The Great Uganda Gorilla Safari

Come face to face with wild mountain gorillas on an intimate East Africa safari spanning Uganda and Rwanda—an encounter that stirs the soul and lingers for life.

Africa’s endangered mountain gorillas have family units like our own, creating a strong human connection to these great apes. This primal allure is especially powerful for safari guide Richard de Gouveia, whose professional journey was shaped by childhood tragedy. Today, his love for family and nature inspire him to share Africa’s wild primates with travelers.

Rwandan ranger Jolie Mukiza has been leading nature travelers to view endangered mountain gorillas in Volcanoes National Park since 2012. One of three female guides currently leading gorilla treks in the park, Jolie hikes this mountainous area five days a week during the high season, delighting her guests with her enthusiasm, expertise, and in-depth knowledge of the local terrain and wildlife.

Primates are among the most fascinating and diverse animals on Earth, from mountain gorillas in Africa’s misty highlands to golden snub-nosed monkeys in China’s snowy forests. They thrive in ecosystems as varied as Amazon rainforests, African savannas and even urban outskirts, where their lives intersect with our own. Join Expedition Leader Eric Ramirez to explore global primate diversity, learn about conservation challenges primates face, and discover how responsible tourism can support wildlife and local communities.

Join longtime Expedition Leader Richard de Gouveia for an in-depth look at the misty forests that shelter these endangered primates. He’ll share the gorillas’ natural history, close-knit family lives and the successful conservation efforts that have helped their numbers recover. Along the way, he’ll highlight how Uganda’s rainforests have changed over time and why protecting them is essential to the gorillas’ survival, bringing to life the deep connection between these gentle giants and the vibrant forests they call home.

September 24 is World Gorilla Day, and what better occasion to kick off our new series of live interviews and viewer Q&As with eco experts: Conservation Connect? Nat Hab's Brooke Mitchell talks with Dr. Katie Fawcett, primatologist and Acting Executive & Science Director at the Gorilla Rehabilitation and Conservation Education (GRACE) Center. Learn about the critically endangered Grauer's gorilla, which is found only in the Democratic Republic of Congo, and find out what GRACE is doing to protect these primates and their rainforest habitats.