Gorilla Trekking in October

Gorilla Trekking in October: Your Ultimate Safari Adventure

At Trek Africa Expeditions, we pride ourselves in organizing incredible gorilla trekking trips in October across some of Africa’s best national parks. Whether you’re interested in Uganda’s Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga National Park, Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park, or the Democratic Republic of Congo’s Virunga National Park, we’re here to help you plan and book your dream gorilla trekking experience.

Not only will you get the chance to track these magnificent creatures, but you can also enhance your safari by visiting other wildlife-rich savannah parks, going on boat cruises, and immersing yourself in unique cultural experiences.

Discounted Gorilla Trekking Tours in October

October falls within the low season for tourism, which means you can take advantage of lower rates on accommodations and other services. This makes it an excellent time to enjoy affordable yet unforgettable gorilla trekking. At Trek Africa Expeditions, we offer a range of budget-friendly tours—both short and long safaris—so you can explore Uganda, Rwanda, or Congo for an affordable price. We even have packages that let you combine treks in multiple countries!

While most of our safaris begin and end in Entebbe, you can also choose to start and finish your safari in Kigali, Rwanda, giving you the chance to explore both Uganda and Congo. Check out our listed tours that start and end in Kigali for more details.

Where to Go for Gorilla Trekking in Africa

Gorilla trekking is one of Africa’s most unique wildlife experiences, and it can only be done in a few select locations. The four national parks where you can trek mountain gorillas are:

• Uganda: Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park.
• Rwanda: Volcanoes National Park.
• Congo: Virunga National Park for mountain gorillas and Kahuzi Beiga National Park for lowland gorillas.

To trek at any of these parks, you’ll need to secure a gorilla permit. We recommend booking as early as possible, especially for peak seasons (June to September), as permits sell out quickly. If you’re planning your trip for October, it’s best to book at least five months in advance to ensure availability.

You can either book your permits directly through the respective parks or work with a trusted local tour operator like Trek Africa Expeditions to handle all the details for you.

Cost of Gorilla Permits in Uganda

• $800 per person for foreign non-residents.
• $700 per person for residents.
• $80 per person for East African citizens (Uganda, Rwanda, Kenya, Tanzania, Burundi, South Sudan).

This allows you to spend one hour with the gorillas in either Bwindi Impenetrable National Park or Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. Uganda has 17 habituated gorilla families, with 136 permits available each day for trekking.

For those looking for a deeper experience, Uganda offers the Gorilla Habituation Experience in Bwindi, which costs $1500 per person and allows you to spend 4 hours with the gorillas under the guidance of researchers and trackers. This unique experience is only available in Uganda.

You can book permits directly through the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) or with Trek Africa Expeditions.

Cost of Gorilla Permits in Rwanda

• $1500 per person for foreign non-residents.
• $500 per person for foreign residents.
• $200 per person for East African citizens.

Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park is home to 12 habituated gorilla families, with 96 permits available each day. Trekking permits can be booked directly with the Rwanda Development Board or through Trek Africa Expeditions.

Cost of Gorilla Permits in DR Congo

In Congo, gorilla trekking is offered in Virunga National Park (for mountain gorillas) and Kahuzi Beiga National Park (for lowland gorillas).

• Virunga National Park:
  • $400 per person during the high season (June to October, mid-December to mid-March).
  • $200 per person during the low season (mid-March to mid-May, mid-October to mid-December).
• Kahuzi Beiga National Park:
  • $400 for foreign non-residents.
  • $200 for East African residents.
  • $20 for Congolese nationals.

Gorilla permits for Congo can be booked through Virunga National Park or through Trek Africa Expeditions.

Important Notes About Gorilla Permits

Gorilla permit prices exclude accommodations, flights, ground transport, meals, and other personal expenses. Be sure to check with your tour operator to get the full details of what’s included in your safari package.

Ready to embark on a gorilla trekking adventure this October? Contact Trek Africa Expeditions today and let us help you plan a once-in-a-lifetime experience in the heart of Africa’s jungles.

