Luxury gorilla trekking offers you a great opportunity to immerse yourself in the Africa’s wilderness to enjoy a thrilling gorilla trekking experience. You have a chance to meet, interact and observe the a few remaining mountain gorillas on earth (currently estimated to be not more than 1063). These exist only in Rwanda, Uganda and D.R. Congo.
Unlike other tour activities, luxury gorilla trekking is an experience of a lifetime and a perfect opportunity for those who would like to get value for their money while on safari holiday. On our luxury gorilla trekking safari, we make sure you have the best feeling and lasting memories that are priceless.
Our luxury gorilla trekking experiences cover all the 3 major gorilla trekking destinations in Africa; Uganda, Rwanda and DRC. Of the 3, Rwanda emerged as an up-market gorilla trekking destination in Africa with the prices of gorilla permits doubled in May 2017. While on luxury gorilla trekking in Rwanda, visitors spend US Dollars 1500 to purchase a gorilla permit. The price excludes other safari costs like transportation and accommodation among others.
However, what is remarkable about it is that regardless of Rwanda being an up-market gorilla destination, tourists can still be in position to save a lot more. Compared to gorilla destinations in Uganda and DRC, Rwanda’s gorilla trekking park ‘Volcanoes National Park’ lies in Northwestern side of the country. It is the most accessible from Kigali city center compared to if you traveled from Kampala to trek mountain gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park or Mgahinga Gorilla National Park.
From Kigali to Volcanoes National Park in Musanze is a very short distance and a journey of about 2 to 3 hours’ drive. This is far easily accessible compared 9-10 hours of traveling from Kampala to Bwindi or Mgahinga National Park to enjoy a luxury gorilla trekking experience. But interestingly, most roads to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, Southwestern Uganda are well-tarmacked and you enjoy a smooth ride in your 4×4 luxury land cruiser.
Uganda is considerably a moderate gorilla trekking destination. It accommodates both budget and luxury gorilla trekking visitors. The prices for gorilla trekking permits are far lower than gorilla permits in Rwanda. Luxury gorilla trekking tourists in Uganda pay US Dollars 700 as a foreign non-resident, US Dollars 600 as a foreign resident and shs. 250,000 as East African Community citizen.
Fly-in gorilla safaris in Uganda.
For the time we have been in tourism sector, we have realized most luxury travelers in Uganda tend to go for chartered/scheduled flights to the 2 gorilla trekking parks; Bwindi and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. Taking a scheduled flight from Entebbe Airport/Kajjansi airfield can last between 1 and 2 hours. This is far a shorter time than if you traveled by road where you would spend about 9-10 hours or 3-4 hours starting from Kigali capital city of Rwanda crossing via Katuna or Chanika border.
What is amazing about luxury gorilla trekking in Uganda is that tourists have many habituated gorilla families to explore about 21 of them unlike 10 in Rwanda or 8 in DRC. Also, all half of the world’s remaining mountain gorillas exist in Uganda’s Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park making them the most preferred luxury gorilla trekking destinations.
Additionally, up-market travelers have plenty of accommodation options to choose for their overnight stay.
Compared to Uganda and Rwanda, DR Congo is the most affordable gorilla destination issuing her gorilla permits at the lowest rate. At just US Dollars 450, luxury gorilla trekking visitors in DR Congo can be part of the magical encounter with mountain gorillas in the Virunga National Park or Eastern Lowland gorillas in Kahuzi-Biega National Park. However, the accommodation facilities here are few, tourism sector in DR Congo being less developed compared to her counterparts. The available accommodation options are luxury although there are budget and mid-range options too.
Best time to go for a luxury gorilla trekking in Uganda, Rwanda and DRC
Most of the gorilla trekking destinations in Uganda, Rwanda and DRC experience favorable weather and climatic conditions characterized by lower temperatures considering their elevation that ranges from 2600m or more. This makes them all year-round ideal gorilla destinations.
But the most preferred or best time is during the dry season and there is long and short dry season. The long dry season is recorded from June to September and short dry spell runs from December to February. These are peak months of the year in most gorilla trekking destinations.
When planning for a luxury gorilla trekking safari, it is also essential to consider the wet season as it may have some impacts on your experience. The heavy rains are experienced starting wet or rainy season and this is registered from March to May and October to November.
Things to carry for luxury gorilla trekking in Uganda, Rwanda and D.R. Congo.
Gardening gloves, Sturdy and waterproof hiking boots and should be lightweight, A camera with extra-batteries and ensure it doesn’t have flashlight, Long-sleeved shirt & trousers, Energy giving snacks & bottle of mineral water, Insect repellent, First aid kit, Daypack and more.
