Gorilla Trekking in the Peak Season

Gorilla Trekking in the Peak Season: Your Ultimate Guide

Trek Africa Gorillas is your go-to expert for organizing unforgettable gorilla trekking experiences during the peak season in Uganda, Rwanda and Congo. Whether you’re interested in exploring Bwindi Impenetrable National Park or Mgahinga National Park in Uganda, Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda or Virunga National Park in Congo, we’ve got you covered. Let us know which country you’d like to visit and we’ll help plan and book your perfect trip.

When Is the Peak Gorilla Trekking Season?

The peak season for gorilla trekking runs from June to late September, coinciding with summer holidays in many northern hemisphere countries. This is when families and travelers flock to Africa to enjoy the long days and warm weather. While many people head to beaches during the summer, why not make this year special by embarking on a thrilling gorilla trekking adventure with Trek Africa Gorillas? Our high-quality, summer holiday gorilla trekking tours in Uganda, Rwanda and Congo give you the chance to encounter the rare mountain gorillas in their natural habitat.

Where Is the Best Place to Go Gorilla Trekking in Africa?

Gorilla trekking is available in three African countries: Uganda, Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). These countries are home to four national parks that protect the world’s remaining mountain gorillas:

• Uganda: Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park.
• Rwanda: Volcanoes National Park.
• Congo: Virunga National Park (for mountain gorillas) and Kahuzi-Biega National Park (for lowland gorillas).

To trek gorillas in these parks, you need a gorilla permit, which can be booked directly or through a trusted tour operator. Given the high demand for permits during the peak season, it’s advisable to book at least five months in advance to secure your spot.

Gorilla Permit Costs and How to Secure Them

• Uganda:
  • The standard gorilla permit costs $800 for foreign non-residents, $700 for residents and $80 for East African citizens (Uganda, Rwanda, Tanzania, Kenya, Burundi and South Sudan). This permits you to spend one hour with the mountain gorillas in either Bwindi or Mgahinga.
  • For those looking to spend more time with the gorillas, Uganda offers the Gorilla Habituation Experience in Bwindi. This experience costs $1,500 and allows you to spend up to four hours with semi-habituated gorillas under the guidance of researchers and trackers.
  • There are 136 permits available per day for gorilla trekking in Uganda, with 17 habituated gorilla family groups in total.

  Permits can be booked directly through the Uganda Wildlife Authority or through Trek Africa Gorillas.

• Rwanda:
  • The gorilla permit costs $1,500 for foreign non-residents, $500 for foreign residents and $200 for East African citizens. This grants you one hour with the mountain gorillas in Volcanoes National Park.
  • Rwanda has 12 habituated gorilla families and only 96 permits are available each day for gorilla trekking.

  You can book your gorilla permit directly through the Rwanda Development Board or with Trek Africa Gorillas.

• Congo:
  • Gorilla trekking in Congo is available in Virunga National Park (for mountain gorillas) and Kahuzi-Biega National Park (for lowland gorillas).
  • In Virunga, the cost for a permit during the high season (mid-December to mid-March and June to October) is $400. During the low season (mid-March to mid-May and mid-October to mid-December), the permit is reduced to $200.
  • In Kahuzi-Biega National Park, permits are $400 for foreign non-residents, $200 for East African residents and $20 for national residents.

  You can secure your permit by booking directly through Virunga National Park or through Trek Africa Gorillas.

Important Note About Gorilla Permits

Please remember that the cost of your gorilla permit does not include accommodation, airfare, ground transport, meals or other expenses. Be sure to discuss these details with your tour operator when booking your safari package.

At Trek Africa Gorillas, we offer expert guidance and tailored gorilla trekking experiences to help you create lasting memories in Africa. Contact us today to start planning your gorilla trekking adventure during the peak season!

Plan Ahead: Booking Your Gorilla Trekking Safari in Peak Season

Due to the popularity of the peak season, it’s essential to book your gorilla trekking safari well in advance. This ensures you don’t miss out on permits or other services. Trek Africa Gorillas has a variety of affordable and tailored packages, including both short and long safaris in Uganda, Rwanda or Congo. You can also combine multiple countries for a more comprehensive experience, visiting gorillas in all three regions.

Most of our safaris begin and end in Entebbe, Uganda but we also offer flexible options starting and ending in Kigali, Rwanda. Our Uganda safaris, starting and ending in Kigali, are perfect if you want to explore both Uganda and Congo. Check out our website for detailed itineraries and pricing.

