Gorilla Trekking in the Rainy Season

Gorilla Trekking in the Rainy Season: A Unique Adventure

At Trek Africa Gorillas, we pride ourselves in organizing unforgettable gorilla trekking experiences during the rainy season in Uganda, Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Whether you’re looking to trek in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park or Mgahinga Gorilla National Park in Uganda, Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda or Virunga National Park in Congo, we’re here to help plan and book your dream gorilla safari. Along with the gorilla trek, you can also explore other breathtaking wildlife parks, go on boat cruises or enjoy cultural encounters during your trip.

Why Choose Gorilla Trekking During the Rainy Season?

The rainy season in Africa typically spans from March to May, making it an ideal time for a unique, affordable African adventure. While many destinations in the Northern Hemisphere experience spring, this is when you can enjoy lower-season rates for safaris. If you’re based in the US, Europe, Asia or the UK, Trek Africa Gorillas offers budget-friendly, high-quality tours that let you spend your spring in the heart of Africa, trekking the rare mountain gorillas in their natural habitat.

Benefits of Gorilla Trekking in the Rainy Season

• Affordable Rates: During the rainy season, you’ll find discounted rates on accommodations, permits and other services, making it a more budget-friendly time to visit.
• Fewer Crowds: Since fewer people travel during this period, you’ll enjoy a more serene and personal experience with fewer tourists around.
• Lush Greenery: The rain transforms the parks into a lush, vibrant paradise. The landscapes are even more picturesque, making for an unforgettable trek.

Discounted Gorilla Trekking Tours

As the rainy season is considered the low season for tourism, many hotels and service providers offer great discounts, allowing you to save on your trip. Trek Africa Gorillas offers an array of affordable gorilla trekking tours in Uganda, Rwanda and Congo. Whether you’re looking for a short adventure or a longer safari, you can also combine your treks across multiple countries for a truly diverse experience.

While most of our safaris begin and end in Uganda’s Entebbe, you can opt for a starting point in Kigali, Rwanda and visit both Uganda and Congo during your journey. Explore our selection of discounted Uganda safaris starting and ending in Kigali for more options.

Where to Go Gorilla Trekking in Africa

Gorilla trekking is available in Uganda, Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo. These countries boast four national parks that are home to the remaining mountain gorillas in the world:

• Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park in Uganda
• Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda
• Virunga National Park in Congo

Additionally, Congo offers an exciting opportunity to see lowland gorillas at Kahuzi-Biega National Park.

To trek gorillas, you need to secure a gorilla permit. Once you’ve selected your desired dates, it’s essential to book your permit early as they tend to sell out quickly, especially during the peak season (June to September). We recommend booking your trip at least 5 months in advance to ensure availability.

Gorilla Permit Prices by Country

Gorilla Permits in Uganda

• Foreign Non-Residents: $800 per person per trek
• Residents: $700 per person
• East African Citizens (Uganda, Rwanda, Kenya, Tanzania, Burundi, South Sudan): $80 per person

In Uganda, there are 20 habituated gorilla families, with 19 in Bwindi and 1 in Mgahinga, meaning there are 136 permits available daily. Uganda also offers the Gorilla Habituation Experience, where you can spend 4 hours with semi-habituated gorillas under the guidance of trackers and researchers. This exclusive experience costs $1500 per person.

Permits can be booked directly through the Uganda Wildlife Authority or through a trusted tour operator like Trek Africa Gorillas.

Gorilla Permits in Rwanda

• Foreign Non-Residents: $1500 per person per trek
• Foreign Residents: $500 per person
• East African Citizens: $200 per person

Rwanda offers 12 habituated gorilla families in Volcanoes National Park, with 96 permits available daily. Permits can be booked directly through the Rwanda Development Board or through Trek Africa Gorillas.

Gorilla Permits in Congo

• Virunga National Park (Mountain Gorillas):
  • High Season (Mid-Dec to Mid-Mar, June to Oct): $400 per person per trek
  • Low Season (Mid-Mar to Mid-May, Mid-Oct to Mid-Dec): $200 per person
• Kahuzi Beiga National Park (Lowland Gorillas):
  • Foreign Non-Residents: $400
  • East African Residents: $200
  • National Residents: $20

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

What’s Included in Your Gorilla Trekking Tour

What the Gorilla Permit Covers

Your gorilla permit is essential for your trekking experience in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park or Mgahinga National Park. A permit grants you access to one of these parks, where you’ll spend one hour with a habituated gorilla family. During this time, you’ll have the chance to capture photos and videos while learning about the gorillas from your guide. Your permit also covers the services of a ranger guide and tourism police to ensure safety during your trek.

