Luxury Gorilla Trekking in Uganda
Luxury gorilla trekking in Uganda is a unique experience. If you want to see mountain gorillas in Africa, a luxury gorilla trekking safari in Uganda, the Pearl of Africa, should be on your list.
Uganda has two main gorilla destinations where you can get close to mountain gorillas in their natural home. These are Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, both in the southwest part of the country.
In Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, a luxury gorilla trekking safari means you can see over 459 mountain gorillas. This is almost half of the world’s total 1,063 mountain gorillas.
These gorillas only live in three African countries: Uganda, Rwanda, and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
While trekking in Bwindi, there are 20 gorilla families that are used to people and open for tracking. These families live in four main areas: Ruhija, Nkuringo, Rushaga, and Buhoma.
In the Rushaga area, some of the gorilla families you can visit are Kutu, Kahungye, Busingye, Bikingi, Rwigi, Mucunguzi, Nshongi, Bweza, and Mishaya.
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is one of Africa’s beautiful parks. It was set up in 1991 and became a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1994. It is covered by thick rain-forest and covers 331 square kilometers. Visitors can reach Bwindi by road in 8 to 9 hours from Kampala or in 3 to 4 hours from Kigali, Rwanda.
Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is another great place for gorilla trekking. It is less crowded and also located in southwestern Uganda. Mgahinga has only one gorilla family, Nyakagezi, that is used to visitors. Only 8 people can visit this group each day.
Uganda Luxury Gorilla Permits
Gorilla permit prices in Uganda are the same for both budget and luxury safaris. For foreign non-residents, permits cost $800 for Bwindi or Mgahinga. Foreign residents pay $700, and East African Community citizens pay 250,000 Ugandan shillings.
If you want to do gorilla habituation, which means spending more time with gorillas as they get used to you, this is only done in Bwindi. Habituation permits cost $1,500 for foreign non-residents, $1,000 for foreign residents, and 750,000 Ugandan shillings for East African citizens.
You can book your gorilla trekking or habituation permits through a trusted tour operator or directly from the Uganda Wildlife Authority.
We recommend booking your permits at least 2 to 6 months before your trip to Bwindi or Mgahinga.
How to Get to Bwindi and Mgahinga
By road, both parks can be reached from Kampala in a well-serviced safari vehicle. The drive takes 8 to 10 hours. To get to Bwindi, you can drive through Masaka and Mbarara to Kabale. To reach Mgahinga, you can continue from Kisoro.
You can also take a shorter route from Kigali, Rwanda, crossing at Katuna border to Kabale for Bwindi. For Mgahinga, you can cross at Chanika border to Kisoro. From Kigali, it is about a 3 to 5 hour drive to either park. If you are in Queen Elizabeth National Park, it takes 3 to 4 hours to drive to Bwindi.
By air, both Bwindi and Mgahinga have small airstrips at Kihihi and Kisoro. Flights are available from Entebbe Airport or Kajjansi airfield.
Luxury Gorilla Trekking in Rwanda
Rwanda is a small East African country with unique attractions. It is one of the three countries where endangered mountain gorillas live. They are found in Volcanoes National Park in the northwest near Ruhengeri, about 2 to 3 hours by car from Kigali, the capital.
Volcanoes National Park covers 160 square kilometers. It is home to about 30% of the world’s mountain gorillas. From the Kinigi offices, visitors can start trekking to see 13 gorilla families.
Gorilla permits in Rwanda cost $1,500 each. You can book them through a registered tour operator or directly with the Rwanda Development Board.
Luxury Gorilla Trekking in the Democratic Republic of Congo
In Congo, you can track two types of gorillas on luxury safaris: mountain gorillas and Eastern Lowland gorillas.
Mountain gorillas live in Virunga National Park, while Eastern Lowland gorillas are in Kahuzi-Biega National Park and Maiko National Park.
Virunga National Park is Africa’s oldest park, created in 1925. It covers 7,800 square kilometers. Gorilla trekking starts from the Bukima ranger post.
There are eight gorilla families you might visit: Humba, Kabirizi, Mapuwa, Munyanga, Nyakamwe, Bageni, Rugendo, and Lulengo.
Kahuzi-Biega National Park is the best place to see Eastern Lowland gorillas. It is one of Congo’s largest parks, covering 6,000 square kilometers.
Gorilla families here include Moungwe, Chimanuka, Bonnani, Mugahuka, and Nganwa.
Gorilla permits for Congo’s parks cost $400, whether for mountain gorillas or lowland gorillas. Anyone aged 15 and above can trek gorillas in all three countries.
How to Get to Virunga & Kahuzi-Biega
By road, you can reach Virunga National Park from Kisoro, Uganda, through the Bunagana border. The park entrance at Bukima is a half-hour drive from the border. From Rwanda, it takes about 4 hours from Gisenyi to Goma town, then on to Virunga.
By air, fly from Kigali International Airport to Goma Airport in Congo.
