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Uganda Gorilla Trekking Tours
There are few wildlife encounters as exciting as coming eye to eye with the largest, if not most charismatic, of the great apes, the gorilla. What makes this experience so special is difficult to pinpoint. The fact that these gentle giants are so closely related to us (the difference in our nuclear DNA is only 1.6%) probably has something to do with it. Mountain gorillas are naturally restricted to a niche area of forested highlands. Unfortunately, this already-small habitat is shrinking due to overpopulation. The income derived from tourism is crucial to secure their future. By booking a gorilla trekking safari, you have the opportunity to contribute to the fight for their survival.
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Top Rated Operator
10-Day Tailor-Made Holiday & Tour in Uganda –Big 5 Safari
$3,040 pp (USD)
Uganda: Private tourBudgetLodge & Guest House
You Visit: Entebbe (Start), Entebbe Airport (Entebbe), Murchison Falls NP, Kibale NP (Chimps), Queen Elizabeth NP, Bwindi NP (Gorillas), Lake Mburo NP, Entebbe (End)
Home To Africa Tours and Travel
4.9/5 – 278 Reviews
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3-Day Budget Gorilla Tour in Uganda
$1,221 pp (USD)
Uganda: Private tourBudgetTented Camp & Hotel
You Visit: Entebbe (Start), Bwindi NP (Gorillas), Lake Bunyonyi, Equator (Highlight), Entebbe (End)
Dav Safaris
5.0/5 – 83 Reviews
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5-Day Gorilla Trekking Chimp Trekking & Wildlife Safari
$2,145 pp (USD)
Uganda: Private tour
Mid-range Lodge & BandaYou Visit: Entebbe (Start), Queen Elizabeth NP, Kazinga Channel (Queen Elizabeth NP), Ishasha Sector (Queen Elizabeth NP), Bwindi NP (Gorillas), Entebbe (End)
Lulu Safaris Uganda
5.0/5 – 71 Reviews
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Top Rated Operator
4-Day Luxury Uganda Gorilla Safari
$3,409 to $3,859 pp (USD)
Uganda: Private tourLuxuryLodge & Hotel
You Visit: Entebbe (Start), Bwindi NP (Gorillas), Entebbe Airport (End)
Wayfairer Travel
4.9/5 – 149 Reviews
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5-Day Gorilla and Chimpanzee Trekking Safari in Uganda
$2,530 to $2,750 pp (USD)
Uganda: Private tourBudgetLodge & Tented Camp
You Visit: Entebbe (Start), Kibale NP (Chimps), Queen Elizabeth NP, Bwindi NP (Gorillas), Lake Bunyonyi, Entebbe Airport (End)
Kubwa Five Safaris
5.0/5 – 122 Reviews
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10-Day Best of Uganda Wildlife with Gorillas
$2,670 pp (USD)
Uganda: Shared tour (max 7 people per vehicle)
Mid-range Lodge & Guest HouseYou Visit: Entebbe (Start), Murchison Falls NP, Kibale NP (Chimps), Bigodi Wetlands, Ishasha Sector (Queen Elizabeth NP), Bwindi NP (Gorillas), Lake Bunyonyi, Entebbe Airport (End)
Big Apes Africa
4.9/5 – 60 Reviews
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9-Day Custom Tour Uganda – African Safari
$3,543 pp (USD)
Uganda: Private tourBudgetCamping & Lodge
You Visit: Entebbe (Start), Murchison Falls NP, Kibale NP (Chimps), Queen Elizabeth NP, Bwindi NP (Gorillas), Lake Bunyonyi, Entebbe (End)
Vibrant Holiday Safaris
4.9/5 – 29 Reviews
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10-Day Best of Africa Adventure Vacation
$3,933 pp (USD)
Uganda: Private tour
Mid-range Lodge & ResortYou Visit: Entebbe (Start), Kampala (City), Murchison Falls NP, Kibale NP (Chimps), Queen Elizabeth NP, Bwindi NP (Gorillas), Lake Bunyonyi, Lake Mburo NP, Entebbe Airport (End)
Africa Adventure Vacations
5.0/5 – 90 Reviews
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4-Day Horseback Riding Game Drive and Gorilla Trekking
$2,165 pp (USD)
Uganda: Private tour
