Gorilla Trekking In Uganda – 2 Days Hiking In Mgahinga and Bwindi

Got mountain gorilla trekking in Uganda on your travel bucket list but not sure how to decide which treks are going to be best for you?

We hear you! It’s a challenge to understand the range of gorilla trekking options from afar. For most of us, planning a trip like this is a once in a lifetime opportunity, so we want to get it right.

Having done two different gorilla hikes in Uganda, we’re sharing what we learned to help you select yours.

Maybe a trek that permits 1 hour with gorillas sounds perfect. Or you might be drawn to the challenging habituation experience. This lets you spend a day with gorilla family group trackers. Your reward is 4 hours with these incredible animals.

We have done and loved both treks. They are however quite different in terms of physical activity, duration and permit prices.

So, to help you get a sense of what’s involved, we walk you through each and include what to expect before the treks, during, and after. Additionally, we cover many details like hiking permits, visas, accommodation, and transit tips.

Mountain Gorillas Trekking Overview

The reality is there are only around 1,000 of these endangered creatures alive.  But, thanks to careful investment that protects their natural habitat, numbers are increasing. 

There are just 3 countries on earth where we have an opportunity to track mountain gorillas. They live in high altitude, densely forested volcano areas where their food supply is plentiful. This land lies within Rwanda, Uganda, and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

Currently, DRC is not considered safe so we didn’t even consider it as an option even though permit costs are the lowest. It’s rarely recommended for a gorilla trek. That leaves Uganda and Rwanda to choose from.

Initially, we wanted to hike in Rwanda. Once we got into the detailed planning, we switched to Uganda.

Why Choose Gorilla Trekking in Uganda

We chose Uganda for 2 main reasons:

• Trekking permits are currently 50% cheaper in Uganda vs Rwanda.
• Only Uganda offers a gorilla habituation trek; a 4-hour immersion with gorillas. To be honest, we didn’t even know this opportunity existed when we started planning.

What is a Habituation Experience? On this type of hike, we spent time tracking and watching partly habituated groups with trackers. Joining trackers ‘on the job’ and getting an insight into their conversation efforts was a highlight.

Within Uganda, we have trekked with gorillas in the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest on the edge of the Rift Valley. 

We also hiked in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, which is within the Virunga Mountain Range.

Mgahinga National Park is around 15 km south of the regional main town of Kisoro. Bwindi is a UNESCO site 45 km north of Mgahinga.

Mgahinga is the smallest park in Uganda. Bwindi Forest is the third smallest of 10 national parks in the country. But both have an array of wildlife!

Wild forest elephants, chimps, golden monkeys, buffalo, and 100s of birds live here. You will also see diverse species of plants and trees; it’s a goldmine of nature.

Although not far apart in terms of distance, roads here hug hillsides, navigate around lakes, and are mostly single dirt tracks. It will take longer than you might imagine to travel between them.

Uganda Gorilla Hiking Permit – The Essentials

You must have a permit before you can trek with mountain gorillas. Currently, costs for the hikes we did are:

Permits are highly regulated and limited. It is essential to buy yours in advance. The best way to do this is via a tour operator. They understand the process and can physically go to the local office and buy them.  

If you go with a tour operator from your home country, they will require payment for permits up front. Although this may be requested months before you even pay the balance of your trip, it’s essential to lock in your hike itinerary.

This is not a cheap experience! But you get to interact with one of the most endangered animals on earth. Revenue from our permits supports wages for the park rangers, and security staff giving local people employment.

FYI: If you’re thinking about Rwanda – the permit costs: $1500 for the 1 hour gorilla experience. 

As we mentioned, there is no 4-hour habituation experience on offer in Rwanda.

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Mountain Gorilla – 2 Days Trekking Overview

We chose to do our Gorilla hikes back to back over 2 days and it worked out great. Just be prepared to rest up the evening before and in between!

If you prefer a more leisurely trip, split your gorilla hiking days. Consider a day on a less arduous trip like a golden monkey or bird tour.  Or just relax at your lodge.

We stayed at Mutanda Lake Resort. You can enjoy water activities like kayaking, boating, or island tours from here when not trekking. It is also possible to swim in Lake Mutanda as it is bilharzia-free.

➡️ Check Mutanda Lake Resort Location & Facilities Here!

Trek 1 – Mgahinga National Park (1 Hour with Gorillas)

Before Your Trek:

Bring Your Passport! This is required to cross check against the permit.

Expect a bit of a drive from your lodge to the starting point for your hike.  Rough twisty single-track roads are inevitable but the views are unbelievable.

