NOMADIC ADVENTURES

Travel to the beautiful mountains of Uganda or Rwanda to see these majestic creatures in their natural habitat.

mountain gorilla tours

The Gorilla Trekking Tour is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to observe the majestic Mountain Gorillas in their natural habitat. This unique experience allows you to venture into some of the most pristine and biodiverse forests in the world. Trekking through lush jungles, high-altitude landscapes, and thick vegetation, you'll have the rare chance to witness these endangered creatures in the wild, making it one of the most unforgettable wildlife encounters on the planet.

What to Expect During a Gorilla Trekking Tour
A typical Mountain Gorilla trekking tour usually lasts for a day, though there are multiple-day packages that include different trekking experiences. The tour begins early in the morning, often with a briefing from your experienced guide and a park ranger who will explain the gorilla trekking rules for your safety and to protect the gorillas. These rules include keeping a safe distance from the gorillas, not making sudden movements, and refraining from using flash photography. The trek itself involves hiking through dense rainforests, bamboo forests, and sometimes steep terrain in search of the habituated gorilla family. It’s important to be physically prepared for the hike, as some treks can last between 1 to 6 hours, depending on where the gorillas are located that day. 

The higher elevations in parks like Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Volcanoes National Park can sometimes make the trek challenging, but the reward at the end is well worth the effort.

Encountering the Gorillas
Once you find the Mountain Gorillas, you’ll have an intimate experience with these incredible animals. The habituated gorilla families are accustomed to human presence, allowing visitors to get as close as 7 meters (21 feet) to them, though they are still wild animals and must not be approached too closely.Watching the gorillas interact within their family groups is a truly emotional experience. You’ll see the silverbacks, the dominant males, observing and protecting their families, as well as playful young gorillas climbing trees and interacting with their surroundings. The sight of these powerful yet gentle creatures in their natural environment is nothing short of awe-inspiring.

The Best National Parks for Gorilla Trekking Tours
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park (Uganda): Known for its dense vegetation and beautiful landscapes, Bwindi is home to over half of the world’s Mountain Gorilla population. The park has numerous trekking routes, ranging in difficulty, ensuring there's something for every adventurer.
Volcanoes National Park (Rwanda): Famous for its proximity to Kigali, Volcanoes National Park offers some of the best gorilla trekking experiences in the world. This park also provides incredible views of the surrounding volcanic mountains, adding to the grandeur of the trek.
Virunga National Park (DRC): One of the most remote and rugged locations for gorilla trekking, Virunga offers a more exclusive and adventurous experience. Virunga is home to both Mountain Gorillas and Eastern Lowland Gorillas, making it a prime location for wildlife enthusiasts looking for a more off-the-beaten-path experience.

The Gorilla Trekking Experience: Safety and Comfort
Though the trek can be physically demanding, safety and comfort are prioritized. You will always be accompanied by a trained guide and a ranger, who are experts in tracking gorillas. The presence of armed rangers ensures the safety of both trekkers and gorillas in areas where wildlife threats may exist.

Accommodation is typically in eco-lodges or comfortable camps near the park entrance. After your trek, you can enjoy relaxing in the lodge, reflecting on the day’s experience. Many lodges also offer luxury amenities, such as spa treatments, hearty meals, and hot showers, to ensure a relaxing end to an exciting day.

Trekking Permits and Sustainable Tourism
To preserve the fragile gorilla populations and ensure that the Mountain Gorillas are not disturbed by over-tourism, trekking permits are required. The fees for permits directly contribute to conservation efforts, helping protect the gorillas and their habitat. For example, in Uganda, the cost of a gorilla permit is typically around $700 USD, while in Rwanda, it can be as high as $1,500 USD per person per trek. These funds support anti-poaching programs, habitat restoration, and local community projects.

Through sustainable tourism, the communities surrounding the parks benefit economically, providing vital support to those living in these regions. This is particularly significant for local economies, as gorilla tourism helps create jobs for guides, porters, hotel staff, and local businesses.

