Gorilla Trekking Uganda

While it’s always wise to stay aware and take normal travel precautions, Uganda is generally safe for travellers and offers incredible experiences well worth the visit.

Uganda has become safer in recent years, with significant improvements in peace and security across the country. The Global Peace Index 2025 says it recorded the largest improvement in peacefulness in the region.

Yes, gorilla trekking is generally safe. Wild mountain gorillas are not dangerous as long as they feel calm and unthreatened. While they are strong and dominant animals, they are also gentle and shy by nature. You will always trek with an experienced guide who will ensure your safety by advising you where to stand and how to behave around these majestic creatures.

To learn more about mountain gorillas and what to expect on the trek, read 20 things to know about mountain gorilla trekking.

The best time to go gorilla trekking is during the dry seasons, which run from June to September and from mid-December to mid-February. These months offer better conditions to trek, with less rain and drier forest trails.

You get very dirty on a gorilla trek. This is because you're hiking through a rainforest, and it's often muddy. We recommend bringing water-resistant hiking boots, long pants, and even gaiters. For more advice and details on what to wear and what to bring along, please read 20 things to know about mountain gorilla trekking or Your complete list of what to pack for gorilla trekking

Gorilla trekking isn’t cheap, mainly because the permits are costly, and for good reason. Most of the fee goes directly towards gorilla conservation. In Uganda’s Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, for example, 75% of your permit fee supports conservation efforts, 15% goes to the government, and 10% benefits local communities whose ancestral land now forms part of the protected park.

Here is a full breakdown: What is the cost of a gorilla trekking permit? Uganda vs Rwanda.

You can see mountain gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. Both parks offer incredible trekking experiences to observe these gentle giants in their natural habitat. Bwindi is the most popular spot, known for its dense forest and large gorilla families.