Gorilla trekking is the most expensive hour in African travel and the one nobody regrets. Here is what it costs with us, and what the permit alone costs before anything else.
Uganda gorilla trekking packages and cost
| Trip | Days | From |
|---|---|---|
| Uganda Gorilla Trek, 4 Days | 4 | USD 1,650 |
| Uganda Gorilla and Chimpanzee Habituation | 6 | USD 3,200 |
| Kenya Safari and Uganda Gorilla Trek | 10 | USD 3,600 |
The permit is most of the price
A Uganda gorilla permit costs USD 800 per person for foreign non residents at the time of writing, set by the Uganda Wildlife Authority. Chimpanzee habituation is separate again. That single line is why a four day gorilla trip cannot cost what a four day Mara safari costs.
Permits are limited and dated. Eight people per gorilla family per day, no exceptions. In high season they sell out months ahead, so the permit is booked first and the rest of the trip is built around the date you get.
What the trek is actually like
You start early at the park briefing. The walk can be one hour or it can be six, through steep wet forest, and nobody can tell you in advance which. Porters are available and hiring one is money well spent, both for your knees and for the local economy.
When you find the family you get one hour with them. Seven metres distance, no flash, and you will forget every rule for the first minute because a silverback at close range rearranges your sense of scale.
What to bring
- Proper walking boots, already broken in.
- Long sleeves and long trousers. The nettles are real.
- Gardening gloves for grabbing vegetation.
- A waterproof jacket. It is rainforest.
- A walking stick, usually provided at the park.
Common questions
How fit do I need to be? Reasonably. If you can walk uphill for two hours you will manage. Tell us honestly and the rangers will assign you a closer family.
Is there a minimum age? Fifteen years for gorilla trekking in Uganda.
Can I combine it with a Kenya safari? Yes, and our ten day trip does exactly that.
What if we do not find them? It almost never happens. Trackers are with the families from dawn.
Book gorilla trekking
Permits go first, so message us on WhatsApp with your dates and we will check availability today. Or browse all our trips.
