Uganda Gorilla Safaris: Private Tours, Prices and Permits
Private gorilla trekking tours in Bwindi and Mgahinga, from short treks to two-week safaris
A Uganda gorilla safari takes you deep into the misty forests of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park or Mgahinga to spend one unforgettable hour with a wild mountain gorilla family. It is one of the most moving wildlife experiences on Earth, and Uganda is the best-value place in Africa to have it.
A Uganda gorilla permit costs USD 800 per person, while Rwanda charges USD 1,500 for the same one-hour visit. Uganda also has more gorilla families to choose from, and it is easy to combine your trek with chimpanzees, tree-climbing lions and savannah game drives.
Uganda is home to almost half of the world's mountain gorillas. The latest complete counts found 459 gorillas in the Bwindi and Sarambwe forests, out of 1,063 in the wild, and more habituated families are open to visitors here than anywhere else in Africa.
Below, you can compare our private Uganda gorilla safari packages, from 2-day trips from Kigali to 12-day primate safaris, and find everything you need to plan your trip: what is included, current permit prices, the best time to go and how to get there.
What is gorilla trekking?
Gorilla trekking is a guided walk through the rainforest to spend time with a wild mountain gorilla family that is used to people. With a ranger and trackers, you hike up steep hills, through thick vegetation and across forest streams until you reach the gorillas.
Your trekking day starts at about 8:00 AM at the park office, where rangers assign you to a gorilla family and brief you on the rules that keep both gorillas and people safe.
Gorillas share about 98% of our DNA and catch human illnesses easily, so anyone with a cold, flu or fever is asked not to trek, and you may be asked to wear a face mask.
Each family can be visited by no more than 8 people a day, for one hour, from a distance of about 7 metres. Sometimes a curious young gorilla comes closer, but you must never touch them.
Some families are found within an hour, while others take up to six hours to reach. Every step is worth it: watching a silverback guard his family or a baby play in the branches is a moment you will never forget.
Gorilla Safaris
Uganda Gorilla Safaris
Every Uganda gorilla safari we run is private, with your own driver-guide and 4x4 safari vehicle, and every package can be tailored to your dates, budget and pace. Choose a short 2 or 3-day trek, add chimpanzees and game drives on a 5 to 8-day safari, or combine your gorillas with the Masai Mara in Kenya, the Serengeti in Tanzania or a beach holiday on Zanzibar.
What Is Gorilla Habituation Experience?
Wild gorillas are not naturally calm around people. It takes researchers and trackers about two to three years of daily visits to get a family used to humans, a process called habituation. The gorilla habituation experience lets you join this work with a family that is still being habituated.
Only four visitors join each day, and you spend up to four hours with the gorillas instead of one, starting from where the family nested the night before. It is offered in the Rushaga sector of southern Bwindi and costs USD 1,500 per person, rising to USD 1,800 from 1 January 2027. Spaces are very limited, so book as early as you can.
Where Do Uganda Gorilla Safaris Take Place?
Every Uganda gorilla safari visits one of two parks in the far south-west of the country: Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park on the slopes of the Virunga volcanoes. Both are about 9 to 10 hours by road from Entebbe or Kampala, or about 1.5 to 2 hours by scheduled flight to Kihihi or Kisoro. Southern Bwindi is also just 4 to 5 hours by road from Kigali in Rwanda.
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is the heart of gorilla trekking in Uganda. Its 321 km² of steep, misty forest on the edge of the Albertine Rift are a UNESCO World Heritage Site and home to almost half of the world's mountain gorillas. Treks start from four sectors, Buhoma, Ruhija, Rushaga and Nkuringo, each with its own gorilla families and lodges.
Mgahinga Gorilla National Park
Mgahinga Gorilla National Park covers 33.7 km² in the far south-west corner of Uganda, where it borders Rwanda and the DR Congo. It protects the Ugandan slopes of three of the eight Virunga volcanoes. Here you can trek the Nyakagezi gorilla family, track golden monkeys in the bamboo forest and hike the volcanoes in one visit.
Uganda Gorilla Safari Packages and Prices
Every Uganda gorilla safari we run is private, with your own driver-guide and 4x4 safari vehicle. Choose by how much time you have, then we tailor the route, lodges and dates to you. Prices include your USD 800 gorilla permit.
