A safari in Africa is an extraordinary experience in itself, but some adventures leave a unique mark on the soul. Top of the list is the chance to observe gorillas in their natural habitat. Much more than a simple moment of observation, it’s an immersion in the heart of a wild world, a rare and deeply moving privilege. Immersed in Uganda’s lush landscapes, the impenetrable Bwindi Forest is the perfect setting for this exceptional encounter. Here’s everything you need to know to prepare for this magical, unforgettable moment.
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Portrait of mountain gorillas: gentle giants, reflections of humanity
Majestic emblems of the African forest, mountain gorillas fascinate with their imposing stature and social life. Living in family groups called “troops”, they form close-knit communities, usually consisting of 5 to 20 individuals, although some groups can number up to 30.
At the head of each troop is a silverback, an adult male recognizable by his silver back, a symbol of maturity and authority. This leader watches over the group, making crucial decisions such as where to rest or forage, while ensuring everyone’s safety. Troops also include adult females, their young, and young males in apprenticeship. These dynamics are strikingly reminiscent of human families, reinforced by affectionate, cooperative behavior.
With their impressive size, mountain gorillas are true forces of nature. Silverbacks can stand up to 1.7 metres tall and weigh between 140 and 200 kg, while the smaller females reach around 1.5 metres and weigh between 70 and 100 kg. Yet behind this imposing appearance lies a peaceful nature. Mountain gorillas spend most of their day exploring the forest, feeding and interacting. Herbivores, they consume
Mountain gorillas are not only social creatures, but also expert communicators. Their exchanges include grunts, chest beats and various postures, conveying emotions, warnings or simple interactions. The inquisitive, playful youngsters strengthen bonds within the group through playful activities and mutual grooming sessions, cementing relationships and establishing a gentle hierarchy.
Where to see mountain gorillas?
Mountain gorillas, a critically endangered species, are found in only a handful of isolated locations in East Africa, in the rainforests of volcanic mountains and lowlands, spread across three countries: Uganda, Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
In Uganda, gorillas mainly inhabit the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest and the Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Bwindi is a natural sanctuary that is home to almost half of the world’s mountain gorilla population. Mgahinga, on the other hand, lies in the Virunga mountain range, on the border with Rwanda and the DRC. Although smaller, this park offers a spectacular setting dominated by towering volcanoes.
Rwanda also offers a well-organized experience in the Parc National des Volcans, renowned for its upscale infrastructure. However, costs are considerably higher. The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC ), with its Virunga National Park, offers a unique setting, but security conditions often complicate access to this region.
Why choose Uganda to see gorillas?
Uganda, Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) all offer opportunities for encounters with mountain gorillas, but Uganda stands out for its perfect balance of authenticity, accessibility and diversity.
Unparalleled biodiversity
Uganda is home to the world-famous Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, a UNESCO World Heritage site that is home to almost 50% of the world’s remaining mountain gorillas. Biodiversity is exceptional, with a varied fauna including golden monkeys, forest elephants and over 350 endemic bird species. Mgahinga National Park, although smaller, is equally fascinating, with its volcanic landscapes and access to the Virunga mountain range.
In comparison, Rwanda, although very well organized, is more restricted in its offerings, with the Parc National des Volcans the only option. The DRC, meanwhile, offers stunning scenery in the Virunga National Park, but safety issues can limit the experience.
Better value for money
The cost of gorilla-watching permits is obviously a determining factor. In Uganda, a permit costs around 800 USD, while in Rwanda the price rises to 1,500 USD per person. While Rwanda offers a high-end experience, Uganda offers a more affordable alternative without compromising the quality of the adventure. In the DRC, permits are slightly cheaper than in Uganda, but logistics and security conditions often complicate travel.
A more authentic experience
Uganda stands out for its more natural, less touristy approach. Visitor groups are limited, guaranteeing an intimate, immersive experience. Unlike Rwanda, where tourism is highly structured and sometimes perceived as overly formatted, Uganda offers a more spontaneous connection with nature and gorillas.
Complementary activities
There’s much more to Uganda than gorilla watching. The country also offers classic safaris in parks such as Queen Elizabeth and Murchison Falls, cruises on the Nile, hikes to Sipi Falls, and immersion in local cultures, notably with the Batwa communities. These possibilities make Uganda a complete destination, combining adventure and cultural discovery.
Rwanda, although renowned for its luxurious lodges and well-developed infrastructure, offers limited options outside the gorilla experience. The DRC, meanwhile, is ideal for adventurous travelers, but its tourism offering is still underdeveloped.
