Uganda Gorilla Tours – Bwindi & Mgahinga Safari Packages
Explore carefully planned Uganda Gorilla Tours with Calm Africa Safaris, combining unforgettable mountain gorilla encounters in Bwindi and Mgahinga with private transport, comfortable lodge stays and tailor-made safari arrangements designed around your travel dates and preferred level of comfort.
Uganda Gorilla Tours offer one of Africa’s most unforgettable wildlife experiences, taking travelers deep into the misty forests of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park in search of mountain gorillas. Calm Africa Safaris designs these journeys around your preferred travel dates, trip length and level of comfort, with private transport, carefully selected accommodation and well-planned safari logistics from start to finish.
Our Uganda Gorilla Tours can be arranged as short trekking escapes or combined with wildlife safaris, chimpanzee tracking, golden monkey trekking, Lake Bunyonyi, cultural experiences and other highlights across Uganda. Whether you are looking for an affordable journey, a comfortable midrange safari or a refined luxury experience, each itinerary can be adjusted to match the way you want to travel.
From planning the route to coordinating permits and transfers, Calm Africa Safaris helps make your gorilla safari simple, personal and rewarding. The focus is not only on reaching the gorillas, but on creating a complete journey that gives you time to enjoy Uganda’s landscapes, forests, communities and remarkable wildlife along the way.
Choose the Gorilla Safari Experience That Suits You
Explore different ways to experience Uganda’s mountain gorillas, from short trekking escapes and wildlife combinations to affordable, luxury and cross-border journeys.
2–4 Day Trips
Short Gorilla Tours
Ideal for travelers with limited time, these compact journeys focus on one unforgettable gorilla trekking experience with carefully planned transfers and lodge stays.
Explore Short Gorilla Tours
Gorillas + Wildlife
Gorilla & Wildlife Tours
Combine mountain gorilla trekking with classic game drives, scenic landscapes and wildlife encounters in Uganda’s savannah national parks.
Explore Gorilla & Wildlife Tours
Two Great Apes
Gorilla & Chimpanzee Tours
Pair gorilla trekking in Bwindi or Mgahinga with chimpanzee tracking in Kibale for a rewarding primate-focused Uganda safari.
Explore Primate Tours
Great Value
Affordable Gorilla Tours
Value-focused gorilla safaris with practical lodge choices, private transport and carefully planned routes that keep the experience strong while controlling unnecessary costs.
Explore Affordable Gorilla Tours
Refined Travel
Luxury Gorilla Tours
Private gorilla journeys with premium lodge stays, carefully paced travel and refined service for travelers who value comfort, privacy and detail.
Explore Luxury Gorilla Tours
Multi-Country
Uganda & Rwanda Gorilla Tours
Cross-border journeys that combine Uganda’s gorilla regions with selected Rwanda highlights for travelers wanting a broader East African primate experience.
Explore Uganda & Rwanda ToursUganda Gorilla Tours for Different Trip Lengths
Choose from short gorilla trekking escapes, primate combinations, wildlife extensions and longer private safari journeys. Each itinerary can be adjusted around your travel dates, preferred accommodation level and the experiences you want to include.
2 Days
2 Days Uganda Gorilla Trekking from Kigali
A fast and efficient gorilla safari for travelers starting in Rwanda, combining the scenic transfer into Uganda with one memorable mountain gorilla trekking experience.
3 Days
3 Days Uganda Gorilla Trekking Safari
A classic short Uganda gorilla tour with scenic road transfers, comfortable lodge accommodation and one unforgettable trek into Bwindi’s mountain gorilla habitat.
3 Days
3 Days Bwindi Gorilla Trekking from Kigali
Start in Kigali and cross into southwestern Uganda for a relaxed three-day journey featuring Bwindi gorilla trekking and comfortable private safari transfers.
4 Days
4 Days Gorilla & Lake Bunyonyi Safari
Combine mountain gorilla trekking with a slower scenic stay around Lake Bunyonyi, creating a balanced short safari with both adventure and time to relax.
