Having spent time with many who have been gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park all have described it as "the experience of a lifetime", though as harsh on their pockets as the trek through the forest in the search for the gorillas was on their legs! Home to 340 mountain gorillas (half the world's population of this endangered species), the park itself is some 128 sq miles of jungle forests situated on the Albertine Rift along the border with the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Although accessible all year round (so not exactly "impenetrable"!) tourists are recommended to avoid the
rainy seasons as conditions there can become very difficult. As such, we recommend gorilla trekking in of June, July, August, September and December because there is much less rain making it easier to trek and see the gorillas. In Bwindi the average temperature throughout the year is 11°C/52°F in the morning and 23°C/73°F in the afternoon so dress accordingly! There are many different organisations that run gorilla trekking tours in Uganda but best check out the Bwindi Forest National Park website using the button above to explore your options.
Expect to pay around $800 for the gorilla trekking permit itself and forest entry fees of $40 as well as guide fees, making a total of around $1200 per person so it's not exactly cheap and that's just for a one day trip. Obviously if you opt for a two or three day tour the fees, including accommodation, rise as a result however seeing some of the last remaining 1000 mountain gorillas in the world is an unforgettable experience. Gorilla trekking isn't something you can just turn up on the day and do. We strongly recommend you book with your tour guide at least three months in advance to avoid disappointment. If going with a family, the minimum age is 15yrs old and the authorities enforce this strictly.
