Gorilla Trekking Tours in Uganda and Rwanda

Gorilla trekking is one of Africa’s most powerful wildlife experiences, taking travellers into tropical forests in search of endangered mountain gorillas. The experience is available in Uganda, Rwanda, and DR Congo, with the most popular trekking destinations being Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, and Volcanoes National Park. During a gorilla trekking safari, visitors hike with trained rangers until they find a habituated gorilla family. Once the family is located, visitors spend one hour observing the gorillas as they feed, rest, groom, play, and move through the forest. AA Safaris and Tours organises gorilla trekking tours in Uganda and Rwanda, including permit booking, transport, accommodation, guides, and full safari planning. Trips can be arranged as short 2 to 4 day gorilla safaris or longer Uganda and Rwanda itineraries with wildlife, chimpanzees, golden monkeys, culture, and adventure experiences.

Gorilla Trekking in Uganda

Uganda is home to about half of the world’s remaining mountain gorillas. These gorillas are found in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. Gorillas live in groups or families, and only a limited number of visitors are allowed to see each gorilla family per day. This helps reduce stress on the gorillas and protects their natural behaviour. A maximum of 8 visitors are allowed to trek each gorilla family per day. The total number of daily visitors depends on the number of available habituated gorilla families.  Gorilla trekking is one of the most prized wildlife experiences in East Africa. In Uganda, a gorilla trekking permit currently costs about USD 800 per person for foreign non-residents. This makes gorilla safaris more expensive than many other wildlife safaris, but the experience is rare, highly regulated, and conservation-focused.

Gorilla Trekking in Rwanda

Rwanda gorilla trekking takes place in Volcanoes National Park, located in northern Rwanda near Musanze. Like Uganda, Rwanda limits the number of visitors allowed to trek gorillas each day. A maximum of 8 visitors is allowed per gorilla family per day. Rwanda gorilla treks are sometimes shorter than Uganda treks, but this depends on the movement and location of the assigned gorilla family. Some treks may be short, while others may take longer. A Rwanda gorilla trekking permit costs about USD 1500 per person and allows one gorilla trekking experience. Travellers should confirm permit prices before booking because policies can change.

Gorilla Trekking in DR Congo

Gorilla trekking in DR Congo takes place in Virunga National Park. The park is also known for Nyiragongo Volcano, one of the active volcanoes in East Africa. The gorilla trekking experience in DR Congo is similar to Uganda and Rwanda, but travel planning requires more caution because of security uncertainty in the region. Access to Virunga National Park can change depending on official park operations and safety conditions. Virunga can be accessed through the Goma border from Rwanda when travel conditions allow. Gorilla trekking in DR Congo is usually cheaper than in Uganda and Rwanda, with permits often listed around USD 400 per person, but this should be confirmed before booking.

How to Prepare for Gorilla Trekking

To prepare for gorilla trekking, first decide where you would prefer to trek: Uganda, Rwanda, or DR Congo. This decision may depend on your budget, travel dates, time available, fitness level, and the wider safari route. Once your gorilla trekking safari is confirmed, start preparing for the forest conditions. Gorilla trekking can take several hours because gorillas live in the wild and move depending on food availability. Travellers should prepare for possible long hiking hours, rain, mud, and uneven forest trails. Mountain gorillas live in tropical rainforests, so rain can occur even during the drier months. You should carry the recommended gorilla trekking items, including hiking boots, long trousers, long-sleeved clothing, rain protection, drinking water, snacks, and a small backpack. Avoid contact with people who have infectious diseases before your trek. If you are sick with flu, cough, fever, or any contagious illness, you may be stopped from trekking to protect the gorillas. Always follow the gorilla trekking rules and guidelines given by park rangers.