4 Days
4 Days Gorilla & Golden Monkey Safari
Explore Mgahinga with two rewarding primate experiences, combining mountain gorilla trekking with golden monkey tracking in the scenic Virunga landscape.
5 Days
5 Days Gorilla & Wildlife Safari
Combine a mountain gorilla trek with game viewing in Queen Elizabeth National Park for an efficient safari featuring both primates and classic African wildlife.
5 Days
5 Days Double Gorilla Trekking Safari
Designed for travelers who want more time with Uganda’s mountain gorillas, this journey allows for two separate trekking experiences across a carefully planned stay.
6 Days
6 Days Gorilla & Chimpanzee Safari
Experience two of Uganda’s most remarkable great apes on one journey, combining chimpanzee tracking in Kibale with gorilla trekking in the forests of southwestern Uganda.
7 Days
7 Days Gorilla, Chimpanzee & Wildlife Safari
A compact Uganda highlights circuit combining chimpanzees, savannah wildlife and mountain gorillas in one well-paced private safari through western Uganda.
8 Days
8 Days Luxury Uganda Gorilla Safari
A refined private journey combining mountain gorilla trekking with premium lodge stays, carefully paced transfers and personalized safari arrangements across western Uganda.
Uganda Gorilla Trekking Permits
A valid gorilla trekking permit is required for every traveler joining a mountain gorilla trek in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park or Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. Permit availability is limited by date, so securing the permit should be one of the first steps when planning your Uganda gorilla tour.
Uganda Gorilla Tracking Permit Prices
| Traveler Category | Permit Price | Basis |
|---|---|---|
| Foreign Non-Resident | US$800 | Per person / trek |
| Foreign Resident | US$700 | Per person / trek |
| Rest of Africa | US$500 | Per person / trek |
| East African Citizen | UGX 300,000 | Per person / trek |
Discounted Gorilla Permits in April, May & November
Special low-season rates apply during April, May and November for selected traveler categories.
| Traveler Category | Low-Season Price | Travel Months |
|---|---|---|
| Foreign Non-Resident | US$600 | April, May & November |
| Foreign Resident | US$500 | April, May & November |
Low-season permits cannot be rescheduled, so travel dates should be confirmed carefully before payment.
What the Permit Includes
The permit includes the official guide fee, park entrance for the trekking day and the applicable community development contribution. During a standard trek, visitors may spend up to one hour observing the habituated gorilla group once it is found.
Why Booking Early Matters
Permits are issued for specific trekking dates and can become limited during popular travel periods. It is wise to confirm the permit before finalizing the rest of the safari route and accommodation.
Permit Booking With Calm Africa Safaris
We can check availability, coordinate the correct trekking date and integrate the permit into your wider gorilla safari, including lodge bookings, transfers and route planning.
Secure Your Gorilla Permit Before Building the Safari Around It
Send us your preferred travel dates, number of travelers and whether you plan to start from Kigali or Entebbe. We can first check suitable trekking dates and then design the most practical safari route around the confirmed permit.
Important: Gorilla permits are secured upon full payment at the time of booking, so early confirmation is important once suitable trekking dates are available.
Permit rates shown reflect Uganda Wildlife Authority tariff information available in August 2026. Final rates and permit availability are confirmed at the time of booking.
Where Our Uganda Gorilla Tours Take You
Uganda’s mountain gorillas are found in two remarkable protected areas in the southwest of the country. Our gorilla tours can be designed around Bwindi, Mgahinga or a wider safari route that combines these forests with other highlights across Uganda.
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Uganda’s Iconic Gorilla Safari Destination
Bwindi is at the heart of many Uganda gorilla tours and offers a wide range of safari possibilities for travelers looking to combine mountain gorilla trekking with comfortable lodge stays, scenic forest surroundings and other experiences in southwestern Uganda.
Calm Africa Safaris can build Bwindi into short gorilla trips or longer journeys that continue to Queen Elizabeth National Park, Lake Bunyonyi, Kibale or other destinations depending on your preferred route and travel style.
