UgandaGorilla Trekking & Safari Tours

A gorilla trekking permit in Uganda costs $800 per person for foreign non-residents. On top of that, expect $250–$700 per day for accommodation, transport, and park fees depending on your budget level.

• 3–4 day gorilla trek: $2,000–$4,500 per person all-in
• 7–8 day gorillas + wildlife safari: $4,000–$8,000 per person

Uganda permits are significantly cheaper than Rwanda's ($1,500), making Uganda the better-value option for gorilla trekking.

Yes. Uganda's gorilla trekking regions (Bwindi and Mgahinga) are safe and well-regulated by the Uganda Wildlife Authority. Trekkers are accompanied by armed rangers and experienced trackers at all times. The habituated gorilla families are accustomed to human visitors — they are observed daily by rangers even when no tourists are present.

Moderately challenging. You hike through dense montane forest at altitudes between 1,190 m and 2,607 m for 2–6 hours, depending on the gorilla family's location that day. Trails can be steep and muddy, especially in wet months.

Reasonable fitness is recommended, but you don't need to be an athlete. Porters are available for hire ($15–20) and are highly recommended — they carry your daypack and help on steep sections. The one-hour encounter with the gorillas makes every step worthwhile.

Both countries offer world-class gorilla encounters with similar success rates. The key differences:

• Cost: Uganda permits are $800 vs Rwanda's $1,500
• Availability: Uganda has ~18 habituated families (160+ daily permits) vs Rwanda's ~12 families (~96 permits)
• Access: Rwanda's Volcanoes NP is 2–3 hours from Kigali; Bwindi is 8–10 hours from Entebbe (or 1 hour by charter flight)
• Add-ons: Uganda offers chimp tracking, savannah safaris, and the Nile; Rwanda offers golden monkeys, Nyungwe chimps, and Lake Kivu

Most travellers choose Uganda for value and the ability to combine gorillas with a full wildlife safari.

Uganda is a year-round destination. The dry seasons (June–August and December–February) offer the easiest trekking conditions and best wildlife viewing. The wet seasons (March–May, September–November) bring lush green landscapes, excellent birding with migratory species, and fewer crowds.

Gorilla trekking operates every day of the year — the success rate remains at 98% regardless of season.

Absolutely — this is what most travellers do. A classic 7–8 day itinerary combines gorilla trekking in Bwindi with game drives in Queen Elizabeth National Park and chimpanzee tracking in Kibale Forest.

Longer trips of 10–12 days can add Murchison Falls National Park, Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, and the Source of the Nile in Jinja for a comprehensive Uganda experience.

They offer very different experiences. Kenya's Masai Mara is famous for the Great Migration river crossings and classic savannah big-game viewing. Uganda's standout is gorilla trekking — something Kenya can't offer — plus chimpanzee tracking, tree-climbing lions, and the Nile.

Choose Kenya for wide-open plains and the Great Migration. Choose Uganda for primates, diverse landscapes, fewer crowds, and lower park fees. Many travellers do both on separate trips.

Book at least 3–6 months ahead, especially for the peak dry seasons (June–August, December–February). Permits are limited to 8 people per gorilla family per day. Bwindi has 17 habituated families offering 152–184 daily permits, but popular sectors like Buhoma fill up fast.

We secure permits as part of our itinerary planning — tell us your dates and we handle the booking.