3 Days 2 Nights Mgahinga Gorilla Trekking Safari
October 21, 2025
3 Days 2 Nights Mgahinga Gorilla Trekking Safari
This 3 day gorilla trekking safari in Mgahinga National Park is mainly focused on seeing the mountain gorillas. Mgahinga National Park is the only park in Uganda where mountain gorillas co-exist with golden monkeys. It offers a unique experience” where gold meets silver”. Encounter Africa Safaris organizes safaris to Mgahinga National Park and this safari is for those who do not have enough time at their disposal but would like to see the mountain gorillas. This 3 day Mgahinga gorilla trekking safari starts and ends in Entebbe.
A Detailed 3 Days 2 Nights Mgahinga Gorilla Trekking Safari.
Day 1: Pick up from your Hotel in Entebbe/ Kamplala and drive to Mgahinga National Park
Morning: You will be picked up by our expert driver guide from your hotel who will give you a brief about your safari and you will proceed on your journey to Mgahinga National Park in Southwestern Uganda which takes about 9-10 hours drive with a stop over at the equator for photography and equator experience.
Afternoon: You will have a stopover in Mbarara for lunch. After lunch you will proceed on your scenic drive to Kisoro as you view the flat lands of Ntungamo , rolling hills of Kabale and the meandering roads to Kisoro.
Evening: You will arrive at the lodge for relaxation, dinner and overnight.
Drive time: Approximately 9-10 hours.
Meal Plan: Lunch and dinner
Accommodation: Ichumbi Hotel, Mulehe Safari Lodge, Gahinga Lodge
Day 2: Gorilla Trekking in Mgahinga National Park
Morning: After an early morning breakfast, you driver guider will drive you to Mgahinga National Park headquarters. You will be briefed by one of the UWA rangers about the instructions of gorilla trekking and will be allocated a gorilla family to trek.
Trekking experience: You will then be led to the forest to find the habituated Nyakagezi gorilla family. The duration of the trek depends on the gorillas location. Once you find the Nyakagezi family, you will be allowed one hour with the gorillas and then trek back to the park headquarters. You will later return to the lodge for relaxation and dinner.
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Packed lunch and dinner.
Accommodation: Ichumbi Hotel Kisoro, Mulehe safari lodge, Gahinga Lodge.
Day 3: Drive back to Kampala/ Entebbe to end the safari.
Morning: After breakfast, you will embark on your journey to Kampala/ Entebbe.
Afternoon: You will have a stopover at the equator and then proceed to Kampala/ Entebbe.
Evening: You will be dropped off at the airport or hotel depending on your program.
Booking your 3 days 2 Nights Mgahinga Gorilla trekking safari
Book safari in advance: You can book your gorilla trekking permits directly through Uganda Wildlife Authority or through a registered tour operator like Encounter Africa Safaris. Permits usually sell out quickly in the peak seasons so its best to book 3- 6 months in advance.
Confirm permits availability: You need to confirm your travel dates and ask your tour operator to confirm availability with Uganda Wildlife Authority.
Book and secure your spot: Once availability is confirmed, go ahead and make a deposit payment to secure your permit.
What to expect on your 3 Days 2 Nights Maghinga Gorilla trekking safari
- Scenery: Mgahinga National Park Offers dramatic volcanic landscapes of Muhavura, Sabinyo and Mgahinga and open nature trails, which offer opportunities for clearer photo and video opportunities.
- Trekking difficulty and experience: Mgahinga National Park is dominated by open,volcanic terrain and bamboo forests, treks to and from the gorillas are generally shorter and less strenuous than in Bwindi.
- Gorilla families: Mgahinga National Park has only one resident habituated gorilla family, the Nyakagezi group, which makes permits more limited to 8 per day but the encounter is more intimate.
- Visitor traffic: Mgahinga National Park receives fewer visitors because of having one gorilla family, offering a more unique, exclusive and less crowded trekking experience.
- Optional Activities: Offers golden monkey trekking, a unique add-on to your gorilla safari, as this is the only park in Uganda with these primates.
- Combined Safari option: Mgahinga National park is furthest from other wildlife National Parks like Queen Elizabeth National Park and Kibale National Park for chimp trekking but can be combined via 6-7 hours drive, or taking a flight from Kisoro Airstrip to Mweya or
Kasese Airstrip.
Key Considerations for your 3 Days 2 Nights Mgahinga Gorilla Trekking safari
Gorilla Trekking Permit: The gorilla trekking permit in Uganda costs $800 for foreign non-residents, $700 for foreign residents, $500 for Rest of Africa and 300,000 Uganda shillings for East African citizens.. It is important to book your permit in advance especially during the peak seasons. A tour operator like Encounter Africa Safaris can help you purchase your permit in advance.
Fitness level: For gorilla trekking in Mgahinga, a moderate level of fitness is required. Though Mgahinga National Park is less strenuous than trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, the trek is manageable for reasonably fit people.
What to Pack: Pack good sturdy hiking boots, neutral colored long-sleeved shirts, long comfortable pants to protect against insects and scratches. A light backpack with plenty of water and snacks, camera with extra batteries, insect repellent, face mask and sunscreen.
Documents: You should ensure that you carry your passport, yellow fever card, visa and any other vaccination certificates.
Cost of Safari and Permits
Gorilla Permit: A gorilla trekking permit in Uganda costs $800 for foreign non residents and must be booked in advance.
Inclusions: The package costs cover the gorilla permit, transportation, accommodation and meals.
Exclusions: The cost of personal items like tips, visas and personal beverages are not included.
Best time to visit
Gorilla trekking is possible all year round but the best time to visit is during the drier seasons from June to September and December to February. During this time the trails are less muddy and slippery. The wet seasons offer a lush scenery , less tourists and sometimes low accommodation rates but can be abit more challenging to hike.
Feel free to reach out to our team for more information about this 3 day Mgahinga Gorilla Trekking safari.
EARLY BIRD SAFARI DISCOUNTS FOR 2026-27
Take a budget gorilla trip into Uganda’s Bwindi Impenetrable Forest to trek mountain gorillas and stay in low-cost camps and gorilla lodges.
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