Gorilla Trekking Safaris

Gorilla trekking safari in Uganda or Rwanda offers a rare opportunity to walk through the beautiful forests of East Africa in search of endangered mountain gorillas. It is a close and personal wildlife experience, taking you deep into the gorillas' natural habitat where you can watch them feed, play, rest and care for their young.

In Uganda, gorilla trekking takes place in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. Bwindi is especially famous for its large mountain gorilla population and its beautiful ancient rainforest.

In Rwanda, gorilla trekking centres on Volcanoes National Park, part of the wider Virunga landscape. The region is known for its green volcanic slopes, bamboo forests and spectacular mountain scenery.

The experience normally starts early in the morning with a briefing from experienced park rangers. You are then placed into a trekking group and guided into the forest. The walk can take a few hours or longer depending on the location of the gorilla family, the terrain and forest conditions. In Uganda, official guidance notes that treks can take roughly 2–7 hours.

Finding the gorillas is the highlight of the day. Once your group reaches a habituated gorilla family, you are given time to observe them in their natural surroundings quietly. Seeing a powerful silverback resting only a short distance away, youngsters playing among the vegetation and mothers caring for their babies creates a wildlife experience that is difficult to compare with an ordinary game drive.

But a gorilla trekking safari is about more than the gorillas. The journey takes you through some of East Africa's most beautiful mountain landscapes, rich forests and rural communities. Depending on your itinerary, the experience can also be combined with wildlife safaris, golden monkey tracking, chimpanzee trekking, bird watching, cultural visits and nature walks.