The permit cost includes park entry fees, valid for 24 hours and a ranger guide for your trek. Please note that the permit does not include accommodation, meals, flights or other additional services, which can be arranged separately.

What’s Included in Our Rainy Season Gorilla Trekking Tours

All of Trek Africa Gorillas’ rainy season packages include everything you need for a seamless and unforgettable experience. From gorilla permits to accommodation and transport to and from Entebbe or Kigali, we’ve got it covered. Our goal is to provide you with a stress-free holiday by handling every aspect of your trip. Here’s what’s included in our Spring holiday gorilla trekking tours:

Accommodation Options for Gorilla Trekking

Trek Africa Gorillas works with a select group of lodges near Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Whether you’re looking for budget-friendly, deluxe or luxury options, we’ll recommend the best accommodation based on your preferences and budget. Bwindi is divided into four regions: Buhoma, Rushaga, Ruhija and Nkuringo, with two options in each region for every budget category. We regularly assess and visit our partner lodges to ensure quality service. Just let us know your budget and we’ll find the perfect lodge for your stay.

Transport to and from Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

For your convenience, Trek Africa Gorillas operates a fleet of luxury 4×4 vehicles for our high-end clients, as well as customized safari vans for those on a budget. All our vehicles are specially designed for Africa’s rugged terrain and come equipped with drinking water. Our experienced, professional driver-guides will ensure your journey is comfortable and enjoyable, no matter which option you choose.

Flying to Rwanda or Uganda

You can choose to fly into either Kigali, Rwanda or Entebbe, Uganda. Many travelers prefer flying into Kigali to avoid the long drive from Entebbe. If you opt for Entebbe, you’ll be treated to a scenic journey with stops at the equator and views of the unique Ankole long-horned cattle. Regardless of your arrival airport, we’ll arrange your airport transfers and transport to Bwindi National Park.

How to Book Your Gorilla Trekking Safari

Booking your gorilla trek for the rainy season should ideally be done 3 months ahead of your trip. However, we recommend scheduling your trek even earlier—ideally a year in advance—to ensure you secure essential elements like gorilla permits. If you’re reading this and planning your trek for the rainy season, simply share your travel dates with us and we’ll check availability for permits and other services.

Once we confirm the availability of permits for your chosen dates, we’ll promptly notify you via email. If everything aligns, you’ll be directed to make payment via our secure bank account. We accept payments via bank transfer, wire transfer and debit/credit cards (please note that card payments may incur a small surcharge, which we’ll communicate in advance).

To finalize your gorilla trekking adventure, a full payment for the permits is required to secure them. The remaining balance can be paid up to 3 weeks before your trek. This way, you can rest easy knowing your gorilla permits are locked in and your spring holiday is well on its way.

Why Book with Trek Africa Gorillas?

Trek Africa Gorillas is one of the few registered and trusted Uganda tour operators with direct access to the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) permit database. We can check availability for permits in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Mgahinga National Park, Rwanda and Congo at any time, day or night. Few tour operators can offer this service, making us your reliable partner for securing your gorilla trek permits quickly and efficiently.

Once payment is made, we will personally visit the Uganda Wildlife Authority office in Kampala to finalize your booking. We’ll then scan and send you the booking ID and receipt for your records. When your gorilla permits are printed, we’ll collect them and safely store them in our office until your safari begins. On your trek day, your guide will carry your gorilla permit and present it at the park for your adventure.

Trek Africa Gorillas is dedicated to providing authentic, value-for-money gorilla trekking experiences in Uganda, Rwanda and Congo. We pride ourselves on delivering accurate and timely information, helping you organize the perfect rainy season gorilla trek. Our team is ready to assist with all the details of your trip and we encourage you to check out our reviews on TripAdvisor for additional insights into our services.

Ready to embark on a life-changing adventure? Contact us today to book your rainy season gorilla trekking tour!