Your permits, secured
Permits are the first thing to sell out. We request yours the day you confirm and send them to you in writing, so the hour you came for is certain.
The Short Answer
What a luxury gorilla trek is.
A luxury gorilla trek is one hour with a family of wild mountain gorillas in the forests of Rwanda or Uganda, with a private guide, the finest lodges on the park edge and every permit secured for you. In 2026 and 2027 a permit costs USD 1,500 in Rwanda's Volcanoes National Park and USD 800 in Uganda's Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, or USD 600 there in April, May and November. Treks take one to six hours, groups are capped at eight, and the minimum age is 15.
Permits are limited and sell out from June to September. See every permit price, Rwanda against Uganda and the lodges we use.
By Abner Ongeri, founder, Karen, Nairobi. Updated September 2026, with guides for 2026 to 2028.
The Ongeri Way
What a luxury gorilla trek looks like with us.
The gorillas are the same for everyone. Everything around that hour is where a great trip and an ordinary one part company.
The finest gorilla lodges
Singita Kwitonda, Bisate and One&Only Gorilla's Nest in Rwanda, Sanctuary Gorilla Forest Camp in Uganda. Private villas, fireplaces and a butler waiting when you walk out of the forest.
Thirty minutes, not three hours
A private helicopter from Kigali to Volcanoes National Park turns the road into a scenic half hour, and lands you at your lodge by lunch.
A private guide throughout
Your own vehicle and guide from the airport to the forest edge. No shared transfers, no waiting for other guests.
Everything ready for the trek
Porters booked, boots, gaiters, gloves and rain jackets prepared, and a massage waiting when you return.
Gorillas, then the Maasai Mara
An hour and a half by air to Nairobi, then on to the Mara, or by private jet between countries. The most requested safari we design.
The First Decision
Rwanda or Uganda?
Both offer one hour with a habituated mountain gorilla family. The difference is everything around that hour.
| Rwanda | Uganda | |
|---|---|---|
| Permit, 2026 and 2027 | USD 1,500 | USD 800, or USD 600 in April, May and November |
| Where you trek | Volcanoes National Park | Bwindi Impenetrable Forest and Mgahinga |
| From the airport | About 2.5 to 3 hours by road from Kigali, or 30 minutes by helicopter | About 1.5 to 2 hours by light aircraft from Entebbe to Kihihi or Kisoro, or 8 to 10 hours by road. The southern sectors are about 4 to 5 hours by road from Kigali |
| The terrain | Bamboo and open volcano slopes, often steep but clear | Dense, steep rainforest, often muddier and longer |
| Four hour habituation | Not offered | Offered in the Rushaga sector, USD 1,500, rising to USD 1,800 from 1 January 2027 |
| Lodges | Singita Kwitonda, Bisate, One&Only Gorilla's Nest | Sanctuary Gorilla Forest Camp, Erebero Hills |
| Pairs well with | Golden monkeys, Nyungwe, Akagera, a flight to the Maasai Mara | Chimpanzees in Kibale, Queen Elizabeth, the Maasai Mara |
| Best for | Shorter trips, easier access and the finest lodges | Value, the habituation experience and a longer journey |
Short on time, or want the finest lodges? Rwanda. Want value, a longer journey or four hours with a family? Uganda. Many guests do both. See Rwanda and Uganda.
Gorilla Permits
Gorilla permit prices for 2026 and 2027.
The permit is the single largest cost of a gorilla trek, and it funds the rangers, the research and the communities around the parks.
PermitPrice per personWhat it includes
Rwanda, Volcanoes National ParkUSD 1,500One hour with a gorilla family. A low season saving applies from November to May when combined with nights in Akagera or Nyungwe.
Uganda, Bwindi and MgahingaUSD 800One hour with a gorilla family. USD 600 in the low season months of April, May and November.
Uganda, gorilla habituationUSD 1,500Up to four hours with a family still being habituated, four guests a day, in the Rushaga sector. USD 1,800 from 1 January 2027.
East African residentsReducedCitizens and residents of East Africa pay considerably less, in local currency. Ask us for the current resident rates.
Congo, VirungaNot soldVirunga National Park is currently closed to visitors, so we do not arrange treks there.
Permits cover one trek with rangers and trackers, and park entry. Lodges, flights, transfers, porters and tips are separate, and we show every line in your proposal. Read what a gorilla trek costs in full.
Where to Trek
The gorilla parks and sectors.
Your permit is for one park and, in Bwindi, one sector. We match your lodge to it, so you are never driving for hours before the trek.
Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda
About 2.5 to 3 hours from Kigali
The Rwandan slopes of the Virunga volcanoes, where Dian Fossey worked. Treks begin at the park headquarters at Kinigi at seven in the morning, and rangers match each group to a family by fitness. The bamboo and open slopes make for clear sightings, and the finest gorilla lodges in Africa sit on the park edge.
