There are roughly 1,000 mountain gorillas left on earth. They exist only in three countries — Uganda, Rwanda, and the DRC — in the high mountain forests of the Albertine Rift. Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in southwestern Uganda holds approximately half the global population.
A gorilla trek begins before dawn. Your group — maximum eight — walks into the forest with a guide and two rangers. The walk can be one hour or five. When you find the family, you have one hour. One hour is exactly right. It feels short while it is happening and enormous afterwards.
We combine the gorilla permit with chimpanzee tracking in Kibale Forest and the tree-climbing lions of Queen Elizabeth National Park — a journey that has no parallel anywhere in East Africa.
Sample itinerary
Entebbe · Transit
Arrive Uganda. Briefing on what to expect from the trek.
Kibale Forest
Chimpanzee tracking — habituated groups. Uganda's best primate forest. Also colobus, red-tailed monkey, L'Hoest's monkey.
Queen Elizabeth NP · Ishasha
Tree-climbing lions unique to this region. Kazinga Channel boat safari. Excellent bird diversity.
Bwindi · Gorilla trekking
Two permits if possible — different families, different experiences. The Rushaga and Nkuringo sectors are quietest.
Kigali · Rwanda · Optional extension
Volcanoes NP for a second gorilla permit, or Akagera for savanna Big Five.
Who this journey is for
Clients who want an experience they cannot get anywhere else on earth. Physically moderate — the trek demands fitness but is manageable for most ages with the right preparation. We brief clients carefully on what to expect.
What Elea does here
Gorilla permits sell out. We secure permits before building the rest of the itinerary around them. Jacob knows the trackers at Bwindi by name and knows which family groups are currently most accessible. We also know which lodges are genuinely worth the premium.
Jacob responds within 24 hours.
Field intelligence
Permit cost
USD $700 per person (Uganda) · $1,500 (Rwanda)
Availability
Book 3–6 months ahead for peak season
Trek difficulty
Moderate to strenuous — family-dependent. We match you to the right sector.
Best months
Jun–Aug (dry, firm ground) · Dec–Feb (short dry season)
Group maximum
8 people per habituated family. Always.
Conservation note
Tourism revenue is why the mountain gorilla population has grown from 600 (1980s) to 1,000+ today.