Mountain Gorilla
Gorilla beringei beringei
About the Mountain Gorilla
Mountain gorillas are one of our closest living relatives, sharing 98% of human DNA. Fewer than 1,000 remain in the wild, living in the misty volcanic mountains of central Africa. Gorilla trekking is one of the most profound wildlife experiences on Earth — sitting metres from a silverback in his mountain forest home.
Biology & Stats
Migration: Non-migratory, home ranges of 3-15 km².
Best time of day: Morning treks (7-11am); most active feeding early morning.
Typical viewing distance: 7-10 metres (strict 7m minimum enforced)
Camera settings: 1/250s-1/500s, f/2.8-f/4, ISO 1600-6400, 24-70mm (very close)
Fun Facts
- Mountain gorillas cannot survive in captivity — every mountain gorilla alive is wild.
- Silverbacks can weigh up to 220 kg and are 10 times stronger than the strongest human.
- Conservation efforts have increased their population from 620 in 1989 to over 1,000 today.
Where to See Mountain Gorilla in the Wild
Bwindi Impenetrable Forest
UgandaHome to roughly half the world's mountain gorillas. The most popular trekking destination.
Browse Tours →Volcanoes National Park
RwandaPremium gorilla trekking experience in Dian Fossey's original research area.
Virunga National Park
DR CongoThe most affordable gorilla permits, though check travel advisories.
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Rwanda One Day Gorilla Trekking
9 hours
3 Day Rwanda to Uganda gorilla trekking Safari
72 hours
6 Bwindi Gorilla trekking to Uganda-Rwanda
144 hours
3 Days Rwanda Uganda Gorilla Trekking Safari
72 hours
1 Day Gorilla Trekking Uganda
8 hours
1 Day Gorilla Trekking Rwanda
13 hoursEverything You Need to See Mountain Gorillas
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Guided Tours & Experiences
Expert-guided tours dramatically increase your chances of a sighting.
Hotels & Accommodation
Stay near the best viewing locations.
Travel Insurance
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Camera & Gear
The right equipment for incredible wildlife photos.
Safari Specialists
Premium tailor-made packages from Africa's top operators. High-value bookings with expert planning.
Photography Tips for Mountain Gorilla
Forest light is dim — use a fast lens (f/2.8) and high ISO. Flash is prohibited. Keep your distance as instructed by rangers.
Safety Guide
Follow ranger instructions at all times. Maintain 7 metres minimum distance. Do not make direct eye contact with silverbacks. If a gorilla charges, crouch slowly and look away — they are bluff charges.
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Mountain Gorilla Trip Reports
Real experiences from wildlife travellers
One hour with the gorillas changed my life
Trekked for four hours through thick jungle before sitting with the Nkuringo family for a full hour. A juvenile gorilla came within two metres of me. The silverback was completely calm the entire time.
Get a porter, they are worth every dollar and it supports the local community. Waterproof everything, the forest is incredibly humid. The Rushaga sector tends to have shorter treks than Buhoma.
Watch in the Wild
Mountain Gorilla Trekking in Uganda
What Travellers Say
Real experiences from wildlife adventurers around the world
“Sitting 3 metres from a silverback gorilla… I cried. No exaggeration. A life-changing moment I'll never forget.”
“The wildebeest crossing we witnessed was the most incredible thing I've ever seen. Nature at its rawest and most powerful.”
“Kruger self-drive was the best budget safari decision we ever made. Saw the Big Five in three days flat.”
“Swimming alongside a whale shark is pure magic. Ningaloo is paradise — untouched and utterly stunning.”
“The jaguar appeared on the riverbank at sunset. Our guide burst into tears — it was that special.”
“Watching a polar bear mum with her cubs on the frozen tundra — Churchill delivered beyond our wildest dreams.”
“The baby orangutan swung right over our heads. Borneo's rainforest is like stepping into another world entirely.”
“Giant tortoises, blue-footed boobies, marine iguanas — every single island was a new adventure. Galápagos is unreal.”
“Hearing the tiger's roar echo through the canyon at dawn gave me actual goosebumps. Ranthambore is raw, real India.”
“Standing face-to-face with a Komodo dragon — 3 metres of prehistoric predator. My heart was pounding!”
“Kangaroo Island blew us away. Koalas in every tree, sea lions on the beach, and not a single crowd.”
“Best wildlife photography trip of my life. The light on the Serengeti at golden hour is absolutely unmatched.”
“Took our kids on their first safari — the look on their faces when they saw elephants up close was priceless.”
“Solo-travelled through Borneo and felt safe every step. The wildlife encounters more than made up for any nerves.”
“Our honeymoon safari in the Mara was pure romance — sundowners overlooking the savanna, lions at dawn.”
“The night safari in Borneo was surreal — flying squirrels, slow lorises, and a clouded leopard sighting!”
“Galápagos changed how I see conservation. Seeing species found nowhere else on Earth puts everything in perspective.”
“The Pantanal sunset river cruise was the highlight of our South America trip. Caimans everywhere!”
“Churchill in October is freezing but absolutely worth it. Polar bears playing in the snow is pure joy.”
“Ranthambore felt like stepping into a Kipling novel. We spotted three tigers in two days — incredible odds!”
Mountain Gorilla FAQ
Rwanda charges $1,500 per permit, while Uganda offers permits at $700 for foreign non-residents. The Democratic Republic of Congo charges $400, though access can be limited by security concerns. Permits include one hour with a habituated gorilla family and are typically booked months in advance, especially for peak season (June–September).
Treks range from 1 to 6 hours of hiking through steep, muddy terrain at altitudes of 2,300–4,000 metres. A moderate level of fitness is recommended, though porters are available for hire ($15–$20) to carry your bag and assist on difficult sections. Guides assign groups based on fitness, with easier families closer to the trailhead.
The dry seasons — June to September and December to February — offer the best trekking conditions with firmer trails and less rain. However, gorilla trekking runs year-round and the wet season (March–May, October–November) brings lower permit demand, greener forests, and occasionally lower accommodation rates.
As of the latest census, approximately 1,063 mountain gorillas survive in the wild, split between the Virunga Massif (shared by Rwanda, Uganda, and DRC) and Bwindi Impenetrable Forest in Uganda. This represents a conservation success story — numbers have risen from around 620 in 1989 thanks to intensive protection and tourism revenue.
Rwanda's Volcanoes National Park offers easier logistics from Kigali (2.5-hour drive), well-maintained trails, and luxury lodge options, but permits cost $1,500. Uganda's Bwindi Impenetrable Forest has permits at $700, more gorilla families to visit, and a wilder, more rugged experience. Both are outstanding — Rwanda for convenience, Uganda for value and adventure.
Essential items include waterproof hiking boots with ankle support, long trousers and long sleeves (to protect against nettles and insects), rain jacket, gardening gloves for gripping vegetation, a hat, and at least 2 litres of water. For photography, bring a camera with a fast lens (f/2.8) since the forest canopy creates low-light conditions.