A gorilla safari in Rwanda and Uganda is an unforgettable experience. It is a privilege to be able to see the mountain gorillas in the wild and to witness their grace and power. During a gorilla tour, you will have the opportunity to see gorillas up close and personal.
You will be able to observe their behaviour and learn about their ecology and habitat. This is a truly unique experience that will stay with you for a lifetime.
Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park and Uganda’s Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park are two of the best places to hike in search of heavily protected gorillas. The Volcanoes National Park is located in the northwest of Rwanda, on the border with the Democratic Republic of Congo. It is home to five volcanoes, as well as several endangered species including the mountain gorilla. The Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park is located in southwest Uganda, on the border with Rwanda. Both parks offer a unique and unforgettable gorilla trek experience for those lucky enough to hike in search of gorillas.
Rwanda is one of the most luxurious destinations in Africa boasting of high-end lodges, a gorilla permits alone costs $1500 per person per hour. Home to both gorillas and chimpanzees, Rwanda offers the chance to get up close and personal with some of our closest relatives. The gorilla treks take you deep into the forest, where you will spend an hour observing the habituated primate family in their natural environment.
A gorilla permit in Uganda costs $ 700 per person. The gorillas are completely wild but have become used to seeing a few humans after years of habituation. Many of the expert guides have been involved in this process since the beginning, and are able to explain the complicated etiquette involved in meeting a giant silver back. This is an opportunity afforded only to a selected few, as just eight visitors are allowed to view each group every day. The experience of tracking gorillas through the dense forest is unforgettable and gives you a lasting impression.
Rwanda has more than twice the number of habituated mountain gorilla groups than Uganda and so permits are generally more easily available.
The best time to visit Uganda is during its two dry seasons: between December and February, and between June and August, when conditions are particularly good for trekking to see mountain gorillas and chimpanzees. While the best time to visit Rwanda is during the dry season of June to September. This is also the best time of year to see mountain gorillas in Rwanda as these periods offer the best hiking conditions and the lowest risk of malaria.
The gorilla trekking experience in Uganda & Rwanda is worth all the money you will spend because once you sit a few meters from a four-hundred-pound silver back and his whole family, the world comes alive. Your view of the natural world is changed forever.
