The most well-known activity in Africa is gorilla trekking, where tourists travel through the tropical rainforest to find habituated gorilla families and, if they are located, spend an hour with them in their natural environment.
Africa’s five gorilla trekking sites include the Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda, the Virunga National Park, the Kahuzi Biega National Park in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and the Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park in Uganda.
Where in Africa can I go gorilla trekking?
Trekking with gorillas in Uganda
Because Uganda is home to the greatest number of mountain gorillas, it is one of the most popular gorilla destinations in Africa. In Uganda, gorilla trekking is done in two locations: Mgahinga Gorilla National Park and Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, both of which are in the southwest.
While Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is home to one habituated gorilla family, Nyakagezi, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is home to about 19 habituated gorilla families spread across four sectors: Buhoma, Rushaga, Nkuringo, and Ruhija.
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
The only place in Uganda that provides the amazing gorilla habituation experience-in which wild gorillas are tamed to become accustomed to human presence for trekking-is Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.
The gorilla habituation experience, which takes place in the southern region of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park’s Rushaga Sector, allows guests to spend four hours with the mountain gorillas.
Rwandan gorilla trekking
One of the most popular activities in Rwanda is gorilla trekking, which is carried out at Musanze Town, in the northwest of the country, in Volcanoes National Park. There are approximately eleven habituated gorilla families in Volcanoes National Park, and daily trekking is possible.
Trekking with gorillas in the Democratic Republic of the Congo
There are two places in the Democratic Republic of the Congo where gorilla trekking is possible: Virunga National Park in the country’s eastern region and Kahuzi Biega National Park, which is home to the eastern lowland gorillas. There are five habituated gorilla families in Kahuzi Biega National Park and eight habituated gorilla families in Virunga National Park, both of which are accessible for daily hiking.
Experience trekking with gorillas
In all locations-Uganda, Rwanda, and Congo-gorilla trekking begins early in the morning with an orientation on the guidelines to be followed. Following the briefing, you will be split up into groups of eight, and each group will be assigned a habituated gorilla family to travel with as well as a park guide who is both familiar with the gorilla trekking trails and has knowledge of gorillas.
Because gorillas prefer to roam about in search of food, trekking with them might take anything from 30 minutes to 7 hours, depending on their location. You can see a variety of wildlife while trekking, including birds, butterflies, primates including l’hoest and black colobus monkeys, as well as many plant and tree species.
You will be permitted to spend an hour with the gorillas in their natural habitat after they are located. During this time, you will be able to take pictures, record videos, and learn about their habits, behaviors, and way of life. You will also be able to observe how they go about their daily lives, including feeding, nursing, playing, and grooming their young.
When is the ideal time of year to trek gorillas in Africa?
Although gorilla trekking in Africa is possible at any time of year, the best time to go is during the dry season, which runs from June to September and December to February. This is because the gorilla destinations receive less rainfall during this time, which results in thinner vegetation, which makes it easier to see the gorillas and other wildlife. In contrast to the wet season, when the gorilla trekking trails are muddy, slippery, and wet, access roads to the national parks and the trails are passable during the dry season.
The price of a permit for gorilla trekking
Any person over the age of 15 who wants to see a gorilla family in any of the gorilla destinations must get a gorilla trekking permit, which is a valid document. A gorilla trekking permit in Africa costs USD 1,500 per person for all nationalities, USD 400 per person for foreign non-residents in Congo, USD 800 per person for foreign non-residents, USD 700 per person for foreign residents, and UGX 300,000 per person for East African citizens. The price of a gorilla trekking permit in Africa varies based on the destination you want to visit.
How to reserve permits for gorilla trekking
In Africa, gorilla trekking permits can be directly obtained by calling or emailing the Rwanda Development Board to reserve gorilla permits in Rwanda, the Uganda Wildlife Authority to reserve gorilla permits in Uganda, or the Virunga Park headquarters in Goma to get permits in Congo.
A reliable travel company like All In Africa Safaris is another way to reserve gorilla trekking permits. You will get in touch with us and let us know your names, the dates, the year, and the place you want to visit. When permits become available, you will be prompted to pay a deposit. We will verify the availability of permissions. As soon as the payment is received, we will buy the permit on your behalf and confirm with a scanned copy.
In order to prevent last-minute disappointments, it is recommended that gorilla trekking permits in Uganda, Rwanda, and Congo be reserved three to six months prior to the trekking date. This is because permits are competitive and sell out quickly, particularly during the busiest months of June, July, August, September, December, January, and February.
During your safari in Africa, you should not miss the exciting pastime of gorilla trekking. You can visit our website or get in touch with us at All In Africa Safaris for additional details about gorilla trekking or safari reservations.
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.
Recommended Tours: 8 Days Congo Gorillas & Nyiragongo Safari | 5 Days Lowland Gorilla Safari Congo
