Gorilla Trekking on Honeymoon

Gorilla Trekking on Honeymoon: A Unique Adventure for Newlyweds

Are you looking to add an unforgettable experience to your honeymoon by going gorilla trekking in Africa? Whether you’re newly married or planning to surprise your partner with an adventurous twist, gorilla trekking is an incredible way to immerse yourself in nature and share a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Watching endangered mountain gorillas in their natural habitat is a truly magical moment, and many couples choose this extraordinary wildlife encounter as part of their honeymoon getaway.

Despite the challenges of booking, hiking through dense forests, and navigating rough terrain, the reward is worth every effort. Trekking through the lush jungles of Uganda, Rwanda, or the Congo offers an unparalleled adventure that will stay with you forever. In these awe-inspiring locations, you’ll get the rare chance to meet the gorillas up close, observe their behavior, and take in the serene beauty of Africa’s wilderness.

What to Expect from Your Gorilla Trekking Adventure

Gorilla trekking is a physically demanding activity. It involves hiking through forests, crossing rivers, and climbing challenging terrain to find a family of mountain gorillas. While this activity is not for the faint-hearted, it is absolutely worth the effort. Depending on your fitness level, the trek can vary in intensity, but the rewarding moment of encountering a gorilla family in the wild makes it all worthwhile.

For those seeking more than just a brief encounter, you can opt for the Gorilla Habituation Experience in Uganda’s Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, where you can spend four hours with the gorillas instead of the usual one-hour encounter.

Best Destinations for Gorilla Trekking on Your Honeymoon

The mountain gorillas that you’ll be trekking to see are only found in a few regions of the world, making this adventure even more special. The four key national parks to visit for gorilla trekking in Africa are:

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

In addition to seeing the mountain gorillas, you can also encounter Lowland gorillas in Congo’s Kahuzi Beiga National Park, offering a unique experience.

Given the high demand, it’s recommended to book your gorilla trekking safari well in advance, particularly if you’re traveling during peak seasons (June to September). A minimum of 5 months’ notice is ideal to ensure availability, especially for permits and other essential services.

How Much Does Gorilla Trekking Cost?

The cost of gorilla permits varies depending on the country and park you choose to visit. Here’s a breakdown of the prices:

Uganda

• Mountain Gorilla Permit: $800 per person (for foreign non-residents), $700 for residents, and $80 for East African citizens.
• Gorilla Habituation Experience Permit: $1,500 per person for an extended 4-hour trek with the gorillas.
• There are 20 habituated gorilla families in Uganda, with 136 permits available daily across Bwindi and Mgahinga.

Rwanda

• Mountain Gorilla Permit: $1,500 per person (for foreign non-residents), $500 for foreign residents, and $200 for East African citizens.
• Rwanda has 12 gorilla families and 96 permits available each day for trekking in Volcanoes National Park.

Congo

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

Best Time to Book Gorilla Trekking for Your Honeymoon

Planning a honeymoon filled with adventure and unforgettable memories? Gorilla trekking in Africa is a unique and once-in-a-lifetime experience that should be part of your dream honeymoon. To ensure you don’t miss out on the experience, we recommend booking your gorilla trek at least 3 months before your trip. However, for the best experience and to secure your permits, it’s ideal to plan your trek 12 months in advance.

If you’re already considering a gorilla trek, simply send us your preferred dates, and we will check availability for you, including all services such as gorilla permits, accommodation, and transportation.

Gorilla Permits and Payment Process

Once we confirm the availability of permits for your selected dates, we’ll notify you right away. After confirming, we’ll direct you to make a payment to secure your gorilla permit. Excursia Adventures works directly with Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) and has exclusive access to their permit database, ensuring we can secure your permits quickly and efficiently.

For payment, we accept bank transfers, wire transfers, as well as debit and credit cards (please note that a surcharge applies for card payments). Once we receive your payment, we’ll immediately secure your gorilla permit and send you a receipt and booking ID for your records.

The gorilla permit is essential for the trek, and we highly recommend paying for it in full to lock in your spot. The remaining balance for your trip can be paid 3 weeks before your trek to give you enough time to finalize your arrangements.

Gorilla Trekking Availability and Booking with Excursia Adventures

Excursia Adventures is one of the few trusted and registered tour operators with access to the UWA portal. This exclusive access allows us to check and hold gorilla permits for you across the parks in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park (Uganda), Volcanoes National Park (Rwanda), and Virunga National Park (Congo). Our team can confirm availability and advise you on permits at any time of day, making the booking process smooth and stress-free.

Once the payment is made, we’ll go directly to the Uganda Wildlife Authority office in Kampala to finalize the booking, obtain your permit card, and ensure everything is set for your trekking adventure. Your guide will have the permit card with them on the day of the trek, and they will present it to the park authorities on your behalf.

Gorilla Permit Cancellation Policy

When booking your gorilla trekking trip, it’s important to be aware of the cancellation policies. Gorilla permits are non-refundable if you cancel within 8 days of your trek date. However, due to the ongoing impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, there have been some relaxations to cancellation policies. For example, in Uganda, travelers affected by the pandemic are now able to reschedule their trek twice, offering more flexibility.

Best Time for Gorilla Trekking on Your Honeymoon

Gorilla trekking can be done year-round, but for the best experience, we recommend visiting during the drier months. These months include January, February, and June through early September. The weather during these months is more favorable, with less rain, making the hiking trails more accessible and providing clearer views of the gorillas.

What to Pack for Gorilla Trekking on Your Honeymoon

Preparing for your trek is key to ensuring a smooth experience. When packing, consider bringing:

• Comfortable, sturdy walking shoes or boots – The trails can be slippery and muddy, so good footwear is essential.
• Insect repellent – To protect against bugs in the forest.
• A flashlight and extra batteries – It’s always helpful to have a light source.
• Wet wipes – Useful for cleaning hands during the trek.
• Water bottle – Hydration is important while trekking.
• Camera and spare lenses – To capture incredible memories.
• Gardening gloves – To help you grip branches or assist in the trek.
• Rain jacket – The weather can be unpredictable.
• Hat and sunscreen – To protect from the sun during breaks.
• Swimwear – If you’re heading to a lodge with a pool.
• Binoculars – Great for bird and wildlife watching along the way.

Why Book Your Honeymoon Gorilla Trekking with Excursia Adventures?

Excursia Adventures offers a personalized approach to your gorilla trekking adventure in Uganda, Rwanda, and Congo. We specialize in tailor-made trips that cater to different budgets, from luxury to mid-range to budget options.

With us, you’ll get expert guidance, seamless bookings, and access to the best permits and accommodations. Our team is dedicated to ensuring that your honeymoon is memorable, smooth, and filled with incredible moments. Don’t just take our word for it – read the glowing reviews from our satisfied customers on Trip Advisor and see for yourself why Excursia Adventures is the best choice for your honeymoon trek.

Book your Gorilla Trekking honeymoon adventure with us today, and get ready to create lasting memories with your loved one in the heart of Africa!