How Many Days Are Needed for a Gorilla Safari in Uganda?

February 26, 2025

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How Many Days Are Needed for a Gorilla Safari in Uganda? Book and enjoy an affordable gorilla trekking safari with us in advance, as per your request and needs. es not only allows you to see Mount Gorillas close up, but it is also the best time to view the beautiful views that Uganda has to offer as a country.

The gorilla trek safari cost varies depending on several factors, like the gorilla permit cost, which is $800 for foreign non-residents, $700 for foreign residents, and 300 000 UGX for East African citizens. The gorilla habituation permit, on the other hand, is $1500 per person.

A 3-day gorilla safari to Mgahinga National Park

Three days are the recommended days for a gorilla trek safari in Mgahinga, and the brief itinerary includes Day One being picked up from your hotel or Entebbe and driving to Mgahinga, Day 2 is the trekking day, and Day 3 is a transfer back to Kampala to your desired destination.

Day 1: Arrival and transfer to Mgahinga

Day one is all about getting to Mgahinga National Park. Our driver guide will meet you at the airport, then brief you about the journey and what to expect. The drive will take about 9 to 8 hours, with a stop at the Equator monument in Kayabwe along Masaka Road and lunch in Mbarara. It is a long drive to Mgahinga, but scenic. Mgahinga, as earlier noted, is a small national park, and most of the accommodation is located outside the national park, nearby or in Kisoro town.

Day 2: Gorilla trekking day

Day two starts early in the morning with a briefing at the park headquarters from the lead guide about the rules and regulations to follow during the hike, and after that, the hike for tracking the Nyakagezi gorilla family starts.

During the trek, you get to see other wildlife species in Mgahinga, like birds, golden monkeys, and vervet monkeys, among others. After finding the family, you will spend an hour with the gorillas, taking photos and recording videos.
>After one hour, we return to the park headquarters, have lunch, and participate in other activities like taking on the Batwa trail, where you learn about the Batwa culture and bird watching, ing before retiring to the lodge for dinner and the night.

Day 3: Departure to Kampala

After breakfast, pack your bags and check out of the hotel. The driver guide will be ready to start the journey and still make a stop in Mbarara for lunch before driving to Kampala and dropping you off at your desired destination. Day 3 marks the end of the three-day gorilla trekking safari in Mgahinga.

3 days gorilla trek safari to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

You will spend three eventful days traveling to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, trekking for gorillas, and returning to Kampala to conclude your journey. The itinerary will include transport, meals, and accommodation.

Day 1: Travelling to Bwindi

Our driver will pick you up from the airport, brief you about the trip, and start the journey of 9 to 10 hours to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park afrestinghing. You will have lunch and short stops to stretch your legs along the way. Expect to get to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park late evening, just in time to check into your lodge and rest for the night after dinner. We recommend you get enough rest to participate in the gorilla trek exercise with enough energy.
Meals on the first day: Lunch and dinner
Time of travel: 8 to 9 hours

Day 2: Trekking gorillas

After settling in at the national park, an early breakfast is served at the lodge, and all trekkers meet at the park headquarters to be assigned gorilla families in the sections you have been given and attend the briefing, where you will be reminded about the trekking rules and regulations. You should also be able to tell your guide about any preferences and illnesses you might have during the briefing.

The trek can take between 30 minutes and six hours, depending on the location of the gorilla family. After finding your family, you get to spend an hour with the gorillas, observing their behaviors and taking photos before returning to the park headquarters for the awarding of certificates after participating in the trek: dinner and an overnight stay at the lodge for the second day. The 2nd day is full board with breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

Day 3: Bwindi to Entebbe Airport or Kampala

We set off immediately after breakfast, and you will be driven back to Entebbe International Airport or Kampala, depending on your desired destination or post-safari accommodation. You will have a stopover for lunch and at the Equator for more photos, shopping for souvenirs, and connecting with the locals. Drinking water will be provided, breakfast and lunch, and the 3rd day marks the end of the gorilla trek safari in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.

Best places to see gorillas in their natural habitat in Uganda

You can only trek mountain gorillas in their natural habitat. Uganda hosts these primates exclusively in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga National Park, both located in the southwest.