Bwindi, Buhoma sector, Uganda
Northern Bwindi
The original trekking sector, with the most established lodges and gentler access. A good choice for a first trek, and home to Sanctuary Gorilla Forest Camp. The nearest airstrip is Kihihi, about 1.5 hours by light aircraft from Entebbe.
Bwindi, Ruhija sector, Uganda
Eastern Bwindi, higher and cooler
At altitude, with fine birding and quieter trails. Treks can be steep, and the reward is a sense of having the forest almost to yourself.
Bwindi, Rushaga sector, Uganda
Southern Bwindi
The sector with the most gorilla families, and the only place offering the four hour habituation experience. Reached by light aircraft from Entebbe to Kisoro, or about 4 to 5 hours by road from Kigali.
Bwindi, Nkuringo sector, Uganda
Southwestern Bwindi
Dramatic views to the Virunga volcanoes, and some of the most demanding treks in Bwindi. Best for guests who are fit and want the wildest experience.
Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, Uganda
The Ugandan Virungas
Uganda's share of the Virunga volcanoes, with a single habituated family and golden monkey tracking. Small, quiet and spectacular.
The Trek
What happens on the day.
From the seven o'clock briefing to the walk back out, this is how a gorilla trek unfolds.
- An early briefingAt seven in the morning at the park headquarters, with coffee, traditional dancers in Rwanda, and your ranger's briefing.
- Matched to a familyRangers assign groups of up to eight to a gorilla family, matching the walk to your fitness where they can.
- Into the forestTrackers go ahead at dawn. Your walk can be one hour or six, on trails and through the forest itself.
- One hour with the familyMasks on, seven metres away where possible, cameras without flash. Most guests say the hour passes in minutes.
- Back to the lodgeA walk out, your trekking certificate, and an afternoon of rest, a massage and a long lunch.
Good to Know
Fitness, age and the rules.
What every guest should know before a gorilla trek, plainly.
Age and fitness
The minimum age is 15. You do not need to be an athlete, but you should be comfortable walking for several hours on steep, muddy ground at altitude.
Porters
Hire one. Local porters carry your bag, steady you on steep ground, and the fee supports families living beside the parks.
What to wear
Waterproof boots, long trousers tucked into socks, a rain jacket, gardening gloves for nettles, and layers for the cold start.
The rules
Groups of eight, one hour with the family, masks near the gorillas, no flash, and nobody trekking with a cold or fever.
Permits
Permits are limited and sell out, particularly from June to September. We secure them the moment you confirm, and send them in writing.
Guarantees
Sightings are not guaranteed, though they are very likely, as trackers follow each family daily. The permit is valid for one trek on one date.
Best Time
The best time for gorilla trekking.
Gorillas can be trekked all year. The season changes the trails, the demand and, in Uganda, the price.
June to September
The long dry season, with firmer trails and the highest demand. Book permits and lodges six to twelve months ahead.
December to February
The short dry season, green and beautiful, and superb for combining with the Maasai Mara or the islands.
March to May
The long rains. Trails are muddy, but permits are cheaper in Uganda in April and May, and lodges are quieter.
October and November
The short rains, with showers rather than downpours, and the Uganda low season rate in November.
Where to Stay
The gorilla lodges we use.
Every lodge has been visited by our team. In Rwanda they sit on the edge of Volcanoes National Park; in Uganda we match the lodge to your Bwindi sector.
Volcanoes · Rwanda
Bisate Lodge
Woven forest villas in a volcanic amphitheatre, at the gate of the gorilla forest.
Volcanoes · Rwanda
One&Only Gorilla's Nest
Eucalyptus forest suites at the foot of the Volcanoes.
Volcanoes · Rwanda
Sabyinyo Silverback Lodge
A community owned lodge beneath the Virunga volcanoes.
Volcanoes · Rwanda
Singita Kwitonda Lodge
Volcano views and gorilla trekking on the edge of Volcanoes National Park.
Bwindi · Uganda
Erebero Hills
A contemporary lodge in the hills above Bwindi's gorilla forest.
Bwindi · Uganda
Sanctuary Gorilla Forest Camp
The only luxury lodge inside Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park.
Kigali · Rwanda
The Pinnacle
Refined city rooms and skyline views in central Kigali.
Kigali · Rwanda
The Retreat
A boutique urban retreat in the heart of Kigali.
Nyungwe · Rwanda
One&Only Nyungwe House
A tea estate lodge on the rim of Nyungwe's ancient rainforest.
Akagera · Rwanda
Wilderness Magashi
A waterside camp in the wild plains of Akagera National Park.
Entebbe · Uganda
Entebbe Forest Lodge
A comfortable overnight rest before the morning flight to Bwindi.
Gorilla Journeys
Journeys with the gorillas.
From five days in Bwindi to twelve days across three countries by private charter. Every one can be rebuilt around your dates.
Gorilla TrekkingGorillas included
5 Day Uganda Gorilla Trekking Safari
- DestinationsEntebbe · Bwindi
- Duration5 Days · 4 Nights
- HighlightsFour nights between Entebbe and Bwindi, with a gorilla trek and time in the forest. The simplest way to see gorillas well.
