Top Gorilla Trekking Destinations to Visit in Uganda 2026

There are 2 top gorilla trekking destinations to visit in Uganda 2026, which are Bwindi and Mgahinga National Parks. Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park are some of the best places where to do gorilla trekking tours. Both of these national parks are situated in the southwestern part of Uganda, in the Albertine Rift region. Besides gorilla trekking, visitors can enjoy birding, golden monkey trekking, hiking and forest walks etc.

Why Bwindi and Mgahinga are top gorilla trekking destinations to visit in Uganda 2026?

There are numerous reasons why Bwindi and Mgahinga National Parks are top gorilla trekking destinations to visit in Uganda 2026. Firstly, the destinations combined shelter a healthy population of the endangered mountain gorillas. They have a half of the total population of mountain gorillas recorded throughout the world. These are 2 out of 4 destinations sheltering mountain gorillas in the wild. The other 2 are Virunga National Park and Volcanoes National Park.

Combined, Bwindi and Mgahinga have plenty of habituated gorilla families, at least 22, most of which are available for gorilla trekking. Unlike elsewhere, visitors are offered a variety of gorilla groups to track. This widens the opportunities to trek the gorilla families to many visitors at the same time. A lot of gorilla permits are offered for sale daily for visitors compared to any other mountain gorilla trekking destination.

Cost of gorilla trekking in Uganda

The cost of gorilla trekking in the top gorilla trekking destinations to visit in Uganda 2026 differs between visitor categories. According to Uganda Wildlife Authority, the price per person is as follows,

Foreign non-residents – US$ 800

Foreign residents in Uganda – US$ 700

East African citizens – UGX 300,000

It is important to note that all gorilla trekking tours in either park is done by persons aged at least 15. This is key in avoiding unnecessary chaos common among children during exhausting activities such as gorilla trekking tours. Nevertheless, payments should be done in advance because of the intense competition during booking of gorilla trekking permits. Do this at least 3 months before the gorilla trek in either park.

Purchasing of any permit can only be done through a registered tour operator. Safari O’clock has a reputation in organising gorilla treks makes purchasing your gorilla permit hassle-free. With such reliability, you will get enough time to focus on your gorilla trekking plan and other things. We also help in designing your tour package so that you fully enjoy your trip in Uganda. The package will include accommodation, meals, transportation and other trips etc

Best time to go gorilla trekking in 2026?

The dry season remains the ideal time to go to the top gorilla trekking destinations to visit in Uganda 2026. Most dry seasons in either Bwindi or Mgahinga cause perfect conditions in the dense forests suitable for gorilla trekking tours. Conditions include less rainfall compared to the wet season, clear blue skies, less dense vegetation and less muddy gorilla trails. This makes movement and viewing gorillas in the forest much better.

In 2026 we expect the dry season to occur from June to August and also from December to February.  But no one should discourage you from gorilla trekking in either park on any day of the year. This includes the wet seasons of the year, expected from March to May and also from late September to November. Though these cause slippery muddy terrain in the forest, these are perfect conditions for a thrilling trek through the jungle.

Successful encounter with the mountain gorilla family is much more appealing since it is more challenging than during the dry season. This is caused by the heavy rains that lead to dense vegetation cover. Visibility of the gorillas is reduced since they are covered behind many foliage. Moreover, wet seasons are also known for offering peaceful gorilla trekking tours. Finally, the wet season coincides with the low season when visitors are fewer.

How to travel?

The top gorilla trekking destinations to visit in Uganda 2026 are reached by either road or air transportation. Scenic drives to either Bwindi or Mgahinga cover almost 500 kilometers from Kampala. Traveling is much comfortable in a 4-wheel safari Landcruiser. Standard Safaris arranges your transportation to ensure that the 9-10-hour drive is reliable and safe. Besides renting our safari vehicle, we offer capable guides to drive you to either park.

Air transport is offered by AeroLink Uganda from Entebbe International Airport to either Kihihi or Kisoro Airstrips. Flights mostly take around an hour and 15 minutes. From either airstrip, you have to drive to either Bwindi Impenetrable National Park or Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. Arrangements for ground transportation and your flight ticket is coordinated with us to ensure a smooth travel experience.