Short Uganda Gorilla Safaris: 2 to 3 Days
Gorilla Safaris With Wildlife: 4 to 6 Days
Longer Uganda Gorilla Safari Tours: 7 to 12 Days
Prices are per person for two people sharing a private vehicle, with comfortable mid-range lodges and 2027 permit fees. Budget and luxury versions of every Uganda gorilla safari are available, and larger groups pay less per person. Your final quote depends on your dates, group size and lodges.
Not sure which Uganda gorilla safari to choose?
Tell us how many days you have, your budget and what else you would like to see. We will check gorilla permit availability for your dates and send you a clear, itemised quote within 24 hours.
Want something different? See our Uganda luxury safaris, budget Uganda safaris, golden monkey and gorilla safaris, or build your own trip.
What Is Included in Our Uganda Gorilla Safari Packages
Our quotes are all-inclusive for the safari itself, so the price you agree is the price you pay. There are no hidden costs and no surprises at the park gate.
Included
- Your gorilla trekking permit, booked directly with the Uganda Wildlife Authority
- A private 4x4 safari vehicle and an experienced English-speaking driver-guide
- Fuel, park entrance fees and all activities in your itinerary
- Lodges as named in your quote, with meals as stated
- Airport pick-up and drop-off and drinking water on the road
- Domestic flights on fly-in safaris
Not included
- International flights and visas
- Travel insurance
- Tips for guides, porters and lodge staff
- Drinks and personal items
- Porter on the trek, about USD 15 to 20, paid at the trailhead
Uganda Gorilla Permit Prices for 2026 and 2027
The gorilla permit is the biggest single cost of any Uganda gorilla safari. These are the Uganda Wildlife Authority rates for foreign non-resident visitors.
| Permit | 2026 | From 1 January 2027 |
|---|---|---|
| Uganda gorilla trekking | USD 800 | USD 800 |
| Gorilla habituation, Bwindi | USD 1,500 | USD 1,800 |
| Kibale chimpanzee trekking | USD 250 | USD 300 |
| Rwanda gorilla trekking (for comparison) | USD 1,500 | USD 1,500 |
Since 1 March 2026, the Uganda Wildlife Authority asks for full payment when a permit is booked, and permits are limited to 8 people per gorilla family each day. Book early for June to September and December to February. Read more about gorilla trekking permits in Uganda or compare gorilla permit prices across Africa.
Which Bwindi Sector Is Best for Your Uganda Gorilla Safari?
Bwindi has four trekking sectors, and Mgahinga has one gorilla family. We match the sector to your route, fitness and lodge.
| Sector | Area | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Buhoma | North Bwindi | First-time trekkers, fly-in safaris via Kihihi, easy links to Queen Elizabeth |
| Ruhija | East Bwindi | Quieter treks and birding, links to Lake Mburo and Kampala |
| Rushaga | South Bwindi | The most gorilla families, the habituation experience, Lake Bunyonyi and Kigali |
| Nkuringo | South-west Bwindi | Dramatic views, steeper hikes, links to Kisoro and Mgahinga |
| Mgahinga | Virunga volcanoes | Gorillas plus golden monkeys and volcano hikes |
Tip from William Mutebi, Founder
If you are coming through Kigali, choose Rushaga or Nkuringo: you can be at your lodge by lunchtime and save on the Rwanda permit. If fitness worries you, tell us early, because we can ask the rangers for a family that is usually closer to the trailhead. And always hire a porter. It makes the climb easier and supports a local family.
Read the full comparison in Bwindi gorilla sectors compared.
What Happens on Gorilla Trekking Day
Your day begins with a briefing at the park office at about 8:00 AM. Rangers explain the rules and assign you to a gorilla family, then you walk into the forest with a ranger guide, armed escorts and trackers who have already found where the family slept.
The hike can take from 1 to 6 hours. When you reach the gorillas, you spend one hour watching them feed, groom and play from about 7 metres away. Pack waterproof boots, garden gloves, long sleeves and a rain jacket. See our gorilla trekking packing list.
