Prices for mountain gorilla trekking in 2025: To trek gorillas in their native environment, you must have a gorilla trekking permit, which is a legal document. Anyone who wants to go on a mountain gorilla hike in any of the three countries-Uganda, Rwanda, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo-is always granted a permission.
All year long, hiking for mountain gorillas is conducted in these three countries. For 2025, trekking permits in Uganda’s Mgahinga Gorilla National Park and Bwindi Impenetrable National Park cost 800 USD per person for foreign non-residents, 700 USD per person for foreign residents, and 300,000 UGX per person for individuals from East Africa.
Additionally, gorilla trekking permits in Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park cost between $1,500 and $2,500 per person.
Of the three countries, the gorilla trekking permit in the Democratic Republic of the Congo is the least expensive. Each journey costs $400 per person.
These are the typical rates for a trekking permit; however, you should be aware that they do not cover lodging, transportation, meals, or anything else.
You can only enter the mountain gorilla park, the mountain gorilla habitat, and the mountain gorillas with a trekking permit.
Therefore, when making plans for the mountain gorilla trekking trip, be sure to budget for the additional expenses that go along with the safari.
Additional information regarding the Mountian gorilla trekking experience that you might want to be aware of is:
Purchase your trekking permits at least one to three months before the day of your actual journey.
Trekking may be a taxing and exhausting experience, so it’s necessary to prepare yourself physically, psychologically, and emotionally so that you won’t feel so worn out and fatigued.
Trekking while ill or infected is not recommended as it is detrimental to both you and the gorillas. You might give them something that could easily kill them. Gorillas can readily get anything from humans because, as you know, they share at least 90% of their DNA.
During your trekking trip, you are welcome to bring food, but please resist the urge to feed the gorillas at any point. Their food is not yours. Both you and the gorillas may be in danger if you feed them.
Prices for mountain gorilla hiking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in 2025
Because of the lengthy trekking trails in Uganda, mountain gorilla trekking typically lasts six to eight hours. Therefore, while creating your safari itinerary, be sure to leave the trekking day free of any other activities.
Prepare yourself for a lengthy drive-roughly nine to ten hours-from the capital to the park when gorilla trekking in Uganda. The other lengthy drive is between Goma and the Virunga, but it’s not as long as the one from Kampala to Bwindi or Mgahinga National Park.
The two to three-hour trip from Kigali to the Volcanoes National Park is the only one that is the shortest to a gorilla park. It takes about four to six hours to drive from Kigali to Bwindi and Mgahinga National Parks.
Following your mountain gorilla trekking adventure, you can engage in other activities like mountain climbing, nature walks, and community visits, among others, if you have an adventurous and exploring attitude.
Gorilla Trekking in the Democratic Republic of Congo
The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is home to two gorilla species found nowhere else together: mountain gorillas in Virunga National Park and eastern lowland gorillas (Grauer’s gorillas, Gorilla beringei graueri) in Kahuzi-Biega National Park. Both are UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
Virunga National Park – Africa’s oldest national park, established in 1925 – covers 7,900 km² of remarkable ecological diversity, from the volcanic peaks of the Virunga Massif to the glaciers of the Rwenzori Mountains and the tropical lowland forests of the Congo Basin. The park is also home to hippos, elephants, okapis, and the entire cast of Congo rainforest wildlife.
Eastern Lowland Gorillas – A Unique Encounter
The eastern lowland gorilla (Grauer’s gorilla) is the world’s largest subspecies of gorilla, with silverbacks weighing up to 220kg. Found only in the DRC, Grauer’s gorillas are considerably rarer than mountain gorillas – their population has declined by more than 70% since the 1990s due to conflict, habitat loss, and poaching. Kahuzi-Biega National Park in South Kivu offers the only reliable trekking experience with habituated Grauer’s gorilla families.
A gorilla permit in the DRC costs USD 400 per person – significantly cheaper than Rwanda (USD 1,500) or Uganda (USD 800). The experience is raw, off-the-beaten-track, and unforgettable for travellers seeking something genuinely uncommon.
Practical Information for DRC Gorilla Trekking
Getting to Virunga and Kahuzi-Biega
The most common entry point to eastern DRC is via Kigali, Rwanda. Goma – the gateway to Virunga National Park – is just 80km from Kigali. Direct flights from Nairobi and Kampala also serve Goma. Bukavu (gateway to Kahuzi-Biega) is accessible from Goma by road (3-4 hours) or by light aircraft.
Is it safe to trek gorillas in the DRC?
Security in eastern DRC is complex and fluctuates. Virunga National Park and Kahuzi-Biega have experienced periods of closure due to armed group activity. Always check current security conditions with your tour operator and your government’s travel advisory before planning a DRC gorilla trek. Reputable operators with established local security networks are essential.
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