Both Uganda and Rwanda offer guided mountain gorilla trekking experiences. Choosing between them is less about which forest is “best” and more about how the trip fits into your time in East Africa.
Gorilla trekking in Uganda
In Uganda, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is famous for its rich forest landscape and established gorilla trekking sectors. Travellers can combine their gorilla encounter with chimpanzees in Kibale, safari game drives in Queen Elizabeth National Park and lake retreats in southwestern Uganda.
Gorilla trekking in Rwanda
Volcanoes National Park is reached from Kigali, making Rwanda especially attractive for travellers with fewer days available. The wider country also offers golden monkeys, Nyungwe’s chimpanzees, Lake Kivu and Akagera’s savannah wildlife.
Choosing your route
Consider travel times, gorilla permit price and availability, lodge preferences, fitness, and other activities you hope to include. Gorilla sightings are guided wildlife encounters, so the duration and terrain of a particular trek cannot be guaranteed in advance.