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Gorilla Trekking Tours & Travel Packages 2024/2025
11 Gorilla Trekking trips. Compare tour itineraries from 6 tour companies. 65 reviews. 4.7/5 avg rating.
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Top Gorilla Trekking Attractions
- Spot gorillas, chimpanzees, butterflies, rare birds, and other wildlife in the lush rainforests of central Africa
- Learn how to track gorillas
- Hike above the trees during a forest canopy walk in Rwanda
- See the extremely rare golden monkey in Volcanoes National Park
- Go boating or kayaking on Lake Mburo
- Stay on a dairy farm in Nakuru National Park
Gorilla Trekking Tours & Travel Guide
Gorilla Trekking Attractions & Landmarks Guide
Most popular destinations for gorilla trekking
The most popular destinations for gorilla trekking are Rwanda and Uganda. These neighboring countries share beautiful scenery, vibrant culture, and thriving gorilla populations. Rwanda is generally considered to be the best destination due to the country’s safety, cleanliness, and well-developed tourist infrastructure. However, Rwanda is also more expensive-- a gorilla trekking permit in Rwanda is $1,500 for foreigners, while permits in Uganda cost $600.
Because of the higher permit costs and carefully managed tourism in Rwanda, tours generally include luxury accommodation and service. Travelers looking for budget or mid-budget tours may find more options in Uganda (keep in mind, however, that even budget tours will be relatively expensive due to the high cost of gorilla tourism). Uganda is also a great destination for travelers looking for a diversity of experiences, like a traditional safari or an experience with the indigenous Batwa people.*
For an off-the-beaten-track option with fewer crowds, the Republic of Congo (not to be confused with the Democratic Republic of Congo) is home to large populations of lowland gorillas, as well as elephants, antelope, and bush pigs.
*LGBTQ+ travelers should note that homosexuality is illegal in Uganda, and violence and persecution against LGBTQ+ locals is not uncommon. Travelers are usually advised to keep their sexualities discreet if they choose to travel to Uganda.
Rwanda is generally considered a safer environment for LGBTQ+ tourists, although it is still taboo among locals. Check with your tour operator if you have any concerns regarding prejudice and safety when visiting central Africa.
Preparing for a gorilla trek
The first step in preparing for a gorilla trek is to ensure that you have a gorilla trekking permit for the country you will be visiting. Most tour operators will include this in your trip package, but make sure to check with the operator before you book. Trekking permits ensure safe and sustainable tourism practices and support local and national conservation efforts.
Before traveling to central Africa, make sure to get any necessary vaccinations and/or medications. These will vary based on destination, activity, and personal medical history, so consult a doctor at least 3 months before your trip. Note that your trip operator may require certain vaccinations.
It can also be helpful to familiarize yourself with some of the cultural norms of the country you’ll be visiting. For example, locals in Uganda and Rwanda tend to frown upon drinking and smoking, so it’s best to abstain if possible. Your guide will be able to provide insight into when and where it is socially acceptable to imbibe.
What to bring
Your tour operator will likely provide some trekking and camping gear like tents and hiking poles, but you are responsible for packing trek-appropriate clothes and shoes. The equatorial forests of central Africa can get extremely muddy, especially during the rainy seasons (March-May and October-December).
Hiking shoes or boots that have good traction and can get muddy are a must. A light rain jacket is also recommended, even for dry summer treks. Bring neutral-colored clothing for viewing gorillas and other wildlife; bright colors can draw attention to you and scare off the animals.
Sunglasses, hats, and sunscreen are crucial for long days outdoors. Other recommended gear includes flashlights, mosquito nets, cameras, binoculars, and a reusable water bottle.
Locals in Uganda and Rwanda tend to be morally conservative, and tourists should dress with respect for the local customs and values. Women should bring skirts and dresses that are knee-length or longer, as well as long-sleeved tops and long pants. Men should also avoid showing thighs and shoulders.
Best time to go
The best time to go gorilla trekking is from June to mid-September to avoid the heavy rains of the rest of the year. There is also a shorter dry season from early January to mid-February. Trekking during other months is not impossible, but rain and mudslides might hinder parts of your journey and make it more difficult to spot gorillas.
However, if you’re looking to book cheaper accommodation, you’ll get the best deals if you book outside of the peak dry seasons.
Gorilla Trekking Reviews & Ratings
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Chimps and Gorillas of Uganda
This is a really great and varied trip. In addition to the chimps and gorillas, the safari drives in Queen Elizabeth NP and Lake Mburo also gave some super game vi...
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Amazing experience
I really enjoyed seeing the chimps and gorillas and was very pleased I had booked the additional treks. There is a lot of driving, but I enjoyed seeing the country...
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Another trip I will never forget!
I have had this trip on my bucket list for a while now and it lived up to all of my expectations! David was a fabulous leader and took care of everything! Having a ...
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Uganda: Chimps and Gorillas
This trip was extraordinary in every sense of the word. The diversity of the landscape seen in Uganda is breathtaking, and coupled with the various forms of wildli...
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Gorilla and Chimp Trek
First time I have used Exodus and will certainly be using them again. Well organised and action packed. Good condition of transportation vehicles and the guides were...
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