Where to do mountain gorilla trekking in the world.
A Tourist's Guide to Mountain Gorilla trekking in 2025 : Mountain Gorilla trekking is among the most sought for wildlife experiences on the African continent and is best done in Uganda and Rwanda. The article is a guide to extra-ordinary primate experience.
Where to go gorilla trekking – The best places to see mountain gorillas in the wild
In the whole world, there are approximately 1,060 mountain gorillas found in the wild and they are found in 3 countries in African rainforests which are Rwanda, Uganda and Democratic Republic of Congo with the main and safest destinations for mountain gorilla trekking currently being Rwanda and Uganda as they are by far commercially organised for gorilla trekking.
- Volcanoes National Park - Rwanda
Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park offers to most accessible gorilla trekking adventures. This incredible mountain gorilla trekking destination protects the Rwandan slopes of the Volcanic Virunga Mountains.
Volcanoes National Park has positioned itself as Africa’s premier gorilla trekking and one of the reason to why is the short drive north of the Rwandan capital – Kigali City, this makes it a convenient add-on to any multi-country African Safari or Big Five Safari elsewhere in the East African region.
Another reason to why Volcanoes national park is the park’s association with Dian Fossey, the iconic American primatologist who carried out research on mountain gorillas in the forests of the park for over two decades prior to her death. Several scenes depicting her life in the forests are showed in the Oscar-winning movie “Gorillas in the Mist” which was shot here to.
Volcanoes National Park is the oldest national park in Africa situated in the north – western corner of the country, it is situated near the town of Musanze formerly known as Ruhengeri. The park is found in the Virunga Chain of Volcanoes on the borders of Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Gorilla Families in Volcanoes National Park?
Volcanoes National Park has 12 gorilla families that have been habituated for tourism with each gorilla family consisting of several females, their young ones and led by a dominant silverback male. These gorilla families that are habituated for mountain gorilla trekking include Susa Gorilla Family, Igisha Gorilla Family, Karisimbi Gorilla Family, Amahoro Gorilla Family, Agashya Gorilla Family, Kwitonda Gorilla Family, Umubano Gorilla Family, Hirwa Gorilla Family, Bwenge Gorilla Family, Ugenda Gorilla Family and Muhoza Gorilla Family.
2. Uganda – Home to Highest Gorilla Population
Uganda is home to the highest population of mountain gorillas with over half of them. Crowned the Pearl of Africa, Uganda has two mountain gorilla trekking destinations that is Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park.
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Home to the largest population of mountain gorillas and ancient forest, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is a prime Uganda safari destination for gorilla trekking. This African jungle is situated in Southwestern Uganda covering an area of 321 km² dominated by bamboo and shrubs.
Currently, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park has 22 habituated gorilla families for tourism and are found in different sectors of Bwindi that are Buhoma, Ruhija, Rushaga and Nkuringo.
In addition to mountain gorillas, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is home to other wildlife species including Elephants, duikers, buffaloes, golden cats, bush pigs, giant forest hogs, black-fronted Duiker, yellow-backed duiker, clawless otter, side-striped jackal, civet and other 10 species of primates including black-and-white colobus monkeys, L’Hoest’s monkeys, De Brazza monkeys, Red-tailed Monkey, Blue Monkey, Potto, Demidoff’sGalago, Spectacled Galago, Baboons, Chimpanzee.
Mgahinga Gorilla National Park
Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is the smallest park in Uganda covering an area of 33.7 km², this scenic park is located in southwestern tip of Uganda in Kisoro district adjoining Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park and the Democratic Republic of Congo’s Virunga National Park all forming the Virunga Conservation Area.
Mgahinga Gorilla National Park comprises of 3 volcanoes which are part of the Virunga Ranges and gets its name from “Gahinga” – the local word for piles of volcanic stones cleared from farm lands. These Virunga Volcanoes are Mount Muhabura at 4,127m, Mount Gahinga at 3,474m and Mount Sabyinyo at 3,669m.
Mgahinga Gorilla National Park has to only 1 habituated gorilla family – Nyakagezi which is open for mountain gorilla trekking.
In addition to mountain gorillas, Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is home to the endangered golden monkeys and several bird species including Rwenzori Turaco, Rwenzori Batis, Archer’s Robin Chat, Olive Pigeon, and Black headed waxbill, Western Green Tinker bird, Cape Robin. More species include; White-starred Robin among others,
What is mountain Gorilla Trekking Like?
The big day features an early start and potentially hours of hiking, so make sure you have an early night the day before.
Your tour operator will organize a transfer to the park headquarters for registration and briefing around 7:00 am. A senior guide will take you through the regulations and safety guidelines of mountain gorilla trekking and after be assigned a gorilla group to trek in groups of 8 people.
You will usually trek at least an hour before you reach your gorilla family, in some cases it may take three or hours before you find your group.
As you come within range of your gorilla family, you will leave your bags so you can approach the group more closely. Once you make contact, you will spend an hour with the gorillas. You will see them hanging from trees, grooming, suckling their babies, playing, sleeping, farting or mating.
