Realm Africa Safaris™ operates weekend Gorilla Safaris to either Bwindi Forest National Park or Mgahinga Gorilla National Park In Uganda or Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda.
All our weekend Gorilla safaris start on Friday and end on Sunday, and can either start in Kigali or Entebbe. These sort of Gorilla trips are built for persons that don’t have much time during the week to spare for Gorilla trekking.
The price of all our Weekend Gorilla Safaris is Inclusive of one (01) Gorilla trekking permit in either Bwindi or Mgahinga Gorilla National Park in Uganda, or Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda. Gorilla Permits In Uganda cost USD700 per person, and the permits in Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park cost USD1,500 per person.
- As you may have already noticed, Gorilla Permits In Uganda cost a lot less than the permits in Rwanda. Trekking gorillas in Uganda saves you a whooping USD800 on permits – which can be put to paying for a midrange two (02) nights stay in a standard room at Mutanda Lake resort – a favourite midrange lodge overlooking the Virunga mastiff.
Popular Weekend Gorilla Trekking Holidays
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Important Gorilla Trekking information worth reading before you go
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:
- USD1,500 per person for foreign non-residents.
- USD450 for foreign Residents including ex-pats in East Africa but not living in Rwanda.
- USD375 per person for Foreign residents including ex-pats living /working In Rwanda.
- USD300 per person for East African Citizens.
- FRW30,000 per person for Rwandan citizens including those living in the Diaspora.
**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)
