10 Best Gorilla Trekking Tours In Africa
Uganda and Rwanda offer the best gorilla trekking tours in Africa. These two countries in East Africa offer an opportunity to see wild mountain gorillas – one of the greatest wildlife experiences in Africa. Africa’s mountain gorillas can survive only in the thick wild. You cannot see these incredible apes in a zoo.
They are also highly endangered due to deforestation and hunting. Their population is estimated at around 1063 individuals, largely depending on the money earned from gorilla trekking trips to survive. We are proud to support gorilla trekking tours that contribute directly to conserving these gentle giants. And here are our 10 best recommended gorilla trekking tours and safaris in Africa:
1. 3 day gorilla trekking Uganda
This affordable 3-Day Gorilla tour takes you to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. Bwindi contains almost half of the world’s last remaining 1063 mountain gorillas and the most habituated gorilla families in the world. During this tour, you will trek into the lush and diverse Afro-montane rain-forests to spend time watching these endangered giants. Your time in the dense rain-forests will also offer you a chance to see a variety of other primates, as well as a diverse array of endemic birds, plants and other rare creatures.
Highlights
- Track rare mountain gorillas
- Excellent hiking and birding
- Uganda Equator Crossing Experience
- Batwa pygmy cultural experience
- Visiting Mpambire drum makers
2. Gorillas, Chimps and Wildlife Trip – 6 Days
This 6 Day Safari also offers a gorilla trekking tour in Bwindi. Besides the extraordinary experience of trekking gorillas, you will track wild chimps in Kalinzu Forest and have a good dose of game viewing in Uganda’s leading game park. To add to all these memorable wildlife experiences, you’ll have plenty of opportunities to learn more about the culture in Uganda and have some time to rest at Lake Bunyonyi.
Highlights
- Enjoy a gorilla trek
- Track wild chimpanzees in Kibale Forest
- Classic safari experience in Queen Elizabeth National Park
- Spot the tree-climbing lions in the Ishasha Plains
- Cruise down the Kazinga Channel
- Stand with one foot in each hemisphere at the Uganda Equator Line
- Relax at the scenic Lake Bunyonyi – Africa’s second-deepest lake
3. Gorillas, Chimp, Wildlife & Cultural Tour – 5 days
Get to know Uganda on this 5-day tour. Uganda’s beautiful scenery, friendly people, and unique wildlife encounters make it a bucket-list destination. Your adventure will begin with Kibale National Park, a verdant tropical forest, surrounded by scenic crater lakes, rural villages, and resounding with birdsong, and the distinctive calls of primates. Your journey continues through Queen Elizabeth National Park – before heading to the renowned Bwindi Impenetrable Forest to trek and see wild gorillas.
Highlights
- Trek chimpanzees in Kibale Forest
- Seek out gorillas in Bwindi
- Nature walks in Bigodi Wetland
- Community cultural tours
- Photograph endemic birds and butterflies
- Game viewing in Queen Elizabeth National Park
- Visiting Igongo Cultural Centre & Museum
- Uganda Equator Crossing Experience
4. Gorillas, Chimps and Big Five Safari – 7 Days
This 7-Day Safari offers a superb introduction to the country’s top wildlife attractions. You will track wild rhinos on foot at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary and enjoy safari game drives and boat cruise in Murchison Falls National Park – one of Uganda’s most magnificent national parks that are inhabited by the rest of the Big 5. You then visit Kibale Forest and Queen Elizabeth National Park, before moving to the heart of Uganda gorilla trekking adventures, Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. You will end your tour relaxing at shores of lovely Lake Bunyonyi, before driving back to Entebbe.
