Standing around in the early morning misty drizzle, we were a small group of internationals, exchanging stories as we waited for a radio call from the gorilla trackers.
Finally, our guide, Fidel, had an update; the gorillas were getting closer and more accessible, moving down the mountain nearer to the trail. Fidel soon waved us into the forest, and we began our trek up rocks, through muddy bamboo thickets, and finally into a clearing where we paused in a circle, once again, waiting. Crackle, another radio call from the trackers. An update? The guides and porters exchanged some quick words and with one sweeping arm gesture from Fidel, we were off—this time walking hurriedly through the dense forest, until suddenly, our guide stopped. He told us to put down our bags, grab our cameras, and put on our face masks. Using machetes to clear some vines, we followed the guide and trackers towards the gorillas.
As we emerged through the trees and into a forest opening, I hadn’t yet realized just how close we actually were to the gorillas. So much so that I almost stumbled into the silverback. There he was—the enormous, majestic silverback, lying in front of me! He was dozing off while being groomed—albeit very half-heartedly—by a young, sleepy female. The next hour was spent with the gorillas as they went about their business, feeding, grooming, playing and napping.
At the end of the trek and back at the trailhead, the energetic shift in the group was palpable. It felt heightened, joyful, present. Prior to the trek there was the sense of anticipation, perhaps even impatience as we trudged through the mud hoping the trackers had successfully located the gorillas. It’s said that there is a 99.8% chance that you’ll find them, but no one wants to be the .2% that don’t! As for my fellow trekkers, while we may never see each other again, we shared in the few hours spent together, tromping through the forest for a cherished hour with our charismatic, distant relatives.
My recent travels in Uganda and Rwanda were a powerful reminder of why being on the ground matters. Meeting the people, seeing the lodges, and experiencing the rhythm of each place firsthand shapes how we design trips that feel thoughtful, personal, and truly meaningful. It’s a privilege to keep learning and to share these insights in a way that respects and uplifts the places and communities we visit.
A win for wildlife and communities
Once on the brink of extinction, mountain gorilla populations are now growing, thanks to decades of conservation efforts supported in part by eco-tourism. Rwanda recently announced plans to expand Volcanoes National Park by 23% to accommodate growing gorilla families—a powerful sign of hope for their future.
What makes this story even more remarkable is the community involvement. Gorilla permits directly fund conservation and support the surrounding villages providing access to education, medical care, employment, training and essential infrastructure. In Rwanda, 15% of permit fees are reinvested into local communities; in Uganda, it’s 10%. As a result, locals who once left to find work elsewhere are now returning to work as guides, trackers, lodge managers, and hospitality staff. Of course, everything comes with its challenges, but overall the community-based tourism and gorilla conservation has been an inspirational advancement for local communities and biodiversity alike.
How to choose where to trek, Rwanda or Uganda?
Part of being a travel planner is the privileged opportunity—and responsibility—to keep learning and deepening our knowledge of where we operate. It means seeking out fresh inspiration, refining existing experiences, and ensuring that every journey we design reflects ethical and sustainable practices, exceptional quality, and thoughtful personalization for our discerning travelers. Being in the field allows us to bring hand-picked experiences and the most up-to-date information to you directly.
In order to help you choose which trek is right for you, below I have provided some key advantages and differences between gorilla trekking in Rwanda and Uganda. Often, people combine the two parks, seeing as they are only a short distance apart.
Both destinations are well-organized and offer excellent guides and experiences. Bwindi and Volcanoes National Parks look onto the Virunga Mountain range. The treks in both parks can vary from easy to difficult depending on where the animals are moving on any given day. The trackers follow the gorillas from morning until they nest for the night, therefore knowing where to find them the following day and provide their location to the guides. Here’s how the two countries compare.
What should we expect at the entrance gates?
