A face-to-face encounter with endangered mountain gorillas in their mist-shrouded forest home
Uganda's Bwindi Impenetrable Forest harbours half the world's mountain gorilla population — critically endangered, numbering barely over 1,000 individuals. This 6-day expedition takes you deep into ancient Afromontane forest for a once-in-a-lifetime encounter with a habituated gorilla family. Your 1-hour permit allows you to observe silverbacks, mothers, and playful infants at close range. Trekking difficulty varies; our guides customise the route for your fitness level.
Depart early for the scenic 8-hour drive (or 1-hour charter flight) through Uganda's lush "Pearl of Africa" landscapes. Pass through Mbara and stop at the equator crossing. Arrive Bwindi and orientation briefing.
Whether you prefer a budget tented camp, a mid-range lodge, or a luxury safari camp inside the reserve — we work with vetted partners across the full range.
Comfortable bandas or budget lodges near Bwindi gate and Queen Elizabeth. Small groups. All permits and meals included. Truly excellent value given the gorilla permit cost alone is $700.
Quality lodges with forest views at Bwindi and a classic lodge at Queen Elizabeth. Private vehicle. Sundowners and afternoon tea service. Perfect for comfort-focused travellers.
Uganda's finest boutique camps perched above the mist-filled valleys. Private guides, gorilla habituation experience option (available at extra cost), gourmet cuisine, and exclusive forest access.
1-hour permitted encounter with habituated gorilla family
Navigate ancient Afromontane forest with expert trackers
Queen Elizabeth National Park — tree-climbing lions of Ishasha
Crater lakes region — scenic game drives and birdwatching
Community tourism project supporting gorilla conservation
Golden monkey trekking option
Early breakfast then UWA ranger briefing at the park gate. Gorilla families range within the forest daily; your team of trackers has been following since dawn. Trek through dense undergrowth (1–6 hours depending on the family's location) until you find them. One magical hour with the family — watching silverbacks, nursing mothers, and playful babies. Pure magic.
Option to purchase a second permit for another family encounter. Alternatively, spend the morning with the Buhoma Community Walk visiting a local homestead, traditional healers and the women's beekeeping project that feeds directly into conservation funding.
Morning forest walk for birds (over 350 species in Bwindi). Depart for Queen Elizabeth National Park — East Africa's most bio-diverse park. Afternoon game drive in Kasenyi to find elephant, buffalo, kob and hyena.
Morning Kazinga Channel boat safari (40km) seeing hippo, crocodile, elephant and water birds at close range. Afternoon in Ishasha Sector tracking the famous tree-climbing lions, unique to this region and the Serengeti kopjes.
Final morning game drive. Begin return journey to Entebbe for afternoon/evening flights (or Kigali cross-border transfer).