Highlights
- Track wild rhinos on foot in Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary
- Enjoy a boat cruise and game drives at Murchison Falls National Park
- Visit the top of Murchison Falls – the world’s strongest waterfalls
- Gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest
- Chimpanzee trekking in Kibale Forest
- Discover Queen Elizabeth National Park‘s diverse African wildlife
- See over 13 species of primates at Kibale Forest
- Culture interactions with local communities
5. Gorillas, Chimps, Big 5 & Tree-climbing Lions – 8 Days
On this exhilarating 8 Days Safari, you will have a great chance to encounter Gorillas and Chimpanzees – as well as the Big 5 animals of Africa in the wild. Beginning in Entebbe, you will visit Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary and explore Murchison Falls National Park. Then, you will track chimps in Kibale Forest, and tour Queen Elizabeth National Park. The top highlight of this tour is unquestionably mountain gorilla trekking in Bwindi. You will get to spend time with these gentle giant apes in the wild, experiencing one of the most memorable wildlife encounters in the world!
Highlights
- Track wild rhinos, chimpanzees and mountain gorillas on foot
- Classic game drives and boat cruises in Uganda’s best game parks
- Search for rare tree-climbing lions in Ishasha
- Batwa Pygmies Cultural Experience at Bwindi
6. Gorilla, Chimps and Big Game Safari – 10 Days
This 10 days Wildlife safari will begin with wild rhino tracking in Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary. You then visit Murchison Falls National Park, the largest, oldest and best Game Park in Uganda. You continue to Kibale Forest before visiting Queen Elizabeth National Park, Uganda’s most popular safari destination, with over 600 bird species and 95 species of mammals. Finally, it’s off to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, where half of the world’s remaining Mountain Gorillas live, about 500 gorillas at last count. From Bwindi, take a break and relax on beautiful Lake Bunyonyi before visiting Lake Mburo.
Highlights
- Track wild white rhinos on foot
- Gorilla trekking in Bwindi
- Trek for wild Chimpanzees in Kibale Forest
- Cultural tour of Bigodi Village
- Track rare tree climbing lions in Ishasha
- Boat cruise on Kazinga Channel
- Boat trip to the bottom of Murchison Falls
- Boat cruise on beautiful Lake Bunyonyi
- Game drives in Murchison Falls & Queen Elizabeth Parks
- Walking safari in Lake Mburo National Park
7. Gorilla Trekking Rwanda – 3 days
This 3 days gorilla trekking tour in Rwanda is the perfect gorilla trekking safari for time-challenged travellers. It will take you through the verdant afro-montane forests of Volcanoes National Park. This mountain paradise is a haven for mountain gorilla families and is ideal for close encounters and wonderful photo moments with these gentle giants. Of course, your main focus will be mountain gorillas, but you will have a chance to encounter other wonderful wild creatures like golden monkeys.
Highlights
- Trek rare Mountain gorillas of Rwanda
- Spectacular views of the Virunga Volcanoes
- Excellent hiking and birding
- Optional Iby’iwacu cultural village tour
- Optional golden monkey trekking adventure
8. Rwanda Gorilla trekking safari – 4 Days
This 4 Days Rwanda Gorilla trekking Safari is a great chance to experience Africa’s mountain gorillas on an adventure through Rwanda. This African country is home to some of the planet’s last remaining mountain gorillas and a place where you will be warmly welcomed by smiling local people. Rwanda has bravely risen from a tumultuous past and stands proudly as a representation of Africa’s irrepressible beauty.
Highlights
- Stay in the small town of Ruhengeri in Rwanda
- Take a scenic hike through Volcanoes National Park
- Witness the gentle nature of Africa’s mountain gorillas for one intimate hour
- Visit the heartbreaking Genocide Memorial Centre on a city tour of Kigali
- Optional Golden Monkey tracking tour
- Incredible views of the Virunga Volcanoes and volcanic lakes
9. Rwanda gorillas, Community & Conservation Safari – 6 Days
This safari gives you an opportunity to tour one of the most beautiful countries in Africa. You’ll experience local culture and learn about the incredible efforts being made to save endangered highly endangered mountain gorillas, while participating in the awesome experience of gorilla trekking. Your safari will start in the clean and safe Kigali city, where you will be immersed in the culture and history of Rwanda – its friendly people provide one-of-a-kind experiences. You will also have the chance to visit the Genocide Memorial, a somber trip back into horrific past.
