How far in advance should I book a Uganda gorilla trekking tour?

Booking a Uganda gorilla trekking tour requires careful planning 6-12 months before your intended travel dates. Data shows most travelers book their trips 319 days ahead particularly for peak seasons from June to August and December to February. Popular accommodations near the trekking sites such as Rushaga Gorilla Lodge and Mahogany Springs tend to fill up quickly. A TourRadar traveler notes: "Book early to secure your preferred dates and accommodation as the best options fill up fast."

What gorilla families will I see during trekking in Uganda?

In Bwindi Impenetrable National Park visitors spend time with one gorilla family group that typically has 8-20 members. Each group includes a mix of silverbacks females and young gorillas. The Rushaga and Buhoma sectors feature different habituated families each offering unique encounters. One TourRadar traveler shared: "We saw 12 gorillas in our group at Bwindi including two playful infants and an impressive silverback - it was magical!"

What's included in a typical Uganda gorilla trekking permit?

Each Uganda gorilla trekking permit costs 700 USD and covers one hour of gorilla observation professional guides park entrance to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and a morning orientation. Groups are limited to 8 people per gorilla family maintaining an intimate experience. Permits can be secured through tour operators or directly with the Uganda Wildlife Authority with options available in both the Rushaga and Buhoma sectors.

What are the accommodation options for gorilla trekking tours in Uganda?

The areas surrounding Uganda's gorilla trekking locations offer lodging choices for various budgets. Bwindi provides high-end options like Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge while mid-range travelers often choose Gorilla Valley Lodge. Near Queen Elizabeth National Park The Bush Lodge and Mweya Safari Lodge welcome visitors. As one TourRadar guest reports: "The lodges exceeded our expectations - Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge offered stunning views and excellent service after our trek."

What other wildlife can I see on a Uganda gorilla trekking tour?

Uganda's wildlife extends well beyond its famous gorillas. Queen Elizabeth National Park is known for its tree-climbing lions elephants and hippos along the Kazinga Channel. Kibale Forest draws visitors for its chimpanzee populations while Bwindi Impenetrable National Park houses over 120 mammal species. A TourRadar traveler shares: "We enjoyed different facets of wildlife including chimps in Kibale tree-climbing lions in Ishasha and abundant birdlife throughout."

What's the difference between Uganda and Rwanda for gorilla trekking?

Uganda presents a more economical option with permits at 800 USD versus Rwanda's 1500 USD. The country combines gorilla encounters with additional experiences like chimpanzee tracking in Kibale Forest and wildlife viewing in Queen Elizabeth National Park. While both destinations excel in gorilla encounters Bwindi Impenetrable National Park offers a more demanding yet fulfilling trek. According to a TourRadar traveler: "Uganda gave us the complete package - gorillas chimps and classic safari all in one incredible trip."

Gorilla Trekking in Uganda

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10 best Uganda gorilla tours