Best Time to Book Your Gorilla Trekking Trip for Peak Season

The best time to book your gorilla trekking adventure during the peak season is about three months in advance. To ensure you secure a spot and all necessary services, it’s best to start planning your trek up to a year in advance. If you’re reading this now and want to book a gorilla trek for the peak season, simply send us your desired travel dates and we’ll check the availability of all services, including gorilla permits.

Once we confirm the availability of permits for your preferred dates, we’ll notify you promptly via email. If everything looks good, we’ll guide you on how to make the payment to secure your gorilla permits. We accept payments via bank or wire transfers and also through debit and credit cards (please note, credit card payments may incur a small surcharge).

To confirm your trek with Trek Africa Gorillas, we require full payment for your gorilla permits to ensure they’re secured. The remaining balance for the tour can be paid three weeks before your trip. This arrangement ensures that your gorilla permits are secured, giving you peace of mind as you prepare for your unforgettable safari.

Trek Africa Gorillas is one of the few registered and trusted tour operators with access to the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) gorilla permit database. This means we can check the availability of permits for Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Mgahinga National Park and other parks in Rwanda and Congo any time of day or night. Very few tour operators have this access, so you can trust us to provide real-time availability and book your permits accordingly.

Once the payment is made, we will personally visit the Uganda Wildlife Authority office in Kampala to confirm your booking, obtain a receipt and send you a scanned copy for your records. We’ll also collect your gorilla permit card and keep it safely at our office until the start of your trek. The card contains all the necessary details and your guide will hand it over to you on the day of trekking.

What’s Included in Our Peak Season Gorilla Trekking Tours?

Trek Africa Gorillas’ gorilla trekking packages for the peak season are designed to be all-inclusive. Our packages cover gorilla permits, accommodation and transportation to and from Bwindi Impenetrable National Park (or Kigali, if you’re flying into Rwanda). We pride ourselves on providing a stress-free experience for our guests, handling all aspects of the tour to ensure a seamless journey through Africa.

Gorilla Permits Explained: What’s Included?

A gorilla permit allows you to visit Bwindi Impenetrable National Park or Mgahinga National Park to trek mountain gorillas for one hour. The permit covers your park entry fee, a ranger guide and the security of the tourism police. During the trek, you’ll have the chance to take photos and videos and your guide will provide insightful commentary on the gorillas and the conservation efforts in place.

Your gorilla permit is valid only for the date booked, so be sure to plan accordingly. While trekking, you’ll also be accompanied by a ranger carrying a firearm to ensure your safety in the forest.

Accommodation Options for Your Gorilla Trekking Safari

Trek Africa Gorillas works with a select list of lodges in and around Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. We’ll help you find the best option based on your budget. Bwindi is divided into four sections: Buhoma, Rushaga, Ruhija and Nkuringo. Each section offers budget, deluxe and luxury lodging options. We regularly visit these lodges and monitor their service quality to ensure that our recommendations are up to par. Just tell us your budget and we’ll offer personalized advice.

Transportation to and from Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

We offer comfortable transportation for all our guests, with luxury Land Cruisers for high-end clients and customized safari vans for those who prefer more affordable options. Our vehicles are 4×4, designed to navigate Africa’s rugged terrain and are stocked with drinking water for your comfort. Our experienced local drivers will ensure a safe and smooth journey.

Flying Into Kigali or Entebbe for Your Gorilla Trekking Safari

You have the option to fly into either Kigali (Rwanda) or Entebbe (Uganda) for your gorilla trek. Many travelers prefer flying into Kigali for its proximity to Bwindi, while others enjoy the scenic drive from Entebbe, which passes through beautiful landscapes and gives you the chance to stop at the equator. Whether you choose Kigali or Entebbe, we’ll handle your airport transfers and transportation to Bwindi.

Why Book Your Peak Season Gorilla Trekking Tour with Trek Africa Gorillas?

Trek Africa Gorillas has built a reputation as one of the leading operators for gorilla trekking in Uganda, Rwanda and Congo. We provide authentic and value-for-money experiences, ensuring you have all the necessary information to make your trek unforgettable. Our dedicated team is available to assist you with every aspect of your trip and we offer personalized itineraries based on your preferences.

Ready to start your gorilla trekking adventure? Contact us today to secure your permits and book your summer holiday safari!