From the car park at Mt Muhabura Climbers Rest Camp, we had a short steep climb to base camp.  Here there is a small HQ building offering basic toilet facilities.

People will be gathering for different tours in the park. As well as gorillas, hiking up Mount Muhabura at 4,127 metres (13,540 ft) is popular. All are guided tours and need to be pre-booked.

Expect a warm greeting from locals singing traditional songs.

Your Park Ranger will then split you into groups based on your chosen activities.

Next, the lead guide will introduce themselves and the guards who accompany us on this trek.  They are armed for everyone’s safety because wild forest elephants and buffalo are living in these forests.

Both can be dangerous if surprised by us humans (read on to hear our encounter with one in Bwindi on Day 2!).

Only 8 people are permitted to trek at a time. We had plenty of time and space to observe the gorillas when we reached them but it goes fast!!

Say yes when you are offered a traditional wooden walking stick. It really helped us hike up and down the steeper parts of the park.

You’re going to be at a starting altitude of around 7300 feet (2227 km) and ascending/descending for a few hours!

During Your Trek:

You will follow in single file between the park ranger lead, guards and fellow trekkers. As a group, expect pausing periodically as guides direct you to points of interest.

Because gorillas move around for food, there is no single spot where they hang out.  The ranger and trackers go out early and communicate by radio. Once they have a location, we trekkers head towards this.

Before reaching the gorilla family, you will be required to put on a mask (bring a couple with you!). This is because mountain gorillas are very susceptible to germs from humans sharing 98.4% of our DNA!

Then you will quietly be led towards the group. You can simply watch from a legally set distance and of course, take photographs (no flash!)

What surprised us first on seeing the Nyakagezi family living in Mgahinga National Park, was their relaxed temperaments.  When a silverback appeared, his size surprised us.  They can weigh up to 484 lbs (220 kg) and certainly are taller than me at around 5.5 feet (1.7 m) high.

As we were there early in the day, the gorillas were happily eating and quite active.  They typically travel to find food, eat, and then nap before repeating the process for a second meal of the day.

Over the course of an hour, we saw young gorillas playing. They had fun approaching us and playing with our hiking boots. So cute! Others were climbing trees to pick and eat fruits.

Mothers and their offspring were having a nap after breakfast. And of course, a couple of silverbacks watched letting everyone know they were in charge!

This one came pretty close but following the park ranger’s instruction to ‘keep calm and stand still’. This leader of the family just brushed against me, looked inquisitively at us, and kept going. Amazing experience.

After Your Trek:

Once the hour is up, your park rangers will introduce you to the trackers and you can ask them questions.  This is also an opportunity to tip them for their hard work.  

Unlike the park rangers and armed guards, trackers and porters are not paid by the government so rely on tourist tips for income.

Back at the park briefing area, you will receive a certificate and have an opportunity to buy a souvenir from your adventure.  

Many of the items are made by the local village communities, so you will be helping them directly by buying here vs. a tourist shop.  

Your driver will then transport you back to your lodge.

Trek 2 – Habituation Tracking in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest (4 Hours with Gorillas)

Before Your Trek:

Bring Your Passport! This is required to double check against the permit.

This is a much more serious physical trek than the previous day’s hike!!  Again, before you start, you will receive a briefing and be offered the services of a local porter to carry a camera or your lunch.

During Your Trek:

As today is about tracking gorillas as well as spending time with them, you’re going to be hiking for some hours.

The start of this trail is a pathway into the dense forested area which is where the Batwa people call home.  You can also arrange to do a tour with them to learn more about their way of life.

We stayed on this path for maybe a half mile before heading straight into dense undergrowth forested ‘jungle’.  The guides used machetes to cut through the growth as we navigated through roots, vines, spikes and numerous trees.

It took just over an hour of intense up and down trekking before we discovered our first gorilla.  He enthusiastically maneuvered through the forest, at some speed, causing us to have to hike back up to follow him. 

We were rewarded though at the end point where around 11 gorillas were hanging out.  Up in a tree, a mother and young baby stayed safe and on the ground 8 or so others were doing their own thing – mainly eating.  Again, it was early morning so the gorillas were active.

What was incredible to watch was their agility in climbing up trees to harvest fruits.  Given their size, their speed was impressive. Watching 3 of them navigating around one tree trunk and branch was hilarious.

One decided to swing ‘tarzan’ style from one to another, and even the park rangers were in awe – they had never seen that before.

Babies playing, parents keeping them in order, and silverbacks climbing trees to munch leaves and buds were all activities right in front of us. Nearby, juveniles jostled for attention as they frolicked around. 