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Safari
11 Days Uganda Plus Gorillas
4.4 (14 reviews)
"We thoroughly enjoyed our well organized, successful safari. At a very reasonable price."
MarySchmid, traveled in January
Duration
11 days
Destinations
Entebbe, Murchison Falls National Park, Fort Portal,Kibale Forest National Park,Queen Elizabeth National Park,Bwindi Impenetrable National Park+3 more
Age Range
Ages 14+
Operated in
English
Operator
Enchanted Uganda Safaris Ltd
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US$1,400per person
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Safari
13 Day Uganda Pioneer (Camping)
Duration
13 days
Destinations
Entebbe, Lake Mburo National Park,Bwindi Impenetrable National Park,Queen Elizabeth National Park,Rwenzori Mountains National Park,Masindi,Murchison Falls National Park,Jinja+6 more
Age Range
Ages 12+
Operated in
English
Operator
Drifters Adventure Tours
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US$3,041per person
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Safari
7-Day Wildlife Adventure Safari in Uganda
5.0 (1 review)
"The whole trip was well organized, and the most memorable was gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park."
Nuhu, traveled in September
Duration
7 days
Destinations
Entebbe, Fort Portal, Mubende,Kibale Forest National Park,Queen Elizabeth National Park,Ishasha,Bwindi Impenetrable National Park,Lake Bunyonyi,Kampala+6 more
Age Range
Ages 14+
Operated in
English, German,French,Spanish+2 more
Operator
Rumara Safaris
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US$3,549per person
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Safari
Experience Uganda Gorilla Trekking, Big 5 & Big Cats (Exclusively Private)
5.0 (4 reviews)
"The accommodation we stayed in was incredible - all very cute lodges with stunning views and great restaurants."
Georgina, traveled in August
Duration
5 days
Destinations
Kigali, Queen Elizabeth National Park, Kalinzu Forest,Ishasha,Bwindi Impenetrable National Park,Lake Bunyonyi+3 more
Age Range
Ages 15+
Operated in
English
Operator
Devine African Safaris Ltd
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US$2,769per person
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Nature & Wildlife
Discover Uganda Gorillas, Chimps + Big 5 & Big Cats (Exclusively Private)
5.0 (3 reviews)
"We went just to Uganda with them for the 10-days tour around this amazing country. Each detail was very studied and every day it has been a discovery."
Giaele, traveled in August
Duration
10 days
Destinations
Entebbe, Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary,Murchison Falls National Park,Kibale Forest National Park,Queen Elizabeth National Park,Bwindi Impenetrable National Park,Lake Bunyonyi,Lake Mburo National Park+6 more
Age Range
Ages 15+
Operated in
English
Operator
Devine African Safaris Ltd
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US$4,449per person
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Safari
8 Days Primates, Wildlife and Water Rafting Uganda Safari (Private tour)
5.0 (5 reviews)
"Truly the safari of a lifetime. Recommended by all means!"
Martin, traveled in November
Duration
8 days
Destinations
Entebbe, Jinja, Kampala, Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary,Murchison Falls National Park,Queen Elizabeth National Park,Bwindi Impenetrable National Park,Lake Mburo National Park+4 more
Age Range
Ages 16+
Operated in
English
Operator
Mukisa Safaris Uganda
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US$4,520per person
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Safari
Experience Uganda Gorillas, Chimps, Big 5 & Big Cats (Exclusively Private)
5.0 (4 reviews)
"The accommodations were great, with welcoming hosts who went above and beyond to make us feel at home. The wildlife experiences were unforgettable."
Nathan, traveled in January
Duration
6 days
Destinations
Entebbe, Mbarara, Kabale,Bwindi Impenetrable National Park,Lake Bunyonyi,Fort Portal,Murchison Falls National Park,Budongo Central Forest Reserve+5 more
Age Range
Ages 15+
Operated in
English
Operator
Devine African Safaris Ltd
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US$3,279per person
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Safari
Experience Uganda Gorilla Trekking, Chimps, Big 5 & Big Cats (Exclusively Private)
5.0 (4 reviews)
"The accommodations were unique yet luxurious, offering a perfect blend of comfort and immersion in Uganda's natural beauty."
Timothy, traveled in November
Duration
4 days
Destinations
Entebbe, Mbarara, Kabale,Bwindi Impenetrable National Park,Ishasha,Queen Elizabeth National Park,Kalinzu Forest,Kampala+5 more
Age Range
Ages 15+
Operated in
English
Operator