Why Gorilla Trekking is More Than Just a Tour
While the gorilla trekking tour itself is unforgettable, it’s the impact on conservation that makes the experience truly meaningful. Your participation in these tours directly supports the protection of these magnificent creatures. By booking a tour, you contribute to ongoing research, conservation efforts, and local community development. Furthermore, the gorilla adoption programs offered by organizations like the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund allow you to take your contribution further by supporting the ongoing research and conservation efforts through financial donations.

If you’re looking for a life-changing experience that combines adventure, wildlife, and conservation, a Mountain Gorilla Trekking Tour should be at the top of your list. Not only will you have the opportunity to see one of the world’s most endangered species up close, but you’ll also be contributing to efforts that ensure the survival of these magnificent creatures for generations to come. 

Book your gorilla trek today and embark on an adventure that you’ll never forget.

If you are looking for answers to specific questions, read here 

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MOUNTAIN GORILLA TOURS AT A GLANCE

gori
Lla

tour

Overnight in hotels which range from Basic to Luxury

The shortest tour is 3 days in Rwanda, up to 5 for Uganda or a combined tours with a safari of 10 days

In Rwanda the fly in point is Kigali and for Uganda it is Entebe. One can end the Uganda gorilla tour in Kigali though with covid this raises complications.

Relatively low altitude but the terrain is often steep with a lot of undergrowth and bamboo thickets.

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rwanda gorilla tour itinerary

Day One: Kigali
Arrival at Kigali airport, meet and greet . Time allowing, we will visit the Gisozi Genocide Memorial, and crafts village. After lunch we will drive to Ruhengeri and Kinigi, the HQ of Volcanoes NP, home of the endangered mountain gorilla, about 2.5hr hour drive, until we reach the base of Sabinyo mountain, home to the Mountain Gorilla. Dinner and overnight at Hotel.

Day Two: Gorilla Safari Tour
After an early breakfast, we will be head to the national park headquarters to be briefed by the park rangers before departing for the trek in search for the Great Mountain Gorillas. The excursion in a thick rainforest and the interaction with the mountain gorilla/ape, is a lifetime experience. We will have lunch after returning from the hike to the hotel. In the afternoon we return to Kigali . Dinner.

Day Three: Depart 

Breakfast before being transferred to the airport for your departure flight at the end of your Rwanda Gorilla Tracking Tour.

End of services 

INFORMATION

Rwanda has about ten habituated mountain gorilla families. These include Sabyinyo, Susa, Karisimbi, Umubano, Amahoro, Kwitonda, Hirwa, Bwenge, Agashya and Ugyenda. It has about twenty nine members and 3 silverbacks. This was the largest mountain gorilla family before it split into two. 



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bELOW ARE SOME OF THE QUESTIONS WE ARE FREQUENTLY  ASKED about MOUNTAIN GORILLA TREKS

Which is the best country to visit the Mountain Gorilla in; Uganda or Rwanda?

Rwanda is a much smaller country than Uganda, so  it means that given the travel distances, you can visit the gorilla in 3 days as opposed to 5. Rwanda also has more than twice the number of habituated mountain gorilla groups than Uganda and so permits are generally more easily available.  The forests are less dense so photographic options are better. However, Uganda also offers a lot of national game parks so If you want to do more than just gorilla trekking on your holiday, but add in a safari, Uganda is a better option than Rwanda. 

Permits are however more costly in Rwanda than in Uganda.

Where can I get trekking Insurance to see the Mountain Gorilla?

If you are going hiking or trekking then you need extra cover for your activities. Hiking has become popular for many adventure seekers. But any hike even short ones carry a number of risks and having the correct and good trekking insurance is an absolute must. We recommend two different groups depending on which country you reside in. For further details, click on the icon


When is the best time for Gorilla tracking?

