PKG-001 · Bestseller · Gorilla Trekking
Classic Bwindi
Gorilla Trek
"Stand face-to-face with a silverback mountain gorilla in the ancient forest of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park — one of the most profound wildlife encounters on Earth. This is Uganda's signature experience, and Roam Beyond makes it accessible for every traveller."
3 Days / 2 Nights
✓ Gorilla Permit Included
✓ All Meals Included
✓ Private 4×4
✓ Expert Guide
99%+ Encounter Rate
PKG-001 · Most Popular
Classic Gorilla Trek — Bwindi
From
$1,400
or $117/mo × 12 months
Duration3 Days / 2 Nights
Group Size2–8 travellers
Permit$800 · Included
DepartureDaily departures
DifficultyModerate
Book This Trek →
Request Custom Quote
💬 WhatsApp Us
No deposit required to enquire.
Payment plans available — no interest.
Payment plans available — no interest.
3
Days / 2 Nights
$800
Permit included
1 hr
With gorilla family
8 max
Visitors per gorilla family
Day-by-Day Itinerary
Day 1
Kampala / Entebbe → Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Your journey begins with an early pickup from your Kampala or Entebbe hotel. Your private 4×4 safari vehicle heads southwest through the scenic Uganda countryside — passing through Fort Portal's rolling tea estates, the dramatic Rift Valley escarpment, and the Kigezi highlands.
Arrive Bwindi in the late afternoon. Check in to your lodge, meet your guide for a briefing on tomorrow's gorilla trek, and enjoy a welcome dinner overlooking the ancient forest canopy.
Distance: Kampala to Bwindi approx. 8–9 hours (495 km).
Overnight: Buhoma or Rushaga sector lodge (budget / mid-range / luxury options).
Arrive Bwindi in the late afternoon. Check in to your lodge, meet your guide for a briefing on tomorrow's gorilla trek, and enjoy a welcome dinner overlooking the ancient forest canopy.
Distance: Kampala to Bwindi approx. 8–9 hours (495 km).
Overnight: Buhoma or Rushaga sector lodge (budget / mid-range / luxury options).
Scenic DriveRift Valley ViewsArrival Briefing
Day 2
The Gorilla Trek — 1 Hour with the Mountain Gorillas
Wake early for breakfast before heading to Bwindi park headquarters at 7:30am. After a briefing by Uganda Wildlife Authority rangers, your group (max 8 people per family) sets off into the forest with armed rangers, a tracker team, and your Roam Beyond guide.
The trek through Bwindi's ancient montane forest takes anywhere from 1 to 7 hours depending on where the gorilla family has moved overnight. When you find them — and you will (99%+ success rate) — you spend a full, unhurried 60 minutes with the family at close range. Watch the silverback lead, the juveniles play, the females nurse their infants. This hour will stay with you for the rest of your life.
Return to the lodge for lunch. Afternoon: join a Batwa forest walk with guides from the indigenous Batwa community — Africa's original forest people — learning about their forest skills, medicinal plants, and traditions.
Permits: Uganda Wildlife Authority gorilla trekking permit ($800) — included.
Overnight: Bwindi lodge.
The trek through Bwindi's ancient montane forest takes anywhere from 1 to 7 hours depending on where the gorilla family has moved overnight. When you find them — and you will (99%+ success rate) — you spend a full, unhurried 60 minutes with the family at close range. Watch the silverback lead, the juveniles play, the females nurse their infants. This hour will stay with you for the rest of your life.
Return to the lodge for lunch. Afternoon: join a Batwa forest walk with guides from the indigenous Batwa community — Africa's original forest people — learning about their forest skills, medicinal plants, and traditions.
Permits: Uganda Wildlife Authority gorilla trekking permit ($800) — included.
Overnight: Bwindi lodge.
