Book a Gorilla Trekking and Murchison Falls Combo Safari that pairs gorilla trekking in Bwindi or Mgahinga with a Murchison Falls safari for one complete Uganda trip. This guide covers gorilla permits, top parks, best times to visit, and how to travel between the gorilla parks and Murchison Falls National Park. Combine forest primate tracking with savannah game drives, a Nile boat cruise, and chimpanzee trekking in one unforgettable itinerary.
Gorilla Trekking & Murchison Falls Combo Safaris
Gorilla Trekking & Murchison Falls Combo Safari Guide
Book a combo safari that pairs gorilla trekking with a Murchison Falls safari for one complete Uganda trip. This guide covers gorilla trekking permits, the top parks, best time to visit, and how to combine your gorilla trek with wildlife viewing at Murchison Falls National Park.
Uganda is one of only three places in the world where you can track mountain gorillas in the wild. Gorillas live in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, both a drive away from Murchison Falls National Park, making a combo safari an easy way to see forest primates and Savannah wildlife in one trip.
Recommended Gorilla Trekking Companies
We recommend booking your combo safari with Magical Gorilla Adventures, Gorilla Hurly Burly, or Irresistible Safaris.
Why Combine Gorilla Trekking with Murchison Falls
Combining gorilla trekking with a Murchison Falls safari gives travelers two very different wildlife experiences in a single trip. Gorilla trekking brings you close to mountain gorillas in thick forest, while Murchison Falls offers open savannah game drives, a Nile boat cruise, and the falls themselves.
Most combo itineraries start with a gorilla trek in Bwindi or Mgahinga, then continue north to Murchison Falls National Park for game drives, chimpanzee trekking in Budongo Forest, and a boat cruise to the base of the falls. This gives travelers a full picture of Uganda’s wildlife, from primates to the Big Five, without needing to plan two separate trips.
Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Bwindi Impenetrable Forest is a well-known rainforest in southwestern Uganda and one of the top destinations in the world for mountain gorilla trekking. The forest covers over 321 square kilometers of steep ridges and misty slopes. A visit to Bwindi gives travelers a chance to see habituated gorilla groups in their natural habitat before continuing on to Murchison Falls.
In the 1980s, Bwindi had only about 250 mountain gorillas. Conservation efforts and gorilla tourism have helped their numbers grow. Today, the forest is home to 18 fully habituated gorilla families, including Christmas, Mukiza, Katwe, Bikingi, Habinyanja, Mishaya, Nshongi, Mubare, Oruzogo, Kahungye, Busingye, Nteko, Nkuringo, Rushegura, Rushaga, Bitukura, Mutaho, Kyagurilo, Bushaho, and Bweza.
Each day, up to 144 visitors can track these gorillas. Treks can take up to six hours or more, since finding the gorillas in the thick forest takes physical effort.
Gorilla treks start daily at 7:00 a.m. from the park headquarters. Visitors must carry their passport and gorilla permit for registration and a briefing, which lasts about 30 to 45 minutes. Groups are limited to eight people to protect gorillas from disease and to avoid scaring them. Treks involve hiking through dense vegetation, climbing muddy hills, and descending rugged valleys.
When gorillas are found, visitors can observe them for one hour, taking photos and watching their natural behavior. Bwindi also offers a Gorilla Habituation Experience, where visitors spend up to four hours with gorillas.
Gorilla permits cost $800 for foreign non-residents, $700 for foreign residents, and 300,000 Ugandan shillings for East African Community citizens.
Accommodation options near Bwindi range from budget to luxury, including Volcanoes Bwindi Lodge, Mahogany Springs, Gorilla Safari Lodge, Bakiga Lodge, and Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge.
Gorilla Trekking in Mgahinga National Park
Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is a 34 square kilometer park in southwestern Uganda, established in 1991. It is one of only four places in the world where mountain gorillas can be tracked.
Mgahinga is the smallest park in Uganda and is home to about 80 mountain gorillas. It has only one habituated gorilla family, called Nyakagezi, made up of ten members, including five silverbacks, two adult females, and three infants.
Gorilla trekking in Mgahinga begins in the morning at Ntebeko Visitor Center with registration and a briefing. Visitors are placed in groups of eight based on fitness, age, and interest. Finding the gorillas can take between half an hour and six hours, depending on their movement. Once found, visitors spend one hour observing their behavior.
