OUR PICK1-Day Gorilla Trek from Kigali
1 day
$400 tour
+ $800 permit
$1,200full price
Gorillas · chimps · rhinos
Trekking Uganda, Compared Tour by Tour
The short answerTrekking in Uganda means one of three animals: mountain gorillas in Bwindi or Mgahinga (from $1,100 all-in with the $800 permit), chimpanzees in Kibale (tours from $529, plus the $250 permit unless the tour includes it) or white rhinos on foot at Ziwa (day trips from $250).
Updated Oct 2026 · Prices checked Oct 2026
★ 4.8 from 108 reviewsThe permit shown on every tourSilverback · Mgahinga
Before anything else
Uganda Trekking at a Glance
Six quick answers most people need before they choose a tour.
From whereKigali4–5 h to Bwindi’s south · Entebbe 8–10 h
How long1–3 days1 day is possible, 2–3 days is calmer
All-in costfrom $1,100gorillas, permit included
WhenJun–Aug, Dec–Febthe dry months; treks run all year
Book ahead3–10 monthsfor Jun–Oct and Dec–Feb; less for other months
Age & fitness15+2–8 h on steep, wet forest trails
Key takeaways
- 177 of 164 gorilla tours include the $800 permit — the rest add it on top
- 2The cheapest real gorilla day costs about $1,100 all-in, from Kigali
- 3Kigali is 4–5 h from Bwindi’s south; Entebbe is 8–10 h
- 4Low-season permits are $600 in April, May and November 2026
- 5Kibale chimp permits rise from $250 to $300 on 1 Jan 2027
- 6Gorillas need you to be 15+; chimps 12+
Source: GetYourGuide listings, UWA permit rates and operator guidance
Mgahinga · the closest park to KigaliOUR PICK
If you don’t want to compare
The Best Uganda Trekking Day from Kigali
1-Day Gorilla Trek from Kigali
★ 4.9 · 26 reviewsPrivate 4×4Mgahinga1 day
- Kigali hotel pickup 03:00
- Border crossing handled
- Ranger-led trek, 1 h with the family
- Lunch on the way back
- Not included: Gorilla permit $800
- Not included: Visa and tips
$1,200 all-in per person
Check datesFree cancellation up to 24 h
Curated · reviewed tours, ★4.0+
Compare Top-Rated Trekking Uganda Tours
1 / 6 tours· swipe
★ 4.9 (26)
Check dates
CHEAPEST ALL-IN1-Day Gorilla Tour in Bwindi
1 day
$300 tour
+ $800 permit
$1,100full price
BEST 2-DAY2-Day Gorilla Trek in Bwindi
2 days
$498 tour
+ $800 permit
$1,298full price
PERMIT INCLUDED3 Days in Bwindi with Shoebill
3 days
$2,200 tour
Permit included
$2,200full price
PRIVATE2-Day Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi
2 days
$1,980 tour
Permit included
$1,980full price
GORILLAS + CHIMPS6-Day Gorillas, Wildlife & Chimps
6 days
$2,700 tour
Both permits included
$2,700full price
DIYBook the permit yourself$800 per person via a licensed Ugandan operator, paid in full at booking — transport, driver and lodging are extra.Permit guide →
Source: GetYourGuide listings · UWA permit rates. Full price = tour + any permit the tour leaves out.
The key decision
Gorillas, Chimps or Rhinos: Choosing Your Uganda Trekking
Gorillas164 toursAge 15+The once-in-a-lifetime encounter most people come for.
WhereBwindi or Mgahinga
With the animals1 hour with a family
Effort Moderate–hard
From$1,100all-in, $800 permit
Compare gorilla tours
Chimpanzees30 toursAge 12+Loud, fast and lively — and open to younger travellers.
WhereKibale Forest
With the animals1 hour · habituation up to 4 h
Effort Moderate
From$529+ $250 permit ($300 from 2027)
Compare chimp tours
Rhinos29 toursEasy day tripAn easy day from Kampala, about 3 h (176 km) north.
WhereZiwa Sanctuary
With the animalsOn foot with rangers
Effort Easy
From$250day trip, sanctuary fee instead of a permit
Compare rhino toursSource: GetYourGuide listings · UWA rates · Kibale chimp permit $300 from 1 Jan 2027.
The permit is most of the bill
What Trekking Uganda Really Costs, Permit Included
The gorilla permit is $800 — on a $300 day tour that is almost three quarters of the bill. Here is what each kind of permit costs.
Kibale chimp permit$250 → $300 in 2027
Uganda e-visa$50 · EA visa $100
Habituation · Rushaga
up to 4 h with a family still being habituated; $1,800 from 2027
$1,500
Rwanda permit
for comparison · Volcanoes NP
$1,500
Uganda · foreign non-resident
the price most tours quote
$800
Foreign resident
with a Ugandan or East African residence permit
$700
Low season
April, May and November 2026 · can’t be rescheduled
$600
Source: UWA tariff via licensed operators · low-season price confirmed for 2026
By time budget
Which Uganda Trekking Tour Fits Your Trip?
1 day · 15 gorilla tours1 day15 gorilla tours
Pickup in Kigali around 03:00, trek in Mgahinga or Bwindi’s south, back late at night.
All-in from$1,100
Typical all-in$1,600
Best forShort on time, fit, based in Kigali.
2–3 days · 53 gorilla tours2–3 days53 gorilla tours
A lodge night by the forest, the trek fresh in the morning; many 3-day trips add Lake Bunyonyi.
All-in from$1,298
Typical all-in$2,200
Best forMost first-timers — the calmest way in.
4–7 days · 66 gorilla tours4–7 days66 gorilla tours
Gorillas plus Queen Elizabeth savannah or Kibale chimps on one road trip.
