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Gorilla Safaris Uganda: Meet the Great Apes of Uganda, Rwanda & DR Congo
Welcome to Gorilla safaris Uganda, a local safari company based in Kampala, Uganda. With over 10 years of experience, we specialize in gorilla safaris in Uganda, Rwanda, Congo, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Gabon. For easy exploration, we have made for you a specialized catalog of gorilla safaris in major destinations in East and Central Africa. On this gorilla safaris Uganda website, we share with you everything at our disposal regarding gorilla safaris in Uganda.
Part of the main information shared here includes gorilla safari tips, the dos and don’t of gorilla safaris in Uganda among other important Uganda safari tips. We have a catalog of proven gorilla safaris itineraries that we have executed for over a decade. A few things sometimes change due to new gorilla safari lodge options but we are ably flexible to still pull off the best gorilla safaris in Uganda.
A list of questions might come up in the due course of preparing for your gorilla safari in Uganda; we have a frequently asked questions page where we address most of the questions important for the success of your gorilla safari. Our gorilla safaris Uganda website covers all things necessary for a successful gorilla safari in Uganda. But in case you still have some questions, please do not hesitate to contact us via mail or Whatsapp
About US
Gorilla Safaris Uganda is a Uganda-based safari company that was founded in 2011 with a mission to offer memorable gorilla safaris in Africa. With over 10 years of experience, the vision to be the leading gorilla safari company on the African continent is more clear than it was a decade ago.
We have executed over 150 gorilla safaris on the African continent. With the help of our partners in Rwanda, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Congo; we are always equipped with first-hand information to make your gorilla safari possible. We also have plans of expanding our wings to Gabon, Cameroon, Central African Republic among several other gorilla trekking destinations
Why Book with Gorilla Expeditions?
We offer a great choice of well-planned gorilla trekking safaris in Uganda that include various interests. With a focus on responsible tourism, your visit not only benefits the conservation of the mountain gorillas but also the local people that live in the areas visited. Our gorilla safaris are suited for all travelers from budget to luxury travel seekers to Africa. We tailor your Uganda gorilla safari to suit your number of days, accommodation preference, and other adventures that you would like to engage in during your visit. In order to get the best gorilla trekking experience, our trips are guided by knowledgeable guides with first-hand information about the areas visited.
Gorilla Safaris Itineraries: Best Of Uganda Gorilla Treks
Would you like to see the mountain gorillas in Uganda? We offer amazing safaris to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga National Park, two protected areas that protect the mountain gorillas. We offer Uganda gorilla safaris all year around and we stand behind our promise.
3 Days Bwindi Forest Gorilla Safari
Explore the famous Bwindi impenetrable Forest, the home to almost half of the world’s remaining mountain gorillas.
4 Days Gorillas & Lake Bunyonyi
Take this gorilla safari in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest combined with a leisurely stay at the beautiful Bunyonyi
4 Days Uganda Gorillas (2 Treks)
A four Days (three Nights) safari featuring two gorilla treks in the impenetrable jungles of Bwindi impenetrable Forest.
5 Days Uganda Gorillas & Chimps
A Five Days (Four Nights) Uganda safari featuring gorilla trekking in Bwindi impenetrable forest and chimpanzee tracking
6 Days Uganda Apes & Rwenzori
A 6 days Uganda safari combines gorilla trekking, chimpanzee tracking, and a simple hike in the Rwenzoris.
3 Days Rwanda Volcanoes Gorilla Safari
This 3 Days (2 Nights) Rwanda Safari features gorilla trekking in the Volcanoes National Park of Rwanda.
Gorilla Expeditions in Africa
Uganda is known as the Pearl of Africa and this is because of its natural attractions. The gorillas have attracted large numbers of tourists to Uganda. Gorilla trekking is quite adventurous but something not to take for granted. It has its own challenges and you must be well prepared to discover them in their natural setting.
As you plan to go on a gorilla safari in Uganda, don’t think about coming with your family for a luxurious moment. This kind of tour involves you walking through the dense forests, steep slopes, mud, and unexpected rain that can drop at any time. This is frustrating although fun filling at the discovery of the charming animals.
Before you head out for your gorilla trekking safari, there are rules and regulations to follow. Gorillas must be given enough respect and you are not supposed to throw rubbish anywhere in their environment.
Going on a gorilla safari in Uganda will give you a chance to see the giant primates that look so close to humans. These take up 97% of our genes.
Why Go on A Gorilla Safari in Uganda
There are several reasons why you should visit Uganda:
Experience Gorilla Safaris
Uganda is home to approximately half of the world’s population of mountain gorillas left in the whole world. A recent gorilla census puts the total population of the mountain gorillas to about 1005 individuals left in two habitats; the Virunga Mountains and the Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. We take you for unrivaled gorilla safaris in both Bwindi and the Virunga Mountains.
There are 15 habituated gorilla families that can be visited by tourists in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and one in Mgahinga National Park situated in Virunga Mountains.
