Immerse yourself in the ultimate gorilla trekking experience across Rwanda and Uganda
There is nothing more magical, nor more privileged in terms of African wildlife experiences than a gorilla trekking and safari tour. If contemplating a grand tour of Africa, then coming upon these gently grazing giants in their natural, jungle domain, would be an unmissable highlight.
One of the last remaining homes for the rare mountain gorilla is the Virunga Mountains that span the northern border of Rwanda, the eastern boundary of the Congo and south-western side of Uganda.
The best places to hike in search for these heavily protected species is Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park and Uganda’s Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park. Both in the Bwindi Forest and Volcanoes National Park, there are ten habituated gorilla families, with a maximum of eight visitors permits per day.
Each family has undergone a very delicate process over the years that gradually makes them accustom to humans, but are no means tame. The strict limitation on permits means they are not to be interfered with too much and why you also need to book your place a year or two in advance. For a truly intrepid (and often private) experience of mountain gorillas, venture into the DRC and Virunga National Park. We would also recommend at least three nights in your lodge or camp in or near the national park.
Highlights
Visit Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park for a conservation focused experience
Conquer Uganda‘s Bwindi Impenetrable Forest to stand a chance of seeing four habituated gorilla troops in the wild
In Rwanda, stay at the irresistible Bisate Lodge and enjoy having mountain gorillas for neighbours
Check into Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge in Uganda for sweeping views over the forested Virunga mountains
Iain McConachie
Travel Designer
One of the most picturesque and green places in Africa, the valleys of Rwanda are an enchanting place. Seeing the gorillas in the tiny areas that we, as humans, have left them is a privilege that not many people get to experience in their lifetime. It is also one of the most important things you can do as a responsible tourist.

Iain McConachie
Travel Designer
Luxury accommodation in Uganda and Rwanda
Trip inspiration
Where to go
Rwanda
Rwanda is among Africa’s best safari destinations. It is one of the few places in the world where you can encounter mountain gorillas. These giant primates can be found in Volcanoes National Park. In Akagera National Park you can see lions, leopards, giraffes and more.
Discover moreUganda
Uganda is made up of dense forests, pristine landscapes and abundant wildlife. Bwindi Impenetrable Forest is where you can get up close to endangered mountain gorillas, and in Queen Elizabeth National Park you can spot tree-climbing lions. Uganda hosts the highest concentration of primates on Earth.
Discover moreVolcanoes National Park
Located in Rwanda, Volcanoes National Park is the best place to visit for spotting endangered mountain gorillas in Africa. There are 10 habituated gorilla groups in Rwanda, all within this national park. Other than gorilla encounters, you can trek volcano craters and see golden monkeys.
Discover moreBwindi Impenetrable Forest
Uganda’s Bwindi Impenetrable Forest is home to around 350 mountain gorillas as well as many other primate species, including black-and-white colobus monkey, L’Hoest’s monkey, red-tailed monkey, blue monkey, vervet monkeys and baboons. Bwindi Impenetrable Forest is not for the faint of heart, making it ideal for adventurous travellers.
Discover moreWhen to visit
The drier months of June to September are the best time to visit Rwanda to go gorilla trekking. During this period, there is fewer rain showers, making it great to explore the national parks for game spotting. To make the most of the great outdoors, we recommend you avoid the months between March and May, which mark the rainy season in Rwanda. Uganda has two dry seasons – December to February, and between June and August, both periods are great to spot mountain gorillas in its Bwindi Impenetrable Forest.

Volcanoes National Park
June - September

Bwindi Impenetrable Forest
December - February
Gorilla Trekking Travel Guides
Gorilla Trekking: Uganda vs. Rwanda
Read more
Definitive Guide to Gorilla Trekking in Rwanda
Read more
Gorilla Tracking Guidelines for Uganda and Rwanda
Read more
16 Best Places to Travel in 2022
Read more
When is the Best Time to Visit Rwanda?
Read more
When is the Best Time to Visit Uganda?
Read more
Plan your gorilla trekking tour
Whatever you want from your gorilla trekking adventure, our team of expert travel designers are ready to help.
Why book with Jacada?
Personalised design
We’ll plan your trip around your specific interests, tastes and preferences, providing helpful tips and honest advice based on first-hand knowledge of the destination.
Authentic experiences
Our expert guides and brilliant travel concierges are hand-picked to provide a genuine experience, bringing your destination to life with care and passion.
Responsible travel
Our luxury trips are designed with responsible travel principles that prioritise travel experiences that are both good for you and good for the planet.
We just returned from a wonderful trip to Greece. Our experience with Jacada was great from the start. They listened to our wish list. Provided some good feedback, and helped us put together a wonderful itinerary customized to our preferences. Once in Greece, our transportation was on time and very comfortable. Our guides for excursions were engaging and knowledgeable. Restaurants…
We have traveled extensively with many companies, just came back from Namibia and South Africa Jacada's services, concierge, and personalization of our travel plans was flawless. The specifics and attention to detail was incredible from arrival to the airports assisting through customs and immigration,chartered flights, wilderness lodges, local touring and guides was spectacular. We appreciate the entire team , and…
Everything was excellent. Accommodations was top of the line. Seamless to each day and excursions.
Jacada helped us arrange a 14-day trip of a lifetime to Ecuador. All accommodations were top notch and all our guides were fantastic. We had a fantastic time!
This was our second trip with Jacada, this time 2.5 weeks to Singapore and Indonesia, and it was simply incredible. Our travel designer and concierge, Ellie and Cathy, were both amazing and carefully designed a unique trip tailored to our interests and goals, sprinkling in some creative and thoughtful surprises throughout the trip. The trip culminated in a five-day private…
Plan with peace of mind
When you book a trip in today’s world there’s a lot to think about. But with the right advice and expert planning, you can do it with confidence.
If you book to travel with us but your plans are impacted by circumstances you can’t control, we’ll change your reservation or cancel your booking for a full credit towards future travel.