Visiting Gorillas in December

Visiting Gorillas in December: Your Ultimate Guide

At Excursia Adventures, we organizes unforgettable gorilla trekking experiences in December. Whether you’re headed to Uganda’s Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Mgahinga National Park, Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park, or Congo’s Virunga National Park, we are here to help you plan the perfect trip. Contact us today to let us know your preferred destination, and we’ll take care of the rest!

December is a peak travel month when many people from the northern hemisphere take a break from school and work to enjoy the warm weather. While most travelers flock to the beach, why not use this opportunity to embark on an awe-inspiring gorilla trekking adventure? If you’re from the UK, USA, Europe, or Asia and want to explore Africa’s mountain gorillas, Excursia Adventures offers affordable and high-quality trips tailored to your needs.

Discounted Gorilla Trekking Tours in December

December is one of the busiest months for gorilla trekking, so it’s crucial to book your trip in advance. Our website features pocket-friendly, well-curated packages for short and long safaris across Uganda, Rwanda, and Congo. You can even combine countries for a more adventurous experience!

Many of our tours start and end in Entebbe, but we also offer safaris beginning and ending in Kigali, allowing you to explore both Uganda and Rwanda. Browse our website to find exciting Uganda safaris starting and ending in Kigali, or reach out to us for personalized options.

Best Places to Visit Gorillas in December

Gorilla trekking takes place in Uganda, Rwanda, and DR Congo, where you’ll find the last remaining mountain gorillas. The primary national parks are:

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

In addition to trekking mountain gorillas, Congo also offers the chance to see lowland gorillas in Kahuzi Biega National Park. To trek in any of these parks, a gorilla permit is required. These permits sell out quickly, especially during peak months like December, so we recommend booking at least five months in advance.

Gorilla Permit Costs and How to Book

• Uganda Gorilla Permits: $800 for foreign non-residents, $700 for residents, and $80 for East African citizens (Uganda, Rwanda, Tanzania, Kenya, Burundi, South Sudan). This allows you to spend one hour with a mountain gorilla family. For a more immersive experience, you can opt for the Gorilla Habituation Experience, which costs $1500 and lets you spend up to 4 hours with semi-habituated gorillas.
• Rwanda Gorilla Permits: $1500 for foreign non-residents, $500 for residents, and $200 for East African citizens. Rwanda offers 12 gorilla families, so permits are limited, with only 96 permits available each day.
• Congo Gorilla Permits: Virunga National Park offers permits for $400 per person during the high season (mid-December to mid-March, June to October) and $200 during the low season (mid-March to mid-May, mid-October to mid-December). For lowland gorillas, Kahuzi Biega National Park permits cost $400 for foreign non-residents, $200 for East African residents, and $20 for Congolese nationals.

Note: Gorilla permit prices exclude accommodation, meals, transport, and other expenses. Be sure to confirm the full details with your tour operator when booking your package.

Best Time to Book Your Gorilla Trekking Trip in December

The ideal time to book your gorilla trek in December is at least 3 months ahead of your travel date. However, to ensure you secure all necessary permits and services, it’s recommended to start planning a year in advance. If you’re reading this now and have specific dates in mind for your December trek, simply share them with us, and we’ll check availability for all services, including gorilla permits.

Once we know the availability of permits for your preferred dates in December, we’ll notify you promptly by email. If everything aligns, you’ll then be directed to make payment to secure your permits. Excursia Adventures accepts payments via bank transfer or credit/debit card (please note that card payments may incur a small surcharge).

To confirm your booking, we’ll ask for full payment of the gorilla permits. The remaining balance for the safari is due 3 weeks before your trip, giving you ample time to organize the rest of your holiday with confidence, knowing your permits are already secured.

Excursia Adventures is one of the few licensed tour operators with direct access to the Uganda Wildlife Authority’s gorilla permit database. This means we can check availability in real-time for all the regions of Bwindi and Mgahinga National Parks, as well as for Rwanda and Congo. We can advise you on permit availability anytime, ensuring that your plans are as seamless as possible.

Once your payment is received, we’ll take care of everything for you. A representative will visit the Uganda Wildlife Authority office in Kampala to make the payment, obtain a booking ID, and provide you with a receipt. We’ll scan and send it to you for your records. Once your gorilla permits are printed, we’ll safely store them at our office until the day you embark on your gorilla trek. On the day of your trek, your guide will have the permits ready for you.

What’s Included in Our December Gorilla Trekking Tours

All of Excursia Adventures‘ gorilla trekking packages for December include everything you need for a stress-free, all-inclusive experience. From gorilla permits to accommodation and transportation, we handle it all so you can focus on enjoying your once-in-a-lifetime adventure.

Gorilla Permits – What’s Included and Excluded?

If you’re planning to visit Bwindi Impenetrable National Park or Mgahinga National Park to see the endangered mountain gorillas, securing a gorilla permit is essential. These permits are issued by the Uganda Wildlife Authority and grant you access to the parks for a one-hour gorilla encounter.

The permit includes the park entry fee, a ranger guide, and a tourism police escort to ensure your safety. During your trek, you’ll have the opportunity to take photos and videos of the gorillas. Our guides will provide an informative talk, and a trained ranger will carry a firearm for your safety. Please note that the permit is only valid for the specific date and is non-transferable, so make sure to book your trek on the exact day you plan to visit.

Lodging Options for Your Gorilla Trekking Adventure in December

Excursia Adventures works with a selection of top-rated lodges around Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, offering options ranging from budget-friendly to deluxe and luxury stays. Bwindi is divided into four regions: Buhoma, Rushaga, Ruhija, and Nkuringo, and we can recommend the best lodging options based on your preferences and budget. Our team regularly evaluates these lodges to ensure high standards and great service. Just let us know your budget, and we’ll suggest the perfect place for your stay.

Transport to and from Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

Excursia Adventures operates a fleet of 4×4 vehicles, including both luxury Land Cruisers for high-end clients and customized safari vans for those seeking more affordable options without compromising on comfort. All vehicles are well-suited for African terrain and come with bottled water to keep you refreshed. Our local, professional driver guides ensure a smooth, comfortable journey to and from Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.

Flying to Kigali or Entebbe for Your Trek

You can choose to fly into either Kigali, Rwanda, or Entebbe, Uganda, depending on your preferences and the convenience of your travel. Many travelers prefer flying into Kigali to reduce travel time to Bwindi, but if you fly into Entebbe, you’ll enjoy a scenic drive that passes through interesting landmarks like the equator crossing and the stunning hills of Kigezi. We can assist with your airport transfers and provide transportation to and from Bwindi.

Why Book Your December Gorilla Trekking Adventure with Excursia Adventures?

Excursia Adventures is proud to be one of the leading tour operators offering reliable and affordable gorilla trekking experiences across Uganda, Rwanda, and Congo. Our expert team provides accurate, timely information and helps you organize every detail of your gorilla trek, ensuring a stress-free holiday. We’re dedicated to making your visit to Africa memorable and hassle-free, and our staff are always available to assist with any questions.

For more information, check out our Trip Advisor page for customer reviews and more details about our December gorilla trekking tours. Get in touch today to start planning your incredible gorilla adventure!