Highlights
- Stay in comfortable and stylish accommodation
- Explore the streets of Kigali city
- Tour Kigali Genocide Memorial
- Gorilla trekking to meet the endangered mountain gorillas
- Golden Monkey tracking excursion
- Incredible views of the Virunga Volcanoes and volcanic lakes
- Optional visit to the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund
10. Rwanda and Gorillas of Uganda Safari – 10 Days
Rwanda and Uganda are often-overlooked East Africa safari destinations – but if you are an adventurous traveler, you won’t want to miss this 10 days safari through their wild landscapes, rich in history and wildlife. You will learn about the devastating events that took place in Rwanda, a beautiful country that is continuously striving to move forward. Combine this with the incredible scenery and diverse animal life of Uganda and an unforgettable adventure searching for wild mountain gorillas and chimpanzees, and you will experience the full spectrum of emotions and physical challenges.
Highlights
- Track rare mountain gorilla through Uganda’s steamy forests
- Learn about Rwanda’s tragic history.
- Discover the diverse wildlife of Queen Elizabeth National Park
- Visit The Gorilla Doctors HQ and learn about how they are saving the species
- Track wild chimpanzees on foot in Kibale Forest
FAQs about Gorilla Trekking Tours
1. How much does it cost to trek with gorillas?
Gorilla trekking tours in Africa doesn’t come cheap.
The permit fee for foreign nonresidents is currently US$800 in Uganda and US$1,500 in Rwanda (cheaper rates are offered to citizens of Uganda and Rwanda respectively, foreign residents and citizens of other African countries).
This is only the fee for the activity and it doesn’t factor in a lot of other costs involved in a safari package. You stay one hour with a gorilla family after you have reached their location. The tour group size is limited to 8 people.
An additional activity offered in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park only is the gorilla habituation experience where you’ll track a semi-habituated gorilla family in a limited group of 4 travelers. Instead of the one-hour time limit given for the ‘standard’ gorilla trekking trip, you will be able to stay for 4 hours.
Viewing is less easy as these gorillas aren’t yet fully used to people (habituated) and prefer to keep their distance. The price for this special exclusive adventure is US$1,500.
You may also like; what is the cheapest way to see gorillas?
2. Are gorilla trekking Tours worth the money?
If you love wildlife and nature, gorilla trekking tours offer a once-in-a-lifetime experience not to be missed. Coming face-to-face with these incredible gentle giants, especially a silverback male, is truly memorable.
Mountain gorillas are restricted to three countries: Rwanda, Uganda and DR Congo. Of these, Uganda and Rwanda have blossomed as tourist destinations in recent years and are now popular venues for the best gorilla trekking tours in Africa.
Both countries have more to offer than gorilla trekking safaris, which make a trip even more worthwhile. Gorillas are highly endangered.
So, it is also worth considering that the money you spend on gorilla trekking trip will be used in the conservation and protection of these great apes.
You may also like: Is 3 Days Enough Time To See Gorillas In Uganda?
3. Is Rwanda or Uganda better for gorilla trekking tours?
Gorilla trekking is easier but more expensive in Rwanda. Uganda is more developed for tourism and has the most to offer besides gorilla trekking.
You can do a safari in Uganda that covers several savannah game parks, chimpanzee trekking and gorilla trekking tours. Rwanda offers a similar experience but the cost of gorilla trekking in Rwanda is much higher and tourism is less developed away from Volcanoes National Park – the base for gorilla trekking tours.
Read more; Gorilla Trekking Rwanda Vs Uganda.
4. What fitness level is required for gorilla trekking tours?
You need to be rationally fit to go for gorilla trekking safari. As a guideline, if you can comfortably walk or hike for 2 hours, you should be fine.
If you can’t, then it might be worth training up to that level. That said, determined travelers who are not very fit almost invariably have a successful trek. Be sure to wear good hiking shoes or boots, to carry a walking stick (you’ll be offered one before the activity starts) and to hire a porter to carry your daypack and help you up steep slopes.
Ready to Plan Your Gorilla Safari In Africa?
Don’t miss out on the chance-of-a-lifetime opportunity to go gorilla trekking tour in one of the premier safari destinations on African continent. Get in touch with one of our African Safari Experts to customize your gorilla safari holiday.