How Many Mountain Gorillas Are in Uganda? Facts, Gorilla Trekking

How many mountain gorillas are left in Uganda in 2025? A total of about 1063 mountain gorillas still live in the wild and half of these currently survive in Uganda. Mountain gorillas are among the must-see species while on Uganda safari. These unique apes live only in the natural habitat and in Uganda, seeing them involves trekking through the bamboo and rainforest of Mgahinga Gorilla National Park and Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in the Southwest.

The Mountain gorilla population has steadily increased for years till 2025 when they are now estimated to be 1063 individuals. These live only in Uganda, Rwanda, and Congo- making these 3 countries, the must-visit for mesmerizing mountain gorilla encounters or gorilla trekking adventures. They are listed as endangered species and remarkably, they are the only primate species whose population is on increase.

Considering the current population size, mountain gorillas were listed as endangered by The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). Initially, these apes were categorized as critically endangered and while they have changed, they still face threats including poaching, the spread of infectious diseases, habitat loss.

Where to go for 2025/2026 gorilla trekking in Uganda

There are only two (2) locations to visit for gorilla trekking in Uganda- The Pearl of Africa and they include Bwindi Impenetrable National Park (BINP) and Kisoro’s Mgahinga Gorilla National Park.

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is comprised of 331 sq. km Bwindi Impenetrable Forest where 459 mountain gorillas live. Bwindi lies in Southwestern Uganda and it was established in 1991 with the purpose of protecting these endangered species in the wild.

There are 4 main gorilla trekking locations in Bwindi and where gorilla trekking starts- Ruhija, Rushaga, Nkuringo, and Buhoma regions. The 4 locations for gorilla tracking in Bwindi National Park feature 20 habituated gorilla family groups.

In the Ruhija region, the 4 families to track include Oruzogo, Mukiza, Kyaguriro, and Bitukura; Buhoma region also has 4 groups including Mubare, Rushegura, Katwe, and Habinyanja gorilla families;

Rushaga region has many families ranging from Rwigi, Kutu, Nshongi, Bikingi, Kahungye, Busingye, Bweza, Mishaya, and Mucunguzi. Nkuringo sector in the south has families such as Christmas, Nkuringo, and Bushaho families.

Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is home to the 5^th gorilla trekking region- Ntebeko and trekkers come here to track the Nyakagezi gorilla family.

Mgahinga NP was founded in 1991 same year as Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and it sits on 33.7sq.km of the land area making the smallest of the 10 Uganda safari parks.

How much does it cost to see mountain gorillas in Uganda?

Acquiring gorilla permits is a must for trekkers on the Uganda gorilla tour to Bwindi or Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. 3 days, 5 days gorilla safari is ideal for exploring any of the 2 gorilla trekking parks and this can cost you about US Dollars 1200 per pax.

Gorilla permits in Uganda- The Pearl of Africa costs from USD 800 for foreign non-residents, USD 700 for foreign residents and citizens of East Africa Shs. 300,000.

Visitors in Bwindi can also be part of the exhilarating mountain gorilla habituation experience. For Uganda/Bwindi gorilla habituation experience, valid permits are issued out by UWA at US Dollars 1500 for foreign non-residents, USD 1000 for foreign residents, and Shs. 750,000 citizens of East Africa.

How many people go trekking mountain gorillas and who is eligible?

A single gorilla family in Bwindi N/Park or Mgahinga National Park is trekked by only 8 visitors. Only trekkers on Uganda gorilla tours above 15 years are allowed to go track mountain gorillas and the overall time spent varies from 2-6 hours inclusive of one hour face-to-face encounter.