Best Time for a Uganda Gorilla Safari
Gorillas can be seen all year. June to September and December to February are drier and most popular, so book early. March to May and October to November are greener and quieter, with more lodge availability. See the best time to visit Bwindi.
Getting to Bwindi
- By road from Entebbe or Kampala: about 9 to 10 hours, broken up with stops at the Equator or Lake Mburo.
- By air: scheduled flights to Kihihi or Kisoro take about 1.5 to 2 hours.
- From Kigali: southern Bwindi is about 4 to 5 hours by road, ideal for a 2-day trip.
Why Book Your Uganda Gorilla Safari With Tulambule
Ugandan owned since 2014
Our team lives here and plans every trip in person.
Licensed and accredited
UTB Licence UTB/RTT/TT/2025/101877, UWA accredited and a member of AUTO.
Permits booked directly
We buy your permits from the Uganda Wildlife Authority, with clear payment terms.
Rated 4.9 on TripAdvisor
Travellers from around the world rate our guides and planning highly.
Ready to meet the mountain gorillas?
Send us your dates and group size. We will confirm permit availability, suggest the best route and send a free quote within 24 hours.
Uganda Gorilla Safaris Travel Guides
Planning your Uganda gorilla safari? These guides answer the questions our guests ask most, from what to pack and which gorilla family to trek to permit prices and the cheapest ways to go.
Gorilla Trekking Packing List
Waterproof hiking boots, garden gloves, long sleeves and a rain jacket make your trek safer and far more comfortable. See exactly what to pack, and what to leave at the lodge.
Gorilla Families in Bwindi and Mgahinga
Bwindi and Mgahinga have more than 20 habituated gorilla families open to visitors, spread across five trekking areas. Meet the families and find out which sector suits your trip.
Uganda Gorilla Permit Prices
A Uganda gorilla permit costs USD 800 per person, and the habituation experience costs USD 1,500, rising to USD 1,800 from 1 January 2027. Permits are issued by the Uganda Wildlife Authority. Learn how to book, when to pay and how to avoid losing your permit.
Cheapest Ways to See Gorillas in Uganda
Wondering how to see gorillas in Uganda on a budget? Sharing a vehicle, travelling in the green season, choosing budget lodges and starting from Kigali can all lower the cost of your gorilla trekking in Uganda without missing the gorillas.
You Can Track Gorillas on Honeymoon in Uganda
Looking for a honeymoon with real adventure? Trekking mountain gorillas together is a memory you will treasure for life, and Bwindi’s romantic forest lodges are perfect for unwinding afterwards.
Pair your gorilla trek with chimpanzees, a sunset boat cruise or a few days at Lake Bunyonyi or on Zanzibar. Read more about a honeymoon in Uganda.
15 Questions About Uganda Gorilla Safaris
Here are clear answers to the questions we are asked most often about a Uganda gorilla safari.
1. How Much Does It Cost to Go Gorilla Trekking in Uganda?
The biggest cost of a Uganda gorilla safari is the gorilla permit, which costs USD 800 per person. The rest depends on how many days you travel, your lodges, whether you drive or fly, and how many people share the vehicle.
As a rough guide, an all-inclusive 3-day gorilla trekking safari by road costs from about USD 1,300 per person sharing, and fly-in or luxury trips cost more. See our Uganda safari cost guide.
2. Is Gorilla Trekking Cheaper in Uganda or Rwanda?
Uganda is much cheaper. A Uganda gorilla permit costs USD 800, while a Rwanda permit costs USD 1,500 for the same one-hour visit. Read our comparison of gorilla safaris in Uganda vs Rwanda.
3. How Do I Book a Gorilla Trekking Permit in Uganda?
Gorilla permits are included in all our Uganda gorilla safari packages, and we book them directly with the Uganda Wildlife Authority. We need your passport details, and since 1 March 2026 the full permit fee must be paid when the permit is booked. Read more about gorilla trekking permits in Uganda.
4. Is Gorilla Trekking Worth the Money?
Yes. Mountain gorillas live only in the wild, never in zoos, and there are only about 1,063 of them left. Spending an hour with a gorilla family is one of the most moving wildlife experiences on Earth, and your permit fee helps pay for their protection and for local communities.
You may also like: the best gorilla trekking tours in Africa.
