge
- Bwindi Neck View Lodge
- Bwindi Forest Lodge
- Engagi Lodge
- Buhoma Community Haven Lodge
Ruhija Sector
Ruhija sector in Bwindi offers mid-range and budget accommodation providing easy access to gorilla trekking for the Bitukura, Oruzogo and Kyaguriro families.
- Ruhija Gorilla Safari Lodge
- Bakiga Lodge
- Gorilla Mist Lodge
- Ruhija Gorilla Friends Resort & Campsite
- Ruhija Guest House
- Kiho Gorilla Safari Lodge
Rushaga Sector
- Rushaga Gorilla Lodge
- Nshongi Camp
- Ichumbi Gorilla Camp
- Gorilla Leisure Lodge
- Gorilla Valley Bwindi Lodge
- Gorilla Safari Lodge
- Gorilla Close up Lodge
- Kaara Mountain Gorilla Lodge
- Karungi Camp
- Lake Muluhe Gorilla Lodge
Nkuringo Sector
In the Nkuringo sector, there are several lodges that tourists can stay at. These lodges are categorized into luxury, midrange, and budget. Luxury lodges in the Nkuringo sector offer high-end services and may not be the best for budget travelers. On the other hand, budget and midrange lodges in the Nkuringo Sector can be affordable to budget tourists. Some of these facilities include;
- Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge
- Nkuringo Bwindi Gorilla Lodge
- Mutanda Lake Resort
- Chameleon Hill Lodge
- Gorilla Heights Lodge
Lake Bunyonyi
- Lake Bunyonyi Eco Resort
- Bunyonyi Overland Resort
- Arcadia Lodge Lake
Accommodation in and around Volcanoes National Park
- Bisate Lodge
- One&Only Gorilla’s Nest
- Singita Kwitonda Lodge
- Sabyinyo Silverback lodge
- Virunga Lodge
- Amakoro Songa Lodge
- Five Volcanoes Boutique Hotel
- Le Bambou Gorilla Lodge
- Mountain Gorilla View Lodge
- Garden Place Hotel
- Lapalme Hotel
- Da Vinci Gorilla Lodge
- Kinigi Guesthouse
- Hotel Muhabura
- Amahoro Guesthouse
- Red Rocks Campsite & Guesthouse
- Mountain Gorilla Nest Lodge