Explore Bwindi Gorilla Tours
Mgahinga Gorilla National Park
Mgahinga Gorilla National Park
Gorillas Beneath the Virunga Volcanoes
Mgahinga offers another rewarding setting for Uganda gorilla tours, with dramatic Virunga scenery and a quieter mountain atmosphere. It works especially well for travelers who want to combine gorilla trekking with golden monkey tracking or other experiences in the far southwest.
The park is also well positioned for itineraries connecting Uganda with Kigali and Rwanda, making it a practical choice for shorter cross-border gorilla safaris or broader multi-country journeys.
Explore Mgahinga Gorilla ToursStart Your Uganda Gorilla Tour From Kigali or Entebbe
Your arrival airport can shape the entire safari route. Calm Africa Safaris can plan your gorilla journey from Kigali for a shorter connection into southwestern Uganda, or from Entebbe for a broader Uganda safari combining gorillas with wildlife and other experiences.
Kigali Start
Uganda Gorilla Tours From Kigali
Fast Access to Southwestern Uganda
Starting your Uganda gorilla tour in Kigali can be an excellent option for shorter itineraries. After arrival in Rwanda, you travel south toward the Uganda border and continue to Bwindi or Mgahinga for your mountain gorilla experience.
This route is especially suitable for travelers planning compact 2–4 day gorilla safaris or those who want to focus primarily on gorilla trekking without adding a long overland circuit through central Uganda.
View Gorilla Tours From Kigali
Entebbe Start
Uganda Gorilla Tours From Entebbe
Explore More of Uganda Along the Way
Starting from Entebbe gives you more flexibility to build a longer Uganda safari around your gorilla trek. The journey can include wildlife areas, primate destinations and scenic stops before reaching Bwindi or Mgahinga.
This option works particularly well for travelers combining gorilla trekking with Kibale, Queen Elizabeth National Park, Lake Mburo or other highlights across western and southwestern Uganda.
View Gorilla Tours From EntebbeWe’ll Recommend the Best Gorilla Safari Route for Your Trip
Tell us your arrival airport, travel dates and preferred safari length, and we can suggest the most practical route between Kigali, Entebbe, Bwindi, Mgahinga and any other experiences you want to add.
Make Your Gorilla Safari More Than Just a Trek
Uganda Gorilla Tours can easily become part of a wider safari journey, allowing you to combine mountain gorilla trekking with other remarkable wildlife, primate and scenic experiences. Depending on your available time and interests, Calm Africa Safaris can extend your itinerary beyond Bwindi or Mgahinga to include chimpanzees, savannah wildlife, boat safaris, golden monkeys, peaceful lakes and even neighboring Rwanda.
Chimpanzee Tracking in Kibale
Chimpanzee tracking in Kibale National Park is one of the best additions to an Uganda gorilla tour, especially for travelers interested in primates. Combining chimpanzees with mountain gorillas creates a rewarding great-ape journey through two very different forest environments. Kibale can be included before or after the gorilla trek depending on whether your safari starts from Entebbe, Kigali or another point in Uganda.
Queen Elizabeth Wildlife Safari
Queen Elizabeth National Park provides a natural wildlife extension to many Uganda gorilla tours because it can be conveniently included between Bwindi and other western Uganda destinations. Travelers can add game drives in search of elephants, buffaloes, antelopes, lions and other wildlife, together with a boat safari along the Kazinga Channel. This combination gives the journey a strong balance between intimate forest encounters and classic African savannah experiences.
Golden Monkey Tracking in Mgahinga
Golden monkey tracking is an excellent addition for travelers whose Uganda gorilla tour includes Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. These energetic primates live within the bamboo forests of the Virunga landscape, offering an experience that feels very different from gorilla trekking. Adding golden monkeys can turn a short Mgahinga visit into a more complete primate safari while allowing travelers additional time to enjoy the dramatic volcanic scenery surrounding the park.
