Gorilla Tours in Africa – Africa Gorilla safaris.

Gorilla Tours in Africa are a gateway to an ultimate experience that amazes visitors. From walking the thickets of Africa’s rainforests to meeting these great apes, gorilla trekking tours remain a profound and outstanding safari activity.  Are you planning an adventure that will allow you to meet gorillas in Africa? Look no further, taking on a gorilla trekking tour in Uganda, Rwanda, and the Democratic Republic of Congo is a rewarding experience.

Those who have had the honor to take on an ultimate gorilla trekking tour or gorilla habituation safari in Africa, have created a signature of memories. Adding a gorilla tour to your itinerary is worth it. You may want to do a combined wildebeest migration and gorilla trekking tour in Uganda and Kenya. Book yourself a rewarding Uganda, Congo, and Rwanda gorilla trekking safari package and turn your moments into memories. Whether it is Bwindi Impenetrable National Park or Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, Uganda gorilla tours are a dream come true. Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park and Congo’s Virunga and Kahuzi-Biega National Parks will amaze you on your Africa gorilla trip.

In this article / Gorilla Tours in Africa guide, you will learn about the best place for gorilla trekking, the best time for a gorilla tour, and how much a gorilla trekking permit in Africa is. By the time you read to the bottom of the page, you will be one step away from booking your gorilla trekking or gorilla habituation permit in Africa.

Best gorilla tour packages!

What is gorilla trekking? Gorilla trekking tours and its meaning

Gorilla trekking tours involve travelers of tourists walking into the rainforests of Africa (Uganda, Rwanda, and Congo) in search of a gorilla family. To be able to do this safari activity, one must have a fully paid gorilla trekking permit obtained from the respective bodies. For example, in Uganda and Rwanda, gorilla trekking permits are issued by the Uganda Wildlife Authority and the Rwanda Development Board respectively. Upon encountering a gorilla family, travelers spend time in the presence of the family as they learn about their behaviors. It is such a rewarding experience as you watch them play, dine, and mate.

Gorilla trekking Vs. gorilla habituation in Africa

Gorilla trekking involves travelers spending only one hour in the presence of a gorilla family upon encountering the family, gorilla habituation on the other hand involves travelers spending four hours in the presence of gorillas.

Gorilla trekking is also done by a group of not more than eight people, unlike gorilla habituation which is done by not more than four people per gorilla family.

Gorilla trekking permits in Africa are slightly lower than the price of gorilla habituation permits.

Lastly, in gorilla trekking, visitors follow a gorilla family that has been habituated (already used to humans), on the other hand, in gorilla habituation, travelers follow a gorilla family or group that has not been habituated (not used to human beings).

Why go for a gorilla tour or a gorilla safari in Africa?

Are you caught between whether to do a gorilla trekking tour in Africa or not? Do not be stranded, gorilla tours and gorilla safaris in Africa are worth the money and time. one of the reasons why you should take on a gorilla trekking tour in Africa is the fact that the activity allows you to spend time in the presence of Africa’s endangered species. Africa is the only place in the world where one can see gorillas. Mountain gorillas can only be seen in Virunga National Park (DR Congo), Volcanoes National Park (Rwanda), and Uganda’s Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. Lowland gorillas can be seen in Kahuzi-Biega National Park in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Goring on a gorilla adventure or gorilla tour in Africa gives a chance to learn about the behaviors of these human-like apes. Did you know that gorillas live in families like human beings? Each family comprises about 10 members. The family is headed by a male adult known as Silverback. Every family comprises several females and they do most of the work like attending to baby gorillas. The major duty of a silverback is to protect a family from outside invasion.

Gorilla trekking in Uganda

Gorilla trekking in Uganda is done at two major safari destinations or parks; Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. These parks are located in southwestern Uganda near the border of Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Taking on a gorilla trekking tour in Uganda allows you to walk the impenetrable thickets of Bwindi. These two parks are an extension of the great Virunga Massif which runs through Rwanda and DR Congo.

Gorilla trekking in tours Uganda usually starts from Entebbe International Airport or Kampala city. Travelers then drive the 9 to 10-hour drive road to Kabale and Kisoro. Gorilla trekking in Uganda starts at 8:00 am with a briefing at the park headquarters. For one to do a gorilla trekking tour in Uganda, he or she must buy a gorilla permit from the Uganda Wildlife Authority. It is possible to book your Uganda gorilla permits through an authentic tour operator in Uganda. All you need is to share your details and the company will do the hustle for you.