Your hour with the gorillas may be calm or it may be full of drama, the hour will fly by and you will enjoy being in their presence so don’t spend the whole time watching them through your camera screen.
If the gorillas are on the move, you will be able to move with them, keeping the required minimum distance of ten metres at all times. They may ignore you or show some interest and approach, this is normal and exciting as well. Because of their size, it can be a little scary too but it is all part of the fun.
In case the gorillas approach you, the rangers will reassure you and ask you to calmly step back. The rangers are highly knowledgeable and they will show you how to vocalize like a gorilla and help you notice their behavior and traits.
Talking to the gorillas is part of the experience as they know each gorilla family and their personalities intimately, tap into their wealth of knowledge about the gorillas, the forest and conservation issues.
Depending on where you are you, you will find the gorillas in very different setting.
Hire a porter
At the morning briefing you will have the option of hiring a porter for the day, the going rate for a porter is around USD $20 (plus optional tip). Their help is absolutely invaluable, the offer assistance in taking pictures or grab hold of a branch as you are climbing a slope.
Potters are more than happy to carry extra water for you so that you stay hydrated, if it gets muddy. With a porter, you have a strong pair of hands to help you scramble up the hillside.
Cost of Gorilla Permits
The availability for gorilla permits in each country (Uganda, Rwanda and Congo) is determined by the number of habituated gorilla families in each country, normally permits sell out months in advance especially during peak season so it is advisable to purchase your mountain gorilla trekking permit way ahead of your travel date.
Currently in Uganda, a gorilla permit costs for USD 800, USD $ 400 in DR.Congo and USD $ 1,500 for non-residents. This fee includes park entrance, all guiding and tracking services. It does not include an optional porter to carry your day pack.
Note: In Uganda when booking a gorilla permit most especially in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park it is crucial to know the gorilla trekking sector.
In Uganda – you can only secure a gorilla permit via an authorized tour operator, gorilla permits are issued by Uganda Wildlife Authority.
In Rwanda- gorilla permits can be purchased directly from the Rwandan Development Board, though it is advisable to use a local tour operator.
Other costs on a mountain gorilla trekking safari will depend on how you arrange your gorilla trip, most visitors book an all-inclusive organized tour using budget, midrange or luxury lodges. Cost of a 3 days gorilla safari in Uganda and Rwanda ranges from USD $ 1,500 per person to USD $ 5,000 and up largely depending on the quality of accommodation.
Best Time for Gorilla Trekking in Rwanda
Tracking gorillas in Rwanda can be done throughout the year, however the best time is during the dry period from June to September as the jungle is less muddy and the paths are less slippery, although you should bear in mind that it can rain any time of the year.
The wettest months are April and May bringing tricky muddy trails, however you can still track gorillas at this time. Often gorillas climb higher up the mountain during the dry season and descend during the rains.
The rainy season (around March to May and October to November) can also provide the best conditions for photography in gorilla country. After the rainy shower, the air is clear of any dust, providing the perfect atmosphere for gorilla photography.
Best Time for Gorilla Trekking in Uganda
Due to the climate and location of Uganda, Uganda is a year-round destination. However, there is a drier season which is ideal for trekkers. The rainy seasons run from October to November and mid-March to May, even with rain you can still see the gorillas but you will likely be more comfortable when the weather is drier.
The dry season months in Uganda coincides with the peak season meaning the rates for accommodations become higher.
Gorilla trekking rules & guidelines
Tourists are only allowed to visit and interact with habituated gorilla groups, the habituation process is a gradual process through which the gorillas get used to the presence of humans and less hostile to them. This allows people to visit the gorillas without affecting their daily lives or natural behavior.
Although these gorillas are habituated, there strict rules and regulated that are strictly enforced by Uganda Wildlife Authority in Uganda and Rwanda Development Board in Rwanda. Rules and regulations were put in place for the safety and well-being of the gorillas as well as the tourists and this is non-negotiable.
- A maximum of 8 people per group visit each gorilla group plus rangers and porter
- Tourists are allowed to stay a maximum of 1 hour with gorillas
- All visitors must be over the age of 15
- Visitors must be fit and in good health as hiking in the thick forest at an altitude of over 2,000 meters can be tough and it is often wet.
- Any ill tourist is not allowed to take part in the trekking, mountain gorillas can easily contract human diseases posing threat to them.
- In case you need to sneeze or cough, cover your nose and mouth to reduce the chance of spreading infection
- Don’t spit or leave in the forest, gorilla can catch diseases from human rubbish
- Always leave a distance of 8-10 meters between you and the gorillas, if the gorillas start moving towards you. The rangers may advise you to move away from them.
- Gorillas can be quite curious, do not get attempted to touch them even if they come close to you
- Do not make any sudden movements
- If a gorilla charges, don’t run away and also avoid direct eye contact until the gorilla has moved away. Stay calm and slowly crouch down.
- Flash photography is forbidden