Kahuzi-Biega is about 40 km from Bukavu town, reachable by road. You can also fly to Miti or Kavumu airports near the park.
Gorilla Trekking Guidelines for Uganda, Rwanda & Congo
- Keep a distance of 8 to 10 meters from the gorillas.
- Only people aged 15 and older can trek gorillas.
- You can spend only one hour with the gorillas.
- To avoid spreading disease, you must wear a mask during your visit.
Other luxury activities besides gorilla trekking
Africa offers many luxury activities besides gorilla trekking. Each of Africa’s wilderness areas gives visitors great travel experiences.
Here are some other luxury activities you can enjoy while on a luxury gorilla trekking safari:
Mountain gorilla habituation experience
The mountain gorilla habituation experience is a special luxury activity you can try on an African luxury gorilla trekking safari. It is unique and is only available in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in southwestern Uganda.
This experience takes a full day and gives you about 4 hours to spend face to face with a semi-habituated gorilla family. This is longer than the 1 hour that trekkers get during the normal gorilla trek.
To take part in the habituation experience, you need a valid habituation permit. The cost varies by visitor type: foreign non-residents pay $1500, foreign residents pay $800, and East African Community citizens pay UGX 750,000.
This permit allows you to visit the Kutu gorilla family in the Rushaga region of Bwindi.
Chimpanzee Trekking
Chimpanzee tracking is another interesting luxury activity for visitors in Africa. It is offered in Uganda, Rwanda, and Tanzania.
Uganda has over 5,050 chimpanzees in various areas, but Kibale Forest National Park is the most popular place for chimpanzee tracking.
Permits for chimpanzee tracking in Kibale cost $250 for foreign non-residents, $200 for foreign residents, and Shs. 200,000 for East African Community citizens.
In Rwanda, chimpanzee tracking is available at Nyungwe Forest National Park and Gishwati-Mukura National Park.
Chimpanzee Habituation Experience
Chimpanzee habituation is another special luxury activity you should add to your list. It is mainly enjoyed in Uganda’s Kibale Forest National Park and Budongo Forest.
This full-day adventure allows visitors, especially researchers and scientists, to follow a semi-habituated chimpanzee group.
The goal is to help the chimpanzees get used to human presence before they are open for official tracking.
Mountaineering
Besides tracking mountain gorillas or Eastern lowland gorillas, you can enjoy mountaineering on some of Africa’s famous mountains and volcanoes.
Notable places for hiking and climbing include Mount Rwenzori (Mountains of the Moon) in Uganda, Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania, Nyiragongo Volcano in the DR Congo, and the Gahinga, Muhabura, and Sabyinyo volcanoes in Uganda’s Mgahinga Gorilla National Park.
In Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park, you can climb Mount Karisimbi.
Recommended Luxury lodges & hotels
In Uganda, luxury gorilla lodges include Nkuringo Bwindi Gorilla Lodge. It is located in the Nkuringo region to the south of Bwindi and overlooks the three volcanoes of Mgahinga: Muhabura, Sabyinyo, and Gahinga. The lodge has 12 chalet-style rooms and beautiful gardens.
Buhoma Lodge is a luxury lodge in the northern part of Bwindi. It has 10 chalets with beds, flushing toilets, and en-suite bathrooms.
Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge is well located near the starting points for treks to Christmas, Bikingi, and Nkuringo gorilla groups. It has 7 guesthouses and 10 stone cottages.
Other luxury lodges around Bwindi include Chameleon Hill Lodge, Mahogany Springs Lodge, and Engagi Lodge. In Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, Gahinga Lodge is a top choice to spend the night.
In Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park, luxury lodges include One & Only Gorilla Nest, located close to the park and perfect for gorilla trekkers and golden monkey tracking visitors.
Bisate Lodge is a luxury place with 6 individual villas that have grass-thatched roofs. It is a great place to stay during a gorilla safari in Rwanda.
Sabyinyo Silverback Lodge is next to Kinigi, where gorilla briefing starts.
Singita Kwitonda Lodge has 4 rooms and is ideal for families or groups.
Virunga Lodge shows fine African art and offers views of the Twin Lakes, Virunga volcanoes, and Musanze valleys.
When to travel for luxury gorilla trekking
You can plan luxury gorilla trekking in Uganda, Rwanda, and the DRC any time of the year. However, most trekkers prefer the dry season.
There are two dry periods to consider: the longest dry season runs from June to September, and the shorter dry season is from December to February.
The three gorilla destinations also have two rainy seasons. The longer rainy season is from March to May, and the shorter one runs from October to November. Whether you travel during the dry or wet season, make sure you pack well.
Important items to bring include long-sleeved shirts, trousers, a non-flash camera, sweater, rain jacket, first aid kit, toiletries, gardening gloves, your valid gorilla permits, snacks, bottled water, visa, hiking boots, and a waterproof day-pack.
