Luxury Gorilla Tours
Luxury Gorilla Packages
Gorilla trekking is a once-in-a-life time primate experience offering a rare opportunity to see our closest living animal relatives – mountain gorillas in the depths of their jungle homes. There are only two populations of mountain gorillas left in the entire world, one is found in the Virunga volcanic mountains of Central Africa, with groups scattered throughout Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park, Mgahinga Gorilla National Park in Uganda and Democratic Republic of Congo. While the second population live deep in Uganda’s Bwindi Impenetrable Forest.
Our wide range of gorilla trips give you the once-in-a lifetime opportunity to come face to face with these remarkable creatures. While the treks themselves can be humid and muddy – after all you will be in the rainforest. After your first glimpse of a majestic silverback for a mom with her baby, the effort will be worth it.
Did You Know? – Mountain gorillas are a subspecies of gorillas and only live in a specific part of the world. To be precise, mountain gorillas are found in two places that is Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, and the Virunga Mountains (Virunga Conservation Area) shared by Mgahinga Gorilla National Park in Uganda, Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda and Democratic Republic of Congo
Gorillas Are Fascinating
Mountain gorillas are the largest and most impressive gorilla species but still, they are the hardest to find. This is because they live high up in the mountains. In the 1980s these beautiful animals had almost gone extinct, with no more than 280 animals left. Thanks to conservation and community efforts, the number has now increased to about 1,000. And half of them live in Uganda’s Bwindi Impenetrable National Park – the best place to do gorilla trekking.
Gorillas share 98% of their DNA with humans, which means they have some very human characteristics. They are for example known to hum and sing when munching on something yummy, just like many kids. Gorilla trekking in Uganda gives you the choice to discover up close exactly how much these primates are like us.
Get to Know the Gorillas
Once you have found a gorilla troop, you can spend an hour with them. Most likely you will find them sitting around eating or foraging, sleeping or playing. If the silverback is not around, the younger ones might even explore and touch visitors. Also, they love to cuddle, groom each other and at night they create a nest of leaves and twigs so that they can all sleep together.
Gorillas have some funny characteristics as well. For example, they hardly drink any water but get their moisture from leaves and morning dew. Gorillas are said to be afraid of water and only cross streams via tree trunks or other natural bridges. Also, they love to eat bugs but seem to be scared of caterpillars and chameleons. They eat all day long, and live in a semi-permanent state of flatulence – hence keeping your distance is a good idea.
Our Luxury Gorilla Trekking Tour Packages
Get inspired by these popular itineraries and go meet the fascinating mountain gorillas.
- 16 Days Gorillas & Game Parks
- 27 Days Gorillas, Game Parks & Beaches
- 18 Days Gorillas & East Africa Safari
- 9 Days Remarkable Rwanda & Gorillas of Uganda
- 6 Days Premium Rwanda & Gorillas of Uganda
- And on more packages
Where to Trek Mountain Gorillas
As already noted, there are only two populations of mountain gorillas left in the world and you can visit either of them on a gorilla trekking tour. The first population of mountain gorillas lives in Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park, Mgahinga Gorilla National Park in Uganda and DR.Congo’s Virunga National Park.
Volcanoes National Park – Rwanda
Situated in the far northwest of Rwanda ad named for the chain of dormant volcanoes that make up the Virunga Massif (Karisimbi, Bisoke, Sabinyo, Gahinga and Muhabura), Volcanoes National Park is home to 12 habituated gorilla families open for gorilla trekking and research.
Compared to Bwindi, gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park is generally easier, as the terrain is gentler and the forest is less dense.
Volcanoes National Park’s accessibility makes Rwanda a popular choice for visitors on limited time.Â
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park – Uganda
The iconic Impenetrable National Park is the best gorilla trekking destination in the world, located in southwestern Uganda. The park is famous for being one of the few parks where you can see mountain gorillas in their natural habitat, there are approximately 459 gorillas in the park, which are almost half of the entire population of mountain gorillas left in the wild.
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park has 21 habituated gorilla families open for gorilla trekking and gorilla habituation experience.
Mgahinga Gorilla National Park – Uganda
Nestled in the southwestern corner of Uganda, bordering Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo, Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is a lesser known gorilla trekking destination with a size of 34 square kilometers stretching along three volcanoes – the perfect setting for your wilderness adventure.
Mgahinga Gorilla National Park has only one habituated gorilla family – Nyakagezi Gorilla Family open for gorilla trekking.
Best Time to Go Gorilla Trekking
The best time to visit Africa for gorilla trekking is during the dry season months between June and August or December to February. During these months, you have the highest chance of blue skies and little rain. During the rainy seasons of October to November and March to May, the paths will be slippery. There are more mosquitoes, and you will probably miss some amazing scenery as it will most likely be cloudy. However, these months can be good for bird watching as they heavy rains attracts migratory birds.
Where to Stay on a Luxury Gorilla Trips
- Bisate Lodge
- Singita Kwitonda Lodge
- Virunga Lodge
- Buhoma Lodge
- Gorilla Forest Lodge
- Mahogany Springs Lodge
