Thinking about gorilla trekking in Uganda? We asked one of our recent travellers, Adam, to share his experience on the Ultimate Wildlife Tour in Uganda. Since photos are worth a thousand words, and Adam’s are seriously stunning, we’ll let both his words and his images do the talking.
The highlight: the gorillas
Uganda’s diversity really comes into its own across different national parks, from primates in the forest to big game on the plains.
"The opportunities to view wildlife were incredible throughout the trip, but the top highlight was undoubtedly the gorillas. Being in the forest with them, experiencing it properly as you and the troop move around each other, is something else entirely.
The infants were especially adorable, constantly playing and sticking close, while the silverback, Magara, wasn’t shy about showing how to make more. It was one of those moments where you don’t really know where to look because everything is happening at once.”
Something I didn’t expect
Gorilla trekking is often the main reason people visit Uganda, but as Adam discovered, there's so much more to the 'pearl of Africa'.
“The Batwa visit is something I probably wouldn’t have chosen myself if it wasn’t part of a package like this, but it ended up being one of the highlights of the whole trip. It added a completely different side to the experience and is definitely something I’m glad I didn’t miss.”
Lake Mburo: leopards, giraffes and walking safaris
“At Lake Mburo, we were lucky enough to see two leopards in a single evening. We actually left a female because we felt the number of vehicles around her was getting a bit much, but later that same evening, we found a huge male just lying on the side of the road.
The bush walk was also very interesting. I would never have expected to get so close to wild giraffes on foot. At one point, we were walking alongside a family of them through the bush, learning from our guide about how everything in the environment connects. We ended up joining a big mixed group of zebra, buffalo and more giraffes, and it was pretty incredible just being amongst them all.”
Final thoughts from Adam
“This is hands down my best travel experience to date. Peter (our guide and driver) was fantastic. He was very informative, went out of his way to help way beyond what would normally be expected, and was just a great guy to enjoy a beer with at the end of the day.
“The tour did start quite full-on, with not much downtime between activities and driving, although it did slow down a bit towards the end.
“Overall, it was an incredible trip. Thank you. I had the best time!”
Planning your own Uganda gorilla trekking experience?
If Adam’s experience has inspired you, here are a few useful things to know when planning your own trip:
- Project or tour: Adam joined the Ultimate Wildlife Tour in Uganda, but we also run The Great Gorilla Project if you’re looking for more community involvement.
- Fitness level: Moderate (treks can vary in difficulty depending on gorilla location
- Accommodation: A mix of comfortable safari lodges and remote stays
- Wildlife highlights: Mountain gorillas, chimpanzees, leopards, giraffes, zebra, buffalo, and more
Gorilla trekking in Uganda is strictly regulated, with limited permits issued each day to protect the gorillas and ensure small group sizes. This makes every encounter feel personal, respectful, and unforgettable!
Why gorilla trekking in Uganda is so special
Gorilla trekking in Uganda offers one of the rarest wildlife experiences in the world, the chance to spend time with endangered mountain gorillas in their natural habitat.
The experience is carefully managed, meaning encounters are intimate, sustainable, and led by expert trackers and guides who know the forest inside out.
About Adam
As you can see, Adam is a very talented photographer with a passion for capturing raw, natural moments in the wild. You can follow more of his work on Instagram: @adamdavenportphotography
