How Many Gorilla Families and Permits are Available in Mgahinga? Mgahinga Gorilla National Park may be Uganda’s smallest national park at just 33.7 square kilometers, but it punches well above its weight. The park sits in the far southwestern corner of Uganda and is home to some of the last remaining mountain gorillas on earth. If you want an authentic gorilla trekking experience away from the crowds, Mgahinga is the place to go.
How Many Gorilla Families Are Available in Mgahinga?
Currently, the Nyakagezi gorilla family is the only habituated gorilla family open for trekking in Mgahinga. In the past, this family had a habit of wandering into Rwanda, which made it difficult to reliably pre-book permits. Today, the Nyakagezi family lives steadily within Uganda, and permits are available for booking through the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA).
Mgahinga offers 8 gorilla trekking permits per day. This number may increase as gorilla habituation continues. Researchers habituate wild gorillas by gradually getting them used to human presence without changing their natural behavior. How long this process takes depends entirely on the gorillas themselves.
How to Book Gorilla Permits for Mgahinga
Start by choosing your preferred trekking dates and the number of permits you need. You can book directly through the Uganda Wildlife Authority or work with a registered tour operator like Anthill Safaris.
At Anthill Safaris, we check permit availability on your behalf, advise on the best dates, suggest other Uganda safari activities to combine with your gorilla trek, and build a complete itinerary around your needs. Once availability is confirmed, we strongly advise booking immediately. Permits sell out quickly during peak season, which runs from June to September and again in December and January. Last-minute permits during these months are very hard to find.
How Much Do Permits Cost?
Gorilla trekking permits for Mgahinga National Park are priced as follows:
- Foreign non-residents – $800
- Foreign residents – $700
- East Africans – UGX 300,000
The permit fee covers ranger guide fees, park entrance, security, one hour with the gorillas, a trekking certificate, government tax, local community support, and gorilla conservation. It does not cover porter hire, packed lunch, drinking water, or personal items.
Can I Pay in Installments?
Yes, in some cases. To qualify for an installment plan, you must book your permits at least 90 days before your trek date and make the full payment at least 90 days before the trek. If you need to reschedule, you must top up your payment first before submitting a reschedule request.
Is the Permit Worth the Cost?
Without a doubt. The permit puts you within 8 meters of one of the world’s rarest animals. Mountain gorillas face critical endangerment, but the money you spend directly supports their survival. We invest a portion of every permit sale into gorilla conservation and share funds with local communities to compensate for any damage the gorillas cause when they roam outside the park. Trekking with gorillas is not just a safari activity — it is an act of conservation.
When Is the Best Time to Visit?
Mgahinga is open year-round, but the dry season is the most popular time to visit. During June, July, August, September, December, and January, the trails are drier, visibility is better, and it is easier to move through the forest. You also have better chances of spotting other wildlife along the way, including black and white colobus monkeys, blue monkeys, olive baboons, and a wide variety of birds.
The low season — from March to May and in November — brings more rain and muddier trails. However, it also brings fewer tourists and the possibility of discounted rates on accommodation and safari logistics. Gorilla sightings remain likely in all seasons.
What to Expect on Trek Day
After breakfast, all trekkers report to the park headquarters at Ntebeko for a briefing by 7:00 a.m. or 8:00 a.m. Rangers and guides communicate throughout the trek to track the gorilla family’s location. Once you find the Nyakagezi family, you have exactly one hour with them. Use it well. When you finish, remember to tip your guides and porters — they work hard to make your experience possible.
Trekking Rules to Know
- Stay at least 8 meters from the gorillas at all times
- No flash photography — it frightens the gorillas
- Do not eat, drink, or smoke within 300 meters of the gorillas
- Do not litter — plastic waste harms the forest that the gorillas depend on
- If you are sick, volunteer to stay behind to protect the gorillas from infection
- Stay with your group and never surround the gorillas
What to Pack
Dress for a hike through thick, wet tropical forest. Bring long-sleeved shirts, sturdy waterproof hiking boots, a rain jacket, gaiters, and garden gloves to protect your hands from nettles. Pack insect repellent, energy snacks, a camera without a flash, and a backpack to carry your essentials. A walking stick or trekking poles will help on uneven ground. Carry at least 1.5 to 2 liters of water.
Other Activities in Mgahinga
How Many Gorilla Families and Permits are Available in Mgahinga? Gorilla trekking is just one reason to visit. You can also track golden monkeys through the bamboo forest, hike the park’s three volcanoes — Muhavura, Gahinga, and Sabyinyo — go birdwatching among over 120 recorded species, take a guided nature walk to spot forest elephants, baboons, and bush pigs, or visit the Batwa Cultural Trails to learn about the indigenous Batwa people and their history in the forest.
Is Gorilla Trekking in Mgahinga Safe?
How Many Gorilla Families and Permits are Available in Mgahinga? Yes. Experienced guides and armed park rangers accompany every trek. Besides, the Nyakagezi family is fully habituated and accustomed to human presence. All trekkers are screened for illness before entering the park. Trekking in a group adds another layer of security. In short, you are in very capable hands from start to finish.
Contact Anthill Safaris today to book your Mgahinga gorilla trek or build a tailor-made Uganda safari package.
