Meet the Mountain Gorillas in Their Wild Home

Moderate fitness is enough for most travellers. Treks can last anywhere from one to eight hours, depending on where the gorilla family spent the night, and the terrain is often steep, muddy and at high altitude. Walk at your own pace, as guides stop regularly for rests. Porters are available to carry your bag and offer a helping hand on difficult sections, and we can request a closer gorilla family if mobility is a concern.

The standard foreign non-resident permit costs US$800 in Uganda and US$1,500 in Rwanda. Uganda sometimes offers discounted low-season rates, and East African residents and citizens pay less. Prices depend on your visitor category and travel date, and permits sell out early in peak months, so we recommend booking several months ahead. We always confirm the current rate with you before securing your permit.

Gorilla trekking is possible all year, but the drier months of June to September and December to February offer the easiest, least slippery trails and the best photography conditions. These are also the busiest periods, so book early. The rainy months of March to May and October to November bring fewer visitors, lush scenery and sometimes cheaper rates, though trails can be muddy and you should pack good rain gear.

Yes, it is very safe. Every trek is led by experienced guides and accompanied by armed park rangers who monitor the forest and protect both visitors and wildlife. Groups are limited to eight people per gorilla family, and you spend a maximum of one hour with the gorillas. Briefings before each trek explain how to behave around them, keeping the experience safe for you and the animals.