Gorilla Trekking in Uganda
#adventuremoments
When we talk about travel, most often what comes to mind are cities and beaches, but there are adventures that change the way you see the world. For me, such a moment was meeting mountain gorillas in Uganda — an experience that cannot be compared to anything else.
There are only about 1,000 mountain gorillas left in the world. They live at altitudes from 2,200 to 4,300 meters. Globally, there are only three countries where you can encounter mountain gorillas — Uganda, Rwanda, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Congo is unsafe for tourists, in Rwanda a permit for gorilla trekking costs $1,500, and in Uganda it’s $800. This is a mandatory fee per person that every tourist must pay. That’s why we chose Uganda — it’s more affordable.
Your plane will land at the country’s main airport, Entebbe. It is just 30 km from the capital city Kampala, but there is not much to do in Kampala, so we didn’t stay. Next, you head to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park. The road itself is already an adventure: bumps, turns, tiny villages where children wave to tourists, and endless green hills stretching all around. It’s beautiful, and it’s the real Africa.
The trek begins early in the morning, accompanied by rangers and guides. The route is not easy: dense thickets, roots under your feet, wet ground, and climbs that take your breath away. Sometimes you have to push through thorns and misty greenery. But that’s exactly what creates the feeling of a real expedition. No paved roads. If you are not confident in your fitness level, I wouldn’t recommend it. It truly can be challenging at times.
And then — everything changes. The rangers signal to stop. Through the leaves, you see movement — and right before your eyes appears a gorilla family. A huge silverback sits in the shade, radiating power and calm. Nearby, the young ones are playing, rolling in the grass and teasing each other, while the females keep a watchful eye. You realize: this is not a zoo, not a safari from a car window — this is a true face-to-face encounter with the wild.
Once you find the gorilla family, you have one hour. That’s the exact time allowed to spend with them, and then you must leave. These are the rules, designed to respect the gorillas’ peace and wellbeing. And it’s worth noting: if you don’t find a gorilla family, it’s sad, but the money is not refunded. Rare, but it happens.
When the trek ended, we received certificates proving our participation. The world felt different. It was more than just an adventure — it was a lesson on how important it is to value nature and our place within it. #uganda #gorilla