Gorilla Trek1 Hour ContactBatwa WalkForest Immersion
Day 3
Bwindi Forest Morning Walk → Return to Entebbe / Kampala
After breakfast, enjoy a guided morning walk in Bwindi's buffer zone — tracking birds (including the stunning African green broadbill), looking for red-tailed monkeys, and soaking in the extraordinary atmosphere of one of Africa's oldest forests.
Depart mid-morning for the return drive to Kampala or Entebbe. Your guide will stop at scenic viewpoints, a local market, and the equator crossing (optional photo stop). Arrive Kampala / Entebbe by evening.
Flight connection tip: If flying out, book a flight departing no earlier than 8pm on Day 3 — or extend with a night in Entebbe.
Depart mid-morning for the return drive to Kampala or Entebbe. Your guide will stop at scenic viewpoints, a local market, and the equator crossing (optional photo stop). Arrive Kampala / Entebbe by evening.
Flight connection tip: If flying out, book a flight departing no earlier than 8pm on Day 3 — or extend with a night in Entebbe.
Forest WalkBird WatchingScenic Return
What's Included & Excluded
✓ Included in Package Price
- Uganda Wildlife Authority gorilla trekking permit ($800 pp)
- Accommodation for 2 nights (choice of budget / mid / luxury)
- All meals from Day 1 dinner to Day 3 lunch
- Private 4×4 safari vehicle + driver-guide
- All national park entry fees
- Batwa community forest walk (Day 2 afternoon)
- Mineral water throughout the tour
- 24/7 WhatsApp support from Roam Beyond team
- All government taxes and levies
✗ Not Included
- International flights to/from Uganda
- Uganda tourist visa ($50 pp — apply online)
- Travel insurance (required — ask us for options)
- Tips for guides, porters & lodge staff
- Personal spending money & souvenirs
- Alcoholic beverages
- Optional porter hire during gorilla trek (~$15)
- COVID-19 / health tests if required
Choose Your Bwindi Trekking Sector
Buhoma Sector — Northern Gate
The original and most-visited sector. Mubare and Habinyanja families are well-habituated and often found at lower elevation. Excellent infrastructure, strong lodge options. Best for first-time trekkers.
Moderate difficulty
Rushaga Sector — Southern Bwindi
Home to the most habituated gorilla families in Bwindi — 6 families including the Nshongi group (one of the largest in the world). Perfect for those wanting choice and variety. Also home to the Gorilla Habituation Experience (CHEX — 4 hours vs 1).
Moderate difficulty
Ruhija Sector — Higher Altitude
The highest and most physically demanding sector. Rewards serious trekkers with incredible forest scenery and a more remote experience. Gorilla sightings are excellent; fewer visitors than Buhoma.
Challenging — steep terrain
Nkuringo Sector — Congo Border Views
Remote, dramatic and deeply atmospheric. The Nkuringo family wanders across dramatic ridgelines with views to the DRC Virunga volcanoes. Best for adventurers seeking solitude and scenery.
Challenging — ridge approach
Lodge Accommodation Options
Budget
$1,400 / person
Simple guesthouses and bandas near the park. Clean, comfortable, great local food. Shared bathrooms available.
Mid-Range
$1,900 / person
Bwindi View Lodge, Gorilla Valley Lodge, Nkuringo Eco-Camp. Ensuite rooms, forest views, excellent meals.
Luxury
From $3,400 / person
Bwindi Lodge, Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge, Gorilla Forest Camp. Private cottages, fine dining, spa.
Frequently Asked Questions
How difficult is gorilla trekking in Bwindi?
Gorilla trekking requires moderate fitness. The trek can last between 1 and 7 hours depending on where the gorilla family is located on the day. Trails range from relatively flat (Buhoma) to very steep (Nkuringo). We recommend good hiking boots, long trousers, and garden gloves. A porter can be hired at the park gate (~$15) and is highly recommended — they carry your bag and assist on steep sections.
Is the $800 gorilla permit definitely included?
