Gorilla Trekking

The Mountain Gorillas are the largest living primates in the world and on the endangered species list. They are ground-dwelling herbivores found in tropical and subtropical forests in Rwanda, Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Did you know that the DNA of a Gorilla is 98% identical to that of us humans? Interesting!

Rwanda, rich in Gorilla history and protection and made famous by the late Diane Fossey, is one of the countries we offer Gorilla Trekking to. Your 1 – 4 day trek (depending on how many visits your trekking permit allows) will take you high up into the bamboo forests – the Gorilla’s natural habitat. The views from here are spectacular.

Upon arrival in Kigali you will be met and transferred to your hotel. If you have time in the afternoon, you may wish to experience a City tour which will include a visit to the Genocide Museum. The next day your trekking expedition begins! You will be assigned to a specific habituated gorilla group when your permits are issued. Gorilla trekking is unpredictable so it’s difficult to say how many hours you will be hiking for.  It may rain in some cases the Gorillas may climb higher to get to their favorite bamboo shoots. Your guides will give you a thorough briefing on the do’s and don’ts.  Time permitting, you can choose to do a separate trip to go and see the Golden Monkeys.

Uganda is the other Gorilla trekking destination we offer. Besides trekking, you can spend some time in the Queen Elizabeth Park which, together with Kyambura and Kigezi Wildlife Reserves, forms one of the most diverse ecosystems in Africa. A boat trip along the hippo crowded banks of Kazinga Channel gives visitors a unique, unequalled wildlife experience.

Your trekking experience will run much like the description above for Rwanda. A separate trip can also be done to visit the Chimpanzees, frolicking in Lake Victoria!

Accommodations on a typical trekking expedition ranges from basic hotel accommodation to luxury tented camps. All your meals are taken care of and porters are on hand to assist with your luggage.

Gorilla trekking is very popular and in order to secure your permits, we suggest you book at least 6 months in advance for your adventure. We work with local guides and operators who believe in responsible tourism and who respect the wildlife and nature. You will be given a list of what to bring and our expert consultants are on hand to answer any questions you have. The minimum age for trekking is 16 years old and your level of fitness needs to be relatively good – an outstanding level of fitness is not necessary.

Gorilla trekking is a once in a lifetime experience and certainly an unforgettable one!