Combining Gorillas with Other Uganda Wildlife: Uganda, famously known as the “Pearl of Africa,” offers one of the world’s most exciting wildlife destinations. At Anthill Safaris, we combine gorilla trekking with other incredible wildlife experiences to give you the ultimate African adventure.
Where Does Gorilla Trekking Happen in Uganda?
Gorilla trekking takes place in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, which is divided into four sectors: Buhoma, Ruhija, Nkuringo, and Rushaga. Buhoma and Ruhija sit in the northern part of the park, close to Queen Elizabeth National Park. This location makes it easy to combine gorilla trekking with a game drive. Rushaga and Nkuringo occupy the southern part of Bwindi, near Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. Here, you can trek gorillas and track golden monkeys on the same trip. Rushaga hosts the most habituated gorilla families, giving you more options when booking your permit.
How Much Does a Gorilla Permit Cost?
A gorilla trekking permit in Uganda costs USD 800 per person for foreign non-residents. East African residents pay USD 700, Rest of Africa citizens pay USD 500, and East African citizens pay UGX 300,000. Your permit gives you one full hour with a mountain gorilla family after you locate them. Beyond trekking, Bwindi also offers the gorilla habituation experience, where you spend more time observing gorillas adjusting to human presence.
Where Do You Stay During Gorilla Trekking?
Bwindi offers comfortable lodges in every sector. In Rushaga, you can stay at Rushaga Gorilla Camp, Four Gorillas Lodge, or Gorilla Safari Lodge. Nkuringo offers Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge and Lake Mutanda Resort. In Buhoma, popular choices include Buhoma Lodge and Bwindi Lodge. Ruhija provides options like Ruhija Gorilla Safari Lodge and Agandi Eco Lodge. Anthill Safaris helps you select the best accommodation to match your budget and preferences.
When Is the Best Time to Go?
The best time to trek gorillas in Uganda falls during the dry seasons — December to February and June to early September. During these months, trails are easier to walk, and vegetation is less thick, giving you clearer views of the gorillas. If you prefer fewer visitors in the park, travel during the wet season, which runs from March to May and late September to November.
How Do You Get to Bwindi?
By Road: Drive from Entebbe or Kampala to the southern sectors through Kabale town. The journey takes eight to nine hours. Alternatively, drive from Kigali, Rwanda, which takes around four to five hours.
By Air: Fly from Entebbe International Airport or Kajjansi Airfield to Kisoro Airstrip. Scheduled and charter flights operate through Aero Link and Fly Uganda. Your Anthill Safaris guide arranges transfers from the airstrip directly to your lodge.
Top Wildlife Destinations to Combine With Gorilla Trekking
Chimpanzee Trekking in Kibale Forest National Park
Kibale Forest is East Africa’s top destination for chimpanzee tracking. The park is home to over 1,500 chimpanzees and twelve other primate species, including red colobus and L’Hoest’s monkeys. Chimpanzee trekking pairs perfectly with gorilla trekking because you get to compare the two great apes side by side. While gorillas are calm and quiet, chimpanzees are energetic and loud, swinging through treetops and calling out across the forest. A chimpanzee permit costs USD 250 per person, and Anthill Safaris books this well in advance for you.
Queen Elizabeth National Park
Queen Elizabeth National Park is Uganda’s most visited park, covering nearly 2,000 square kilometers of savanna, wetlands, and forest. The park supports over 95 mammal species and 600 bird species. Its biggest attraction is the tree-climbing lions of the Ishasha sector — a rare behavior seen in only two places worldwide. These lions rest in fig and acacia trees, giving you an extraordinary sighting during your game drive. Beyond lions, you also spot large herds of Uganda kobs, buffalo, and elephants on the Kasenyi Plains. A boat cruise along the Kazinga Channel reveals hippos, crocodiles, and waterbirds against the stunning backdrop of the Rwenzori Mountains.
Murchison Falls National Park
Murchison Falls is Uganda’s largest national park and home to one of the world’s most powerful waterfalls. Here, the mighty Nile River forces through a narrow gorge, creating a breathtaking spectacle. Game drives across the northern plains bring you face to face with elephants, giraffes, lions, leopards, and buffalo. A boat trip to the base of the falls adds another exciting dimension, with massive Nile crocodiles, hippos, and rare shoebill storks along the riverbanks.
Kidepo Valley National Park
Combining Gorillas with Other Uganda Wildlife. Kidepo Valley sits in Uganda’s remote northeastern corner and delivers one of Africa’s most unspoiled wilderness experiences. This park is the only place in Uganda where you can find cheetahs, bat-eared foxes, and striped hyenas. Over 475 bird species fill the skies, and dramatic mountain landscapes make every game drive a photographer’s dream.
Anthill Safaris’ Suggested 5-Day Uganda Safari Itinerary
Day 1
Arrive in Entebbe and drive or fly to Queen Elizabeth National Park. Settle into your lodge and enjoy an evening game drive.
Day 2
Morning game drive in the Kasenyi sector, followed by an afternoon boat safari on the Kazinga Channel.
Day 3
Early morning game drive in Ishasha to spot tree-climbing lions, then transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.
Day 4
The highlight of your trip — gorilla trekking in Bwindi! Spend one magical hour with a gorilla family, then relax at the lodge. Optionally, join a community walk with the Batwa people.
Day 5
Morning nature walk, then drive or fly back to Entebbe for departure.
Plan Your Safari With Anthill Safaris
Combining Gorillas with Other Uganda Wildlife Uganda’s wildlife is extraordinary, and combining gorilla trekking with game drives, boat safaris, and primate tracking creates a truly complete African experience. Contact Anthill Safaris today — our expert team handles every permit, transfer, and lodge booking so you enjoy every single moment of your Pearl of Africa adventure.
