Uganda Tours and Gorilla Trekking SafarisSpot rare mountain gorillas on a guided Uganda safari

About Uganda

A group walking through Uganda with a mountain in the background
Trekking through Uganda

Often referred to as the 'Pearl of Africa' Uganda is a country of striking beauty. Home to many national parks and wildlife reserves the country boasts over 300 species of mammal and more than 1000 species of birds. However, it’s the endangered mountain gorillas that most people visit Uganda to see. Thanks to dedicated conservation efforts there are now around 1,000 of these endangered gorillas in the jungles of Uganda, Rwanda, and DR Congo.

Mountain gorilla trekking, most often in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, is the highlight of any Uganda tour - though you will need a gorilla permit to do the trek, which we organize for you. The permits are vital in helping finance patrols that are responsible for protecting the gorillas from poachers.

Uganda presents a unique experience and our overland camping safaris and gorilla trekking safaris offer you the chance to get up close and personal with our closest living relatives.

All of our Uganda tours also take in some of the highlights of the African continent; from Tanzania's Serengeti National Park and Kenya's Masai Mara in East Africa, to Namibia's Namib Desert and even Cape Town in South Africa. So whatever kind of trip you are planning, see more of Africa with our range of tours!

Frequently asked questions

Why do I have to pay for a gorilla permit on my Uganda gorilla trekking safari?

A mandatory gorilla & chimpanzee trekking permit costing USD $700 or equivalent per person is payable upon booking your trip. This is a charge levied by the Ugandan authorities and applies to all travelers trekking to see gorillas. This money is paid directly and in full to the Ugandan Wildlife Service, whose hard work and dedication to the gorillas has seen their global population rise from dangerous lows in the 1980s. Without this funding, anti-poaching patrols, ranger salaries and other conservation initiatives could not be funded, which would further threaten mountain gorillas. So you are very much doing your bit to protect this species when you book a Uganda safari with us!

Will I have a tour guide on my Uganda safari?

As a solo traveller will I have to pay more to travel to Uganda?

Will I see the Big Five on my Uganda safari?

Is Uganda a safe destination for travellers from the LGBTQ+ community?

About gorilla trekking

A baby gorilla
A baby gorilla

Seeing an endangered mountain gorilla, or more likely a whole family together! in its natural habitat is the highlight of any Uganda tour. The trek starts in the early morning where your rangers will lead you through cultivated lands, then into dense rainforest and as close as is allowed to a gorilla family. The rangers monitor the gorillas on a daily basis and have a fairly good idea of where they are. However, they are free-roaming wild animals, and their sighting cannot be guaranteed. The maximum time permitted to spend with them is 1 hour, this is to ensure the gorillas don’t get too used to human presence, and don't catch any human diseases. This is still plenty of time to watch their activity and take photographs. Trekking can take anywhere from 45 minutes to 8 hours and can be quite strenuous, so a reasonable level of fitness is required.

We have a detailed guide about what to expect from our gorilla trekking walking safaris, including the cost of a gorilla trekking permit, what to expect from the experience, and the best time to go.

The best of Uganda

From the picturesque Lake Bunyonyi to the Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Magahinga National Park, home to mountain gorillas, here are the main places to visit on your Uganda safari or tour

Lake Bunyonyi

Located near the Rwandan border, Lake Bunyonyi is one of Uganda's hidden gems, and the base for our mountain gorilla trek. It's a picturesque place to spend your time and a popular spot for bird watching, with plenty of hiking and boating opportunities too.

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

The clue is in the name - impenetrable. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is one of the last strongholds of the mountain gorilla, characterized by steep jungle accessible only on foot - the perfect natural habitat for these elusive apes. As well as gorillas, other animals to see and hear include chimpanzee, forest elephant, and 10 species of monkey.

Magahinga National Park

Magahinga National Park is just a fraction of the size of the Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, at 34 square kilometers. But it is also an important habitat for the mountain gorilla, and is regularly used for gorilla trekking. Much of the park is characterized by bamboo forests, a favorite food of the large primates.

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