Immersing yourself in the African jungles and finding the massive silverback and its family relaxed is such a mind-boggling experience. For almost all African safaris, gorilla trekking in a must-do adventure. This is a one-of-a-kind primate adventure offering you a lifetime opportunity to get up close and personal with the endangered mountain gorillas in the wild.
Visit African gorillas on our private and personalized luxury gorilla trekking safari tours to Uganda, Rwanda, or Congo. Encounter a family of mountain gorillas in the wild, and have a deep insight into their daily behaviors and also take many pictures of these rare creatures. Our exclusively luxury gorilla trekking safaris are a perfect option for guests who would like to experience something extraordinary.
Where to go for luxury gorilla trekking
There are many places to visit in Africa for a magical encounter with gorillas, but none beats a luxury gorilla trekking tour in Uganda, Rwanda or Congo. Considering these 3 countries for your gorilla tour guarantees you an experience of a lifetime. Mountain gorillas live not anywhere except only in these three African states (Rwanda, Uganda and Congo) and you won’t find them at the zoo, a reason you should consider undertaking a luxury gorilla trekking trip with us.
Less than 1063 mountain gorillas still survive on earth and they reside in the tropical forests of Africa. The best places to visit to see a family of mountain gorillas include Bwindi Impenetrable National Park & Mgahinga Gorilla National Park located in Southwestern Uganda, Virunga and Volcanoes National Parks. The two gorilla parks in Uganda protect 21 habituated gorillas, 12 groups in Volcanoes National Park and 8 in the Virunga National Park.
Gorilla trekking permits
For any gorilla safari to be conducted, visitors must have valid gorilla permits. These are essential documents that guests present to park officials to be cleared and they can be allocated a habituated gorilla family. Each gorilla destination issues gorilla permits at its set rates where guests on a gorilla tour in Uganda pay USD700 for foreign non-residents, foreign residents USD600 and East African citizens shs. 250,000. Still while on the Uganda tour, there is a possibility to undertake a gorilla habituation experience and each permit for this adventure is issued at USD1500 for foreign nonresidents, USD1000 for foreign residents visiting Uganda and shs.750000 for East Africa citizens. When planning your luxury gorilla trekking tour, the tour operator also books for gorilla permits on your behalf.
Gorilla trekking permits for Volcanoes N. Park in Rwanda cost USD1500 per person. In the DR. Congo gorilla permits for both lowland and mountain gorillas are open for booking at USD400.
Luxury lodges to stay on gorilla trekking safari
A luxury gorilla trekking tour include spending a night in one of the high-end lodges in or around Volcanoes National Park, Bwindi, Mgahinga National Park and Virunga National Park. The luxury lodging options include Sabyinyo Silverback Lodge, Bisate Lodge, Virunga Lodge, Mountain Gorilla View Lodge, Five Volcanoes Hotel (Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda).
Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge, Mahogany Springs Lodge, Nkuringo Bwindi Gorilla Lodge, Gorilla Heights Lodge, Mount Gahinga Lodge (Uganda), and in the DR. Congo’s Virunga N/P, the preferred luxury accommodation to consider for an overnight stay is Mikeno Lodge. Our exclusive gorilla safaris incorporate a comfortable stay in top-notch accommodation, transportation, meals and other high-end amenities.
What to carry
Whether you are visiting Uganda, Rwanda, and Congo on budget or luxury, packing right is key for you to have the best of your gorilla holiday. On a luxury gorilla trekking trip, we recommend you carry essentials such as a gorilla permit, a pair of trousers, good light and waterproof hiking boots, facemasks and hand sanitizer, gardening gloves, energy-giving snacks, long-sleeved shirts, a pair of socks, insect repellents, daypack, safari hat, bottled drinking water, a camera with other gadgets, first aid kit and others.
What to wear during a gorilla trek
Sturdy walking boots/shoes- carry lightweight walking or hiking boots to make it easier to trek through the muddy or slippery steep slopes.
Long socks- wearing socks helps prevent crawling insects from reaching your legs when tracking mountain gorillas. Before setting foot into the jungles, the park official will ask if everyone has tucked in their trousers in socks.
Long-sleeved shirts –this helps protect your hand not only from scratches from tree branches/thorns but also from sun heat.