Every so often, they peek at you with a curiosity that they probably see in us looking at them.  Occasionally, the rangers and trackers would make a ‘gorilla’ sound to settle one down if they got a little anxious.

After Your Trek:

Depending on where you are in the forest during your 4 hours with the gorilla, you may have a short or longer hike out.  We had a very steep climb out through vegetation that was higher than my height.

Watch Out for Wild Elephants Or Buffaloes!!

As we climbed out, our trackers suddenly stopped.  One armed guard at the front fired a couple of shots from his AK47 rifle in the air. Straight ahead of us a wild elephant stomped his foot on the ground and reared up.  It was all set to charge!!!

This is a very rare occurrence (we were told), but after another round of shots, it took off in the other direction running downhill faster than I could ever imagine possible given its size.

We all looked at each other thinking WoW and then why did no one have their camera out (they were packed away after we left the gorillas).  So maybe have your mobile/cellphone at the ready just in case!!

Once we reconnected with the pathway we entered the park on, we stopped and ate our packed lunches.  With only 4 people on this trek, it was a lovely break, chatting with fellow travelers and our hosts/guides.

The scenery here is wonderful as you walk back to connect with your transport back to your lodge.  Do buy a little something from the village market and engage with the local people. 

Which Month is Best For Gorilla Trekking?

If you have watched the classic movie “Gorillas in the Mist’ about the life of Dian Fossey, you will know these forests are moist & at times very wet!

The gorillas are here 365 days a year of course, so in our experience, the bigger issue is road and trekking conditions.

March, April, and May are typically wetter months in this part of Uganda.  However, if you do plan to come during this time, you may benefit from a discount on permits and there will be fewer visitors.

Also as there is more foliage in wetter months, gorillas tend to move less around the forests.

By June the weather is largely dry and it remains great for trekking through to October, before rainy days return in November and early December.

We trekked here in early January and experienced good conditions with a few showers here and there (mainly later in the afternoon).

How Many Days for Gorilla Hiking Trip?

We suggest you plan for 5 nights (6 days) to complete this itinerary from Kigali to avoid feeling rushed. This includes a night in Kigali at the start and end of your trip and 3 nights around the gorilla habitats.

How to Get to Uganda

We travelled to Uganda from Rwanda. So, if you would like to venture into Kigali, Rwanda, and drive overland to Uganda, you can consider this option. Kigali is a great destination in itself. Read about activities here in our Kigali City Guide, full of things to do in town, and some great day trips.

The drive between the two takes about 4-5 hours. We include highlights of this route and the breathtaking scenery in both countries in this guide.

There are two options to travel to Uganda to see the gorillas.  It is actually easier to fly to neighboring Rwanda and then transit to Uganda as the distances are less.

We flew with RwandAir from London to Kigali, the capital of Rwanda, and after a day or two here,  travelled northwest overland to Uganda. You cross between countries at the Cyanika border which takes around an hour (or less).

This route also lets you stop off at the Dian Fossey Gorilla Center in Rwanda (which opened in 2022). This award winning center, adjacent to the Volcanoes National Park, was made possible by The Ellen DeGeneres Foundation. 

With multiple exhibits and hands-on activities, you learn about the pioneering research from decades ago up to the present day. 

➡️ Check Non-Stop Flights To Kigali from London Heathrow (UK)

Alternatively, fly to Entebbe Uganda, and travel internally to the gorilla habitat in the southwest of the country. This takes around 9 hours of driving. You can stop off at other spots including the Queen Elizabeth National Park to see more wildlife en route. 

➡️ Check Non-Stop Flights To Entebbe from JFK(New York)

We elected to visit the for a 3 Day Maasai Mara Safari in Kenya after our gorilla hike. This is a wonderful complement to your special time in the mountains. Or why not visit South Africa for a Big 5 safari – it’s great value at the moment.

Read our Sensational South Africa Itinerary Guide for more ideas.

Visa Requirements for Uganda

Specific visa requirements depend on your passport. Check online using our links below.  For US and UK passport holders, this is the process to follow:

Uganda. You need an Ordinary Tourist Visa to enter Uganda.  We found it pretty straightforward to apply online via the Uganda Official Immigration Website.  The current cost is $50 USD.

The stated time to process applications is approx 10 working days but our email confirmation documentation came back within 36 hours. 

Rwanda.  If you plan to fly to Kigali and travel over land border crossings, you should apply for a multi-entry Rwanda Visa.  It is possible to get this on arrival or if you prefer, apply online using the official Rwanda Government Visa Portal. 