The 19 gorilla-habituated families are found in the four sections that make up Bwindi, and these include the Ruhija sector, Buhoma sector, Nkuringo sector, and Rushaga sector. Tourists are assigned gorilla families according to the sector they have been assigned during the booking process for the gorilla permit.
Mgahinga National Park has one habituated gorilla family, the Nyakagezi family, which is tracked all year round.

One of the main attractions of Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is its population of endangered mountain gorillas. These tours offer a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see these incredible animals up close in their natural habitat.

What to expect when gorilla tracking in Uganda

You start your Bwindi gorilla tracking adventure early in the morning at the Forest Welcome Centre. There, you meet other tourists while staff checks your temperature to ensure you are healthy and won’t spread illnesses to the gorillas.

After the check-up, you willconvenee in the auditorium, where groups of local dancers will entertain you.

What is the minimum age limit for gorilla trekking in Uganda?

How Many Days Are Needed for a Gorilla Safari in Uganda? The age limit for gorilla trekking in Uganda is 15 years, and the change was made this year (2023) from 15 years by the Uganda Wildlife Authority. The minimum age limit was set to ensure that everyone participating in the trek was mentally prepared and ready for the trek and could follow all the rules and regulations for gorilla trekking. Older people can use the sedan chairs, and the cost ranges from $400 to $500.

Where to Stay on Gorilla Safari in Uganda

Chameleon Hill Lodge

It is a good choice for those who have come to do gorilla trekking in Bwindi and tracking golden monkeys in Mgahinga. The lodge has 10 cottages, a beautiful garden, and wonderful views of the forests. There are five single and five double cottages. The lodge also has a dining section, a bar, and a lounge. The lounge has stylish furniture, books, and a fireplace to keep guests warm in the evenings. Wi-Fi is available in every part of the lodge, and it’s free of charge. Guests can also choose to take a bike and ride to the beautiful lake orthe nearby community.

Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge

Staying in this lodge allows visitors to easily walk to the starting point for gorilla trekking. The lodge has a bar, a fireplace, a library, a souvenir shop, a beautiful garden, and a parking space. Clouds Mountain Lodge arranges nature walks, bird watching, community visits (the Batwa), and picnics.

Engagi Lodge

You can find this mid-range lodge between the Munyaga River and the park offices in the Buhoma area. The builders used eucalyptus trees, timber, and grass thatch to construct Engagi Lodge. All eight self-contained rooms feature a table, writing desk, flush toilet, and shower. The cottages have single, twin, and double beds with bathrooms, cold/hot water, flush toilets, and free Wi-Fi. There is also a spacious waiting area, an eating place, a bar, and solar panels. The lodge organizes nature walks to spot the forest birds, vegetation, and primates.

Amajambere Lwacu Community Camp

Located at the entrance of Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, the Amajambere Iwacu community camp is your top choice for reliable accommodation in the Mgahinga forest. Furthermore, it serves as a local project, reaping the benefits of eco-tourism in the Mgahinga forest. Additionally, the camp offers satisfactory food and lodging services, featuring authentic Ugandan cuisine.

Mahogany springs

The lodge has eight cottages with single, double, and even triple rooms. Families and honeymooners have special rooms built for them. The lodge also provides a fireplace, a souvenir shop, free Wi-Fi, a restaurant, a bar, and verandahs to view nearby regions and valleys. Mahogany Springs organizes birding tours, walks to the river Munyanga, the tea plantations, and visits to the local population.

Nkuringo Bwindi Gorilla Lodge

Nkuringo Lodge is one of the most popular mid-range lodges in Bwindi. It won the World Travel Award of 2017 as Uganda’s leading safari lodge. It has beautiful gardens for relaxation and is close to the starting point for tracking the Nkuringo Gorilla group. The lodge has twelve self-contained rooms and facilities that are Eco-friendly. The hotel is popular for its good customer care and tasty food. Nkuringo Bwindi Lodge organizes canoeing at the beautiful Lake Mutanda, nature walks, bird watching, and visits to the Batwa people.