Mgahinga gorilla permits cost $800 for foreign non-residents, $700 for foreign residents, and 300,000 Ugandan shillings for East African Community citizens. Only eight permits are available per day, so bookings are recommended 3 to 4 months in advance.
Traveling from Bwindi or Mgahinga to Murchison Falls
After gorilla trekking, travelers heading to Murchison Falls National Park can drive north through Kampala or fly between parks to save time. The drive between Bwindi and Murchison Falls takes a full day, so most combo itineraries include an overnight stop along the way or a flight connection.
Once at Murchison Falls, guests can join morning and evening game drives, a boat cruise on the Victoria Nile to the base of the falls, and chimpanzee trekking in Budongo Forest, rounding out the wildlife side of the trip after the gorilla trek.
Popular Gorilla Trekking and Murchison Falls Combo Tours
- 4-Day Double Gorilla Trekking Tour
- 4-Day Bwindi Gorillas and Lake Bunyonyi Tour
- 5-Day Bwindi Gorilla Trekking and Queen Elizabeth Safari
- 5-Day Bwindi Gorilla Trekking and Kibale Chimpanzee Tour
- 6-Day Bwindi Gorillas & Murchison Falls Safari
- 7-Day Spice of Uganda Safari
- 10-Day Best of Uganda Safari
- 15-Day Uganda Safari Holiday
Book any of these combo tours with a reputable gorilla trekking company, or inquire directly to start planning your Gorilla Trekking and Murchison Falls trip.
When to Book a Combo Safari
Gorilla trekking and Murchison Falls game drives are both possible throughout the year, since the parks stay open year-round. The dry months, from June to September and December to February, are the best time for a combo safari, since trails are easier to walk in the forest and roads are easier to drive across the savannah. See our full best time to visit guide for a month-by-month breakdown of conditions at Murchison Falls.
When planning a combo trip, pack for both environments. Bring strong walking shoes, socks, gloves, and a rain jacket for the forest trek, along with light safari clothing, a hat, and binoculars for the game drives at Murchison Falls.
Budget vs. Luxury Combo Safaris
Here is a clear comparison of budget and luxury gorilla trekking and Murchison Falls combo safaris.
Cost
Budget combo safaris cost less. Gorilla permits cost $800, and lodges and transport stay basic across both parks. A budget combo trip of 5 to 6 days costs less overall than a comparable luxury package. See our budget safaris page for more options.
Luxury combo safaris cost more. They include high-end lodges, private transport, and extra services at both Bwindi or Mgahinga and Murchison Falls. See our luxury safaris page for more options.
Accommodation
Budget combo safaris use basic or midrange lodges or camps near each park. Travelers may share rooms and use simple facilities.
Luxury combo safaris include top-end lodges with full services and private amenities at both stops, such as Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge near Bwindi and Paraa Safari Lodge or Chobe Safari Lodge at Murchison Falls.
Transport
Budget combo safaris use regular land cruisers or shared transport for the drive between parks. Luxury combo safaris offer private vehicles, upgraded land cruisers, or chartered flights between Bwindi or Mgahinga and Murchison Falls, cutting travel time significantly.
What’s Included
Budget combo tours include basic accommodation, park entry, guide services, gorilla permits, and Murchison Falls activities like game drives and a boat cruise.
Luxury combo tours add high-end lodges, private transport, meals, and sometimes extra activities like the gorilla habituation experience or a hike to the top of Murchison Falls.
General Gorilla Trekking Rules and Regulations
- Only people who are 15 years and above are allowed to join a trek. The walk can be tough, and young children may not follow the rules well.
- You must be healthy. If you have a cold, flu, or any illness that can spread, you will not be allowed to trek. Gorillas can catch human diseases easily.
- Each gorilla family can only be visited by a small group each day. Only eight people are allowed. This helps keep the gorillas calm and safe.
- All rubbish must be carried out of the forest. Do not leave any waste on the ground.
- When you are close to the gorillas, stay quiet. Loud sounds can scare them away and end the visit early.
