Book Gorilla Trekking Safaris & Tours in Africa

Ultimate Guide for Booking Gorilla Trekking Tours & Safaris in Africa

Africa is the only continent where you can trek endangered mountain gorillas in their natural home. You can do gorilla trekking in Uganda, Rwanda, and the Democratic Republic of Congo in national parks that are near each other.

Trekking with Uganda Gorillas

Uganda has about half of the world’s mountain gorillas. You can trek gorillas in two places: Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. Both parks are in the southwestern part of the country and have several habituated gorilla groups.

Bwindi National Park has many gorilla families in different areas. When you book your permit, make sure your accommodation is near the sector where you will trek. Both parks are far from the main international airport, so it is best to arrive the day before your trek. Gorilla trekking starts very early in the morning.

Trekking with gorillas in Rwanda

Volcanoes National Park is the only place in Rwanda where you can trek mountain gorillas. Rwanda is the most expensive place for gorilla trekking. The park has over 12 habituated gorilla families that tourists can visit every day.

Trekking Gorillas in DR Congo

In Congo, gorilla trekking takes place in Virunga National Park. Congo offers the cheapest gorilla trekking permits compared to Uganda and Rwanda, which is good for travelers on a budget.

The easiest way to reach Virunga National Park is to fly into Rwanda and then drive about three hours to the Rwanda-Congo border. From the border, it is a one-hour drive to the park. You can also fly from Kigali International Airport to Goma and then drive about an hour to the park.

Budget Gorilla Trekking – Trek Gorillas on a Budget

Gorilla trekking can be expensive. For example, a permit costs $1,500 in Rwanda. This does not include plane tickets, ground transport, or accommodation, which makes it hard for travelers on a budget.

However, you can save money on gorilla trekking in these ways:

• Visit Virunga National Park: Congo’s Virunga National Park offers the cheapest gorilla trekking. Budget travelers can fly into Rwanda and then drive to Congo. The drive from Kigali International Airport to Virunga National Park takes about four hours. Since Congo is large and the park is far from main airports, flying into Rwanda first and then driving is easier.
• Visit during the low season: Tourists with a budget can take advantage of lower prices during the off-season. Hotels also offer lower rates in this period, so you can save on both your gorilla permit and your stay.
• Travel in groups: Going in a group helps cut costs because you can share transport and sometimes share rooms.

Luxury Gorilla Trekking – Exclusive Experiences

Luxury gorilla trekking is mostly found in Rwanda. Rwanda has the highest permit price at $1,500 per person.

You can make your trip more special by staying at a 5-star lodge inside the park. You can also fly into the park directly from Kigali International Airport.

Luxury gorilla trekking is also available in Uganda. You can fly to Bwindi from Entebbe International Airport or Kajjansi Airfield and stay at a comfortable 5-star hotel.

Gorilla Habituation Experience (GHEX) – Spend 4 hours with Gorillas

Gorilla habituation means helping gorilla families get used to humans. A group of four researchers and rangers visit the gorillas over about three years to prepare them for tourists.

Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park offers visitors a chance to join this process in groups of four.

This experience is expensive but special. You get to spend four hours with the gorillas instead of just one hour, like in normal gorilla trekking.

You can also choose to do both activities: gorilla trekking and gorilla habituation. This way, you can see gorillas that are used to humans and those still getting used to people.

Where to See Gorillas in Africa

Gorillas are split into two main species: eastern gorilla and western gorilla. These are further divided into four types: cross river gorilla, mountain gorilla, western lowland gorilla, and eastern lowland gorilla.

In Africa, the most visited type is the mountain gorilla, which lives only in Uganda, Rwanda, and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

The other types live in parts of East Central and West Central Africa.

Why Visit Gorillas in Africa

• Natural habitat: One reason to see gorillas in Africa is that mountain gorillas do not survive long in zoos. The gorillas you may have seen in zoos are lowland gorillas. To see mountain gorillas, you need to come to Africa and trek them in the wild.
• Found only in Africa: Another reason to visit mountain gorillas in Africa is that they live only in three African countries and nowhere else. If you want to see mountain gorillas, you must travel to Africa.

About Mountain Gorillas in Africa

Mountain gorillas are an endangered type of primate found only in Africa. They are close relatives of humans, sharing 96% of their DNA with us. They live in groups led by a male silverback who guides the group’s activities like finding food and resting. He is the only male that mates with the females in the group.