Mid-range LodgeYou Visit: Entebbe (Start), Lake Mburo NP, Bwindi NP (Gorillas), Entebbe (End)
Hail Tours Uganda
4.9/5 – 105 Reviews
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4-Day Uganda Gorillas Express
$1,940 pp (USD)
Uganda: Private tour
Mid-range Lodge & ResortYou Visit: Entebbe (Start), Bwindi NP (Gorillas), Lake Bunyonyi, Entebbe (End)
Uzuri Uganda Safaris
5.0/5 – 75 Reviews
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3-Day Uganda Gorilla Trekking Safari Experience
$1,686 to $1,694 pp (USD)
Uganda: Private tourBudgetLodge & Cottage
You Visit: Entebbe (Start), Bwindi NP (Gorillas), Entebbe (End)
Magic African Safaris
4.6/5 – 24 Reviews
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8-Day Uganda Luxury and Big Five Wildlife Safari
$5,005 pp (USD)
Uganda: Private tourLuxuryLodge & Hotel
You Visit: Entebbe (Start), Kibale NP (Chimps), Queen Elizabeth NP, Bwindi NP (Gorillas), Entebbe Airport (End)
Pamoja Tours and Travel (Entebbe, UG)
4.8/5 – 46 Reviews
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3-Day Gorilla Trekking and Lake Bunyonyi Budget Tour
$1,456 pp (USD)
Uganda: Shared tour (max 6 people per group)BudgetLodge & Tented Camp
You Visit: Kampala (Start), Bwindi NP (Gorillas), Lake Bunyonyi, Kampala (End)
Bugoli Adventures
5.0/5 – 9 Reviews
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11-Day Best of Uganda Safari
$2,849 pp (USD)
Uganda: Private tour
Mid-range Lodge & ResortYou Visit: Entebbe (Start), Murchison Falls NP, Kibale NP (Chimps), Queen Elizabeth NP, Bwindi NP (Gorillas), Lake Bunyonyi, Entebbe Airport (End)
Gorillas and Beyond Safaris
5.0/5 – 22 Reviews
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3-Day Uganda Gorilla Trekking and Batwa Trail
$1,337 pp (USD)
Uganda: Private tourBudgetGuest House
You Visit: Entebbe (Start), Bwindi NP (Gorillas), Entebbe (End)
Moroka Expeditions
4.9/5 – 10 Reviews
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3-Day Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable NP
$1,650 pp (USD)
Uganda: Private tour
Mid-range Lodge & CottageYou Visit: Entebbe (Start), Bwindi NP (Gorillas), Lake Bunyonyi, Entebbe (End)
Kajie Safaris
5.0/5 – 108 Reviews
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3-Day Grand Gorilla Tour
$1,430 pp (USD)
Uganda: Private tourBudgetGuest House
You Visit: Kampala (Start), Bwindi NP (Gorillas), Entebbe (End)
Bushman Safaris
5.0/5 – 40 Reviews
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3-Day Gorilla Tracking Mgahinga Gorilla NP Thru Rwanda
$1,430 pp (USD)
Rwanda & Uganda: Shared tour (max 8 people per group)
Mid-range HotelYou Visit: Kigali (Start), Mgahinga Gorilla NP (Gorillas), Kigali (End)
Safari 2 Gorilla Tours
4.8/5 – 46 Reviews
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4-Day Uganda Gorillas, Lake Bunyonyi & Wildlife Safari
$1,892 pp (USD)
Uganda: Private tour
Mid-range Lodge & Tented CampYou Visit: Kampala (Start), Bwindi NP (Gorillas), Lake Bunyonyi, Lake Mburo NP, Kampala (End)
Amakula African Safaris
5.0/5 – 8 Reviews
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3-Day Gorilla Trekking Safari in Uganda (Mid-Range)
$1,646 pp (USD)
Rwanda & Uganda: Shared tour (max 4 people per group)
Mid-range LodgeYou Visit: Kigali (Start), Bwindi NP (Gorillas), Kigali (End)
Bamboo Ecotours
5.0/5 – 99 Reviews
6 Questions About Uganda Gorilla Trekking Tours
Answered by
Ariadne van Zandbergen
Ariadne is a renowned Africa expert and photographer. She and her husband form a team who write and update many travel guides. She also contributes to travel and environmental magazines and tourist brochures. She has been privileged to track gorillas in Uganda several times.› More about Ariadne
6 Questions About Uganda Gorilla Trekking Tours
How does gorilla trekking in Uganda compare to other countries?
