Entebbe serves as Uganda’s primary access point and is the location of the nation’s international airport. Gorilla trekking from Entebbe is an ideal choice for anyone intending to trek mountain gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park or Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. Tourists in Entebbe can access Bwindi or Mgahinga for gorilla excursions via road or air, or opt to include other locations such as Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, Murchison Falls, Kibale Forest, or Queen Elizabeth National Park before or after their gorilla trekking experience.

Gorilla trekking from Entebbe by road;
You can access Bwindi/Mgahinga by road in a 4×4 safari vehicle with a knowledgeable driver guide from Engabi Tours & Travel. The journey from Entebbe entails traversing the Kampala-Masaka-Mbarara-Kisoro route. The journey from Entebbe city to Mgahinga/Bwindi takes 8 to 9 hours by car.
Embarking on gorilla trekking from Entebbe to Bwindi or Mgahinga offers numerous advantages. The anticipated stops along the tour are the Equator crossing and the Mpambire Drum Makers in Mpigi. If you are undertaking an extended gorilla tour, you may have the opportunity to include wildlife safaris from Lake Mburo National Park, which is inhabited by numerous antelope species and zebras.

Gorilla trekking from Entebbe by air/flight
Air travel options for gorilla excursions are available, facilitating the commencement of your gorilla trekking from Entebbe to one of the two safari areas. Flights to Bwindi/Mgahinga commence from Entebbe International Airport to either Kihihi Airstrip or Kisoro Airstrip.
In contrast to road travels, aircraft provide the most expedient means for travelers to access Bwindi and Mgahinga. Approximately two hours of travel time is required to reach Southwestern Uganda, where you can be collected from the airstrips and transported to your designated gorilla trekking locations.
Kihihi Airstrip is optimal for gorilla trekkers intending to investigate the sectors in Bwindi, particularly Buhoma and Ruhija. Kisoro Airstrip is optimal for those wishing to see the Rushaga and Nkuringo regions in Southwestern Uganda or Mgahinga Gorilla National Park.
Here’s a rough itinerary you could use or adapt:
3 days gorilla Trekking from Entebbe
| Day | Activity |
|---|---|
| Day 1 | Depart Entebbe early in the morning (by road or fly) → arrive at your lodge near the Kigali sector (or chosen trekking sector in Bwindi/Mgahinga) Rest, prepare for trekking (gear, briefing) |
| Day 2 | Gorilla trekking early (may start before sunrise) Trek, spend about 1 hour with gorillas once found Afternoon rest / optional nature walk around the area / community visit |
| Day 3 | Return journey to Entebbe If by air, fly back; if by road, drive back, maybe stop en route for scenic spots or relaxation |
Accommodations in Entebbe
Travelers planning to commence their gorilla trekking vacation from Entebbe have various lodging options available for booking. They encompass budget, medium, and luxury hotels and resorts. Entebbe City features various hotels, including K Hotels Entebbe, Protea Hotel Entebbe, The Boma Hotel Entebbe, Hotel No.5 Entebbe, Imperial Heights Hotel, Airport Hotel Entebbe, Best Western Premier Garden Hotel Entebbe, and 2 Friends Beach Hotel, among others.
Organizing your gorilla trekking expedition from Entebbe, Uganda
Reach out to Gorilla Trekking in Africa to arrange and reserve your gorilla safari in Uganda. We are a reputable tour business located in Uganda, possessing extensive experience in orchestrating memorable gorilla excursions in East Africa. Contact our reservations at info@gorillatrekkinginafrica.com
Destinations for gorilla trekking
Gorilla trekking from Entebbe is optimally conducted from one of the two locations in Uganda. Bwindi National Park consists of four primary sectors: Ruhija, Rushaga, Buhoma, and Nkuringo.
Bwindi gorilla safaris entail the exploration of the diverse gorilla groups located inside the park’s four principal districts. The principal gorilla groups to investigate in Bwindi include Katwe, Mukiza, Bushaho, Oruzogo, Habinyanja, Kyaguriro, Bitukura, Nkuringo, Bweza, Mishaya, Busingye, Kutu, Rushegura, and Mubare.
If you intend to visit Mgahinga, anticipate exploring the Nyakagezi gorilla family. The Nyakagezi group is the sole habituated gorilla group available for visitation in this enchanting primate safari park.
Travel during the high season
The peak dry season is undoubtedly the most favored time for uninterrupted gorilla trekking. Two primary dry seasons should be taken into account while organizing your gorilla journey to Bwindi or Mgahinga from Entebbe City. This period may extend from June to September or from December to February. A road travel during these months is also seamless, and the forest floor and steep inclines in the quest for gorillas tend to be comparatively drier than in the wet or rainy season.
Recommended gorilla trekking safari packages for selection
Gorilla Trekking in Africa offers several enticing gorilla safari packages in Uganda that are worth reserving. The offerings comprise 3 Days of Gorilla Tracking in Bwindi, 3 Days Luxury Gorilla Trekking in Uganda, 4 Days of Luxury Uganda Gorilla Trekking Safari, 5 Days Uganda Gorilla and Wildlife Tour, 7 Days of Uganda Safari, among others. Consult our specialists to reserve your preferred gorilla safari package and be assured of enthralling interactions with the elusive mountain gorillas.
Accommodation options in Bwindi/Mgahinga
The gorilla safari lodges accessible in and surrounding Bwindi National Park comprise Nkuringo Bwindi Gorilla Lodge, Buhoma Lodge, Bweza Gorilla Lodge, Chameleon Hill Forest Bwindi, Bwindi Jungle Lodge, Buhoma Community Rest Camp, Agandi Lodge, Bwindi Trekkers Tavern Cottages, Clouds Mountains Gorilla Lodge, Volcanoes Bwindi Lodge, and Mahogany Springs Lodge.
Accommodations available before or after hiking the Mgahinga gorillas include Mount Gahinga Lodge, Mutanda Lake Resort, Travelers’ Rest Hotel, Amajambere Iwacu Camp, among others.
Permits for gorilla trekking
A valid gorilla permit is necessary for any gorilla trekking excursions in Uganda, irrespective of your starting point. A single Uganda gorilla permit can be obtained for USD 800 for all foreign non-residents, USD 700 for foreign residents, and 300,000 shillings for nationals of the East African Community.
Essential items to pack for your gorilla safari in Bwindi and Mgahinga.
Essential goods to bring for your gorilla trekking tour are a quality camera devoid of a flash, binoculars, sufficient bottled water, a packed lunch, a safari cap, insect repellent, a first aid kit, a daypack, snacks, and waterproof hiking boots.
Additional items to include on your packing list are a rain jacket, long-sleeved shirts, long pants, a pair of socks, gaiters, and sunscreen. Crucial travel documents encompass visas, passports, and travel insurance.
In conclusion, gorilla trekking in Uganda is not limited. From Entebbe, one can access Bwindi National Park or Mgahinga Gorilla National Park to observe mountain gorillas in their native habitat.