If you’re looking for an authentic experience, value for money and a destination offering a wide range of activities, Uganda is the ideal choice. With its spectacular landscapes, iconic gorillas and wide range of discovery possibilities, this country embodies the magic of Africa.
Why is Bwindi a good place to see gorillas in the mountains?
The Bwindi Impenetrable Forest is without doubt Uganda’s premier mountain gorilla-watching destination. It is home to almost
Bwindi is divided into four main areas: Buhoma, Ruhija, Rushaga and Nkuringo. Each offers a different experience, tailored to different traveler profiles.
- Buhoma: Located to the north-west of Bwindi, Buhoma is the most popular and accessible area, ideal for first tracking experiences. With its
relatively easy trails , it issuitable for families and beginners . It is also the area with the best tourist infrastructure, offering a wide range of lodges, local stores and cultural visits with neighboring communities. - Ruhija: Nestled to the east of Bwindi, Ruhija is one of the most remote areas, offering total immersion in the wilderness. This area is perfect for those seeking an intimate experience away from the crowds. Trails pass through a diversity of landscapes, from wooded hills to lush valleys. Ruhija is also known for its exceptional bird sightings, making it a popular destination for birdwatchers. Accommodations here are quieter and more authentic, often located close to the trailheads.
- Rushaga: Located south of Bwindi, Rushaga is the area with the highest concentration of habituated gorilla groups, offering greater flexibility when booking a permit. This area is distinguished by the unique opportunity to participate in the Gorilla Habituation Experience, allowing you to spend up to four hours with the gorillas, alongside researchers and veterinarians. Rushaga also offers a wide range of accommodation options to suit all budgets, and visitors can combine their tracking experience with hikes or visits to the surrounding villages.
- Nkuringo: Located in the mountains south of Bwindi, Nkuringo is known for its steep terrain and spectacular panoramic views. This area is a paradise for experienced hikers. The trails, although more demanding, offer breathtaking scenery, particularly over the surrounding hills and sometimes as far as the Virunga volcanoes. The atmosphere is peaceful, and the area is less crowded than Buhoma or Rushaga.
When is the best time to visit the Bwindi gorillas?
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park enjoys a humid equatorial climate that is fairly constant throughout the year, with regular rainy spells, a daily mist, and alternating clear skies and intense sunshine.
The dry seasons, from December to February and June to September, are ideal for gorilla watching, although showers can occur at any time, making trekking more difficult on steep terrain.
The rainy seasons, from March to May and September to November, bring muddy trails and dense vegetation, but offer the advantage of shorter treks, lower prices and fewer tourists. What’s more, gorillas often feed close to park boundaries, making them easier to observe.
Whatever the season, visitors should be well prepared with a walking stick, raincoat, gloves and equipment to avoid muddy trails. Weather conditions don’t usually disrupt treks, and it’s very rare for a trek to be cancelled due to bad weather.
How is gorilla tracking organized in Uganda?
Gorilla tracking in Uganda is a carefully regulated activity to guarantee a quality experience while preserving the gorillas and their environment.
Gorilla habituation: a long-term project
Before a gorilla group can be observed by visitors, it undergoes a process of habituation that can last several years. This crucial phase aims to gradually familiarize the gorillas with human presence, without disturbing their natural behavior. Teams of researchers and veterinarians play a central role in this process. Day after day, they interact calmly with the gorillas, gradually establishing a bond of trust through quiet, repeated interactions.
Habituation is not simply a matter of making the gorillas visible, but of preparing them to tolerate human observation without stress, thus ensuring an experience that is as authentic for visitors as it is harmless for the animals. This process is essential to reconcile tourism and conservation, while minimizing the impact on the primates.
Strict rules for sustainable conservation
Once a gorilla group has become accustomed to human presence, several strict rules are put in place to minimize disturbance and protect the animals.
Each group can be visited only once a day, by a maximum of 8 people aged 15 or over. In the
While it can take several hours’ walk to reach a group of gorillas (from 2 to 8 hours on average), gorilla observation is limited to one hour. This period allows visitors to observe them in their natural habitat without disturbing them, while enabling the team of rangers to maintain the animals’ safety and well-being.
For true enthusiasts, the Rushaga area offers the Gorilla Habituation Experience, an exclusive activity that allows just 4 visitors a day to accompany researchers and veterinarians for 4 hours of observation, helping them to habituate the gorillas to human presence.
