The best lodges for gorilla trekking in 2026 are Wilderness Bisate and Singita Kwitonda on the edge of Rwanda's Volcanoes National Park, and Volcanoes Safaris' Virunga Lodge in Rwanda and Bwindi, Mount Gahinga, Kyambura Gorge and Kibale lodges in Uganda, which combine gorillas with chimpanzees.
Mountain gorillas live only in the Virunga volcanoes (Rwanda, Uganda and the DRC) and Uganda's Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. Trekking means a guided hike, sometimes long and steep, to spend an hour with a habituated gorilla family. Permits are limited and must be booked well ahead; lodges usually arrange them.
Rwanda's Volcanoes National Park is about two and a half hours by road from Kigali and has the most luxurious lodges; Uganda's permits cost less and pair well with chimpanzee trekking in Kibale. Prices here are per person per night, from $$$ to $$$$, excluding permits.
Forest villas on a volcano's flank and a 120,000-tree reforestation project.
Bisate's villas sit on the edge of Volcanoes National Park, and guests trek to one of 12 habituated gorilla groups. Wilderness has planted 120,000 trees around the lodge.
Wilderness says it has been voted Africa's top safari lodge.
Good to know: Add a golden monkey trek on a second day.
Bisate Lodge, Musanze, Rwanda
Singita's lodge on the park boundary, for gorillas and community experiences.
Kwitonda borders Volcanoes National Park and is built for gorilla trekking, with experiences that also include working with local craftspeople, planting trees and learning where the food comes from.
It brings Singita's service to Rwanda.
Good to know: Combine with Akagera National Park for a Big Five finish in Rwanda.
Singita Kwitonda Lodge, Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda
A ridge-top lodge between two lakes, run by a gorilla specialist operator.
Virunga Lodge is one of Volcanoes Safaris' lodges, a specialist operator for gorilla, chimpanzee and wildlife safaris in Rwanda and Uganda.
It is a base for treks in Volcanoes National Park.
Good to know: Ask Volcanoes Safaris to combine Rwanda and Uganda in one itinerary.
Virunga Lodge, Musanze District, Rwanda
A lodge on the edge of Bwindi, Uganda's main gorilla forest.
Bwindi Lodge, run by Volcanoes Safaris, sits on the edge of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, where most of Uganda's mountain gorillas live.
Uganda's permits are usually cheaper than Rwanda's.
Good to know: Allow two trekking days in case the first is long or tough.
Bwindi Lodge, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Uganda
Uganda's corner of the Virunga volcanoes, for gorillas and golden monkeys.
Mount Gahinga Lodge sits below the Virunga volcanoes in Uganda, near Mgahinga Gorilla National Park.
It suits travelers combining Rwanda and Uganda by road.
Good to know: Cross from Rwanda's Volcanoes area by road; the border is close.
Mount Gahinga Lodge, Kisoro, Uganda
A lodge above Kyambura Gorge, for chimpanzees and savanna game.
Kyambura Gorge Lodge looks over the gorge on the edge of Queen Elizabeth National Park, where chimpanzees live in the forested gorge and the savanna has lion, elephant and buffalo.
It adds a classic safari to a gorilla trip.
Good to know: Book a chimp trek in the gorge for a different primate experience.
Kyambura Gorge Lodge, Queen Elizabeth National Park, Uganda
The base for chimpanzee trekking in Kibale Forest.
Kibale Lodge is Volcanoes Safaris' base for Kibale Forest National Park, Uganda's best-known chimpanzee trekking destination.
Most gorilla itineraries in Uganda add two nights here.
Good to know: Chimp treks are less strenuous than gorilla treks; good as a first primate day.
Kibale Lodge, Fort Portal, Uganda
Rwanda is quicker to reach from Kigali and has the most luxurious lodges, but permits cost more. Uganda's Bwindi and Mgahinga are cheaper, often wilder, and combine with chimpanzees in Kibale and savanna in Queen Elizabeth National Park.
It varies with where the gorillas are that day: from an hour's walk to most of a day on steep, muddy slopes at altitude. Porters can be hired to carry your bag and help you.
Six months to a year for the dry seasons (roughly June to September and December to February). Your lodge or operator can usually secure permits with your booking.
Wilderness says Bisate guests trek to one of 12 habituated gorilla groups in Rwanda's Volcanoes National Park.