Visit Uganda's mountain gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park with private, small-group, budget, mid-range and luxury gorilla trekking tours.
Gorillas Tours is operated by Achieve Global Safaris, a Kampala/Entebbe-based safari company specializing in gorilla trekking tours in Uganda, Rwanda, and Congo.
Achieve Global Safaris offers premier gorilla trekking and wildlife safari experiences based in Kampala/Entebbe, Uganda, serving a large number of clients from the USA, UK, Canada, Australia, and the rest of the world. You can book tailored gorilla tours at competitive prices to explore Uganda’s rich natural habitats and wildlife.
Are you interested in seeing mountain gorillas in Uganda and Rwanda? We organize good-value, memorable trips to the “Gorilla kingdom,” the natural habitat of mountain Gorillas in Africa, for a close and personal encounter with these majestic yet gentle primates, depending on your budget and time frame. Whether you choose Uganda Gorilla trekking or Rwanda Gorilla Tours, you will have an excellent chance to get within 7 meters of these incredible primates, which is an awe-inspiring experience.
Gorilla tracking is a once-in-a-lifetime adventure. Mountain Gorillas are critically endangered and require collective efforts to ensure their survival, as they face habitat loss, human encroachment, disease, and poaching. It was previously estimated that only 880 mountain gorillas remained worldwide.
Since the 2018 census, numbers have steadily increased, and the current population exceeds 1,063 individuals, with close to 500 residing in Uganda's Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park. These primates inhabit the Virunga Mountain ranges shared by Uganda, Rwanda, and DRC (Congo), as well as Bwindi Forest in Uganda, which is home to more than half of the world's mountain gorillas. This makes it a premier destination for Uganda Gorilla Tours and safaris.
We specialize in creating carefully planned itineraries for private trips and small group tours, leveraging our local expertise to help you organize your dream Gorilla Safari in Uganda, Rwanda, or Congo. We employ highly experienced local tour guides/drivers, and we aim to provide safari experiences that create lifelong memories while promoting ethical tourism practices and supporting conservation efforts by the Uganda Wildlife Authority.
We have firsthand information on gorilla permit availability in Uganda and Rwanda, and we offer trips with a gorilla permit included, subject to availability and confirmation at the time of booking. We also help with last-minute/short notice bookings (7 days during the low/shoulder season & 2 weeks during the peak season). You should, however, book your permit at least 3 to 6 months in advance to avoid the panic and have peace of mind. We are swift and transparent in our gorilla permit handling process once you confirm your trip with us.
When it comes to deciding where to go trekking to see these giant apes, many contemplate whether to go trekking in Uganda, Rwanda, or DR Congo. What is not debatable, however, is the clear fact that mountain Gorillas are only found in the Virunga massif/mountains - shared between Uganda, Rwanda, and the DRC- comprising Mgahinga National Park, Volcanoes National Park, and Virunga National Park, and also in Uganda's Bwindi National Park, which is famously known to possess more than half of the entire world's mountain Gorilla population.
The choice of where to go trekking to see Gorillas in Africa comes down to several factors, including time, budget, and supporting logistics. The trek in Rwanda is considered easier because the gorillas there are usually seen after just a few hours of hiking. However, the altitude is higher, so you still need to be relatively fit. Volcanoes Park is mountainous, so the trek ascends from the start. The terrain and clearing, however, are more open, which allows better viewing and photography.
Mgahinga National Park on the Ugandan side of the mountain has only one habituated gorilla family that visitors can see - the Nyakagezi group and thus, not many people prefer going there. Gorilla trekking in Uganda primarily takes place at Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, which currently has 25 habituated gorilla families that can be seen every day, and one group in Rushaga for the gorilla habituation experience.
Being a dense tropical rainforest, it can rain at any time in Bwindi, even in the dry months, and there are no trails, so the trek can be more challenging, and when the gorillas are feeding in the bushy areas, it might be a bit difficult to take clear pictures, but that takes nothing away from your experience.