Starting fromUSD 8,750 per person
Gorilla TrekkingGorillas included
Uganda Gorillas and the Maasai Mara
- DestinationsEntebbe · Bwindi · Maasai Mara
- Duration10 Days · 9 Nights
- HighlightsBwindi for the gorillas, then a short flight to the Maasai Mara for the big cats. Two of Africa's great experiences in ten days.
Starting fromUSD 11,600 per person
Gorilla TrekkingGorillas included
Rwanda Gorillas and the Maasai Mara
- DestinationsKigali · Volcanoes · Maasai Mara
- Duration10 Days · 9 Nights
- HighlightsThe finest gorilla lodges in Africa on the edge of Volcanoes National Park, then the Maasai Mara. Our most requested gorilla journey.
Starting fromUSD 21,950 per person
Gorilla TrekkingPrivate charter
The Ultimate East Africa Luxury Safari
- DestinationsRwanda · Kenya · Tanzania
- Duration12 Days · 11 Nights
- Departures12 Sep 2027, limited seats
- HighlightsGorillas and golden monkeys in the Virungas, the Mara and the western Serengeti, every leg by private charter, for twelve guests at most.
Starting fromUSD 46,200 per person
Questions We Hear
Gorilla trekking, answered.
Straight answers from our team in Nairobi. For your own plans, a designer replies within 24 hours.
+254 711 471 757 Call or WhatsApp, Nairobi Speak to an ExpertHow much is a gorilla permit in 2026?
In 2026 and 2027 a gorilla permit costs USD 1,500 per person in Rwanda and USD 800 in Uganda, or USD 600 in Uganda in April, May and November. Uganda's four hour habituation experience costs USD 1,500, rising to USD 1,800 from 1 January 2027.
Is Rwanda or Uganda better for gorilla trekking?
Rwanda is quicker to reach, about three hours from Kigali, with open terrain and the finest lodges, at a higher permit price. Uganda costs less, offers the four hour habituation experience, and suits a longer journey with chimpanzees. Both offer one hour with a habituated mountain gorilla family.
How fit do you need to be for gorilla trekking?
Reasonably fit. Treks last one to six hours on steep, often muddy ground at altitude. Rangers try to match groups to fitness, porters help on the difficult sections, and walking poles are provided.
What is the minimum age for gorilla trekking?
Fifteen, in both Rwanda and Uganda. Younger children can join golden monkey tracking, nature walks and community visits while the family treks.
How long do you spend with the gorillas?
One hour with the family on a standard permit. The Uganda habituation experience allows up to four hours with a family still being habituated, for four guests a day.
When is the best time for gorilla trekking?
June to September and December to February are the drier months, with firmer trails and the highest demand. Treks run all year, and April, May and November bring lower Uganda permit prices and quieter lodges.
How far ahead should I book gorilla permits?
Six to twelve months for June to September and the festive season, as permits are limited and sell out. For other months, three to six months is usually enough. We secure permits as soon as you confirm.
Can you combine gorilla trekking with the Maasai Mara?
Yes, and it is our most requested combination. Kigali and Entebbe are about an hour and a half from Nairobi by air, with a light aircraft on to the Mara. Our journeys combining gorillas and the Mara run for ten days.
Are gorilla sightings guaranteed?
Not guaranteed, but very likely. Trackers locate each habituated family every morning before your group sets out, so the great majority of treks end with a sighting.
What should I wear for gorilla trekking?
Waterproof boots, long trousers tucked into socks, a rain jacket, gardening gloves for nettles, and warm layers for the early start. Leave bright colours and strong scents at the lodge.
Can I trek gorillas in Congo?
Virunga National Park in Congo is currently closed to visitors, so we do not arrange treks there. Rwanda and Uganda are open, safe and well run.
What is the most luxurious way to go gorilla trekking?
Fly by private helicopter from Kigali to Volcanoes National Park, stay at Singita Kwitonda, Bisate or One&Only Gorilla's Nest, and travel with a private guide and vehicle throughout. Pair the trek with the Maasai Mara, or link the countries by private jet. We arrange every part of it, including the permits.
Where should I stay for gorilla trekking?
In Rwanda, Singita Kwitonda, Bisate Lodge, One&Only Gorilla's Nest or Sabyinyo Silverback, all on the edge of Volcanoes National Park. In Uganda, Sanctuary Gorilla Forest Camp or Erebero Hills in Bwindi. We match the lodge to the sector of your permit.
Do East African residents pay less for gorilla permits?
Yes. Citizens and residents of East Africa pay considerably less, in local currency. Tell us your residency when you enquire and we will quote the resident rate.
Begin
Secure your gorilla permits.
Permits are limited to eight guests per family each day, and June to September sells out months ahead. Tell us your dates, and a designer in Nairobi will check availability today and send your route, your lodge and an exact price within 24 hours.
See also Rwanda, Uganda, Kenya and private jet journeys.