Yes, absolutely. The Uganda Wildlife Authority gorilla trekking permit ($800 per person for foreign non-residents) is included in all Roam Beyond gorilla package prices. We secure your permit as part of the booking confirmation — you don't need to chase it separately.
What is the best time of year to trek gorillas in Bwindi?
Gorilla trekking is excellent year-round in Uganda — you'll see the gorillas in any season (99%+ success rate). The dry seasons (June–September and December–February) offer more comfortable trekking with drier, firmer trails. The green season (March–May and October–November) offers lush scenery, fewer visitors, and occasionally lower lodge rates — with no reduction in gorilla encounter quality.
Can I do this tour if I'm not very fit?
Yes. The Buhoma and Rushaga sectors both have gorilla families that are sometimes found at relatively low elevation and within a reasonable walking distance of the trailhead. We always advise clients on the most suitable sector and family for their fitness level. A porter is available at the park gate and makes a huge difference. We have had clients in their 70s complete the trek successfully.
How does the payment plan work?
Choose your package, select a 3, 6, or 12 month payment plan, and make monthly payments. The Classic Gorilla Trek at $1,400 costs just $117/month over 12 months. No interest, no credit check, no hidden fees. Your gorilla permit is secured once your full balance is paid, and we confirm your trek date at that point.
What to Bring
- Sturdy hiking boots (ankle support)
- Long-sleeved shirt & long trousers
- Garden gloves (for undergrowth)
- Waterproof jacket / poncho
- Insect repellent
- Camera (no flash permitted)
- Snacks & water (2L minimum)
Gorilla Trek Rules
- Minimum age: 15 years
- Maximum group size: 8 people per family
- Max 1 hour with the gorillas
- Minimum 7m distance at all times
- No flash photography
- No eating/drinking in the gorilla's presence
- Face masks required if unwell
"Gorilla permits are limited to 96 per day across all of Bwindi. Peak season dates sell out months in advance. Start your Roam Beyond payment plan today — we'll secure your permit date as soon as your balance is complete."
Book This Trek →
Request Custom Quote
WhatsApp Us
PKG-001 · Bestseller · Gorilla Trekking
Classic Bwindi
Gorilla Trek
"Stand face-to-face with a silverback mountain gorilla in the ancient forest of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park — one of the most profound wildlife encounters on Earth. This is Uganda's signature experience, and Roam Beyond makes it accessible for every traveller."
3 Days / 2 Nights
✓ Gorilla Permit Included
✓ All Meals Included
✓ Private 4×4
✓ Expert Guide
99%+ Encounter Rate
PKG-001 · Most Popular
Classic Gorilla Trek — Bwindi
From
$1,400
or $117/mo × 12 months
Duration3 Days / 2 Nights
Group Size2–8 travellers
Permit$800 · Included
DepartureDaily departures
DifficultyModerate
Book This Trek →
Request Custom Quote
💬 WhatsApp Us
No deposit required to enquire.
Payment plans available — no interest.
Payment plans available — no interest.
3
Days / 2 Nights
$800
Permit included
1 hr
With gorilla family
8 max
Visitors per gorilla family
Day-by-Day Itinerary
Day 1
Kampala / Entebbe → Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Your journey begins with an early pickup from your Kampala or Entebbe hotel. Your private 4×4 safari vehicle heads southwest through the scenic Uganda countryside — passing through Fort Portal's rolling tea estates, the dramatic Rift Valley escarpment, and the Kigezi highlands.
Arrive Bwindi in the late afternoon. Check in to your lodge, meet your guide for a briefing on tomorrow's gorilla trek, and enjoy a welcome dinner overlooking the ancient forest canopy.
Distance: Kampala to Bwindi approx. 8–9 hours (495 km).
Overnight: Buhoma or Rushaga sector lodge (budget / mid-range / luxury options).
Arrive Bwindi in the late afternoon. Check in to your lodge, meet your guide for a briefing on tomorrow's gorilla trek, and enjoy a welcome dinner overlooking the ancient forest canopy.