Primate Safari Experiences
More so, Uganda protects other primates like chimpanzees and it’s believed that Kibale National Park offers the best chimpanzee trekking in Africa! Other destinations where you can encounter Chimpanzees in Uganda include Toro- Semliki Game reserve, Kyambura Gorge in Queen Elizabeth National Park, and Budongo Forest. Other primates you can encounter in Uganda include Golden Monkeys, found in Mgahinga National Park, Black and white colobus monkeys, and Baboons among others.
Amazing Wildlife Safaris
Visit Uganda for wildlife safaris in the savanna parks like Queen Elizabeth National Park, Murchison Falls National Park, Lake Mburo National Park, Semuliki National Park, and Kidepo Valley National Park. Book your Uganda safari with the Gorilla Expeditions. We have 4×4 comfortable safari vehicles with pop up for clear viewing and excellent photography while on your wild safari in Uganda’s national parks.
Don’t Miss Cultural Safari Experiences
The hospitality of the Ugandan people cannot be underestimated. Ugandans are welcoming people and willing to stay with visitors. Ugandans are kind and willing to offer warm experiences to all visitors. Experience the unique cultures, music, dance, and drama performed in different regions of Uganda.
Finally, Uganda is still untouched by mass tourism! You will enjoy your safari without the crowd!
Bwindi Gorilla Safaris
Bwindi is the leading gorilla trekking destination in Uganda priding on four gorilla trekking sectors; the Nkuringo sector, the Buhoma sector, the Ruhija sector, and the Rushaga sector.
All gorilla trekking permits are sold on a sector basis, not on a park basis. There is no permit for trekking gorillas in Bwindi impenetrable national park, rather there are permits for trekking gorillas in a specific sector of Bwindi impenetrable national park.
Each sector has its own advantages. Buhoma is the most popular gorilla trekking sector in Bwindi. It is therefore often hard to find gorilla trekking permits for this sector during the peak months of July, August, September, December, and January.
The Ruhija sector is the second most popular sector after the Buhoma sector. One of the main reasons that make the Ruhija sector one of the most popular gorilla trekking sectors of Bwindi is accessibility. It is very easy to connect to Kabale and Lake Bunyonyi as well as Rwanda from the Ruhija sector. The sector is also popular for short and tough gorilla treks.
Mgahinga Gorilla Safaris
Mgahinga is the smallest national park in Uganda with only one habituated gorilla family. Unlike Bwindi impenetrable national park that is divided into four gorilla trekking sectors, Mgahinga only has one habituated gorilla family.
There is therefore no need of specifying a sector when booking gorilla trekking permits in Mgahinga gorilla national park.
Gorilla trekking in Mgahinga is not as popular as gorilla trekking in Bwindi impenetrable national park partly because the park only has one habituated family and on top of that, Mgahinga has a bad history of tourists failing to see gorillas even after trekking for a full day.
However, the narrative of failing to see gorillas in Mgahinga changed since the Nyakagezi family became permanent residents in Uganda. You can now encounter the mountain gorillas in Mgahinga every day without fear of wasting your time simply walking through the bamboo forest.
Gorilla Safari Essentials
There are three essentials for gorilla trekking; a gorilla trekking permit, your passport, and the gorilla packing list for items needed during your gorilla trekking safari.
The gorilla trekking permit in Uganda goes for $800 for foreign none residents and $700 for foreign residents. In Rwanda, a gorilla trekking permit goes for $1500 and in the Democratic Republic of Congo, a permit goes for $400.
Gorilla Safari Packing List
- Walking stick
- Energy Snacks
- Drinking water
- Raincoat
- Hiking boots
- Insect repellents
- Waterproof backpack
- Camera
- Face masks
- Hand sanitizer
- Toilet paper
- Jacket
- Waterproof spray
- Rubish pack
Gorilla Safari Tips
- Book gorilla trekking permits before arrival (at least a month before your safari)
- Train weeks before the trek
- Plan for at least 5 hours of walking/hike
- Turn off the shutter sound on your camera
- Maintain the instructed space between you and the gorillas
- Carry a tip for at least 5 people
- Have a light breakfast before the trek
- Carry something extra to help someone who didn’t plan well (drinks and snacks)
- Only book accommodation after securing gorilla trekking permits
- Keep behind the ranger in case you encounter a forest elephant
Where can I go gorilla trekking?
- Bwindi impenetrable national park
- Mgahinga gorilla national park
- Virunga national park
- Volcanoes National park
- Kahuzi biega national park
- Loango National Park
- Salonga National Park
Where Can I Go Chimpanzee Tracking?
- Kibale National Park
- Budongo Forest
- Nyungwe National park
- Kyambura Gorge
- Kalinzu Forest
- Gombe Stream National Park
- Mahale Mountains National Park
How Much is a Gorilla Safari?
A Gorilla Safari ranges from $1500 to $5000 per day. The cost is determined by the length of your trip, the number of people you are traveling with, and the choice of accommodation. There are also variations in the prices of gorilla trekking permits. A gorilla permit in Uganda is $800 maximum, a gorilla permit in Rwanda is $1500 maximum and a gorilla trekking permit in Congo is $400