Female mountain gorillas are pregnant for about eight and a half months. They have only one or two fertile days each month. After giving birth, it takes about four to five years before having another baby. The mother cares for the infant by breastfeeding, carrying it on her back or stomach, and sleeping with it in the same nest until the baby is about four years old. Then the baby moves to a nearby nest but stays close to the mother.

Gorillas mainly eat plants but sometimes eat insects, ants, and termites. They spend most of the day looking for food until noon. Then they rest and start feeding again in the afternoon until after 7 pm when they build new nests. Gorillas make new nests every day.

About Lowland Gorillas in Africa

Lowland gorillas belong to the western gorilla species found in Central and West Africa. They are split into eastern lowland gorillas and western lowland gorillas.

Western lowland gorillas are the only gorillas seen in zoos. They are the smallest of all gorilla types. They live in thick tropical rainforests like mountain gorillas. Even though they are more common than other gorillas, they face many threats from habitat loss.

Eastern lowland gorillas are critically endangered. They live in Maiko National Park, Kauzi Beiga National Park, and nearby forests. They are the largest gorilla type. Like other gorillas, they live in groups led by a silverback who controls the group’s activities.

Best Gorilla Parks in Africa

The best places for gorilla trekking in Africa are Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park in Uganda.

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park offers the best mountain gorilla trekking. It has the largest number of mountain gorillas and the most habituated gorilla families compared to other parks.

You can get your trekking permit from the Uganda Wildlife Authority or from a trusted travel company in Uganda.

Volcanoes National Park

To trek mountain gorillas in Volcanoes National Park, you need to get your permit at least three months before you arrive to avoid disappointment.

Gorilla trekking at Volcanoes starts early in the morning with a briefing at the park headquarters. You will then be assigned to different gorilla families based on your age and ability.

For example, energetic people will be assigned to gorilla families living at higher elevations that are harder to reach. Older visitors will trek to gorilla families that are closer.

Virunga National Park

Virunga National Park has the cheapest gorilla trekking permits of all the mountain gorilla parks.

You can book a permit through a trusted travel agent or directly from Virunga National Park.

Many of the habituated gorilla families in Virunga have interesting stories. Once you find the gorilla family, you will have one hour to observe them.

Kauzi-Beiga National Park

Kauzi Beiga National Park is in the Democratic Republic of Congo, about 40 kilometers from Bukavu town. Here, you can trek eastern lowland gorillas.

Gorilla trekking permits cost $400 during the peak season and $200 during the low season. Trekking starts early in the morning after a briefing by park rangers.

Cost of gorilla trekking in Africa

Gorilla trekking costs vary by country, as shown below:

Rwanda has the most expensive gorilla trekking permits. They cost $1,500 per person per trek for foreign visitors who are not residents.

Rwanda offers off-season discounts, but the price is still higher than in other parks.

The off-season rate is $1,050 per person per trek. This rate is only for tourists visiting in November and May. To qualify, you must have visited other national parks in Rwanda.

Foreign residents pay $500, while East African citizens from Uganda, Rwanda, Kenya, Tanzania, South Sudan, and Burundi pay $200.

Congo has the cheapest gorilla trekking permits. They cost $400 per person per trek for foreign visitors during the peak season.

During the low season, Congo offers permits for $200 per person per trek for foreign visitors. East African residents pay $200, and Congo citizens pay only $20.

Uganda offers gorilla trekking at a mid-range price. Permits cost $800 per person per trek for foreign visitors who are not residents.

Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi – A Highlight not to Miss!

Bwindi Impenetrable Forest is in the southwestern part of Uganda. It has many habituated mountain gorilla families found in four sectors: Ruhija, Buhoma, Nkuringo, and Rushaga.

Trekking permits cost $800 per person. You must book permits at least three months before your trip.

The gorilla family you visit will depend on your age, health, and fitness. Younger and more energetic people are given families at higher elevations, while older or less fit visitors are assigned to gorilla groups closer by.

When trekking in Bwindi, be sure to book your accommodation in the sector where your trekking permit is for.

Is Gorilla Trekking Worth It?

Gorilla trekking is worth it because you get to see our close relatives living in the wild, unlike animals you might see in a zoo.