Mountain gorillas in Congo are found in Virunga National Park, which is Africa's oldest national park with unmatched biodiversity. Still, safety is a challenge because of the recent and constant instability in Eastern Congo, which scares away visitors. A gorilla safari in Congo is usually combined with a visit to Mt. Nyiragongo, an active Volcano with the world's largest lava lake.
Trekking in Congo and visiting Nyiragongo is a massive, overwhelming experience, but safety is still a big concern, and the activities are usually on and off because there are many uncertainties, which makes planning a trip to Congo difficult - but we always do our best to advise and help you plan.
Logistically, Rwanda is a clean and safe country with high-end facilities and a good road network, so it mainly targets high-end tourists because a Gorilla permit in Rwanda costs $1,500 compared to $800 in Uganda and $400 in Congo. When it comes down to price, Uganda is an absolute winner because the country is safe with diverse, moderately priced facilities and a good road network, but the distances between points are longer, so you spend more time in the vehicle; however, there is more to see and experience as you traverse the countryside. You can also opt for a fly-in option using scheduled domestic flights by Aerolink Uganda, flying to Kisoro and Kihihi airstrips daily.
Because of the instability in Congo, the challenges are many, and it is very advisable to stay in Gisenyi on the Rwandan side of the border and only cross over to take part in the activities.
Seeing Gorillas in their natural habitat is an incredible, life-changing experience, so in the end, it will really not matter much where you decide to go; you will still be contributing to conservation efforts to ensure their survival, and you will live with the experience your entire life! Let us help you plan.
Having decided where to see mountain gorillas in Africa, this is probably the first thing that comes to mind when planning the next steps. Thanks to its pleasant temperatures, Uganda is a year-round destination - the same goes for Rwanda and Congo.
But, of course, peak and low seasons can make reasonable differences when taking crowds and budget into consideration. Generally speaking, December/January through to February and from June through to mid-September are peak tourist seasons thanks to the drier climate.
However, if you're looking to go on a budget safari, then consider traveling during the wetter time of the year. The most rain falls in October-November and April-May, and you might see quite a drop in the cost of going on a safari in Uganda and Rwanda, but this doesn't mean that you won't be able to enjoy it. Low season means fewer crowds and more wildlife viewing.
At Achieve Global Safaris, it is our ultimate pleasure to welcome you to Africa and assist you in achieving your dream Gorilla safari in Uganda, Rwanda Gorilla tours, or Gorilla tours in Congo. A visit to the gentle giants in each of these places is an adventure of a lifetime and helps ensure their survival.
The money you pay for the permit goes toward conservation, and having locals serve as porters and sell their produce to safari lodges and tourists uplifts their livelihoods and motivates them to protect the gorillas rather than poach them.
We offer 3 Day Gorilla Safaris to Uganda, Rwanda, and Congo, as well as combined tours across East Africa, including game parks for wildlife tours, walking safaris, cultural tours, and adventure trips.
Unforgettable - Dear Global team, thank you very much for organizing our 5 ~ 6 days trip. And special thanks to our guide and driver Tony, with whom we had a warm... read more
Jelka W Very professional service, would highly recommend. - I booked a three-day gorilla trek experience in November 2025 as a 22 year old male solo traveler.
My driver was Tonny, a very dedicated professional who was... read more
Mateus B East Africa safari of a lifetime with local Operator - This group of four from Canada first contacted Achieve Global one year in advance for a safari that covered UG and TZ. We worked with Doreen via whatsapp. ... read more
Sean G Unforgettable Last-Minute Safari with Achieve Global Safaris - My sister and I planned a very last-minute trip to Uganda and chose Achieve Global Safaris based on the glowing reviews on their website, we’re so glad we did! With... read more
victoriasP7745SY Best trip ever. - A big thank you to my wonderful guide/ driver Haruna that really felt like my best friend. He was very knowledgeable and helpful with my best interests at heart.... read more
ALISON R Rough roads and great adventures - We were lucky enough to have the vehicle all to ourselves which was great. Elisa our guide was a great guide and driver navigating very rough roads with confidence. He... read more
Kari B
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1: What is Mountain Gorilla trekking?