Best Time to Reserve Your Gorilla Trekking Safari in October

When planning your gorilla trekking adventure in October, it’s ideal to book at least 3 months in advance to secure your gorilla permit and other essential services. However, if possible, we recommend booking a year ahead to avoid the rush and ensure you don’t miss out on permits, especially during this busy time.

If you’re reading this post, please share your preferred dates with us, and we’ll immediately check the availability of permits and other services for your trip. We will get back to you promptly via email, and if everything aligns, we’ll guide you through the booking process.

How to Book Your Gorilla Permit for October

Once we confirm the availability of permits for your desired dates in October, we’ll notify you immediately. If you’re ready to proceed, you can make the payment to our bank account. We accept payments through bank/wire transfers or debit/credit cards (note: card payments incur a surcharge, which will be communicated to you).

To guarantee your spot, we require full payment for the gorilla permit. The remaining balance for your safari must be paid at least 3 weeks before your departure. This payment schedule allows you to manage your finances while knowing your gorilla permit is secured.

Why Choose Trek Africa Expeditions for Your Gorilla Trekking Permit?

Trek Africa Expeditions is one of the few trusted tour operators with direct access to the Uganda Wildlife Authority’s (UWA) gorilla permit database. This gives us real-time availability, and we can book your permits immediately. Unlike other operators, we can hold your permit and provide up-to-date availability for Bwindi, Mgahinga, Rwanda, and Congo treks.

Once your payment is processed, our team will personally visit the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) in Kampala to secure your gorilla permits. We’ll send you a scanned copy of the receipt and booking ID for your records. When the permits are printed, we’ll collect them from UWA and store them safely until your trekking day. On the day of your trek, your guide will provide the permit card, which contains essential details.

What’s Included in Your Gorilla Trekking Safari in October?

All our Gorilla Trekking Packages for October are all-inclusive, covering your gorilla permit, accommodation, and transportation to and from Entebbe or Kigali to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. We aim to handle every aspect of your safari, ensuring a seamless, stress-free experience while you relax and enjoy your time in Africa.

Gorilla Permits: What’s Included?

Your gorilla permit grants you access to either Bwindi Impenetrable National Park or Mgahinga National Park, where you’ll have the incredible opportunity to spend one hour with a habituated mountain gorilla family.

During your encounter, you can take photos and videos (without flash), and listen to informative talks from your guide. Included in the permit is the park entry fee, ranger guide services, and tourism police for safety. The ranger will carry a firearm to ensure your security in the forest.

Where to Stay During Your Gorilla Trekking Safari

We partner with a range of lodges around Bwindi Impenetrable National Park to provide you with comfortable accommodations that suit your budget. Whether you’re looking for budget, deluxe, or luxury lodges, we have options in the four main sectors: Buhoma, Rushaga, Ruhija, and Nkuringo. Each region offers a variety of choices, and we’ll recommend the best option based on your preferences and budget. Our team regularly visits these lodges and monitors their quality through guest reviews.

Transport to and from Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

Trek Africa Expeditions operates a fleet of well-maintained, 4×4 vehicles, ensuring a comfortable ride through Africa’s rugged terrain. We offer luxury Land Cruisers for high-end clients and customized safari vans for those on a budget, both equipped with drinking water and driven by professional, local driver guides.

Flying to Rwanda or Uganda for Gorilla Trekking

You can choose to fly into Kigali (Rwanda) or Entebbe (Uganda) to start your gorilla trekking safari. Many travelers prefer flying into Kigali to save on travel time to Bwindi. The scenic drive from Entebbe offers beautiful views, including the equator crossing and the chance to see Ankole long-horned cows and the rolling hills of Kigezi. No matter which airport you choose, we’ll handle all your transfers to and from Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.

Why Book Your Gorilla Trekking Tour with Trek Africa Expeditions?

Trek Africa Expeditions is a leading operator offering authentic and affordable gorilla trekking experiences across Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Mgahinga National Park, Virunga National Park, and Volcanoes National Park. We provide reliable, up-to-date information and excellent service to help you organize the perfect October gorilla trekking safari.

Our dedicated team is always on hand to assist you with planning, and we ensure that every detail of your trip is covered. Visit our TripAdvisor page for more information or to book your gorilla trekking safari today!