Gorilla Trekking Safaris in Uganda & Rwanda

Book a gorilla trekking safari with a licensed Kampala operator. We book your permits, lodges, transport and guide and send one clear quote. Kenya, Tanzania and Zanzibar combinations too.

Gorilla permit per person: Uganda $800 · Rwanda $1,500
Permits for June to September and December to February sell out first

Check safari availability

Licensed by the Uganda Tourism Board
Permits booked for you
One clear quote

Prefer WhatsApp? Chat with a planner

Gorilla trekking safaris and holidays

Gorilla treks in Uganda and Rwanda, safari holidays in Kenya and Tanzania, and beach holidays on Zanzibar. Every one can be tailored: change the days, the lodges or the start point.

All safaris

Budget and luxury gorilla safaris

The gorillas are the same. The lodges and the transport are what change the price.

Budget gorilla safaris

Gorilla safaris planned around lower cost routes and lodges.

13 safaris to choose from
Every one can be tailored

See budget safaris

Luxury gorilla safaris

High comfort gorilla safaris, with light aircraft transfers on some routes.

20 safaris to choose from
Every one can be tailored

See luxury safaris

Uganda or Rwanda for your gorilla trek? Permit prices compared

The gorillas are the same mountain gorillas. What changes is the permit fee, the drive and how much else you can see.

Uganda

Permit $800 per person

Bwindi and Mgahinga, with the most gorilla families in Bwindi
Easy to add chimpanzees and wildlife parks
Starts in Entebbe or Kampala
The lower permit fee

Uganda gorilla safari packages

Rwanda

Permit $1,500 per person

Volcanoes National Park, with golden monkey trekking too
The shortest drive from Kigali
Works well for a short trip
The higher permit fee

Rwanda gorilla trekking packages

Permit fees are per person and set by the park authorities. We confirm the current fee when we check your dates. Gorilla permit prices, rules and how we book them

How booking works

Three steps from your first question to the forest. Nothing is booked, and you pay nothing, until you confirm.

Check availability

Tell us your dates
Pick a safari, or just tell us how many days you have, who is travelling and your budget.
We check permits and send one price
A planner in Kampala replies by email or WhatsApp with a day by day plan and what is included.
Confirm and we book
Once you confirm, we book your permits, lodges, transport and guide.

From our recent trips

Real photos of our vehicles, guides and guests on the road, in the parks and on the trail. Not stock photos.

See the full gallery

Gorilla safaris from Entebbe, Kampala and Kigali

Most travellers start in Uganda near the airport or in Rwanda’s capital. We plan your route from either.

From Entebbe or Kampala

The usual starting point for Uganda safaris, close to the international airport. Hotel pick-ups in Kampala.

3 Days Bwindi Gorillas from Entebbe

Enquire from Entebbe

From Kigali

Start in Rwanda for Volcanoes National Park, or cross to Uganda for Bwindi and Mgahinga.

Enquire from Kigali

Short on time?

Gorilla safaris start at two days. Tell us how many days you have and we plan around it.

See the 2-day safari

Send us your dates and we check permits, build a day by day plan and send one clear price. When you confirm, we book your permits, lodges, transport and guide.

Uganda Tourism Board licence UTB/RTT/TO/2024/101047

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What a gorilla trek day looks like

From breakfast in the dark to the hour with the gorillas. Your guide explains the park rules before you set off.

Early morningBreakfast and transferAn early breakfast at your lodge, then the drive to the park headquarters.
BriefingPark headquartersRangers explain the rules and assign you to a gorilla family.
The trekInto the forestTrackers lead the way. Trails can be steep, and the walk can take from one hour to several.
With the gorillasOne hourYou spend one hour with the family, keeping at least 7 metres away.
AfternoonBack to the lodgeWalk out, rest, and continue your safari the next day.

When to come

You can trek gorillas all year. The drier months are easier on the trails, so permits for them go first. The wetter months are greener and muddier.

JanDrier, easier trails
FebDrier, easier trails
MarWetter, greener forest
AprWetter, greener forest
MayWetter, greener forest
JunDrier, easier trails
JulDrier, easier trails
AugDrier, easier trails
SepDrier, easier trails
OctWetter, greener forest
NovWetter, greener forest
DecDrier, easier trails

Drier months: June to September, December to February
Wetter months: March to May, October and November

Gorilla safari questions: prices, permits and booking

What a gorilla safari costs, how permits work, when to book and how to get started. Cannot find your answer? Ask in the form or on WhatsApp. It is free to ask.

How much does a gorilla trekking safari cost?

The permit alone is $800 per person in Uganda and $1,500 in Rwanda. A full safari adds lodging, transport and a guide, so the total depends on how many days you take and how comfortable you want to be. Each safari shows its length and, where saved, a from-price per person, and your quote lists exactly what is included.

How much does a gorilla permit cost?

A Uganda gorilla permit costs $800 per person and a Rwanda permit costs $1,500 for foreign non-residents. The park authorities set these fees and they can change, so we confirm the current fee when we check your dates.

How do I book a gorilla safari with Gorilla Riddles?

Choose a safari, or send us your dates and how many of you are travelling. A planner in Kampala checks permits and replies by email or WhatsApp with a day by day plan and one clear price. When you confirm, we book your permits, lodges, transport and guide. Enquiries are free.

Should I trek gorillas in Uganda or Rwanda?

They are the same mountain gorillas. Uganda has the lower permit ($800 against $1,500), more gorilla families and chimpanzees and wildlife parks nearby. Rwanda is the shorter trip from Kigali. We can price both for your dates.

How early should I book?

As early as you can. Permits for the drier months, June to September and December to February, sell out first. Send us your dates and we check what is available.

What does the quote include?

Your quote lists what is included, such as permits, lodging, transport and a guide, and what is not, so you know the full cost before you confirm anything.

Can I combine gorillas with Kenya, Tanzania or Zanzibar?

Yes. We plan gorilla trekking together with the Masai Mara, the Serengeti and the Ngorongoro Crater, a Kilimanjaro hike or a Zanzibar beach holiday. Six or seven days is the shortest combined route we suggest.

How fit do I need to be?

You should be able to walk for several hours on steep forest trails. Porters can carry your bag, and your guide sets the pace for the group.

What is the minimum age for gorilla trekking?

The minimum age is 15.

Can you plan the trip from Entebbe or Kigali?

Yes. Most safaris start and end in Entebbe or Kigali, and we can plan your route from either. If you only have a few days, gorilla safaris start at two days.