Uganda: Gorilla Adventure in the Misty Mountains Country #127 | 05 August 2025
Uganda is best known for its lush nature and incredible wildlife — particularly the endangered mountain gorillas. I didn’t stay overnight in the country but visited on a full-day gorilla trekking tour from Kigali, Rwanda.
Gorilla Trekking Day Trip
I left Kigali at 2:30 am for the long journey. The drive took 4 hours each way. The last part of the road, close to the gorilla park (located near an old volcano on the border with Rwanda and DRC), was extremely rough and bumpy — expect a lot of shaking!
Facilities at the starting point are very basic — just a simple coffee stop. Make sure to bring cash with you.
After a short 10-minute walk to the collection point, the park rangers took over. Before heading into the forest, local women performed a lively traditional dance for our group — a nice cultural touch.
The Gorilla Experience
This was an exclusive experience. Our trekking group had only 12 people. The hike through the dense forest was demanding — lots of climbing and physical effort. After about 1 hour, we found a family of 5 gorillas: the dominant silverback leader and several babies.
We were allowed to spend exactly 1 hour observing them at close range. It was a powerful and emotional moment seeing these majestic animals in their natural habitat. The hike back down was equally tiring but totally worth it.
Final Thoughts
Uganda offers one of the best gorilla trekking experiences in the world. The nature is beautiful, and the encounter feels very intimate. However, the infrastructure is still basic, and the roads (especially near the park) are challenging.
Would I recommend Uganda? Yes — if your main goal is mountain gorilla trekking. It’s significantly cheaper here than in Rwanda (800 USD permit vs 1,500 USD). The experience is world-class and something I’ll never forget. Just be prepared for a long, tiring day and physical effort.