Gorilla permits in Uganda are in high demand and one gorilla family is tracked by not more than once a day. This implies that sometimes getting a permit might be challenging. This is why you are advised to book your Uganda gorilla trekking permit at least 30 days before your trip.

Gorilla trekking in Rwanda

Gorilla trekking tours in Rwanda can be done in Volcanoes National Park. Located in the northern part of Kigali, Volcanoes National Park is a reliable destination for gorilla trekking and gorilla habituation. Like that of Uganda, gorilla trekking in Rwanda starts with a briefing at the park headquarters. Rwanda does not have as many gorilla families as Uganda but the experience is equally rewarding.

Gorilla trekking safaris in Rwanda can easily be combined with other safari activities like chimpanzee tracking in Nyungwe National Park, Wildlife game drives in Akagera National Park, Kigali city tours as well as birding tours in Rwanda.

Gorilla trekking tours in Rwanda can start from Kigali or Kampala in Uganda. You can also take on a combined Uganda and Rwanda gorilla trekking safari for an extraordinary experience. It is killing two birds with one stone.

Gorilla trekking in DR Congo

Gorilla trekking tours in Congo are a different recipe compared to Uganda and Rwanda. The difference is that Congo has lowland gorillas which are restricted to Kahuzi-Biega National Park. Mountain gorillas can be seen in the Virunga National Park. The park is home to multiple bird species. Gorilla trekkers in Congo usually hike to the top of Mount Nyiragongo – Africa’s most active volcano.

Gorilla trekking tours in Congo can easily be combined with wildlife safari trips in Uganda, Rwanda, Kenya, Tanzania, and Burundi. Book a combined East Africa Gorilla trekking tour and create a signature of memories.  

Best gorilla trekking parks in Africa

Gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park – Uganda

Located in southwestern Uganda about 8 hours from Kampala, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park offers the best gorilla adventures in Uganda. The park is home to almost half of the gorillas in the world. The park is divided into four sectors namely; the Ruhija sector, the Nkuringo sector, Buhoma sector, and Ruhija sector.

Each of these sectors offers a great and different trekking experience. some trekking trails in Bwindi are challenging and thus require some degree of physical fitness. Talk to your tour operator about the kind of trekking adventure for a better experience.

Gorilla trekking in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park – Uganda

Other than Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Uganda gorilla trekking tours are done in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. The park is located in southwestern Uganda at the border of Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo. The park has only one gorilla family for trekking. It is also famous for golden monkey trekking and golden monkey habituation. Book yourself a Uganda gorilla trekking tour and make your dreams come true.

Gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park – Rwanda

Gorilla trekking tours in Volcanoes National Park are the ultimate experience. The park is located in northern Rwanda close to Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Visiting Volcanoes National Park gives travelers are chance to explore the Dian Fossey Conservation Center.

At the center, they learn about a historical primatologist – Dian Fossey who dedicated all her life to conserving gorillas. Tours to Volcanoes National Park usually include Rwanda Cultural safaris. These take you to the Ibyi’wacu Cultural Village.

Gorilla trekking in Virunga National Park and Kahuzi-Biega National Park –  DR Congo           

Congo is arguably the best gorilla safari destination in Africa. This is because the country is home to two subspecies of gorillas that is; mountain gorilla and the eastern lowland gorilla.

Currently, 8 habituated gorilla groups in Virunga National Park can be visited by trekkers. These include Munyaga, Mapuwa Rugendo, Nyakamwe Lulengo, Bageni, Humba, and Kabirizi. Kahuzi-Biega National Park has got 9 groups of eastern lowland gorillas although 5 of these are habituated for tourism. These include the Mpungwe gorilla family, Chimanuka, Bonnani, Mugahuka, and Nganwa.

How much are gorilla permits in all the destinations?

• A gorilla trekking permit in Uganda goes for $800 per person. And the gorilla habituation permit goes for $1500 per person.
• A gorilla trekking permit in Rwanda goes for $1500 per person
• A gorilla trekking permit in D.R. Congo goes for $450 per person

When to do gorilla trekking in Africa?

Gorilla trekking in Africa is done all year round. The activity can be done any day of the week and any month as well. Book your Africa Gorilla tour now and create everlasting memories.