Distance: Kampala to Bwindi approx. 8–9 hours (495 km).
Overnight: Buhoma or Rushaga sector lodge (budget / mid-range / luxury options).
Scenic DriveRift Valley ViewsArrival Briefing
Day 2
The Gorilla Trek — 1 Hour with the Mountain Gorillas
Wake early for breakfast before heading to Bwindi park headquarters at 7:30am. After a briefing by Uganda Wildlife Authority rangers, your group (max 8 people per family) sets off into the forest with armed rangers, a tracker team, and your Roam Beyond guide.
The trek through Bwindi's ancient montane forest takes anywhere from 1 to 7 hours depending on where the gorilla family has moved overnight. When you find them — and you will (99%+ success rate) — you spend a full, unhurried 60 minutes with the family at close range. Watch the silverback lead, the juveniles play, the females nurse their infants. This hour will stay with you for the rest of your life.
Return to the lodge for lunch. Afternoon: join a Batwa forest walk with guides from the indigenous Batwa community — Africa's original forest people — learning about their forest skills, medicinal plants, and traditions.
Permits: Uganda Wildlife Authority gorilla trekking permit ($800) — included.
Overnight: Bwindi lodge.
The trek through Bwindi's ancient montane forest takes anywhere from 1 to 7 hours depending on where the gorilla family has moved overnight. When you find them — and you will (99%+ success rate) — you spend a full, unhurried 60 minutes with the family at close range. Watch the silverback lead, the juveniles play, the females nurse their infants. This hour will stay with you for the rest of your life.
Return to the lodge for lunch. Afternoon: join a Batwa forest walk with guides from the indigenous Batwa community — Africa's original forest people — learning about their forest skills, medicinal plants, and traditions.
Permits: Uganda Wildlife Authority gorilla trekking permit ($800) — included.
Overnight: Bwindi lodge.
Gorilla Trek1 Hour ContactBatwa WalkForest Immersion
Day 3
Bwindi Forest Morning Walk → Return to Entebbe / Kampala
After breakfast, enjoy a guided morning walk in Bwindi's buffer zone — tracking birds (including the stunning African green broadbill), looking for red-tailed monkeys, and soaking in the extraordinary atmosphere of one of Africa's oldest forests.
Depart mid-morning for the return drive to Kampala or Entebbe. Your guide will stop at scenic viewpoints, a local market, and the equator crossing (optional photo stop). Arrive Kampala / Entebbe by evening.
Flight connection tip: If flying out, book a flight departing no earlier than 8pm on Day 3 — or extend with a night in Entebbe.
Depart mid-morning for the return drive to Kampala or Entebbe. Your guide will stop at scenic viewpoints, a local market, and the equator crossing (optional photo stop). Arrive Kampala / Entebbe by evening.
Flight connection tip: If flying out, book a flight departing no earlier than 8pm on Day 3 — or extend with a night in Entebbe.
Forest WalkBird WatchingScenic Return
What's Included & Excluded
✓ Included in Package Price
- Uganda Wildlife Authority gorilla trekking permit ($800 pp)
- Accommodation for 2 nights (choice of budget / mid / luxury)
- All meals from Day 1 dinner to Day 3 lunch
- Private 4×4 safari vehicle + driver-guide
- All national park entry fees
- Batwa community forest walk (Day 2 afternoon)
- Mineral water throughout the tour
- 24/7 WhatsApp support from Roam Beyond team
- All government taxes and levies
✗ Not Included
- International flights to/from Uganda
- Uganda tourist visa ($50 pp — apply online)
- Travel insurance (required — ask us for options)
- Tips for guides, porters & lodge staff
- Personal spending money & souvenirs
- Alcoholic beverages
- Optional porter hire during gorilla trek (~$15)
- COVID-19 / health tests if required
Choose Your Bwindi Trekking Sector
Buhoma Sector — Northern Gate
The original and most-visited sector. Mubare and Habinyanja families are well-habituated and often found at lower elevation. Excellent infrastructure, strong lodge options. Best for first-time trekkers.
