Budget Uganda Gorilla Safari Packages – Affordable Trekking Tours

Uganda gorilla safari packages: a guide to booking your trip

Uganda sits at the heart of the Great Lakes region in East Africa, bordered by South Sudan, Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. The country is home to three great lakes: Lake Victoria, Lake Albert, and Lake Edward. If you are torn between destinations, our Uganda vs Rwanda gorilla trekking guide can help you decide.

Uganda is a landlocked country with a wide range of wildlife, birdlife, cultural sites, and natural landmarks. Its regions, east, north, central, west, and the islands, each offer a different side of the country to explore. Take a look at our Uganda gorilla safari packages to see full itineraries and pricing.

Uganda is home to several notable landmarks, including Murchison Falls, the tree-climbing lions of Queen Elizabeth National Park, the Rwenzori Mountains, the mountain gorillas of Bwindi and Mgahinga, the source of the Nile, the equator, and Lake Victoria.

Uganda safaris come in different formats: budget safaris for travelers working with a set budget, solo trips, group safaris, family trips, and camping safaris. Trips can run for as many days as you like, across one or more parks, and can include hiking, game drives, nature walks, and cultural visits.

Gorilla trekking in Uganda

Uganda holds about half of the world’s remaining mountain gorillas, making it one of the top gorilla trekking destinations. Trekkers travel to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park or Mgahinga Gorilla National Park to see gorilla families in the wild, sharing over 98% of human DNA. Our guide to Bwindi’s sectors can help you pick which one to trek in.

Treks can last between 1 and 8 hours, plus one hour spent with the gorilla family once found. Only 8 people per group, aged 15 and above, with a valid gorilla trekking permit, can track a given gorilla family per day.

Wildlife safaris in Uganda

Uganda’s parks are home to lions, buffaloes, various antelope species, zebras, giraffes, warthogs, leopards, and hippos. Wildlife can be explored through game drives, hot air balloon rides, hiking, whitewater rafting, and forest walks, across one or more parks.

Cultural experiences in Uganda

Uganda has over 56 distinct cultures, and many communities near the national parks welcome visitors for village walks, local cuisine, and traditional dance. Notable communities include the Batwa pygmies near Bwindi and Mgahinga, the Karamojong, and the Ik people.

Best time to visit Uganda

Uganda can be visited year-round, but June to October and December to February are the best months, with less rainfall to affect trekking and game drives. Our best time to go gorilla trekking guide has more detail by month.

Guide to gorilla trekking in Uganda

Mountain gorillas live in family groups led by one dominant silverback, who resolves disputes, leads the group, and provides protection. Other members include younger silverbacks, blackbacks, adult females, adolescents, and infants. Gorillas are peaceful unless provoked, spend much of their time in trees, and feed mainly on leaves, fruit, stems, and occasionally insects.

Trekking begins around 8:30 am with a briefing and permit check at the park headquarters. Rangers explain the rules, assign trekkers to a gorilla family, and guide the trek, which can take 1 to 8 hours, plus one hour observing the gorillas. Only 8 people aged 15 and above, with a valid permit, can trek a gorilla family per day. Trekking requires a reasonable level of fitness, though provisions exist for trekkers with mobility needs. If you want to know more about what the hike itself involves, check our gorilla trekking difficulty guide.

Trekking rules include no littering, no loud noise, no flash photography, no smoking, avoiding the trek if you have a cold or flu, keeping a distance of 7 meters from the gorillas, and avoiding direct eye contact.

Gorilla trekking takes place in two parks in southwestern Uganda. Bwindi Impenetrable National Park has over 350 gorillas across four sectors and receives the most visitors annually. Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is smaller, with one habituated gorilla family.

Cost of gorilla trekking in Uganda

Gorilla permits cost the same in both Bwindi and Mgahinga. Foreign nonresidents pay USD 800, foreign residents pay USD 700, and East African citizens, including Ugandans, pay UGX 300,000. For a full comparison against Rwanda and Congo, see our gorilla trekking permit cost guide.

Best time for gorilla trekking

National parks are open to visitors year-round, but the dry seasons, June to October and December to March, are the best times to trek, since trails are easier to hike in drier weather.

What to pack for gorilla trekking

Bring your passport, visa, and gorilla trekking permit, along with hiking boots, gardening gloves, a camera, binoculars, long-sleeved shirts, trousers, and warm clothing. Our gorilla trekking packing guide covers this in more detail.

Frequently asked questions

How much does a Uganda gorilla permit cost?

A Uganda gorilla permit costs USD 800 for foreign nonresidents, USD 700 for foreign residents, and UGX 300,000 for East African citizens.

Where can I go gorilla trekking in Uganda?

Gorilla trekking takes place in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, both in southwestern Uganda.

How many gorillas live in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park?

Bwindi is home to over 350 mountain gorillas spread across its four trekking sectors.

How many gorilla families can be trekked in Mgahinga?

Mgahinga Gorilla National Park has one habituated gorilla family available for trekking.

What is the minimum age for gorilla trekking in Uganda?

Trekkers must be at least 15 years old to take part in gorilla trekking.

How long does a gorilla trek take?

Trekking can take between 1 and 8 hours, depending on where the gorilla family is located that day, plus one hour spent observing the gorillas.

How many people can trek one gorilla family?

A maximum of 8 people can track a given gorilla family per day, each with a valid gorilla trekking permit.

What time does gorilla trekking start in Uganda?

Trekking begins around 8:30 am with a briefing and permit check at the park headquarters.

When is the best time for gorilla trekking in Uganda?

The dry seasons, June to October and December to March, are the best times to trek, since trails are drier and easier to hike.

What should I pack for gorilla trekking?

Bring your passport, visa, gorilla trekking permit, hiking boots, gardening gloves, a camera, binoculars, long-sleeved shirts, trousers, and warm clothing.

Is gorilla trekking physically demanding?

Yes, it requires a reasonable level of fitness, since the trek can involve steep, forested terrain for several hours. Provisions exist for trekkers with mobility needs.

What rules must I follow while trekking?

Rules include no littering, no loud noise, no flash photography, no smoking, avoiding the trek if you have a cold or flu, keeping 7 meters from the gorillas, and avoiding direct eye contact.

Can I book a gorilla permit directly?

Yes, permits can be booked through the Uganda Wildlife Authority or through a tour operator.

What other wildlife can I see in Uganda?

Uganda’s parks are home to lions, buffaloes, antelope species, zebras, giraffes, warthogs, leopards, and hippos.

Can I combine gorilla trekking with a wildlife safari?

Yes, many itineraries combine gorilla trekking with game drives in parks such as Murchison Falls or Queen Elizabeth National Park.

What is the difference between Bwindi and Mgahinga for gorilla trekking?

Bwindi has more gorilla families across four sectors and receives more visitors, while Mgahinga is smaller with a single habituated family.

Can I go chimpanzee trekking in Uganda too?

Yes, chimpanzee trekking is available in parks such as Kibale Forest National Park.

Are there cultural experiences to add to a Uganda safari?

Yes, Uganda has over 56 distinct cultures, including the Batwa pygmies near Bwindi and Mgahinga, the Karamojong, and the Ik people.

How do I get to Bwindi or Mgahinga?

Both parks are reached by road from Entebbe or Kigali, with driving times varying by route and season.

How do I start planning a budget Uganda gorilla safari?

Browse our budget Uganda gorilla safari packages or contact us for a custom itinerary built around your budget and schedule.

Book your budget Uganda gorilla safari package

Gorilla trekking in Uganda is one of the most rewarding wildlife experiences in Africa. Browse our budget Uganda gorilla safari packages and book your affordable trekking tour today.