Into the Forest.Face to Face With the Extraordinary.

Queen Safaris designs mountain gorilla journeys in Uganda and Rwanda.

In Uganda, trekking takes place in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. In Rwanda, trekking takes place in Volcanoes National Park.

Both offer extraordinary encounters. Uganda works particularly well if you want to combine gorillas with a broader safari, primate or adventure journey. Rwanda suits shorter, gorilla-focused journeys and multi-country combinations.

The right choice depends on the journey you want around the trek.

The cost depends on where you trek, the type of permit, accommodation, private transportation, regional flights where required and everything you choose to experience around the trek.

Permit fees are set by the relevant wildlife authorities and can change. We confirm current cost and availability when designing your journey rather than building your trip around outdated figures.

Yes. Gorilla trekking is permit-controlled, and we arrange the permit as part of designing your journey.

Because permits are limited, we recommend making the gorilla decision early in the planning process.

Permits are limited and availability can become tight during popular travel periods.

If seeing mountain gorillas is the reason you are coming to East Africa, planning well ahead gives you more flexibility with permits, preferred lodges and the rest of your journey. Last-minute travel is sometimes possible, but permit availability should always be confirmed first.

Every trek is different. Gorillas move freely, so duration and terrain cannot be predicted precisely — some treks are short, others involve several hours through steep or dense forest.

You do not need to be a mountaineer, but a reasonable level of mobility makes a considerable difference. Tell us honestly how you travel and we will plan accordingly.

Expect a forest environment: sturdy walking or hiking shoes, long trousers and sleeves, lightweight waterproof protection and appropriate layers.

Bring water, a small daypack, your camera and any personal essentials. Gardening or trekking gloves are useful on some trails. A porter can carry your belongings and help over difficult sections. We provide full preparation guidance before you travel.

A standard gorilla trek allows a defined observation period once the family is located — one hour under current Uganda Wildlife Authority rules.

The Gorilla Habituation Experience allows up to four hours, subject to the applicable regulations and the specific permit booked.

Encounters operate under wildlife-authority rules designed to protect both visitors and gorillas. Your guides brief you on the appropriate viewing distance and behaviour before and during the encounter.

Sometimes a gorilla moves closer than expected. Remain calm and follow your guide, who understands the family and the regulations governing the encounter.

Never approach, touch or attempt to interact with them. The privilege is being allowed into their environment — not asking them to enter ours.

A more immersive alternative to a standard trek. You enter the forest alongside experienced trackers and researchers to encounter a family undergoing the gradual process of becoming accustomed to human presence.

It is offered in the Rushaga sector of Bwindi, in southern Uganda, subject to the families and permits made available by the Uganda Wildlife Authority. Only four visitors are permitted per family.

Choose standard trekking for the classic encounter, particularly if you want to combine it with safari, chimpanzees or other experiences.

Consider habituation if gorillas are one of the defining reasons for your journey and you want longer in the forest. Neither is simply better — the right choice depends on how you want to experience them.

Bwindi can form part of an overland Uganda safari, moving through wildlife areas, highlands and changing landscapes on the way. To reduce driving time, scheduled or charter flights connect Entebbe with airstrips serving the region.

Routing depends on your trekking sector: Rushaga and Nkuringo are approached through Kisoro, while northern Bwindi is reached through Kihihi followed by a private road transfer.

The lodge is part of the journey. After hours in the forest, where you return matters.

We select accommodation according to your trekking sector, travel style, desired level of privacy and the journey surrounding Bwindi, Mgahinga or Volcanoes National Park — not simply because a property is called luxury.

Yes, and it is one of the reasons Uganda works so well for gorilla travel. A single journey can bring together mountain gorillas and wild chimpanzees, and the two feel completely different.

You can also combine the forest with wildlife safaris, golden monkeys, the Nile, culture and mountains — or continue into Kenya or Tanzania and finish beside the Indian Ocean.