4 days Luxury Fly In Gorilla Trekking Tour in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

Amazing experience! I hope the rules of 10m distance from the gorillas would be enforced better as they did seem a bit annoyed at times but otherwise definitely recommended

Gorilla trekking is an activity thousands of tourists participate in every year and is the main reason most people visit Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. Although we don't regret our visit to see the gorillas, the experience is a bit romanticized and we did not completely feel it was worth the cost. Your group size is unknown until you arrive but I think there is a cap of 8 which does not include the multiple guides, porters, trackers, and armed guards that accompany you. This doesn't seem like a lot of people until you begin trekking through the jungle and divert from the main road. The park officials advertise the experience as though you'll be tracking the gorillas yourself when in reality, the park staff closely monitor each of the habituated groups and pretty much know where they are from morning until night. That is the job of the gorilla trackers, to go out early in the morning before your trek starts so your guide can lead you right to them. This is of course to guarantee tourist satisfaction and sighting of the gorillas. The distance you have to trek varies based on the gorilla family you are assigned. Our particular guide was not very engaging and had to be prompted to provide more information about the gorillas and their behaviors, family history, etc. They state an observation distance of 7m from the gorillas at all times but I can confidently tell you our group was often closer than that and actively encouraged by park staff to stand closer to get a better photo. As a result of standing so close there were two instances when the gorillas moved very quickly past us, not leaving much time to safely move out of their way. The entire experience felt more like being in a zoo with no fence. I appreciate the conservation work and efforts to employ the local people but I had wished the experience would have felt a bit more authentic rather than like a Disneyland ride. Was it cool to see the gorillas, see them in their natural habitat, and take a few photos? Of course! Would I do it again? Likely not. I might rather stay at the Engagi Lodge or take a tour around the Buhoma Village in hopes of a gorilla sighting instead.

The best place for Mountain Gorilla experience! You will have once in a lifetime experience which is really worth the money spend. You will encounter gorillas very very close and will observe them for 1 hour in their natural habitant. Gorillas are wild but used for people so they will not harm you. The walk to find gorillas is not long but trilling through the jungles and hills. This is a must do experience if you visit Uganda.

Absolutely worth it - you are so close to the animals it’s hard to believe. You don’t need to pay for a porter, it’s not that a difficult hike. Just bring a small day pack and you will be completely fine. They will give you a walking pole.

This is a magnificent experience. Thanks to Jane Kiyai, Ema and Salomon for guide us and take us inside the forest to meet this wonderful gorilla family. We will always remember this gorilla tracking.