Gorilla trekking for Expats

Realm Africa Safaris ™ specializes in organizing amazing budget, midrange and luxury gorilla trekking safaris Gorilla trekking for Expats (expatriates) living & working in East African Community member countries; Uganda, Rwanda, Kenya & Burundi. Gorilla Permits for Expats only cost USD700 per person. Gorilla trekking for Expats

Our ex-pat Gorilla trekking Safaris cater to foreigners working and residing in official East African community member states; Uganda, Rwanda, Kenya, and Burundi.

About Gorilla Trekking:

Gorilla Trekking in East Africa can be done in three (03) locations; Uganda, Rwanda & DR. congo. However, among all three, only two (02) destinations are safe and recommended for ex-pats to visit on a gorilla trekking expedition. The two (02) safest gorilla trekking destinations are Uganda & Rwanda.

(See: Why DR Congo is considered unsafe for gorilla trekking)

Gorilla trekking In Uganda can be done in two (02) places; Bwindi Forest and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park.

• Gorilla Permits to trek Gorilla in Uganda Cost USD700 per person for foreign non-residents, USD700 per person for Expats or East African Residents.
• Gorilla Trekking permits in Rwanda cost USD1,500 per person for the ordinary tourist (foreign non-residents) and USD600 per person for ex-pats residing in Uganda, Kenya, or Burundi. For ex-pats residing in Rwanda, a gorilla permit costs USD1,500 per person. 

Quick Links for More information:

• Gorilla Permits in Uganda.
• Gorilla Permits in Rwanda.

Recommended accommodation for ex-pats on a gorilla Trekking Holiday.

For all our gorilla trekking safaris for ex-pats, we recommend and use selected lodges that deliver great-value service.

In Uganda, our gorilla safaris for ex-pats stay at Volcanoes Bwindi Lodge, Buhoma Lodge, Nkuringo Bwindi Gorilla Lodge, and the recently opened Gorilla heights Lodge.

In Rwanda, we like to use properties like; Le bambou Gorilla Lodge, Virunga Lodge, Bisate lodge, and the newly opened Kwitonda Lodge owned by the popular Singita chain of lodges.

Popular Gorilla Safaris for Expats in East Africa

Relevant information about gorilla trekking – What you Should Know!

What is gorilla trekking?

Gorilla trekking is a fully active adventure experience that involves hiking up uneven terrain,  mountains, and through tangled vegetation cover hacked by rangers and porters using machetes to create a temporary passage to the gorillas. The type of gorillas you are trekking to see is the rare mountain gorillas.

Where to do gorilla trekking?

Mountain Gorilla trekking in Africa can only be done in three (03) countries; Uganda, Rwanda, and DR Congo. Uganda and Rwanda are considered the Safest Places to see Mountain Gorillas. DR Congo, unfortunately, suffers ongoing political unrest which makes it unsafe to visit at the moment. (see: Why DR. Congo is considered unsafe for Gorilla tracking)

In Uganda, Gorillas can be seen in two (02) National Parks; Bwindi Forest National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park.

In Rwanda, Gorilla trekking is done in Volcanoes National park and nowhere else.

Price of a gorilla Permit.

The price of Gorilla Permits in Uganda:

• USD700 per person for foreign non-residents.
• USD600 per person for foreign Residents including ex-pats in Uganda.
• UGX250,000 per person for East African citizens.

In Rwanda, Gorilla permits cost:

Gorilla permits in Rwanda are indiscriminately priced at $1,500 per person intending to go gorilla trekking In Volcanoes National Park except for a  few incentives as explained below;

• 30% – $1,050 per person if visiting Akagera & Nyungwe Forest National Park for at least 3 days in the low season months of November & May.
• 15% – 1,275 per person trekking gorillas after Meetings, incentives, conferencing, exhibition ( MICE) events in Rwanda.
• $30,000 – for 03 persons visiting for 03 Days Consecutive Behind the Scenes with the Gorillas of Rwanda.
• $15,000 to exclusively trek a gorilla family in Rwanda.

**Both permit fees mentioned include; park entry fees, 0ne (01) gorilla trekking permit, and guide fees.

Best time to go gorilla tracking.

Although Gorilla trekking can happen anytime all year round come rain or sunshine, the best time to go gorilla tracking is in the dry season months of June to August and December to February. During this time, the trails and drier and less slippery. Trekkers are likely to enjoy a fairly drier gorilla trekking experience and good weather for photography.

What to expect during gorilla trekking.

Your morning on the day of the trek starts with you getting dressed up in the appropriate gorilla trekking gear and outfit (see: Gorilla trekking Clothing & Gear). You will then be transferred by your guide to the respective gorilla briefing point where you will be briefed about gorilla trekking, the dos & dont’s ( see: gorilla trekking rules). After the briefing, you will walk into the forest and start your gorilla tracking experience in the company of UWA/ RDB rangers who will interpret the plants, birds, insects, and anything of interest in the forest. On finding the gorillas, you will be allowed a maximum viewing and photography time frame of one (01) hour. Return to your start point for a certificate awarding ceremony. The certificates are souvenirs for you to take back at the end of your gorilla Safari.

What to wear/bring on your Gorilla trek.