Once in the presence of the gorillas, it is imperative to maintain a minimum distance of 7 metres between visitors and the animals at all times. This rule aims to avoid any close interaction, thus preventing stress in the gorillas and limiting the risk of transmitting human diseases. Visitors must also wear a mask, and take care to avoid any noise, running or sudden movements, so as not to disturb the gorillas’ natural behaviours.
Finally, it is forbidden to touch the gorillas or feed them, even if their behavior appears friendly. Compliance with these rules is essential to ensure the conservation of mountain gorillas and a safe, respectful experience for all.
Feedback from a day of gorilla tracking
The experience begins early in the morning, at around 7:30 a.m., with an obligatory briefing by rangers at the starting point. In a festive atmosphere, a group of women sing of their love for the gorillas and thank visitors for their help in conserving these majestic animals. Safety instructions are explained, as well as how to behave and the essential conservation rules to ensure respect for the gorillas and their habitat.
After the briefing, visitors are divided into small groups of 6 to 8 people, each assigned to a specific gorilla group. Some groups leave directly from the starting point on foot, while others first take their vehicle to get closer to the area where the gorillas have been located before starting their walk. In all, the expedition can last from 2 to 8 hours, depending on the gorillas’ location.
We’re in luck: briefing at 7:30 a.m., car departure at 8:30 a.m., and a group of just 6, accompanied by an experienced guide and a young guide-in-training. After a good half-hour’s drive, we leave the cars at the side of the road to take a path that runs alongside the forest and tea plantations.
A ranger leads the way, closely followed by our guide, while the trainee closes the way with the second ranger. The climb begins slowly, but soon what appeared to be a path disappears under the dense vegetation. We push on into the forest, the guide clearing the way with a machete. Each of us clears branches and foliage as we go, taking care not to lose our rhythm in the lush jungle.
The heat is omnipresent, but the weather remains dry, helping us to keep our balance on this steep slope, with its many obstacles and slippery terrain. We move forward in respectful silence, each of us aware of the magic awakening around us. The dense, mysterious forest seems almost alive, with every sound – from the rustling of leaves to the distant chirping of birds – adding to the intensity of the moment.
We continue on our way for about an hour, before joining the two rangers who watch over the gorillas all day. We put on our masks and prepare to approach. The excitement is palpable, aware that the encounter is just around the corner.
The first encounter with Happy, the silverback, is nothing short of magical. Perched atop a tree, he savors leaves with quiet grace, totally absorbed in his feast.
Then, suddenly, he breaks the branch and falls to the ground with majestic heaviness. He remains motionless for a moment, observing his surroundings, before deciding to join two females a little further on. When he stands up and passes within a few centimetres of us, the world seems to stop. We feel the intensity of his power, the brute force emanating from him, despite his size, which seems surprisingly similar to ours.
A few minutes pass. When Happy spots a female descending from a tree with her cub, he suddenly stands up, rears on his hind legs and strikes his chest in a burst of power. With a determined step, he charges towards the tree, and in a single movement, forces the female to climb back up. The scene is intense, all the more so as he passes us by without the slightest regard. We shudder…
After this tense moment, Happy calms down. He lies down under some trees, close to another female and her cub. The atmosphere suddenly becomes more serene, suspended in time. The little gorilla, obviously very curious, plays, climbs and rests in gentle tranquillity. The minutes tick by slowly, while we remain discreet, observing the scene unfolding before our eyes.
Now it’s time to leave, to leave them to their solitude, in the unspoilt peace of the forest, accompanied by the two dedicated rangers who will watch over them all day. The ascent, more difficult than the descent, is a final challenge before leaving this bewitching world. The slope is even steeper, and each step feels heavy. But we pay little heed to fatigue. We’ve left behind much more than a forest. We have experienced an unforgettable encounter, engraved forever in our memories.
Good to Know
Gorillas travel great distances to feed, and the trails that wind through the forest can be muddy, slippery and sometimes difficult. So it’s essential to be prepared for long, demanding treks, with a good level of fitness and the right equipment, including walking poles and appropriate footwear.
To enjoy this unique gorilla-watching experience, it’s crucial to book your tracking permit well in advance, especially during the high season (June to September and December to February), when demand is particularly high.
Tracking permits cannot be booked from abroad. To guarantee access to this experience, it is necessary to go through a travel agency or an approved local partner who can take care of all the formalities.
If you’d like to meet the gorillas in Uganda, contact us to receive a free, no-obligation customized travel proposal. We’ll be delighted to help you plan this exceptional trip to meet these gentle giants.
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