MOUNTAIN GORILLAS ARE ONES OF THE WORLD'S MOST ENDANGERED APES, FOUND ONLY IN SMALL PORTIONS OF PROTECTED AFRO-MONTANE FOREST IN SOUTHWEST UGANDA, NORTHWEST RWANDA & EASTERN D.R. CONGO.

Where does gorilla trekking take place in Uganda? 

Most gorilla trekking in Uganda takes place in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, which has four gorilla trekking trailheads; Buhoma, Ruhija, Rushaga & Nkuringo. Bwindi is home to an estimated 480 gorillas of which fifteen families have been habituated. Fourteen of these families are tracked for tourism, and the remaining Kyaguriro family is for research purposes. Uganda second gorilla trekking location is Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, this protects Uganda’s portion of the Virunga volcanoes chain which links gorilla populations in Uganda, Rwanda & D.R. Congo.
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Where do we fly-in for Uganda gorilla trekking safaris? 

There are two airstrips for flying safaris to access Bwindi Impenetrable National Park by plane. Our scheduled fly-in safari packages fly to Kihihi airstrip, to the north of the park & is closest to the Buhoma & Ruhija gorilla trekking trailheads. In addition to this airstrip our chartered Bwindi fly-in safaris also fly to Kisoro airstrip which lies to the south of the park, this airstrip is closest to the Nkruingo & Rushaga gorilla trekking trailheads. Kisoro airstrip is also the closest airstrip for our chartered Mgahinga fly-in safaris. For helicopter flying safaris there are an array of landing locations at lodges & other sites, your safari consultant will advise on this based on your itinerary. 
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Which gorilla families can be tracked in Uganda? 

​The gorilla families habituated for gorilla trekking in Buhoma in the northwest of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park are the Mubare, Rushegura, Habinyanja & Katwe families. Ruhija in the northeast is home to the Bitukura, Oruzogo & Kyaguriro families. Rushaga in the southeast is home to the Nshongi, Mishaya, Kahungye, Busingye & Bweza families. Nkuringo in the southwest is the home of the Nkuringo & Christmas families. Finally the Nyakagezi family is located at the fifth location, Mgahinga Gorilla National Park.
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Track the mountain gorillas on a gorilla trekking trip in Uganda.

Mountain gorillas live in Bwindi Imepentrable National Park & Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, Uganda.

Mountain gorilla trekking is Uganda's ultimate wildlife experience.

What about the gorilla habituation exercise?

The gorilla habituation exercise only takes place in Uganda and at Rushaga, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park currently with the Bushaho and Bikingi families. Mountain gorilla groups undergo a long habitation process before they are regularly tracked by tourists. The process gradually aids them to become accustomed to human presence, a positive for conservation efforts.
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How are gorilla trekking permits secured?

We secure your gorilla trekking permits as part of our services when you book your flying safari with us. Please note that gorilla trekking permits can book up far in advance, especially in high season. Your safari consultant will advise on availability based on your proposed travel dates.  To start the planning for your flying safari you can browse our flying safari packages, or learn more about our flying safaris to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park & Mgahinga Gorilla National Park on the links below.
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Learn about our Uganda gorilla trekking destinations

Bwindi Impenetrable
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Mgahinga Gorilla 
​ National Park

​What should you expect on your gorilla trekking day?

Gorilla trackers should be fit and in good health as the trekking is in thick forest at heights of up to 3000m. You will traverse steep-sided mountains and ravines, which can take a lot of concentration, energy and is often arduous if conditions are slippery and wet. At other times it can be a walk in the park, if the gorillas are close and the weather conditions fine. The trek to find the gorillas can take from 30 minutes to 4 hours, plus the return trek. We can’t know at the time of booking where the gorillas will be as they’re always on the move. If you decide to end the tracking before seeing the gorilla’s due to tiredness or fatigue for example, you will not receive any refund.
 
You’ll be assigned your gorilla family on the day with the guides and rangers discussing which group is most suitable. The groups trekking are split depending on age, ability, injury and medical history. It is very important that you let us know in advance of any conditions which may make tracking difficult for you so this can be taken into consideration. On completion of a successful gorilla trek, you can stay with the mountain gorillas for one hour. If you are doing the habituation exercise, you can stay with them for 4 hours or you may continue following them through the rainforest if they’re on the move.
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Browse our Uganda flying safari packages featuring gorilla trekking

Gorillas In The Mist
 3 Day Uganda Flying Safari

Gorillas & Lions In Trees
 4 Day Uganda Flying Safari

Gorillas & Golden Plains
 5 Day Uganda Flying Safari

Gorillas & The Nile Savannah
 5 Day Uganda Flying Safari

Primates & Savannah Wilds
 7 Day Uganda Flying Safari

A Chimps Day, Gorillas & Lions
 7 Day Uganda Flying Safari

Best Of Western Uganda
 9 Day Uganda Flying Safari

​​Uganda Gorilla Trekking Guidelines

By following the rules and through the purchase of your gorilla permit, you are contributing to the conservation of the mountain gorillas. The funds generated from permit sales  are directed to the national parks management, ensuring the wildlife’s long-term security from poachers. Ten percent of the funds raised are distributed to the local communities living adjacent to the parks, contributing to their development projects and to improving natural resource management.

• Don’t visit the gorillas if you have a cold or other infectious illness as gorillas are vulnerable to many of our common diseases. If a visitor is declared unfit to track due to illness, 50% of the tracking fee will be refunded (illness must be determined at discretion of warden in charge). The cancellation policy applies if visitors who fall sick prior to travel to the park.
• If you need to sneeze or cough while with the gorillas, cover your face and turn away from the gorillas in minimise the chances of spreading disease.
• The minimum age is 15 years old, there is no exception or waiver system in place.
• Maximum number of visitors to a gorilla family group is eight per day.

• Maintain a distance of 7 meters from the gorillas at all times.

• When with the gorillas keep your voice low and don't mimic the gorilla’s vocalisation. You do not know what you might be saying.
• When with the gorillas try not to make any rapid movements that may frighten the gorillas.
• Spitting is not permitted in the park, this can spread diseases to the gorillas.
• If you need to urinate or the other while trekking, please do so off the trail & bury your waste in a hole (30 cm deep) along with any toilet paper.

• Do not use flash photography
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• Smoking, eating and drinking are not permitted around the mountain gorillas.

• Do not leave litter in the forest.
• Time spent with the gorillas is limited to one hour on gorilla trekking trips & 4 hours on the gorilla habituation exercise. 

• We discourage loud, bright colours like red, yellow, or fluorescents for wildlife tracking.
• If a gorilla should display or vocalise at you do not be alarmed, stand still, look away from the gorilla and follow your guide's directions.
• It is very unlikely, but in the unfortunate event you track the gorilla’s for the entire day and still fail to see them, you are given the opportunity to try again the following morning for free. This is only providing that you do not decide to turn back before the day is up.

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Further Reading

For further reading & more details on gorilla trekking in Uganda, we recommend that you take a look at the Gorilla Trekker safari guide. A useful online resource, packed with more details. 

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