Visiting Gorillas in October

Visiting Gorillas in October with Excursia Adventures

October is a fantastic time to go gorilla trekking in Uganda, Rwanda, or Congo, and Excursia Adventures is here to help you plan the perfect trip. Whether you’re visiting Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in Uganda, Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda, or Virunga National Park in Congo, we’ll take care of everything. You can even combine your gorilla trek with a visit to other national parks for wildlife viewing, boat cruises, and cultural experiences.

Discounted Gorilla Trekking Tours for October

October marks the low season for gorilla trekking, meaning it’s a great time to visit as you’ll benefit from discounted rates offered by hotels and service providers. This makes October an ideal month for budget-friendly trips! At Excursia Adventures, we offer a variety of affordable gorilla trekking tours on our website. We have short and long safaris to Uganda, Rwanda, and Congo, and you can even combine treks across all three countries.

Many of our tours start and end in Entebbe, but we also offer safaris that begin and end in Kigali, Rwanda. Some of our Uganda safaris starting and ending in Kigali are available, and we can help you find the best option for your travel plans.

Where to Go for Gorilla Trekking in Africa?

Gorilla trekking takes place in Uganda, Rwanda, and DR Congo, home to the world’s last remaining mountain gorillas. The four national parks hosting these incredible creatures are:

• 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 at any of these parks, a gorilla permit is required. We highly recommend booking your gorilla trek as early as possible, especially if you’re planning to visit during peak seasons like June to September. It’s always a good idea to secure your permits at least five months in advance.

Costs and Getting Gorilla Permits

Uganda

• Foreign Non-Residents: $800 per person per trek
• Residents: $700 per person
• East African Citizens: $80 per person

These permits allow you to spend one hour with a mountain gorilla family in either Bwindi Impenetrable Forest or Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. Uganda offers 20 habituated gorilla families, and each day, 136 permits are available. For those looking for more time with the gorillas, we also offer the Gorilla Habituation Experience in Bwindi, which allows you to spend 4 hours with the gorillas for $1500 per person.

Rwanda

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

Rwanda has 12 habituated gorilla families, with 96 permits available each day in Volcanoes National Park. Permits can be booked directly with the Rwanda Development Board or through Excursia Adventures.

DR Congo

• Virunga National Park (Mountain Gorillas):
  • High season (mid-Dec to mid-Mar & June to Oct): $400 per person
  • Low season (mid-Mar to mid-May & mid-Oct to mid-Dec): $200 per person
• Kahuzi Biega National Park (Lowland Gorillas):
  • Foreign Non-Residents: $400 per person
  • East African Residents: $200 per person
  • National Residents: $20 per person

Permits for Congo can be booked directly with Virunga National Park or through Excursia Adventures.

Note: Gorilla permits do not cover accommodation, transport, meals, or other expenses. Be sure to check the full details of your package with us before booking.

When to Book Your Gorilla Trek in October

The best time to book your gorilla trek for October is ideally three months before your trip, although booking a year in advance is highly recommended to secure permits. If you’re planning to trek in October, reach out to us now with your preferred dates. We’ll check availability and keep you informed every step of the way.

Once we confirm availability, we’ll ask you to make payment for the gorilla permit, which is essential to secure your booking. Excursia Adventures accepts payments through bank transfers or credit/debit cards, and we’ll send you the details once we’ve confirmed availability. For your peace of mind, we’ll also provide you with a receipt and a booking ID for your gorilla permit.

Confirming Your Gorilla Trek with Excursia Adventures

After we’ve secured your gorilla permits, we’ll ask you to pay the balance for your safari three weeks before your trip. This ensures that your gorilla permit is fully paid and guaranteed. Once the permits are printed, we’ll pick them up from the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) and keep them safe at our office until your trek day. Your guide will present your permit to the park authorities when you begin your trek.

What’s Included in Our Gorilla Trekking Tours for October Visits

At Excursia Adventures, we believe in providing a stress-free and unforgettable gorilla trekking experience for our guests. That’s why our all-inclusive packages cover everything from gorilla permits and accommodations to transportation from Entebbe or Kigali to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Whether you’re a first-time visitor or a seasoned traveler, we handle all aspects of your holiday so you can enjoy the adventure without worrying about the details. Here’s what’s included in our gorilla trekking tours:

Gorilla Permits: What’s Included and Excluded

A gorilla permit is your ticket to spending time with Uganda’s endangered mountain gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park or Mgahinga National Park. This permit allows you to track a habituated gorilla family for one hour. During your visit, you’ll get a chance to take photos and simple videos while observing these incredible creatures in their natural habitat.

Included in the permit are:

• A one-hour trek with a gorilla family.
• Professional ranger guide services to ensure safety and provide insights about the gorillas.
• Park entry fees for Bwindi Impenetrable National Park or Mgahinga National Park.
• Security services from tourism police and a ranger with a firearm for your safety.

Please note that gorilla permits are valid only for the specific date booked. To ensure your spot, it’s essential to secure your permit well in advance, as availability can be limited. Also, once the permit is booked, it cannot be refunded or transferred.

Accommodation Options for Your Gorilla Trekking Adventure

We offer a range of accommodation options near Bwindi Impenetrable National Park to fit every budget. Whether you’re looking for budget-friendly, deluxe, or luxury lodges, we’ve got you covered. We work with carefully selected lodges that meet our high standards for quality and service, and we visit them regularly to ensure they continue to meet guest expectations.

Bwindi has four trekking regions: Buhoma, Rushaga, Ruhija, and Nkuringo. In each region, we offer at least two options within your chosen category. Once you let us know your budget, we’ll recommend the best lodge for your stay. Our recommendations come from firsthand experience, and we stay updated on reviews to make sure you have the best possible stay.

Transport to and from Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

To make your journey comfortable, Excursia Adventures provides reliable transport options. We operate a fleet of 4×4 vehicles, including luxury Land Cruisers and customized safari vans, ideal for navigating Africa’s rugged terrain. All our vehicles are equipped with drinking water, and our driver-guides are professional, friendly, and knowledgeable about the local area.

Whether you’re flying into Kigali, Rwanda, or Entebbe, Uganda, we’ll arrange your airport transfer and transportation to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. If you choose to fly into Kigali, you’ll experience a shorter drive to Bwindi. Alternatively, flying into Entebbe allows you to enjoy scenic stops, including the equator crossing, long-horned cattle, and the rolling hills of Kigezi.

Why Book Your Gorilla Trekking Adventure with Excursia Adventures?

Excursia Adventures is one of the most trusted and reliable tour operators for gorilla trekking in Uganda, Rwanda, and the Congo. We specialize in organizing authentic, value-for-money trekking experiences at Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Mgahinga National Park, Volcanoes National Park, and Virunga National Park. Our team is always available to assist you with the planning and booking of your gorilla trekking tour.

We’re committed to providing up-to-date, accurate information and ensuring that every guest has a memorable and enjoyable safari. For more information and to explore our full range of gorilla trekking options, feel free to visit our TripAdvisor page, where you can read reviews from past guests and learn more about what to expect during your visit.

Book your gorilla trekking tour with Excursia Adventures today and embark on the adventure of a lifetime!