Guide to Gorilla Safaris Uganda & Rwanda

Gorilla safaris in Uganda

Uganda is a gorilla enthusiast’s dream with over 50% of the World’s population of the endangered mountain gorillas found in the country. Not only is there a high concentration of these Giant Apes, but there are also two Protected Areas to trek these majestic creatures.

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, a 33100-hectare Protected Area, is comprised of four sectors/regions where these Giant Apes are sheltered/can be trekked.

In total, there are over 52 habituated gorilla families to be tracked in this Park alone. The other Protected Area to meet face-to-face with the Giant Apes in their natural habitat is Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, with only one habituated gorilla family.

Gorilla safaris in Rwanda

Gorilla Safaris in Rwanda are undertaken in Volcanoes National Park, covering 16000 hectares and located in the Northern Province of this country, dubbed the “Land of a thousand Hills”. A total of 13 habituated gorilla families are available for trekking in this Protected Area.

How to book gorilla safaris

Know how to book a Gorilla safari, and it will be everything you ever hoped it would be. By walking through the unspoiled jungles of Bwindi, Mgahinga, or Volcanoes National Park, you will learn more about the majestic creatures that walk through the jungles. Get your booking wrong, and your Gorilla safari could rapidly become a nightmare.

When it comes to booking Gorilla safaris, you have several options on how to go about it, and these include speaking to our safari experts with years of experience in organizing Gorilla safaris, or sending an email to our email.

Gorilla Habituation on Gorilla Safaris

Gorilla Habituation is a step-by-step desensitization of the Giant Apes to stimuli after repeated exposure to the said stimuli, in this case, human presence. Usually, when we say wild mountain gorillas have become habituated, we are referring to the fact that they no longer fear humans (something all other mountain gorillas should do). Instead of running away and hiding in thick vegetation, habituated wild mountain gorillas will allow humans to get very close to them (of course, at a safe distance).

Gorilla permits

Regardless of your destination of choice, a gorilla permit is required while undertaking a Gorilla safari. For Uganda, it will cost $800 per person for foreign non-residents, and $700 per person for foreign residents, while for Rwanda, gorilla permits cost $1500 per person.

Best time for gorilla safaris

The Best time for gorilla safaris is between June and September, as well as between December and February. These months coincide with the dry season in all mountain gorilla natural habitats, offering more favorable weather and less challenging navigation while searching for the Giant Apes.

This, however, doesn’t mean gorilla safaris aren’t possible during the rainy season. There are frequent and heavy rain showers, which make gorilla trekking more challenging, but treks still go on as planned.

Frequently Asked Questions about Gorilla Trekking

What is Gorilla trekking?

Gorilla Trekking describes guided walks through the high-altitude montane rainforest (which is the natural habitat of the endangered mountain gorillas), for a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity of getting up close and personal with them as they go about their daily routines. These include socializing, feeding, playing, resting, grooming each other, and nursing their babies. Typically lasting between two and six hours, gorilla trekking provides an opportunity to spend one hour with the Giant Apes, to observe and photograph them.

How difficult is gorilla trekking?

Gorilla trekking in these Giant Apes’ natural habitats involves navigating rugged terrains, crossing streams, and dense vegetation for several hours (1-6 hours), which makes it difficult. However, you require no technical skills, only good physical fitness and endurance.

Which country is best for gorilla trekking?

Undertaken in Uganda, Rwanda, and the DRC, gorilla safaris offer different experiences on each side. Uganda and Rwanda are the most popular destinations, but travelers are usually confused about which destination to choose between the two.

Rwanda’s gorilla trekking destination (Volcanoes National Park) is easier to access (just 3 hours’ drive from Kigali) through well-maintained roads, provides easier trekking conditions, and has a wide range of luxurious accommodations.

Uganda, on the other hand, offers cheaper gorilla permits, has a higher concentration of the Giant Apes, and a higher number of gorilla permits.

Why choose Flawless Adventure Planners for gorilla safaris

We offer Tailormade Gorilla safaris, designed by you and for you, by working closely with you to design a trip that matches your style, interests, and pace.

Flawless Adventure Planners is trusted by travelers Worldwide, thanks to our many years’ reputation built on unforgettable experiences, remarkable service, and wonderful reviews from past guests.

We provide seamless Gorilla safari planning, as we take care of all logistics such as domestic flights, gorilla permits, ground transfers/transportation, and accommodations, ensuring a seamless and stress-free gorilla trekking experience. Our team also ensures to remain in contact, updating you on every step of the gorilla trip.