East Africa Visa Option

If you are planning to visit Uganda, Rwanda and Kenya as we did, you can apply for an East Africa Visa.  

This allows you to move between both countries and Kenya but has reportedly had some issues being accepted in Kenya so we didn’t go this route. 

Apply for your East Africa Visa via the first country you are visiting ie. If you’re starting in Rwanda, apply for your visa via their immigration portal.

A few things to share from our land border crossings between Rwanda and Uganda that might be useful to know:

• You can apply for a visa on arrival in Rwanda but make sure that you get a multi-entry visa so that when you return from Uganda you don’t have to buy another one!
• When you arrive at the Rwanda/Uganda border, you will have to get out of the car and go through a series of checks.
• You show your e-mail visa confirmation printout (looks like this below).

• The immigration agent will then print out a visa and stick it into your passport, before stamping this to confirm entrance.
• The car you will be travelling in is also subject to a border check. It took over an hour to complete this step when we crossed from Rwanda to Uganda.

So be prepared to sit in the car, and wait a while for this to be done, and the paperwork completed.  (We waited a lot longer going into Uganda for this check vs. returning to Rwanda)

Vaccinations Required for Uganda and Rwanda

Please make an appointment with your family doctor to assess what medical planning you may require before this type of trip.

The best source of information for vaccinations is your Doctor and your country’s government travel health websites.

CDC Health Guidance for Uganda. 

CDC Health Guidance for Rwanda. 

Note:  You need to have a Yellow Fever Certificate to enter Uganda and neighboring countries.  Double Check with your medical professional.

FAQs

These are common questions that we also researched before our trip. We provide answers based on our research and on-the-ground experience.

Is It Safe To Go Gorilla Trekking In Uganda?

For many of us, the idea of hiking with wild animals in a dense remote forest is bound to raise a few worries.  

The Uganda Government has a well-established management system and employs most of the people who will accompany you.  They are trained and knowledgeable.

The gorillas that you meet on the hikes are habituated. This means that they have, over time, become accustomed and comfortable with humans being fairly close to them. 

There are clear rules for these treks that are for our safety. For example, not running if a gorilla approaches, not shouting, and maintaining the required distance.  Never feed a gorilla!

We have found the park rangers, trekkers, and guards very professional and clear in communicating instructions.

How many days for Gorilla trekking in Uganda?

At a minimum, you only need one day to enjoy an incredible gorilla trekking experience. However, factor in travel to the mountain region, and you should plan for a 2-night minimum stay to do this.  

The most popular and affordable gorilla trek involves a hike within either Mgahinga Gorilla National Park or Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. 

Once you meet up with the gorilla family, that trackers will have found early in the morning, you have 1 hour with them.  This is strictly enforced for the well-being of the animals.

If your budget and time stretch to it, you can book a second 1-hour hike or book the all-day ‘habituation’ trek. This gives you 4 hours with the gorilla families you find while tracking, but it requires arduous trekking for 6-7 hours with the trackers.

Regardless of which trek you pick, you will be navigating up and down thick forests with no trails or paths to guide you.  This means that there is a lot of undergrowth, roots, trees, and bushes to walk around and over. 

Planning to arrive at your lodge early enough to relax in the afternoon/evening before hikes is a good tip.

How much does it cost to see mountain gorillas in Uganda?

There’s no getting away from it. This experience requires a long-haul flight for most of us. Decent accommodation in remote lodges isn’t cheap and you can’t hike without a mandatory government permit.  

However, we would argue that it’s no more expensive than a week in Disney!

For budgeting purposes, we suggest the following guidelines (per person):

• $1000 for your flights (from Europe); $2000 from USA/Canada
• $600 for each permit (1 hour trek)
• $400 for 2 nights at a lodge near the trekking location
• $500 – services of a local tour operator to transport you to/from Kigali or Entebbe

You can reduce costs by reducing the number of days – 2-3 days is more than enough for trekking for most visitors. Even combining this with time in Rwanda, it’s easy to do this trip within 5-6 days.

We recommend using Great Lake Safaris for local travel and transportation services.  We found them reliable, and professional!

Theo our driver was always going the extra mile and knew all the best coffee places!

Wrap Up

Without a doubt, gorilla trekking in Uganda is a top travel experience! 

It was a privilege to observe these wonderful animals in their natural environment in Mgahinga and Bwindi. Having the opportunity to drive to Uganda from Kigali in Rwanda is also highly recommended as part of this itinerary.

We hope this article is helpful as you research ideas for your mountain gorilla trekking trip.