Sanctuary Gorilla Forest Camp

Sanctuary Retreats owns this luxury tented camp near the Kihihi airstrip. The camp features eight rooms built from local timber and stone with grass-thatched roofs. Each room has two large beds, a table, showers, and bathtubs. One advantage of booking with this camp is the opportunity to see one of the gorilla families visiting occasionally. For this reason, the camp organizes birding tours using experienced local birding guides.

Sanctuary Gorilla Forest Camp

Mutanda Lake Resort

The Resort has 13 cottages with triple, twin, and single self-contained rooms. All rooms have a table, mosquito nets, and bedside lights. Mutanda Lake Resort also has a bar, a restaurant, and a viewing platform. Those who have come to do both Golden Monkey and gorilla tracking should consider booking with this resort.

Packing for a gorilla safari in Uganda

How Many Days Are Needed for a Gorilla Safari in Uganda? During a gorilla trek, you must be comfortable if you plan on enjoying the safari. Suggested items for the gorilla trek safari in Uganda include:

Long-sleeved shirts and trousers in neutral colors.
Insect repellent to avoid bug bites
Stronghikinge boots should be waterproof, ankle-length, and well-fitting to prevent blisters on your feet.
Refillable water bottle
sunscreen
Camera, extra camera lens, batteries, tripod, and a waterproof camera bag
Comfortable socks for warmth
Gardening gloves to keep blisters off your hands
A warm sweater and a waterproof rain jacket
Binoculars
walking/running shoes and sandals
Flashlight and extra batteries
wet wipes and a sunhat
Toiletries.

Getting to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga National Park

How Many Days Are Needed for a Gorilla Safari in Uganda? You have two options to get to Mgahinga and Bwindi National Park: By car or charter plane. You travel to both national parks in well-maintained 4×4 safari vehicles. To ensure your comfort during the eight-to-nine-hour drive from Kampala to Bwindi, we equip each vehicle with complimentary bottled water.

While the journey may seem lengthy, it offers exceptionally scenic rewards along the way. Moreover, you’ll have opportunities to enjoy various attractions during the drive, including a memorable stopover at the iconic Equator monument, where you can straddle both hemispheres simultaneously.

Additionally, the route provides authentic glimpses into Uganda’s daily life as you pass through bustling towns, rural villages, and vibrant local markets. Furthermore, the diverse landscapes transform continuously—from urban sprawl to lush plantations, rolling hills, and finally the dramatic terrain surrounding the national parks. Consequently, what begins as a simple transfer becomes an enriching journey that deepens your understanding of Uganda’s geography, culture, and natural beauty before you even reach your wildlife destination.

You can also drive from Rwanda through the Gatuna border to reach Bwindi, a journey that typically takes approximately 4 to 5 hours. Notably, many tourists choose this shorter route to save time and travel more efficiently. However, the only downside of traveling through Rwanda to Bwindi is that you miss out on other safari destinations located in Uganda. Nevertheless, this route remains popular for those prioritizing convenience and time savings.

Best time for gorilla trekking

How Many Days Are Needed for a Gorilla Safari in Uganda? Gorilla trekking is best carried out during the dry season, June to September, and December to February. The dry season offers exceptional gorilla trekking conditions, as the easier, firmer trek routes make navigation more manageable and the thinned-out vegetation provides clearer views of these magnificent primates. However, the wet season—spanning March to May and October to November—also presents excellent opportunities for gorilla trekking. During these rainy months, the forest becomes lush and vibrant, trails are less crowded, and gorillas often remain at lower elevations where bamboo shoots are abundant, potentially shortening your trek. Moreover, the wet season typically offers better permit availability and sometimes discounted rates. Consequently, both seasons provide unique advantages, allowing you to choose based on your preferences for weather conditions, crowd levels, and trekking difficulty.

Safari Vacations and Travel Services is a Local tour operator based in Uganda with its head offices in Entebbe. Moreover, Safari Vacations and Travel Services is a business for a Ugandan native; we specialize in life-changing experiences and sustainable tours and holidays to all East African countries. We are members of the Association of Uganda Tour Operators and are registered with registration from the Uganda Tourism Board. Safari Vacations and Travel Services is also high in TripAdvisor reviews.