Devine African Safaris Ltd
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US$2,639per person
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Safari
Experience Uganda Gorillas, Chimps, Big Cats & Big Cats (Exclusively Private)
5.0 (4 reviews)
"Gorillas permits were also cheaper in Uganda. We did a mix of water on Kazinga channel, chimps in Kibale and gorillas in Bwindi which was absolutely incredible."
Ingrid, traveled in February
Duration
8 days
Destinations
Entebbe, Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, Masindi,Murchison Falls National Park,Kibale Forest National Park,Queen Elizabeth National Park,Ishasha,Bwindi Impenetrable National Park,Lake Bunyonyi+6 more
Age Range
Ages 15+
Operated in
English
Operator
Devine African Safaris Ltd
30% off
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US$3,929per person
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Safari
Experience Uganda Gorillas, Chimps, Big 5 & Big Cats (Exclusively Private)
5.0 (1 review)
"With this tour there's a lot of drive time most days so it's important to have someone approachable and that you feel safe with."
Christy, traveled in October
Duration
6 days
Destinations
Entebbe, Kibale Forest National Park,Queen Elizabeth National Park,Ishasha,Bwindi Impenetrable National Park,Lake Bunyonyi,Mbarara+5 more
Age Range
Ages 15+
Operated in
English
Operator
Devine African Safaris Ltd
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US$3,119per person
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Safari
Explore Uganda Gorillas, Lake Bunyonyi + Tree-Climbing Lions (Exclusively Private)
5.0 (2 reviews)
"This trip was a perfect blend of adventure and comfort, and I can't recommend it enough."
Monika, traveled in September
Duration
6 days
Destinations
Entebbe, Mbarara, Queen Elizabeth National Park, Ishasha,Bwindi Impenetrable National Park,Kabale,Lake Bunyonyi,Kampala+4 more
Age Range
Ages 15+
Operated in
English
Operator
Devine African Safaris Ltd
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US$2,929per person
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Safari
10 Days Experience Uganda’s Exclusive Gorillas and Wildlife ( Private tour)
5.0 (32 reviews)
"Everything about this tour was excellent - it was perfectly organised and included once-in-a-lifetime activities."
Stephanie, traveled in June
Duration
10 days
Destinations
Entebbe, Kampala, Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary,Murchison Falls National Park,Masindi,Hoima,Kyenjojo,Fort Portal,Kibale Forest National Park,Queen Elizabeth National Park,Bwindi Impenetrable National Park,Kabale,Mbarara,Lake Mburo National Park,Masaka,Mpigi+13 more
Age Range
Ages 16+
Operated in
English
Operator
Mukisa Safaris Uganda
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US$4,810per person
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Safari
Experience Uganda Gorillas, Chimps, Golden monkeys & Big 5 (Exclusively Private)
5.0 (7 reviews)
"fantastic itinary and Accomodation. I had the best time."
Marie, traveled in October
Duration
14 days
Destinations
Entebbe, Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary,Murchison Falls National Park,Kibale Forest National Park,Fort Portal,Queen Elizabeth National Park,Bwindi Impenetrable National Park,Mgahinga National Park,Lake Bunyonyi,Lake Mburo National Park+8 more
Age Range
Ages 15+
Operated in
English
Operator
Devine African Safaris Ltd
30% off
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US$4,339per person
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Safari
12-Day Trip Including Gorilla Trekking, Big 5 and Nature Sighting
4.8 (5 reviews)
"Good lodges, nice safaris, you should only tell the tourists that the gorilla trekking ist difficult."
Duration
12 days
Destinations
Entebbe, Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary,Murchison Falls National Park,Kibale Forest National Park,Queen Elizabeth National Park,Bwindi Impenetrable National Park,Lake Bunyonyi,Lake Mburo National Park+6 more
Age Range
All Ages Welcome
Operated in
English
Operator
Home to Africa
30% off
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US$4,091per person
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Safari
Trip to Uganda Wildlife Sighting Including Gorilla Trekking
5.0 (4 reviews)
"The diversity of Uganda makes it an exciting destination for wildlife enthusiasts."
Kristal, traveled in July
Duration
6 days
Destinations
Entebbe, Kibale Forest National Park,Queen Elizabeth National Park,Bwindi Impenetrable National Park,Lake Bunyonyi+3 more
Age Range
All Ages Welcome
Operated in
English
Operator
Home to Africa
30% off
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US$2,593per person
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