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Are you looking to meet the largest of the primates, a silverback gorilla on your next holiday? Gorilla trekking is where you come face-to-face with a family of mountain gorillas, an exhilarating experience. Some of the best gorilla trekking tours happen in Uganda and Rwanda in East Africa. The local guides and rangers who accompany you are fantastic at giving you the best gorilla trekking in Africa experiences. We have included in this guide a breakdown of gorilla trekking tours, logistics, prices, and more, in the two of the best countries for gorilla trekking in Africa.
Gorilla Trekking In Uganda & Rwanda
Uganda
Where are the best gorilla trekking tours?
Uganda in East Africa is home to eleven habituated gorilla families, one in Mgahinga National Park and the other ten in Bwindi National Park. Bwindi is on the edge of the African Rift Valley. It has the Virunga Mountains in its ecosystem covering the Democratic Republic of Congo, Uganda, and Rwanda. The Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is in the southwestern part of Uganda and offers the best gorilla trekking in Uganda. You trek to have close encounters in a UNESCO World Heritage Site, home to approximately 400 mountain gorillas here. Uganda, thus, is one of the best gorilla trekking destinations in the world.
How to reach the National Park?
You can reach the national park via plane on the Kihihi airstrip or by road. If Bwindi is included in your itinerary, then it normally is your last stop after Queen Elizabeth National Park in the north. Gorilla trekking prices for a Uganda gorilla permit is approximately USD 750 per person per trek. With this, you get a pre-trek brief, the trek itself, and a full hour to spend in the company of the gorilla group, once located. The trekking group size is six members, which excludes the ranger and porters. Book gorilla trekking tours for a unique experience in the ‘pearl of Africa’.
What is the trekking experience like?
Bwindi Impenetrable Forest is home to the highest concentration of primates on Earth. You find around 10 habituated gorilla families here. The gorillas are constantly on the move, so with the help of the guide, the group narrows down to just one area to finally track them. You can spend a total time of anything between half an hour to nine hours on the trek. Uganda is more suited for the adventurous type of traveler.
The trek starts on high ground before descending to the valley. It ends in an arduous climb with slopes that are steep with often no trails. This gives Bwindi an impenetrable status. The weather also is unpredictable throughout the year and conditions are slippery. But the challenging situations are worth it in a park home to 79 mammal species,160 species of trees, and 100 species of ferns. It is one of the best gorilla trekking tours in the world.
Rwanda
Where are the best gorilla trekking tours?
The Volcanoes National Park is in the northwest of Rwanda and offers mountain gorilla tours. It is home to over 750 mountain gorillas and is Africa’s oldest park and offers exciting gorilla trekking in Rwanda experiences. The park is part of the Virunga Mountains, along with protected forests and national parks in Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo. The chain of volcanoes makes up the Virunga Mountains and is one of the best gorilla trekking destinations in the world.
Suggested Read: 5 Best Gorilla Trekking Destinations In The World
How to reach the National Park?
Mountain gorilla tours are offered daily and we can trek gorillas in Rwanda with permit rights. Gorilla trekking costs in Rwanda for permits are approximately USD 1500 per person, per trek, which includes gear and guiding. You must be over 15 years of age to go on a trek here. Only eight people are allowed to visit one family of gorillas daily, with a limit of one hour with them. Take a gorilla trekking in Rwanda tour at the Volcanoes Park, where the morning of the trek starts with a briefing at the headquarters to discuss safety, rules, and of course interaction with your wonderful gorilla guide.
What is the trekking experience like?
Rwanda is among the best country for gorilla trekking in the world with rolling green savannas and rainforests. The Volcanoes National Park offers the best gorilla trekking tours you could book that are less arduous with a more accessible terrain. The region has gentle slopes and open bushes that cater to many travelers. The park got its name, as it is home to five of the eight volcanoes of the Virunga Mountains. The open grasslands, small lakes, exotic landscapes, and blanketed rainforests make it among the best gorilla trekking destinations in the world.
Top Gorilla Trekking Accommodations: Our picks
Uganda and Rwanda are among the best gorilla trekking countries and although the gorilla trek is the main event of your trip, the right accommodation for stay also adds to the incredible experience. There are fabulous camps and lodges in the Bwindi Forest and the Volcanoes National Park. We help you choose the best gorilla trekking tours and stays by listing a few.
Nkuringo Bwindi Gorilla Lodge
This multi-award-jungle wilderness lodge has provided accommodation in the southern section of the Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. The lodge is situated in the heart of the Nkuringo local community and is built out of local material. Embrace the harmony with nature as you experience the vibrancy of local cultures. Meet the local tribes and immerse yourself in the beauty of the natural untamed wilderness. Book our Exclusive Uganda Gorilla Trekking Tour HERE and get a chance to stay at this gorgeous property on full board basis for 3 nights.
Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge, Uganda
This is on a ridge top in the heart of Bwindi and offers sweeping views of the Virunga Mountains. The terrace is where you can enjoy dinner with the backdrop of Mount Nyiragongo`s sparkling lava lake. You can go on a guided walk through the local village apart from participating in the best gorilla trekking tours.
Mahogany Springs, Uganda
The stay is in a wonderful riverfront location that offers exceptional service. You get panoramic views from the private balconies, open terracotta showers, and a secluded feel. The fresh produce grown onsite lends to the wonderful ambiance. The Presidential Suite features two bedrooms, two baths, a spacious living room, and a private terrace. Book your mountain gorilla tour in Uganda for an exhilarating time in Africa.
Virunga Lodge, Rwanda
The premium eco-lodge is located atop 2300 meters on a hilltop overlooking lakes Ruhondo and Balera. It is an environmentally conscious property. You book into a stay with an en suite bathroom that has running hot water and other facilities. There are local excursions and daily activities in this stylish retreat. Book gorilla trekking tour in Rwanda with a stay here and make unforgettable memories.
Must Read: Uganda Or Rwanda Gorilla Trekking – Which One Is the Best?
Sanctuary Gorilla Forest Camp, Uganda
The camp is a simpler but explorer-chic stay with an outdoor campfire and communal vibes. Fellow guests who come together and swap stories set the area up. You get to interact with the local Bwindi tribes on a guided community walk that makes their stay unique. It is nestled deep inside Bwindi Impenetrable Forest in Uganda and gives it a remote appeal.
Bistate Lodge, Rwanda
This wilderness property is a reputed stay that offers opulent en suite forest villas. It is located next to the forested Virunga Mountains and is a short distance from the Volcanoes Park headquarters. Experience luxurious eco-sensitive accommodation with panoramic views of the Bisoke and Karisimbi Volcanoes. The domed, makuti thatched roofs with vibrant colored interiors are astounding.