5. How Safe Is Gorilla Trekking?
Gorilla trekking in Uganda is safe. You only visit habituated families that are used to people, and every group is led by trained rangers with armed escorts. Before the trek, rangers brief you on the rules, such as keeping about 7 metres away and staying calm and quiet.
6. How Difficult Is Gorilla Trekking?
You need a moderate level of fitness. A trek can take from 1 to 6 hours or more on steep, muddy and slippery trails, often in warm and humid weather. Take it slowly, use a walking stick and hire a porter, and almost anyone in reasonable health can do it.
7. Can I Hire a Porter to Help Me?
Yes, and we recommend it. A local porter carries your bag, helps you on steep or muddy sections and earns an important income for their family. In Bwindi, a porter usually costs about USD 15 to 20, plus any tip you choose to give.
8. Is There a Chance I Won’t See the Gorillas on My Trek?
Sightings are not 100% guaranteed, but missing the gorillas is very rare. Trackers set out early each morning to find where each family slept and radio its location to the rangers, so your group is guided straight towards them.
9. How Long Do I Get to Spend With the Gorillas?
You spend one hour with your gorilla family. Each family can be visited by no more than 8 people a day, to protect the gorillas from stress and disease. For up to four hours with a family, choose the gorilla habituation experience.
10. Can I Trek a Second Time on My Gorilla Trip?
Yes. Many guests book two treks, often in different sectors, to see two different families. Permits are limited, so book both treks in advance, especially for June to September and December to February.
11. Can I Request a Specific Gorilla Family?
You can ask, and we will request it when we book your permit and again at the morning briefing, but the final choice is made by the park rangers and cannot always be guaranteed.
12. What if I’m Not Feeling Well on Trekking Day?
Tell your guide and the rangers. Gorillas catch human illnesses easily, so anyone with a cold, flu, fever or other infectious illness should not trek. The rangers will advise you on what can be arranged.
13. What Is the Age Limit for Gorilla Trekking in Uganda?
You must be at least 15 years old to trek. There is no upper age limit, and older travellers can ask for an easier family or use a sedan chair carried by porters. See gorilla trekking for older and less mobile travellers.
14. What Is the Best Time of Year to See Gorillas in Uganda?
You can go on a Uganda gorilla safari all year. The drier months, June to September and December to February, have easier trails and are the most popular. March to May and October to November are wetter, greener and quieter, but rain can fall at any time in a rainforest.
15. How Far From Kampala Are the Gorillas?
Bwindi is about 500 km from Kampala, which takes 9 to 10 hours by road with stops. You can also fly in about 1.5 to 2 hours from Entebbe or Kajjansi airstrip near Kampala to Kihihi or Kisoro, then drive a short way to your lodge.
Ready to Book Your Uganda Gorilla Safari?
Whether you prefer Bwindi’s four trekking sectors or Mgahinga’s quieter, volcano-backed trails, our team handles your permits, transport and lodges, so all you have to do is enjoy the trek. Combine your gorillas with chimpanzee tracking, Big Five game drives or a relaxing stay at Lake Bunyonyi for a complete Uganda adventure.
Popular gorilla trekking itineraries:
- 3 Day Uganda Gorilla Trekking Tour
- 3 Days Gorilla Trek via Kigali, Rwanda
- 6 Day Luxury Safari Uganda: Gorillas, Wildlife and Culture
- 7 Day Uganda Gorilla and Chimpanzee Safari
- 10 Days Big Five Safari: Gorillas, Chimps and Big Game
Or browse all our sample safari itineraries, design your own trip with Build My Safari, or contact us to check gorilla permit availability for your dates. Exploring both primates? Read our guide to chimpanzees in Uganda too.
Book your Uganda gorilla safari with Tulambule
Gorilla permits sell out months ahead for June to September and December to February. Send us your dates and we will check availability and send you a free quote within 24 hours.
UTB Licence UTB/RTT/TT/2025/101877 • Licensed by UTB and UWA • Member of AUTO • Rated 4.9 on TripAdvisor
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Meet William Mutebi
Founder and CEO (MBA), Tulambule Uganda Safaris
Planning safaris across Uganda and East Africa since 2014
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