Safari hat- the weather conditions in the gorilla parks aren’t predictable. It can turn hot and to protect your head from the sun’s heat, a safari hat is ideal.
When to travel for a gorilla tour
The best time to enjoy excellent gorilla trekking in Africa is during the dry season although safaris to see gorillas can be organized at any time of the year. There is a long and short dry season that is experienced in the parks. The long dry months to consider when planning your luxury gorilla tour run from June to August/early September, and December to February are shorter drier months of the year.
What should you expect during a luxury gorilla trekking tour
Any normal gorilla trek starts with a briefing, but before assembling at the respective park headquarters ensure that you are in environmentally friendly attire. Wear waterproof hiking boots and long-sleeved shirts. Additionally, carry a pack of snacks or food and drinking water because your day search for mountain gorillas isn’t predictable. A long day trek to see gorillas can go for 2-6 hours depending on the location of the gorillas and your speed of walking.
When a family of mountain gorillas is located, you will have an hour to enjoy up close and personal with these large. Observing how these apes behave and photography is guaranteed for all guests in the wild during one hour of a close encounter. Considering the status of mountain gorillas, each gorilla family is visited by a maximum of 8 visitors each day.
Luxury gorilla trekking tours in Rwanda
Rwanda is dubbed the Land of a Thousand Hills due to its rolling hills, and by size, it is a small nation lying in East-Central Africa. It has only one location where mountain gorillas reside and where these apes can be tracked that is Volcanoes National Park.
Volcanoes N. Park is a bamboo and rainforest-dominated protected area and supports 30% of the surviving world’s 1063 mountain gorillas. Considering the nature of vegetation, it is easier to navigate through Volcanoes Park.
About 12 habituated gorilla families exist in the Volcanoes National Park and they are open for gorilla trekking.
There are 4 parks where mountain gorillas are tracked but Volcanoes National Park is the most accessible. From Kigali city center to Volcanoes Park takes guests only 2-3 hours to drive.
Plenty of luxury and other accommodation options are distributed in and around Volcanoes NP including the very high-end Bisate Lodge.
Luxury gorilla trekking trips in Uganda
Uganda is truly the pearl of Africa, and home to two mountain gorilla parks -Bwindi Impenetrable National Park & Mgahinga National Park.
Bwindi and Mgahinga National Parks are tropical forest-dominated parks, sheltering half of 1063 mountain gorillas. These parks are found along the Albertine rift area in Southwestern Uganda. Accessing these parks takes 8-9 hours to drive and from Kigali, it is possible to cross to Uganda via Chanika/Katuna border but you will spend more hours on the road about 4-5 hours compared to 2-3 for guests visiting Volcanoes Park.
Bwindi & Mgahinga N/Parks are the two protected areas where 21 habituated gorilla families live. This is the highest number of gorilla families compared to Rwanda and Congo.
Gorilla permits in Uganda are obtainable at USD700 against USD1500 for Rwanda gorilla safari permits.
Budget/Midrange Vs Luxury gorilla trekking
Both budget/midrange and luxury gorilla trekking are carried out with lead of an experienced park guide. All the 3 countries offer budget, midrange and luxury gorilla trekking adventures. A budget gorilla tour includes booking a budget/basic accommodation facility and for luxury gorilla safaris, guests retire in high-end/upmarket/luxury gorilla safari lodges. When it comes to transportation, budget tours involve traveling in budget-friendly means and luxury travelers use slightly luxury land cruisers/vehicles for their road travel to and from destinations or you can charter or take scheduled flights, a case in Uganda from Entebbe Airport to Kisoro or Kihihi and connect to Bwindi or Mgahinga for gorilla trekking.
Budget and luxury gorilla safaris vary depending on how you plan to be on your tour, accommodation, transportation, and other tourist activities to do besides gorilla trekking. A budget gorilla trip can cost about USD1500 for 2/3 days gorilla tour and midrange between 2000 USD and a luxury gorilla tour USD7000 depending on the lodge option, length of stay, activities, etc.
Whether it is a budget or luxury gorilla safari, the cost of a gorilla tour covers park entry fees, accommodation, guide services, and gorilla permits, but excludes tipping, passport, travel insurance, visas, extra activities outside the itinerary, beverages, and many others.