Lake Bunyonyi Relaxation
Lake Bunyonyi is a peaceful addition after the physical adventure of gorilla trekking, particularly for travelers visiting Bwindi. Its green terraced hills, islands and calm waters create a relaxed setting where you can slow down before continuing the safari or beginning the journey back toward Entebbe or Kigali. Calm Africa Safaris can include a lakeside stay for travelers who want their gorilla tour to combine adventure with a quieter and more scenic experience.
Lake Mburo Wildlife Safari
Lake Mburo National Park works especially well on longer Uganda gorilla tours starting or ending in Entebbe. The park can provide a final wildlife experience before returning toward central Uganda, adding another landscape and variety of wildlife to the journey. It is particularly suitable for travelers who want to break up the road journey while adding more safari time instead of traveling directly between the gorilla region and Entebbe.
Rwanda Safari Extension
An Uganda gorilla tour can also be extended into Rwanda, particularly when the itinerary begins or ends in Kigali. Travelers can add time in Kigali, explore Rwanda’s scenic countryside or combine Uganda with additional experiences around Volcanoes National Park and other parts of the country. This option works particularly well for travelers who want to experience two East African countries within one carefully planned journey while keeping gorilla trekking in Uganda as the central safari highlight.
Why Travel With Calm Africa Safaris for Your Gorilla Tour
Planning a gorilla safari involves more than simply choosing a trekking date. Calm Africa Safaris coordinates the permit, route, accommodation, transport and timing so each part of your Uganda gorilla tour works smoothly together. Every journey can be shaped around your travel dates, preferred comfort level and the experiences you want to include.
Gorilla Permit Coordination
We help check permit availability, coordinate suitable trekking dates and build the safari itinerary around the confirmed gorilla experience.
Local Uganda Safari Knowledge
Our routes are planned around practical driving times, park locations and realistic connections between Bwindi, Mgahinga and other destinations.
Private Safari Transport
Travel in comfortable private safari vehicles with an experienced driver-guide who supports your journey from arrival through the gorilla region and onward.
Carefully Selected Gorilla Lodges
Accommodation is matched to your preferred level of comfort, location and budget, from practical stays to refined forest lodges near the trekking areas.
Tailor-Made Gorilla Itineraries
Choose a short gorilla escape, a longer wildlife combination, a Kigali start, an Entebbe start or a completely customized route built around your priorities.
Support Before & During the Safari
We assist with permits, transfers, accommodation and itinerary coordination before departure and continue supporting you throughout the safari.
Let Us Build Your Uganda Gorilla Safari Around You
Uganda Gorilla Tours FAQs
Find quick answers to common questions about Uganda gorilla tours, permits, trip length, starting points, accommodation and safari combinations before you begin planning your journey.
How much do Uganda gorilla tours cost?
The cost of an Uganda gorilla tour depends on the number of travel days, starting point, accommodation level, transport, number of travelers and any additional safari experiences. Short gorilla tours generally cost less than longer journeys that combine gorillas with wildlife, chimpanzees or luxury lodge stays. Calm Africa Safaris can prepare a tailor-made quotation based on your preferred itinerary.
How much is a gorilla permit in Uganda?
Standard Uganda gorilla trekking permits currently cost US$800 for foreign non-residents, US$700 for foreign residents, US$500 for travelers in the Rest of Africa category and UGX 300,000 for East African citizens. Selected low-season rates may apply in April, May and November. Final rates and permit availability are confirmed at the time of booking.
Where can I see mountain gorillas in Uganda?
Uganda gorilla tours operate in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park in southwestern Uganda. Calm Africa Safaris can recommend the most practical option depending on your permit date, starting point, trip length and the other destinations included in your safari.
Is Bwindi or Mgahinga better for a gorilla tour?
Both parks offer rewarding mountain gorilla experiences. Bwindi is commonly included in a wide range of Uganda safari circuits and offers many lodge and route combinations, while Mgahinga works particularly well for travelers interested in the Virunga scenery, golden monkeys or shorter connections from Kigali. The best choice depends on your overall itinerary.
Can I start an Uganda gorilla tour from Kigali?
