Uganda: Face to Face With Mountain Gorillas in Bwindi
Uganda's safari case rests on one extraordinary hour: a trekking permit into Bwindi Impenetrable Forest for a face-to-face encounter with a mountain gorilla family, on foot, at close range. It is not a one-note destination -- Kibale adds chimpanzee tracking, Queen Elizabeth National Park adds classic savannah game viewing and tree-climbing lions -- but gorilla trekking is genuinely the headline draw, and Uganda's permits and trails are generally less crowded than the equivalent experience across the border.
Best time to visit
Gorilla trekking runs year-round since permits are not seasonal, but the drier months (roughly June to September and December to February) make the forest trails considerably easier underfoot. Wetter months bring lower accommodation rates and fewer trekkers on the trail, at the cost of muddier hiking.
Featured properties
A sample of Uganda's lodges and camps, across three tiers
Mid-RangePlaceholder Mid-Range Camp -- Uganda
Full Board
LuxuryPlaceholder Luxury Lodge B -- Uganda
Half Board
LuxuryPlaceholder Luxury Lodge A -- Uganda
Half Board
Ultra-LuxuryPlaceholder Ultra-Luxury Retreat -- Uganda
All-Inclusive
Sample itineraries
Illustrative starting points: every trip is built around you.
4 nights: Bwindi Gorilla Trek
7 nights: Gorillas & Queen Elizabeth NP
10 nights: Primates & Parks