Mountain gorillas are rare and endangered. They only live in three countries, so seeing them is a unique experience.

Also, you trek to see the gorillas on foot, enjoying nature up close, instead of watching wildlife from a vehicle.

Gorilla Permits in Uganda, Rwanda, and Congo

Gorilla permits are required for anyone over 15 years old who wants to trek mountain gorillas.

You should book permits at least three months ahead, especially in the busy season, to avoid missing out.

You can get permits through a trusted travel company or the official wildlife authorities: Uganda Wildlife Authority, Rwanda Development Board, or Virunga National Park in Congo.

Best Time to Go Gorilla Trekking

Mountain gorillas live in high areas of the Virunga Conservation Area and Kauzi-Beiga National Park. These places are on the Virunga mountains and have an equatorial climate with wet and dry seasons.

The best time to trek gorillas is during the dry seasons, from June to September and December to February. The trails are easier to walk on because they are not muddy or slippery then.

Frequently Asked Questions about Gorilla Trekking in Africa

Below are some of the most popular questions and answers about gorilla trekking in Africa.

• What is gorilla trekking? Gorilla trekking is walking through forests to see mountain gorillas in their natural home.
• Where can I trek mountain gorillas in Africa? You can trek mountain gorillas in Uganda, Rwanda, and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
• Which country has the most mountain gorillas? Uganda has about half of the world’s mountain gorillas.
• Where can I trek gorillas in Uganda? You can trek gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park.
• Which park is best for gorilla trekking in Rwanda? Volcanoes National Park is the only place in Rwanda for gorilla trekking.
• Where can I trek gorillas in Congo? You can trek gorillas in Virunga National Park in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
• Which country has the cheapest gorilla trekking permits? Congo has the cheapest permits, especially in the low season.
• Which country has the most expensive permits? Rwanda has the most expensive permits at $1,500 per trek.
• How much does a gorilla permit cost in Uganda? A gorilla permit in Uganda costs $800 per person.
• Do I need a permit for gorilla trekking? Yes, all visitors over 15 years old must have a permit.
• How many gorilla families are in Bwindi? Bwindi has many gorilla families spread across four sectors: Ruhija, Buhoma, Nkuringo, and Rushaga.
• When does gorilla trekking start? Gorilla trekking starts early in the morning with a briefing from rangers.
• How much time do I spend with gorillas during trekking? You spend one hour with gorillas during normal trekking.
• What is the Gorilla Habituation Experience? It is a special activity where you spend four hours with gorillas as they get used to humans.
• Where can I do the Gorilla Habituation Experience? You can do it in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in Uganda.
• How do I book a gorilla permit? You can book through Uganda Wildlife Authority, Rwanda Development Board, Virunga National Park, or a trusted travel company.
• When should I book my permit? Book at least three months before your trip to avoid missing out.
• What is the best time of year for gorilla trekking? The best time is during the dry seasons: June to September and December to February.
• Why should I see gorillas in Africa? Because mountain gorillas live only in Africa and cannot survive in zoos.
• What do gorillas eat? Gorillas eat mainly plants, but also ants, termites, and insects.
• How long is a gorilla pregnancy? A female gorilla is pregnant for about eight and a half months.
• Who leads a gorilla group? A silverback male leads the group and makes all decisions.
• How can budget travelers save money on trekking? Travel in groups, go in the low season, or trek in Congo where permits are cheaper.
• Is gorilla trekking possible for luxury travelers? Yes, you can stay in 5-star lodges or fly directly to parks for a luxury experience.
• Can I trek both mountain gorillas and lowland gorillas? Yes, mountain gorillas are in Uganda, Rwanda, and Congo, while eastern lowland gorillas are in Kahuzi-Biega National Park in Congo.
• How long do gorillas live? Mountain gorillas can live up to 35–40 years in the wild.
• What is the difference between mountain gorillas and lowland gorillas? Mountain gorillas live in high forests of Uganda, Rwanda, and Congo. Lowland gorillas live in Central and West Africa.
• Is gorilla trekking safe? Yes, it is safe when you follow the rules and listen to your ranger guide.
• Why is gorilla trekking worth the money? Because you see rare, endangered gorillas in the wild, an experience found nowhere else.
• Can children do gorilla trekking? No, only visitors who are 15 years and older can trek gorillas.