Gorilla trekking is a 2-6 hour hiking experience in pursuit of habituated mountain gorillas in their natural habitat. Distinguished for being the biggest primate species on earth, it is a subspecies of the eastern gorilla. Mountain gorillas and humans share 98% common DNA.
They live in groups/families, each with 4-32 members on average. As an adaptation to their habitats where temperatures drop below freezing, mountain gorillas have thicker fur compared to other great apes.
Today, there are fewer than 1,300 left on Earth. This follows a series of threats that have shrunk their populations immensely over the years, especially hunting, decades of wars, diseases, and habitat destruction.
2: Where do mountain gorillas live?
These gentle giants are found in only four tropical rainforests in the whole world, all of which are at an elevation of 8,000 to 13,000 feet above sea level. Three of these are found in the Great Virunga Massifs, a range of extinct volcanoes that lie at the borders of Rwanda, Uganda, and the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Rwanda respectively.
These are Volcanoes National Park, Mgahinga National Park, and Virunga National Park, respectively. The remaining live in the Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, a 331 km2 jungle located on the edge of the Albertine Rift Valley in South Western Uganda.
3: What is the cost of seeing gorillas in Uganda & Rwanda?
While a gorilla permit costs $800 for foreign non-residents and $700 for foreign residents, in Rwanda it is $1,500 for foreign non-residents and $500 for African residents. The pricing of these gorilla permits is largely influenced by the fact that Rwanda primarily targets upmarket clients and thus positions itself as a premium destination.
This, in turn, necessitates using a rate that is more appealing to this segment. Please note that the mentioned rates of permits in Uganda and Rwanda are particularly for gorilla permits, park entry, conservation fees, and ranger guides. The total cost of the adventure further depends on the type of accommodation, transportation mode, and additional activities of interest.
Though gorilla tracking in Congo is much cheaper, going for $400, very few tourists visit it due to the political insecurity in the country. Please note that all activities in Virunga and Nyiragongo are still indefinitely suspended, and you can only visit the Lowland Gorillas in Kahuzi-Biega National Park.
4: How easy or difficult is the experience?
Gorilla trekking takes place in high-altitude montane parks where landscapes slightly vary, therefore offering fairly different experiences. While some parts of the climb have rugged terrain, others have relatively gentler terrain.
In some parts, the trails are en route to marshy/boggy stretches, while in others, it is en route to thick bushes that have to be cleared to make a way through. Long story short, just as there are easy options for people who wish to have a laid-back, hustle-free experience, there are also options for those who wish to have a tough climbing challenge.
Our team of passionate travel consultants is more than happy to help you with further planning accordingly. Should you require caretakers who can give you extra support while in the forest, there are lots of porters for hire at the starting point of the activity. For a fee of $15-20, they will carry your daypack and assist you in difficult areas throughout the day.
5: When should one book Uganda and Rwanda gorilla permits?
Due to the overwhelming demand that both Uganda and Rwanda are currently getting for gorilla permits, it is advisable to book them in advance, at least three months before the trekking date.
The gorilla permits are very competitive, especially in the high season; June to September and December to February, the background to this being that only 96 visitors can visit the gorillas in Volcanoes Park per day, and only 176 can visit the ones in Bwindi and Mgahinga combined.
Rwanda, Uganda, and DR Congo offer the best options for both budget safaris and luxury gorilla trekking tours. You'll find mountain gorillas in beautiful places like Volcanoes National Park, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, and Virunga National Park. Dreaming of seeing gorillas in Africa? Feel free to send us an inquiry below — we'd love to help you make that trip happen!