All-in from$1,800
Typical all-in$3,100
Best forPrimates and a classic safari together.
8+ days · 30 gorilla tours8+ days30 gorilla tours
Longer loops add Murchison Falls and the Ziwa rhinos on the way north.
All-in from$2,300
Typical all-in$5,000
Best forSeeing Uganda end to end.
Source: GetYourGuide gorilla tours by length · all-in with the $800 permit · typical = median.
Treks run all year
When to Go Trekking in Uganda
Driest · Jun–Sep, Dec–Feb$Cheapest permit · Apr, May, Nov
JanDry
FebDry
MarWet
AprWet$600 permit
MayWet$600 permit
JunDryBusiest
JulDryBusiest
AugDryBusiest
SepDry
OctWet
NovWet$600 permit
DecDryBusy late Dec
Source: operator season guides and the UWA low-season rate (2026). $600 permits can’t be rescheduled.
Best time, month by month →The trek day
A Uganda Trekking Day, Hour by Hour
What a one-day gorilla trek from Kigali actually looks like. Lodge-based trips skip the night drive and start at the briefing.
Groups of up to 8 · rangers lead the way- 03:00Pickup at your Kigali hotelA private 4×4 heads north to the Ugandan border
- 4–5 hDrive and border crossingKigali to Bwindi’s south via Cyanika or Katuna; the driver helps with forms
- 08:00Ranger briefingGroups of up to 8 are matched to a gorilla family
- 2–8 hThe trekSteep, wet forest; porters carry bags and help on slopes
- 1 hWith the gorilla familyA few metres from a habituated family, no flash
- NightBack in KigaliExpect a 20-hour day door to door
Reviews
From GetYourGuide reviewsWhat Travellers Say About Trekking Uganda
4.8
★★★★★
from 108 reviews across 27 tours
+People praise
- Guides and drivers people name in reviews
- A smooth Rwanda–Uganda border crossing
- The hour a few metres from the family
!People warn about
- You move at the pace of the slowest trekker
- Guides may not join the trek — take a porter
- Day trips from Kigali start at 03:00
1 / 3 quotes· swipe
“That was an amazing experience!! I would recommend to everyone, especially to solo travelers. Super safe and comfortable trip!”
Lyubov, Belgium · Jul 2025 · 1-day gorilla trek from Kigali
“Absolutely one of my best experiences of my life! I had tears in my eyes seeing the gorillas up close like this.”
Steef · Oct 2026 · 3-day Bwindi with Lake Bunyonyi
“We really wanted to see white rhinos as they aren’t found in Queen Elizabeth National Park.”
Jessica · Jul 2026 · Ziwa rhino day tour
Pack for Uganda Trekking
Is Trekking Uganda Worth It?
Yes
for most people who can walk 2–8 hours on steep, wet ground
One hour a few metres from a habituated family — for $800 against $1,500 in Rwanda.
Yes, if
you give it 2–3 days
A night near the park turns a 20-hour day into a calm morning trek.
No, if
you are under 15 or can’t hike at all
Go for Kibale chimps (12+) or a flat rhino walk at Ziwa instead.
Plan the details
6 guides · the complete guide firstUganda Trekking Guides
12 answers
Uganda Trekking Questions, Answered
Is gorilla trekking in Uganda worth it?
Yes, for most people who can walk 2–8 hours on steep, wet ground: one hour a few metres from a habituated family, with a permit at $800 against $1,500 in Rwanda.
How much does trekking in Uganda cost with the permit?
From about $1,100 per person all-in for a gorilla day from Kigali. Most 3-day trips with the permit included cost $2,000–2,300.
Is the gorilla permit included in the tour price?
In about half the tours: 77 of 164 gorilla tours include it. Every card here shows which, and the total you will pay.
Can I see gorillas in one day?
Yes, from Kigali (pickup around 03:00, back the same evening) or from Kisoro and Lake Bunyonyi.
Kigali or Entebbe?
Kigali for Bwindi’s south and Mgahinga: 4–5 hours by road against 8–10 hours from Entebbe.
What is the minimum age?
15 on the day of the trek. Younger travellers can join chimp tours or rhino walks instead.
How fit do you need to be?
Reasonably fit: treks last 2–8 hours on steep, muddy slopes. Rangers give fitter groups the more distant families, and a porter makes it manageable for most people.
When is the best time to go?
The dry months, June–August and December–February, have firmer trails; September is a shoulder month as the rains return. April, May and November are wetter, but the permit is $600 instead of $800 in 2026.
How far ahead should I book?
For June–October and December–February, operators advise booking 3–10 months ahead; other months are easier, and low season can work a few weeks out.
Uganda or Rwanda for gorillas?
Uganda costs less: the permit is $800 against $1,500 in Rwanda, for the same one hour. Rwanda’s park is closer to Kigali, so many travellers fly into Kigali and drive 4–5 h to Uganda’s south.
Can I combine gorillas and chimpanzees?
Yes — 57 tours do both. You need at least 3 days; most primate trips run 5–8 days with Kibale for chimps and Bwindi for gorillas.
Do I need a visa and a yellow fever certificate?
A visa, yes: a Uganda e-visa costs $50; the East Africa Tourist Visa ($100) also covers Kenya and Rwanda. Since 2 October 2026 a yellow fever certificate is no longer required to enter Uganda, though the vaccine is still recommended.
Getting there
Uganda Trekking Routes
Kigali → Bwindi south 4–5 hEntebbe → Bwindi 8–10 h
Live availability
Check Dates for Our Trekking Uganda Pick
Prices and dates come straight from GetYourGuide.
Ready? Compare the gorilla tours
164 gorilla tours, every one with the full price and the permit spelled out.