Yes. Kigali is a popular starting point for shorter Uganda gorilla tours because travelers can cross into southwestern Uganda and continue toward Bwindi or Mgahinga. This option is especially suitable for compact two-, three- or four-day gorilla itineraries.
Can I start my gorilla safari from Entebbe?
Yes. Entebbe is ideal for travelers planning a broader Uganda safari. Starting here makes it easier to combine gorilla trekking with destinations such as Kibale National Park, Queen Elizabeth National Park and Lake Mburo before or after visiting Bwindi or Mgahinga.
How many days do I need for an Uganda gorilla safari?
A short gorilla safari can be arranged in two or three days when starting from Kigali, while Entebbe-based trips normally benefit from additional travel time. Travelers combining gorilla trekking with chimpanzees, wildlife or scenic stops may prefer five to ten days or longer.
Are Calm Africa Safaris gorilla tours private?
Our Uganda gorilla tours can be arranged as private safari journeys with your own vehicle and driver-guide. This gives you greater flexibility with travel times, lodge choices and additional experiences while still following the official arrangements for the gorilla trek itself.
What is usually included in an Uganda gorilla tour?
Inclusions vary by itinerary but commonly cover private safari transport, services of a driver-guide, accommodation, selected meals, park-related activities and gorilla permit coordination. Your final quotation will clearly show what is included and excluded before the safari is confirmed.
Can I combine gorilla trekking with chimpanzee tracking?
Yes. Combining mountain gorillas with chimpanzee tracking in Kibale National Park is one of the most rewarding primate safari combinations in Uganda. The itinerary can be designed to include both experiences together with comfortable travel days between the forest destinations.
Can I combine gorilla trekking with Queen Elizabeth National Park?
Yes. Queen Elizabeth National Park combines very well with Bwindi and allows travelers to add game drives, savannah wildlife and a Kazinga Channel boat safari to their gorilla journey. This is a popular choice for travelers who want both primates and classic wildlife on one itinerary.
When should I book my Uganda gorilla permit?
It is advisable to secure your permit as early as possible once your travel dates are known, particularly for popular travel periods. Permits are date-specific and availability can become limited, so confirming the trekking date early makes it easier to organize the rest of the safari.
Are Uganda gorilla tours suitable for older travelers?
Many older travelers successfully enjoy Uganda gorilla tours. The overall itinerary can be paced more gently with additional rest time, carefully chosen lodges and practical transfers. Trekking conditions vary, so travelers should consider their mobility and general fitness when planning the experience.
Can families book Uganda gorilla tours?
Yes. Family gorilla safaris can be customized around the ages and interests of the travelers. Because official trekking requirements apply to participants, families traveling with younger children can also include alternative activities while eligible family members join the gorilla trek.
What accommodation levels are available on Uganda gorilla tours?
Uganda gorilla tours can be planned with affordable, midrange or luxury accommodation. We select lodges according to your preferred comfort level, budget, location and the trekking area used for your confirmed permit.
Can Calm Africa Safaris customize my gorilla safari?
Yes. Your itinerary can be adjusted around your travel dates, arrival airport, preferred trip length, accommodation style and additional interests. We can create short gorilla trips, longer Uganda circuits or cross-border journeys involving Kigali and Rwanda.
Can I trek gorillas twice on the same safari?
Yes. Travelers who want more than one gorilla experience can plan two separate trekking days, subject to permit availability. Each trek requires its own permit, and the itinerary should include enough time to keep the journey comfortable.
How do I book an Uganda gorilla tour with Calm Africa Safaris?
Send us your preferred travel dates, number of travelers, arrival point and approximate trip length. We can then check suitable gorilla permit availability, recommend the best route and prepare a customized safari proposal for your review.
Tell Us What You’re Planning and We’ll Help With the Details
Your Uganda Gorilla Safari Starts Here
From securing the right gorilla permit to choosing the best route, lodge and safari combination, Calm Africa Safaris can build a private Uganda gorilla tour around your travel dates, interests and preferred level of comfort. Whether you are starting from Kigali or Entebbe, we can help turn your plans into a carefully arranged journey through Bwindi, Mgahinga and beyond.