You can visit the mountain gorillas in Uganda and Rwanda throughout the year. However the best months are June, July, and August to early-September as they are drier with less rain, and then December up to February. Given that it is a mountain are there is always a chance of rain and mist through regardless of the time of year.

What clothing do I need to wear to track the gorilla?

During the day the temperatures are generally warm to hot and humid so light clothing that you can layer is best.  We highly recommend that you wear long pants and long-sleeved shirt made of light-weight material to avoid being scratched with thorns and branches. You will also need a hat , sunglasses and a waterproof jacket in case it rains. Gaitors, gloves and sturdy hiking boots are also required.

What do the Gorilla permits cost?

In order to actually visit the gorilla, you need to have a permit which is obtained from Uganda Wildlife Authority in Uganda and Rwanda Development Board in Rwanda. The permit allows you to spend 1 hours with a habituated family at a good 7m distance. We arrange these permits for you.

In Uganda Gorilla permits are USD700 and in Rwanda they are USD1500 per permit per trek.Currently Rwanda Gorilla permit goes for USD1500.00 for Non-residents. 

How far in advance should I book my permit?

Given that permits are limited and the demand is high we advise that you book your Gorilla permit at least three months. If you plan to go to Uganda there is a greater demand as habituated families are lower as is the cost.  

How long will I spend with the Gorilla?

Once a habituated gorilla family has been located by your guide, you will have one hour with the family unless circumstances dictate that you leave earlier.

How close will I get to the Gorilla?

In theory you need to maintain a 7m or 27 foot distance between you and the gorilla. However, you will find they they sometimes will come close to you. You are not allowed to touch the gorillas.

Is there an age limit on tracking?

There is a minimum age of 15 years for anyone obtaining a permit to track Mountain Gorillas which Park Authorities will check against the date of birth in your passport.

How difficult is it to see the Gorilla?

 If you can hike in any weather on rough terrain for a few hours and a are fit  then you should be fine.  You are likely to return wed and muddy and climbing through the undergrowth can be tiring. However, we have had clients in their 70's do the trek without problems. 

The time it takes to get to the gorilla family is based mainly on the location of mountain gorilla  How near or far a gorilla group has moved since it was last trekked will determine how long it takes to get to them. Groups like Sabinyo and Group 13 I Rwanda are generally easier to get to while other families like Amahoro, Susa A, Karisimbi, and Ugyenda gorilla families tend to move a lot further. It can take between 1 hour and 5 hours to locate the family.

Is there a maximum number of people we can have in our travel group?

There is not a limit to the number of people we can book for so long as there is availability of permits. In addition, Only eight people are allowed to track a gorilla family per day. a number of gorilla families have been habituated both in Uganda and Rwanda.  In Uganda there are currently around 152 permits available per day, while Rwanda has 96 permits available each day.

What is included on a gorilla permit?

Gorilla permits are documents that allow visitors see mountain gorillas in their natural habitat. The gorilla permit includes;

  • Park entry fee
  • Guide/ranger fees
  • Gorilla trackers fees
  • One hour with gorillas once found
  • Visitors security in the forest
What are the chances of seeing mountain gorillas?

There is a 99% chances you will get to see the mountain gorillas in their natural habitat. Part of the fee goes towards paying the trackers who track the family from where they nested down the night before and where they traveled to when they woke up. These trackers then guide your ranger/guide to their location while the gorilla trackers keep monitoring the movements of the mountain gorillas.


Is gorilla trekking safe?

Compared to other wildlife encounters such as rhino trekking and some safari activities,      gorilla trekking is one of the safest there is. There are however rules that apply which trekkers must, in turn,      follow while with the gorillas. They are not aggressive or prone to be angered by tourists under most circumstances

What is a habituated gorilla family?

A habituated gorilla family is one that is trained to be more accustomed to having people around. Gorilla Habituation may take between two to three years .

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