Gorilla trekking tours

Our gorilla watching tours provide the wildlife adventure of a lifetime. Witness the awe-inspiring mountain gorilla in their natural habitat on one of our small group tours. You'll experience an up-close encounter with these gentle giants in the heart of Uganda and Rwanda.

One of the world's greatest wildlife experiences is the thrill of a close encounter with mountain gorillas in their natural habitat. Spotting these reclusive, majestic animals in the wild is an unforgettable moment that will stay with you forever.

Our gorilla trekking tours see you get you up close and personal with these gentle giants. We operate our trips responsibly, taking care not to disturb the gorilla families and keeping a respectful distance - although it’s not unusual for an inquisitive gorilla to move closer to us!

Find out more about our gorilla trekking tours and gorilla conservation and protection efforts.

Gorilla conservation

Mountain gorillas are one of the world’s most endangered species, with only some 600-700 left in the wild. These magnificent animals live in small troops, each within its own defined boundaries and each with several females and their young being led by a single dominant male – the Silverback. Distinct from their cousins who live in the open plains and lowland forests of West Africa, mountain gorillas are normally found in at an altitude of between 1500m and 3650m.

You can experience mountain gorilla tracking with us either in Uganda, at Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park, or in the Virunga massif of Rwanda’s Parc National des Volcans (Volcanoes National Park).

At both locations gorilla tracking is limited to a daily maximum group size of six people for each habituated gorilla family group. You will be accompanied by expert trackers and park rangers and, although sightings of gorillas can never be 100% guaranteed, the fact that the family groups are tracked daily means that locating the families is easier.

Uganda's Bwindi Impenetrable Forest is a heavily forested area, with rolling hills and deep river gorges. This extensive national park is home to around 400 mountain gorillas, representing roughly half of the world's population.

Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda is also home to mountain gorillas, and on our gorilla trekking tour we pay a visit to a research and education centre dedicated to mountain gorillas - find out more below.

Protect the gorillas

By visiting the mountain gorillas you play a role in helping to protect them, as revenues from the gorilla tracking permits (the cost of which is included in your trip) contribute to their preservation.

In Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda, we visit the Ellen Degeneres Campus. This world-class research and education centre focuses on conservation efforts and further protection of this endangered species, and you can make a donation to support their ongoing work. Their exhibition centre also features displays, cinemas and AI-generated gorilla activities so you can gain a deeper understanding of this endangered species.

Popular Trips

Uganda and Rwanda Gorilla Discovery

Uganda, Rwanda Discovery Trip code UGR

Discounted

NEW

10 Days From NZ$10330 without flights

More info Book now

Love this? Now read:

10 reasons to visit Uganda

Uganda boasts a varied and thriving landscape that is home to an abundance of rare and exotic wildlife. Go in search of elusive chimp in tropical rainforest and observe g

Top 10 unforgettable wildlife encounters

If you're dreaming of animal encounters beyond your own garden, check out some of our top wildlife trips to take once the world opens up.

Best wildlife destinations in the world

Our guide to ten of the best wildlife destinations in the world, from India, home to the Bengal tiger, to Uganda to see the gorilla.

VIEW ALL BLOGS