Tracking Gorillas Uganda, Rwanda

Population of the Mountain gorillas in Uganda, Rwanda, and the DR Congo

Gorilla trekking is an activity where visitors enter the forest in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, or Mgahinga Gorilla National Park in Uganda, or Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda, and Virunga National Park (though not stable at a time) in search of the Mountain gorillas.

Gorilla trekking is currently very active in Uganda and Rwanda and less so in DR Congo These three countries are in the Virunga conservation region with the 7 Virunga ranges where these mountain gorillas inhabit. Due to the weather and the high altitude of the region favour the survival of the mountain gorillas who love high altitudes. Considering that their meal is mainly vegetables, fruits, bamboo shots, leaves, flowers, they have to inhabit a forest area and this region is just perfect, from the Bwindi Impenetrable forest, to the mountain forests in Mgahinga, volcanoes and Virunga national park is a a perfect escape for these endangered mountain gorillas.

Population of the Mountain Gorillas

The mountain gorilla population has significantly increased to 1063 Individuals based on the previous census. As of May 2025, a Mountain gorilla census was again rolled out to establish the actual number of gorillas in Bwindi since the last census carried out in 2018.

The upward movement of the population is boosting tourism and particularly increasing the gorilla trekking opportunities and gorilla permits.

Gorilla Permit

Mountain gorillas are such a wonder to behold and to encounter, with the increasing mountain gorilla population in all these destinations, it is automatically increasing the number of permits available for trekking. Getting a gorilla permit is quite difficult given the large number of tourists who want to visit in a particular season, because of their scarcity one is required to book way in advance about 6 months before arrival in both Rwanda and Uganda.

Currently, a Gorilla permit in Uganda, costs $800 excluding other logistics, $1500 in Rwanda.

How many Gorilla Permits

On each day only 8 people are allowed to track a particular mountain gorilla group/family, this is done to avoid stressing the gorillas. Currently, Uganda has 194 Gorilla Permits per day and all year round, though they sell out most in the peak season.

There are 8 Gorilla Habituation Permits per day costing $1500, for gorilla habituation only 4 People are allowed to track a particular family, and there are two gorilla families that are undergoing habituation, this permit gives you a 4 hour access to the mountain gorillas observing, watching, learning their behavior and enjoy the moments with the might apes.

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