Booking Your Combo Safari
Booking a gorilla trekking and Murchison Falls combo safari early gives you a better chance of securing permits, since only a limited number are issued per gorilla family each day. Permits cost $800 for foreigners and 300,000 Ugandan shillings for East Africans, and are best booked 3 to 4 months in advance alongside your Murchison Falls itinerary.
Book your gorilla trekking and Murchison Falls combo safari today with a trusted tour operator to combine both parks in one unforgettable Uganda trip.
Frequently Asked Questions About Gorilla Trekking and Murchison Falls Combo Safaris
Can I combine gorilla trekking with a Murchison Falls safari?
Yes, many tour operators offer combo itineraries that pair gorilla trekking in Bwindi or Mgahinga with game drives and a boat cruise at Murchison Falls National Park.
How long does a gorilla trekking and Murchison Falls combo safari take?
Combo safaris typically run from 4 to 15 days, depending on how many activities and parks are included in the itinerary.
How much does a gorilla permit cost for a combo safari?
Gorilla permits cost $800 for foreign non-residents, $700 for foreign residents, and 300,000 Ugandan shillings for East African Community citizens.
Which parks are included in a gorilla trekking and Murchison Falls combo?
Most combo safaris include Bwindi Impenetrable National Park or Mgahinga Gorilla National Park for the gorilla trek, followed by Murchison Falls National Park for game drives and boat cruises.
How do I travel between the gorilla parks and Murchison Falls?
Travelers can drive between the parks, which takes a full day, or fly to save time. Many combo itineraries include an overnight stop along the route.
What activities are included at Murchison Falls on a combo safari?
Combo safaris to Murchison Falls typically include morning and evening game drives, a boat cruise on the Victoria Nile, and chimpanzee trekking in Budongo Forest.
Is gorilla trekking difficult for beginners?
Gorilla trekking involves hiking through dense vegetation, muddy hills, and rugged valleys, and can take up to six hours. A reasonable level of fitness helps, though guides set the pace based on the group.
What is the minimum age for gorilla trekking?
Only people aged 15 years and above are allowed to join a gorilla trek.
When is the best time for a gorilla trekking and Murchison Falls combo safari?
The dry season, from June to September and December to February, is best, since forest trails are easier to walk and roads at Murchison Falls are easier to drive.
How many gorilla families can be tracked in Bwindi?
Bwindi has 18 fully habituated gorilla families available for tracking, allowing up to 144 visitors to trek each day.
How many gorilla families are in Mgahinga National Park?
Mgahinga has one habituated gorilla family, called Nyakagezi, made up of ten members, including five silverbacks.
What should I pack for a combo safari?
Pack strong walking shoes, socks, gloves, and a rain jacket for the gorilla trek, along with light safari clothing, a hat, and binoculars for game drives at Murchison Falls.
Do I need to book gorilla permits in advance?
Yes, gorilla permits should be booked 3 to 4 months in advance, since only a limited number are issued per gorilla family each day.
How long can I spend with gorillas once they are found?
Visitors can spend one hour observing gorillas once a group is located, though the Gorilla Habituation Experience in Bwindi allows up to four hours.
What is the difference between a budget and luxury combo safari?
Budget combo safaris use basic lodges and shared transport, while luxury combo safaris include high-end lodges, private vehicles or flights, and extra activities at both parks.
Can I do the gorilla habituation experience as part of a combo safari?
Yes, the Gorilla Habituation Experience in Bwindi can be added to a combo itinerary, giving visitors up to four hours with a gorilla group instead of the standard one hour.
What wildlife can I see at Murchison Falls after gorilla trekking?
Murchison Falls National Park is home to elephants, lions, leopards, buffaloes, giraffes, hippos, crocodiles, and over 450 bird species, alongside chimpanzees in Budongo Forest.
Are gorilla trekking rules strict on a combo safari?
Yes, the same rules apply regardless of itinerary type. Trekkers must be 15 or older, in good health, and follow guide instructions, including staying quiet near the gorillas.
Which tour operators offer gorilla trekking and Murchison Falls combo safaris?
Magical Gorilla Adventures, Gorilla Hurly Burly, and Irresistible Safaris are recommended operators for booking a combo safari.
Can I book a last-minute gorilla trekking and Murchison Falls combo safari?
Last-minute bookings are possible, especially during the low season, though permit availability may be limited since only a set number are issued per day.
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