Moderate difficulty
Rushaga Sector — Southern Bwindi
Home to the most habituated gorilla families in Bwindi — 6 families including the Nshongi group (one of the largest in the world). Perfect for those wanting choice and variety. Also home to the Gorilla Habituation Experience (CHEX — 4 hours vs 1).
Moderate difficulty
Ruhija Sector — Higher Altitude
The highest and most physically demanding sector. Rewards serious trekkers with incredible forest scenery and a more remote experience. Gorilla sightings are excellent; fewer visitors than Buhoma.
Challenging — steep terrain
Nkuringo Sector — Congo Border Views
Remote, dramatic and deeply atmospheric. The Nkuringo family wanders across dramatic ridgelines with views to the DRC Virunga volcanoes. Best for adventurers seeking solitude and scenery.
Challenging — ridge approach
Lodge Accommodation Options
Budget
$1,400 / person
Simple guesthouses and bandas near the park. Clean, comfortable, great local food. Shared bathrooms available.
Mid-Range
$1,900 / person
Bwindi View Lodge, Gorilla Valley Lodge, Nkuringo Eco-Camp. Ensuite rooms, forest views, excellent meals.
Luxury
From $3,400 / person
Bwindi Lodge, Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge, Gorilla Forest Camp. Private cottages, fine dining, spa.
Frequently Asked Questions
How difficult is gorilla trekking in Bwindi?
Gorilla trekking requires moderate fitness. The trek can last between 1 and 7 hours depending on where the gorilla family is located on the day. Trails range from relatively flat (Buhoma) to very steep (Nkuringo). We recommend good hiking boots, long trousers, and garden gloves. A porter can be hired at the park gate (~$15) and is highly recommended — they carry your bag and assist on steep sections.
Is the $800 gorilla permit definitely included?
Yes, absolutely. The Uganda Wildlife Authority gorilla trekking permit ($800 per person for foreign non-residents) is included in all Roam Beyond gorilla package prices. We secure your permit as part of the booking confirmation — you don't need to chase it separately.
What is the best time of year to trek gorillas in Bwindi?
Gorilla trekking is excellent year-round in Uganda — you'll see the gorillas in any season (99%+ success rate). The dry seasons (June–September and December–February) offer more comfortable trekking with drier, firmer trails. The green season (March–May and October–November) offers lush scenery, fewer visitors, and occasionally lower lodge rates — with no reduction in gorilla encounter quality.
Can I do this tour if I'm not very fit?
Yes. The Buhoma and Rushaga sectors both have gorilla families that are sometimes found at relatively low elevation and within a reasonable walking distance of the trailhead. We always advise clients on the most suitable sector and family for their fitness level. A porter is available at the park gate and makes a huge difference. We have had clients in their 70s complete the trek successfully.
How does the payment plan work?
Choose your package, select a 3, 6, or 12 month payment plan, and make monthly payments. The Classic Gorilla Trek at $1,400 costs just $117/month over 12 months. No interest, no credit check, no hidden fees. Your gorilla permit is secured once your full balance is paid, and we confirm your trek date at that point.
What to Bring
- Sturdy hiking boots (ankle support)
- Long-sleeved shirt & long trousers
- Garden gloves (for undergrowth)
- Waterproof jacket / poncho
- Insect repellent
- Camera (no flash permitted)
- Snacks & water (2L minimum)
Gorilla Trek Rules
- Minimum age: 15 years
- Maximum group size: 8 people per family
- Max 1 hour with the gorillas
- Minimum 7m distance at all times
- No flash photography
- No eating/drinking in the gorilla's presence
- Face masks required if unwell
"Gorilla permits are limited to 96 per day across all of Bwindi. Peak season dates sell out months in advance. Start your Roam Beyond payment plan today — we'll secure your permit date as soon as your balance is complete."
Book This Trek →
Request Custom Quote
WhatsApp Us