Luxury Gorilla Trekking
Luxury Gorilla Trekking is defined by the choice of accommodation, mode of transport and exclusivity of the activities you intend to take part in.
At Realm Africa Safaris™ we organise seamless luxury Gorilla trekking Holidays across Uganda and Rwanda. All our luxury Gorilla Safaris utilize upmarket boutique style hotels and safari lodges that have been tested and tried for impeccable service delivery. The location (we like prime locations) of the hotel/safari lodge too is something we consider when choosing or recommending a place to stay for our luxury clients.
Luxury Gorilla Trekking in Uganda
While there are two (02) gorilla trekking places in Uganda; Bwindi Forest and Mgahinga Gorilla National park, we like our first recommendation to be Mgahinga Gorilla National Park.
Maghinga Gorilla National Park delivers an exclusive Gorilla trekking experience for clients that choose to go gorilla trekking in this Park. Although considered the smallest Park in Uganda, this park is a gem. It’s the only park in Uganda where one can trek gorillas side by side with golden monkeys.
Unlike Bwindi Forest, Mgahinga has only one (01) habituated mountain gorilla family. Only 08 tourists are allowed to trek any given gorilla group. Not many tourists go to Mgahinga for the reason of budget – meaning there are chances that you could be less than 08 people trekking Gorillas on the day of your trek. We have in the past had clients who have had the entire group to themselves!.
For accommodation, we like to stay at Gahinga Lodge – an upmarket lodge at the foothills of the Gahinga Volcanos – only 07 Minutes walk to the Park.
Bwindi’s Buhoma sector is our second alternative destination for luxury gorilla trekking holidays – only if gorilla permits at Mgahinga are Sold out. Gorilla permits get sold out quick and its why we recommend booking your gorilla trekking safari at least six (06) months in advance.
For accommodation in Buhoma sector, we like to stay at The sanctuary Gorilla Forest camp, Volcanoes Bwindi Lodge, or Buhoma Lodge.
Popular Uganda Luxury Gorilla Trekking Holidays
Luxury Gorilla Trekking In Rwanda
Rwanda, unlike Uganda, only has one place for gorilla trekking – Volcanoes National Park. In Volcanoes just like in Mgahinga, one can trek both mountain gorillas and golden monkeys.
For accommodation in Volcanoes, we like to stay at Bisate Eco Lodge, Sabinyo governors Lodge, Virunga lodge (Moderately priced) and the newly opened Singita Kwitoda Lodge
Popular Rwanda Luxury Gorilla Trekking Holidays
Additional Information worth reading before you go Gorilla Trekking
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.
Gorilla Permits in Uganda cost USD700 per person to trek in either Bwindi or Mgahinga National Park.
In Rwanda, Gorilla permits cost USD1,500 per person to trek gorillas in Volcanoes National Park.
**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.
You 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.
What to wear on my gorilla trek.
- Sturdy Lightweight walking shoes. the lighter the better. Extra weight on the trek is not good.
- Long-sleeved shirt and trousers to provide extra body protections against thorny shrubs.
- Long socks that allow you tuck you pants in to avoid bugs from climbing into your pants while on the trek.
- Rain jacket in case it rains. Remember you are trekking in a tropical rain forest.
- Gaiters (Optional). Don’t spend On new ones. These can well be substituted with long socks to serve the same purpose.
What to bring on your trek.
- A camera for your photographic needs. Don’t spend BIG on a camera. if you own an iPhone, they too take amazing pictures especial under limited forest light.
- Binoculars (optional). They might come in handy when spotting some forest birds. Your ranger guide will have a pair that he is willing to share.
- A hat (optional). This is to keep branches and leaves let alone bugs from falling into your hair.
- Drinking water. Realm Africa Safaris™ will provide adequate bottled drinking water for the entire trip.
- Packed Lunch. Realm Africa Safaris™ will take care of this. All our trips include meals unless agreed otherwise
- A Day Pack to carry all your personal items while on the trek. ** We recommend using a porter to carry your day pack for you (see: why use a porter for Gorilla trekking)
