Deep in the misty forests of Uganda, where ancient trees reach towards a canopy alive with birdsong, lives one of humanity’s closest relatives — the mountain gorilla. Fewer than 1,100 of these magnificent creatures remain on Earth, and Uganda is home to nearly half of them. Coming face to face with a gorilla family in the wild is not merely a safari highlight; it is among the most profound wildlife encounters available anywhere on the planet
At Cycads Safaris, we have spent years crafting gorilla trekking experiences that go beyond the ordinary — combining expert local knowledge, responsible tourism values, and a genuine passion for Uganda’s wilderness to ensure your encounter with the mountain gorillas is unforgettable.
Uganda offers two outstanding destinations for gorilla trekking, each with its own distinct character.
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the crown jewel of Uganda’s conservation story. Covering 321 square kilometres of ancient montane forest in southwestern Uganda, Bwindi shelters roughly 500 mountain gorillas spread across more than 20 habituated families. The forest is breathtakingly beautiful but lives up to its name — trails can be steep, dense, and demanding, making the reward of finding a gorilla family all the more exhilarating. Sitting within the Albertine Rift, one of Africa’s most biodiverse regions, every trek is a wildlife spectacle rich in rare birds, primates, and butterflies.
Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, Uganda’s smallest national park, sits in the dramatic Virunga Volcanic Mountains where Uganda, Rwanda, and the DRC converge. The park hosts the Nyakagezi gorilla family — one of the most stable and reliably located families in the region — alongside three towering volcanoes. Trekking here combines gorilla encounters with spectacular alpine scenery, and the rare golden monkey makes Mgahinga a superb multi-activity destination.
Every gorilla trek with Cycads Safaris begins with a morning briefing at park headquarters, typically at 8:00 AM. Your Cycads guide and Uganda Wildlife Authority rangers will brief you on safety protocols, trekking rules, and fascinating background on the specific gorilla family you will visit. Groups are strictly limited to eight people per family per day — a measure that protects the gorillas and preserves the intimacy of the experience.
The trek itself varies enormously. Some families are located within an hour’s walk; others may require four to six hours through dense forest. Once the gorillas are found, you are granted one precious hour in their presence — 60 minutes that will stay with you for the rest of your life. You may watch a silverback beat his chest with thunderous authority, observe playful juveniles tumbling through the undergrowth, or witness a mother tenderly nursing her infant, all within a few metres of where you stand.
A gorilla trekking permit is your gateway to this experience, and demand consistently outstrips supply. Issued by the Uganda Wildlife Authority, each permit costs USD 800 per person, with revenue channelled directly into conservation and community programmes. Given the limited daily numbers, Cycads Safaris strongly recommends booking six to twelve months in advance, especially for peak season travel (June–August and December–February).
Our team handles the entire permit process on your behalf, and we can also arrange combination packages pairing gorilla trekking with chimpanzee tracking, game drives in Queen Elizabeth National Park, or a Nile cruise at Murchison Falls.
Gorilla trekking is possible year-round in Uganda. The dry seasons — June to August and December to February — are widely considered ideal, with drier trails and better visibility for photography. The rainy seasons (March–May and September–November) bring lusher forest, fewer crowds, and easier permit availability. With the right gear and our experienced guides, trekking in the rains can be a wonderfully atmospheric adventure.
Mountain gorillas are the only great ape whose population is actually growing — a conservation triumph made possible in large part by gorilla trekking revenue. At Cycads Safaris, responsible tourism is not a marketing phrase. We adhere strictly to all Uganda Wildlife Authority guidelines, including maintaining a minimum seven-metre distance from the gorillas and prohibiting trekking when visitors are unwell, to protect the gorillas from human-transmitted illness.
We are proud partners with community tourism initiatives around Bwindi, ensuring that local communities — including the indigenous Batwa people — benefit directly from every safari we operate. When you trek with Cycads Safaris, you become an active participant in one of Africa’s greatest conservation success stories.
Uganda is our home. We are a proudly Ugandan safari company, and the gorillas of Bwindi and Mgahinga are part of our national heritage and personal passion. When you travel with us, you benefit from experienced local guides with intimate knowledge of every gorilla family, seamless logistics from Entebbe to the forest, flexible itineraries built around your needs, and a genuine commitment to small group sizes that protect both the quality of your experience and the wellbeing of the gorillas.
Standing in the forest of Bwindi, watching a silverback meet your gaze with calm, ancient eyes, you will understand why this is called a once-in-a-lifetime experience. It transcends an ordinary wildlife sighting — it is a moment of genuine connection across the boundary between species.
Cycads Safaris is ready to make that moment happen for you. Contact us today to start planning your gorilla trekking adventure in Uganda. email to info@cycadssafaris.com or call/whatsapp via