Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest: A Once-in-a-Lifetime Experience
by Gabrielle Warncke, Luxury Travel Advisor
Updated in March 2025
Trekking mountain gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, Uganda, had been a dream of mine for years. So when the opportunity arose for my friend Holly and me to embark on this journey, it was truly a dream come true.
The night before our first trek, anticipation and excitement consumed me. I awoke before sunrise, my mind racing with questions. Would the experience live up to my expectations? Would it be entirely different from what I had imagined? Whatever the case, I was about to make my dream a reality.
Preparing for the Trek
After an early breakfast, the lodge provided us with packed lunches and bottled water for the trek. We filled our backpacks with provisions, rain gear, and cameras, ensuring we were ready for the adventure ahead.
At 7:30 a.m., our guide met us at Sanctuary Gorilla Forest Camp and escorted us to the base camp for check-in.
At Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, only three habituated gorilla families—the Mubare, Rushegura, and Habinyanja families—are available for trekking each day. With only eight visitor permits issued per family, this intimate experience is highly exclusive. Guests cannot pre-select their trekking group, as assignments are made upon check-in. That morning, we were assigned to the Rushegura family.
The Trek into the Forest
Our journey began with a 20-minute drive to the base of the mountain, where locals greeted us warmly, carrying out their daily routines. With our group assembled and porters ready, we set off toward the forest’s edge.
I was nervous about the difficulty of the hike, yet brimming with excitement at the possibility of encountering these magnificent creatures.
The trail wound through a series of switchbacks, each turn revealing breathtaking vistas that became even more spectacular as we gained elevation. The skies were clear, the sun shone brightly, and the setting could not have been more perfect.
After 90 minutes of steady trekking, we reached the top of the mountain, where our guides provided a final briefing. They reminded us of the rules for interacting with the gorillas:
Maintain a respectful distance
Avoid sudden movements
Remain calm and quiet in their presence
An Unforgettable Encounter with the Rushegura Family
As we continued deeper into the forest, we turned a corner and suddenly found ourselves face-to-face with 12 of the 17 members of the Rushegura family.
The moment was surreal. A hush fell over our group as we stood in awe, watching these incredible primates go about their day as if we weren’t even there.
At the center sat Kabukojo, the silverback, towering over the group with a quiet yet commanding presence. Around him, females and juveniles moved freely. The young gorillas were full of playful energy, tumbling over one another, leaping onto the adults, and engaging in the kind of mischievous antics that reminded me of human children.
One mother gently pulled her toddler close, attempting to calm the chaos—only for the little one to wriggle free and resume playing moments later. Nearby, a female carefully groomed another, methodically plucking insects from her fur in an intimate display of social bonding.
A short distance away, five "blackbacks" (adult males) rested among the trees, seemingly unbothered by our presence. Our group quietly spread out, observing the different behaviors of the family.
A Profound & Emotional Experience
As our hour with the gorillas came to an end, I felt overwhelmed with gratitude for the privilege of witnessing such a rare and extraordinary moment in nature.
This experience had long been on my bucket list, yet I had never been certain I would have the chance to fulfill it. It was everything I had imagined, yet nothing like I had imagined—exhilarating yet humbling, breathtaking yet deeply emotional.
It was, without a doubt, one of the most extraordinary days of my life.
