In 2019, I was lucky enough to win a trip to Uganda with the Cotton On Foundation. We flew into Entebbe and were driven south to see some of the incredible projects the foundation was working on. The Cotton On Foundation does amazing work in southern Uganda, creating jobs for locals and providing education for children.
After the foundation trip ended, three others and I stayed on for a few extra days to experience one of Uganda’s must-see attractions—gorilla trekking. This was an absolute bucket list experience and the highlight of my time in Uganda.
PS: excuse the bad phone photo quality, it was before I knew about taking photos.
The Cost: Is Gorilla Trekking Worth It?
🦍 Not cheap! A permit costs around $1,000 USD, but the majority of this fee goes towards forest conservation, anti-poaching efforts, and supporting local communities. The permit is essential for protecting the critically endangered mountain gorillas and ensuring ethical tourism practices.
The Journey to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
🚗 This was a big travel day, we met our driver/security guard for the trip and started the drive to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.
🏡 Where we stayed: Rushaga Gorilla Lodge – This place was amazing! The rooms felt like treehouses tucked into the forest.
🍽️ The food was great, and dinner included a Pygmy tribe dance performance, which was a unique cultural experience.
Gorilla Trekking Day!
🌿 We were up nice and early, starting the trek around 8 AM. The hike was challenging, as the forest is dense, the ground is unstable, and there are lots of rocks. If you have any injuries or mobility issues, keep this in mind!
👀 First Gorilla Sighting – After about three hours (which didn’t feel that long!), we spotted a teenage gorilla up in a tree. Just 10 minutes later, we found the whole family!
🐵 Baby gorillas – The mothers were holding two adorable baby gorillas, which was an unforgettable sight.
🌧️ Different experience each time – It was raining that day, so the gorillas weren’t very active. But if you trek multiple days, you’ll get a completely different experience each time!
🐘 Wild Elephant Encounter – On the way back, we spotted a wild elephant. This could have been dangerous, but our guides handled the situation perfectly, and at no point did I feel unsafe during the trip.
Lake Bunyonyi
🏞️ After trekking, we drove to Lake Bunyonyi for a well-earned rest.
🏨 Where we stayed: A hotel right on the lake—it was nice, but I wouldn’t highly recommend it. I believe there are better options in the area.
🚤 What we did:
- Took a relaxing boat tour around the lake.
- Ended at a chaotic but fun local market.
- Met our driver at the market to continue our journey.
Back to Masaka
🏖️ We returned to Masaka, staying at Hotel Brovad. Here, we spent the afternoon swimming and sunbaking, which was the perfect way to relax after the trek.
📍 Equator Stop – On the way to the airport, we stopped at the Uganda Equator for some classic tourist pics—standing in the middle of the world!
✈️ Home time!
Final Thoughts
Uganda absolutely stole my heart! The gorilla trekking experience was worth every penny, and I felt completely safe and looked after the entire time. If you ever get the chance to visit, DO IT! I can’t wait for the opportunity to go back. 🇺🇬✨
Planning a trip to Africa? If you would like to read more about my trip for more tips, you can see all my Africa blogs here.