“Gorillas have a small range extending over Uganda, Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Between these countries, four parks offer mountain gorilla trekking. Most popular and accessible are Bwindi Impenetrable NP in Uganda and Volcanoes NP in Rwanda. The experience in these parks is similar, but with some differences. While gorillas live in thick rainforest in Bwindi, their habitat in Volcanoes NP is mainly bamboo forest. Although you can’t predict where gorillas will be each day, the treks in Bwindi are usually more demanding than those in Rwanda. The tracking is part of the experience, so if you’re physically fit, a longer trek can be a positive. Volcanoes NP can be reached on a three-hour drive from Rwanda’s capital city, Kigali. The accessibility makes it an easy add-on to a safari in Kenya or Tanzania. Bwindi is more remote, reachable by a domestic flight or eight- to10-hour drive from Entebbe, Uganda’s entry point. The remoteness isn’t a factor if you are incorporating your Uganda gorilla trek into a larger tour within the country. Uganda has a lot more to offer. It is a popular safari destination in its own right. With the development of Akagera NP, so is Rwanda. However, safari options in this small country are still limited compared to those in Uganda. Last is the big difference in price for a very similar experience. The fee for gorilla trekking in Rwanda is US$1500, in Uganda it’s US$700 and in the DRC it’s US$400. All prices listed are per person.”
1Can I add gorilla trekking to a safari?
“It is easy to add a Uganda gorilla trekking experience to a general safari in Kenya or Tanzania. A short flight gets you to Entebbe, a leafy town on the shore of Lake Victoria in Uganda. From here your journey to Bwindi Impenetrable NP continues with a flight by small aircraft, followed by a two-hour drive on a bumpy road. While gorilla trekking fits into a ‘Best of East Africa’ tour, you can also slot it into a Uganda holiday. The highlights of Uganda packages include the following. Bwindi or Mgahinga Gorilla National Park for gorilla trekking, Kibale National Park or Budongo Forest for chimpanzee trekking, and Queen Elizabeth National Park for a classic safari and the possibility to see tree-climbing lions. Also Ziwa Rhino and Wildlife Ranch to track rhinos on foot and Murchison Falls National Park for a boat trip on the Nile and more general wildlife viewing.”
2What fitness level is required?
“You’ll need to be fairly fit for gorilla trekking in Uganda. If you’re in good health and you’re used to walking or hiking, you shouldn’t have any problems though. As a last resort, you can book a ‘gorilla chair,’ where a team of strong men literally carry you on your chair to the gorillas. However fit you are, it is always important to come suitably prepared. Bwindi sees high rainfall throughout the year. So, you’ll need waterproof clothing and good hiking shoes. Gloves aren’t essential, but they are recommended to protect your hands from stinging nettles. A good walking stick always comes in handy on the slippery slopes. You might be offered a wooden stick at the start but it is safer to bring your own if you think you’ll need it. Porters are available at the trail head. They will carry your day pack and look after it while you’re with the gorillas (no bags are allowed then). A porter will also help you on the trail. So even if you don’t need anyone to carry your bag, you should definitely hire a porter if you are concerned about your fitness or ability on the steep trails.”