Uganda
In Uganda, upon arrival at the park ranger station and gate, you are welcomed by local community women who perform a beautiful, lively example of local song and dance. Uganda’s park gate is small and modest. After you are assisted in registering your permit, you meet your trekking guide, fellow trekkers and porters, and then head out to the starting point by car.
Rwanda
Rwanda’s registration center offers a different level of infrastructure. Multiple treks start from this same center, including the Golden Monkey Trek or volcano hikes so there can be a higher number of people at the center all at the same time.. There are paved pathways, outdoor lounges with cushioned seats and TV screens showing educational content. There is even a complimentary coffee bar serving some of the country’s best espresso produced by “Question Coffee,” a female-led cooperative.
How do they find the gorillas?
In both Bwindi and Volcanoes National Parks, trackers monitor the gorillas throughout the day, staying with them until they settle at their nesting site for the night. The next morning, trackers return to the nesting site and begin tracking the gorillas once again. They then provide updates about the gorillas’ location tot the guides, who will eventually lead you to your assigned gorilla family.
What is the cost of a permit?
Uganda
In Uganda, the cost of a gorilla trekking permit is $800 USD per person. Uganda’s lower permit cost is a big draw. Bwindi also offers a unique habituation experience for an additional fee (more below).
Rwanda
In Rwanda, the cost of a gorilla trekking permit is $1500 USD per person. Rwanda’s higher price point is balanced by its elevated infrastructure and a greater number of luxury lodges in the area.
What is the terrain like and how many gorilla families are in Uganda’s Bwindi Impenetrable National Park?
- Trekking Sectors: Nkuringo and Rushaga (southern Bwindi)
- Number of Gorilla Families: 2 in Nkuringo sector; 5 in Rushaga sector
- Trek Duration: 3–6 hours, depending on gorilla movement and terrain
- Permit Registration at Park Gate: Humble facility with few amenities. Welcoming performance by local women, intimate park experience and our preferred lodge is within close proximity to the park entrance gate.
- Terrain: Steep descents into lush valleys, often through tea plantations and into dense forest and a steep climb out. The trails can be muddy and very slippery when wet.
- Accessibility: Assistance is available for people with limited mobility or health conditions that require support. Porters use stretchers to move guests up and down the mountain.
Added Experiences in Bwindi National Park
- Bwindi’s Gorilla Habituation Experience:Unique to Uganda, this special permit ($1,500) allows up to four hours with a semi-habituated gorilla family. Treks are longer (6–8 hours), but the experience is rare and immersive—only 8 permits are issued per day. Just remember that you are helping to habituate the gorillas, so they may be shyer, harder to see and this trek could require more walking.
What is the terrain like and how many gorilla families are Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park?
- Trek Duration: Varies by group; typically 2–5 hours
- Terrain: Steep forested hills going uphill at the start and downhill returning. Trails can be slick when wet and/or have deep muddy sections.
- Registration Center: Modern and welcoming with paved walkways, cushioned seating, espresso bar, and screens showing educational content. You also pass a large gorilla sculpture made from woven bamboo. This is where the annual baby gorilla naming ceremony and celebration takes place.
- Accessibility: Assistance is available for people with limited mobility or health conditions that require support. Adept porters use stretchers to move guests up and down the mountain.
- Difficulty: Groups are generally split into easy, moderate, and strenuous hikes based on guests’ fitness and preference.
Added Experiences in Volcanoes National Park
- Golden Monkey Trek: Highly recommend adding the golden monkey trek to your itinerary. Once you meet up with the monkeys, you have an hour to photograph and observe their antics. A golden monkey permit is required and must be purchased in advance.
- Gorilla Veterinarians: Visit a gorilla medical lab, and learn from the specialized veterinarian doctors who look after the gorillas health and well-being *additional fee and must be organized by your travel planner.
When is the best time to go?
- Dry Seasons (ideal): June–September and December–February.
- Shoulder Seasons: March, October, November. (Moderate rain possible.)
- Wettest Months: April and May. (Trails are muddier, and gorillas may seek cover making them difficult to observe and photograph.)
