The Mighty Silverback Gorillas of Uganda

Deep in the misty mountain forests of southwestern Uganda, the mountain gorilla reigns as one of nature's most magnificent creatures. With a population of fewer than 1,100 individuals remaining in the wild — all found in the Virunga Massif and Bwindi Impenetrable Forest — every encounter with these animals is a privilege that few people on earth will ever experience. Coming face to face with a silverback is not something you forget in a lifetime.

The Silverback — King of the Forest

The silverback is the dominant adult male of a gorilla family group, named for the distinctive saddle of silver hair that develops along his back as he matures. A fully grown silverback can weigh up to 220 kilograms and stand nearly 1.8 metres tall on two legs. Despite their fearsome size, mountain gorillas are gentle, intelligent animals that share approximately 98% of their DNA with humans. Watching a silverback care for his family — grooming youngsters, resolving disputes, leading his group through the forest — is deeply moving.

Bwindi Impenetrable Forest

Uganda's primary gorilla trekking destination is Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that covers 331 square kilometres of ancient montane rainforest in the Albertine Rift Valley. Bwindi is home to 459 mountain gorillas across 22 habituated family groups, each with its own personality, hierarchy, and territory. The forest itself is extraordinary — a cathedral of enormous hardwood trees, tangled vines, wild figs, and tree ferns that has remained largely unchanged for over 25,000 years.

What to Expect on a Gorilla Trek

Gorilla trekking begins at dawn with a briefing from your Uganda Wildlife Authority ranger. Treks can last anywhere from 1 to 8 hours depending on where the gorilla family has moved overnight. Once you locate the family, you are granted one precious hour in their presence. In that hour, you may watch infants wrestle and tumble through the undergrowth, mothers nurse their young, and the silverback hold court at the centre of his world. Photography is permitted without flash. The experience is conducted in silence and with profound respect.

Gorilla Permits — Everything You Need to Know

Each visitor to a habituated gorilla family must hold a gorilla trekking permit. In Uganda, permits are issued by the Uganda Wildlife Authority and cost USD 700 per person per trek. Only eight people per gorilla family group are permitted each day, keeping the experience intimate and minimising disturbance to the animals. Permits sell out months in advance during peak season (June–August and December–February). We secure permits for all our clients well ahead of time — contact us early to avoid disappointment.

Conservation Impact of Your Visit

Every gorilla trekking permit purchased directly funds the conservation of mountain gorillas and the communities surrounding Bwindi. Uganda's gorilla population has actually grown over the past two decades — a remarkable conservation success story driven in large part by responsible ecotourism. By choosing À Bientôt for your gorilla trek, you are contributing directly to that story. We work exclusively with lodges and operators that meet the highest conservation and community-benefit standards.