Gorilla trekking is the experience most travellers come to Uganda for, and for good reason. Spending an hour near a wild mountain gorilla family, in dense forest they call home, is unlike any other wildlife encounter.
Below is what the experience actually involves, from securing a permit to what happens once you find the group.
A gorilla permit is required for every trek and allows a small group to spend a limited window with one habituated family. Permits are limited daily, so we book them as early as possible once your dates are set, working around the group and park you plan to visit.
Trekking begins early with a briefing from park rangers, followed by a walk through forest that can range from a gentle path to steep, uneven terrain. Trackers who have followed the gorilla family since dawn guide the route, so walking time varies day to day.
Once you reach the gorillas, you are permitted one hour in their company, watched over closely by rangers to keep a respectful distance. Most travellers describe it as quiet and unhurried, watching the group feed, rest and move through the undergrowth.
A moderate level of fitness helps, since trek length depends on where the gorillas were last seen and can run from one hour to several. Sturdy boots, gloves, a rain jacket and water are the essentials; porters are available if you would like assistance on the climb.
Tell us roughly when you would like to travel and what draws you here, and we will take it from there.
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