Are there age requirements for gorilla trekking?
Yes, you must be 15 years of age or older to participate in gorilla treks in Uganda and Rwanda.
Whether you’re drawn to Rwanda’s polished infrastructure and dramatic volcano views, or Uganda’s intimate, immersive wilderness and incredible value—both offer life-affirming encounters with one of our closest animal relatives.
Additionally, they both offer excellent opportunities to add chimpanzee trekking and wildlife safaris.
Beyond gorilla trekking: chimpanzee trekking and wildlife safaris
Uganda Chimpanzee Trekking
Pair your gorilla trek with a chimp trekking experience. In Uganda, two of the best places are the Kyambura Gorge and Kibale National Park. Plan to be out from 2-5 hours.
Kibale has the highest number of chimps in Africa, and the park has up to 13 other primate species. While Kyambura feels a bit more natural and less frequented. At Kayambura, you drop into a gorge with a river running through it and home to hippos and crocodiles. Keep an eye out for forest elephant and buffalo whose presence can be traced by what they leave behind!
These park and reserves can be accessed by lodges in the Queen Elizabeth National Park region. To access the park, fly into Kesese airport serviced by both Entebbe and Kisoro airports. (Kisoro is the airport for Bwindi.)
Rwanda Chimpanzee Trekking
Habituated chimps are found in the Nyungwe forest and Gishwati Parks, however Nyungwe currently has the most infrastructure and a higher number of chimps. The park is accessible by car or via Lake Kivu.
Like the other forested treks, Nyungwe can get steep and difficult depending on where the chimps move. It is a beautiful region up to 3,000 feet above sea level and has numerous birds, primates, and other wildlife. For safari extensions, I recommend spending at least three nights in any given park. You can easily combine chimpanzee and gorilla treks in Rwanda.
Are there age requirements for chimpanzee trekking
Yes, you must be 12 years of age or older for chimpanzees treks.
Are there other types of wildlife safaris in Uganda and Rwanda?
Yes, I highly recommend adding a safari to your itinerary. Both Uganda and Rwanda are excellent places for more traditional wildlife safaris. Bird diversity is impressive and both countries offer an array of habitats that also support a diversity of monkey species in addition to all of the traditional wildlife we associate with African safaris.
Where are good destinations for a safari in Uganda?
I recommend adding safari to Queen Elizabeth National Park and Murchison Falls National Park.
In Queen Elizabeth National Park, you can seek out lions, elephant herds, and hippos. The park offers boat safaris on the Kazinga Channel and game drive opportunities throughout. You can even admire views of seven different craters – some of which have alkaline waters that attract flamingos.
Spend a few nights at Murchison Falls National Park at a newly established safari camp set in the middle of the park. From here you can witness the power of the mighty Nile River! The park is known for large lion prides, leopard and hyenas, and an overall abundance of wildlife.
Harder to get to you, but if time allows, you can head far North to the remote Kidepo National Park on the border of Kenya and South Sudan. Stay at the only lodge inside the park, Apoka Lodge, which serves as a great safari basecamp. The park has wildlife similar to that of the Masai Mara, like antelope, giraffe, cheetah, and many other species associated with the savanna ecosystems.
Where is good for a wildlife safari in Rwanda?
Pairing your gorilla trek with Akagera National Park (pronounced Akajera) makes for an excellent, traditional safari. Busy watercourses, savanna and mixed woodlands provide rich habitat for some of our favorite species, including rhino, hippos and the other big 5 animals like leopard, buffalo, elephant, and lion. Explore the northern and southern sectors with game drives and boating safaris.
Reach out if you have questions or would like to plan a trip! And feel free to ask me about my experience hiking the Rwenzori Mountains in Uganda!
Lana Byal has been with Elevate Destinations for over 10 years and specializes in linking philanthropic travelers with non-profit organizations, curating family travel experiences, African safaris, and eco-luxury adventures around the world.