3Is gorilla trekking in Uganda safe?
“Gorilla watching is very safe. Incidents with these gentle giants are very rare. Although the gorillas are habituated and used to people visiting them, it is important to pay attention during the safety briefing at the start. It goes without saying that you should also listen to the instructions given by your guide, especially in the event of a gorilla approaching you. The biggest danger on a gorilla trek is perhaps twisting an ankle on the slippery slopes. Make sure to wear good hiking boots that have been worn in before the big day.”
4How much will this safari cost?
“The fee for gorilla trekking in Uganda is US$700 per person. This is the fee paid to the national park and proceeds are used to maintain and develop Uganda’s protected areas. Gorilla trekking is one of Africa’s most amazing wildlife experiences. Due to the limited availability, it doesn’t come cheaply. If you can afford it, it is more than worth it though. The price for a three-day road trip from Entebbe/Kampala, including a gorilla trek, accommodation and transport, starts at about US$1250. A similar three-day fly-in safari starts at about US$2600. Three days is really the minimum time required to travel from Entebbe to Bwindi and track gorillas. I would, however, recommend spending more time in the country as there is a lot more to see and do. The price for five-day tours including gorilla and chimpanzee trekking start at about US$1600 and seven-day highlights tours (including gorilla trekking) start at about US$2000.”
5Are gorilla sightings guaranteed?
“When going on a gorilla trekking trip, you’re near certain to see these big apes as long as you are fit enough for the hike. I say near certain because, although habituated, the gorillas are totally wild. They move throughout the days searching for food and they spend their nights sleeping in different locations. So, sightings can never be totally guaranteed. To keep track of the locations of the different habituated gorilla groups, trackers stay with the gorillas throughout the day until they make their nest for the night. This way, the trackers will know where to find them the next day. When they rejoin the gorillas at dawn, they send the location coordinates by radio to the guides. This doesn’t only facilitate a smooth gorilla trekking experience, it also helps to protect these endangered primates from poachers.”
6Uganda Reviews
Mark is a travel writer who grew up in Africa and has written over 700 titles for Condé Nast Traveller, Travel Africa, BBC Wildlife and others.
Fantastic wildlife and some of the friendliest people in Africa make Uganda unbeatable
I spent a month travelling around Uganda with a self-drive, expedition-prepared Landcruiser and visited almost every national park in the country. Uganda was a revelation! I had not expected such a richness of wildlife or such great...
Sue is an award-winning writer who specializes in African travel and conservation. She writes for national newspapers, magazines, Rough Guides and Lonely Planet.
Great apes, great landscapes, great adventures
Most people understandably come to Uganda for its gorillas. Almost half of the world’s population of around 1,060 mountain gorillas lives in Uganda’s Bwindi Impenetrable and Mgahinga Gorilla national parks, and spending that precious...
Spectacular experience and service
We were treated extremely well from start to finish, well organized, great accommodations, stunning scenery, we saw 27 gorillas on our trek. Safaris by Jon did not disappoint. I would recommend a million times over.
Wonderful and diverse country
Uganda is a fantastic country with lots of different wildlife and nature. We especially liked all the different kind of monkeys and of course the highlights of getting really close to chimpanzees and gorillas. But also just doing a nature...
Beautiful scenery, abundance of wildlife, good tourism infrastructure
Toured Murchison, Queen Elisabeth, Bwindi, Lake Bunyonyi, Mburu, Kazi GA Channel Ziwa sanctuary. 8 days 7 nights. Ecovic and our tour guide Frank was flexible and very accommodating. From Canada where it is colder so be prepared as...
This is what biodiversity means.
If wildlife is a passion of yours, then this is the place to go. Everywhere you look, a new colourful bird will show it self. Rolling, green hills everywhere. The gorillas are an experience that can only be understood when you see them for...