Gorilla Trekking Safaris in Africa: Bwindi Impenetrable and Mgahinga National Parks in southwestern Uganda, Volcanoes National Park in northwestern Rwanda, Virunga National Park and Kahuzi-Biega National Park in eastern DRC at the border with Rwanda and Uganda are the best places in Africa to go gorilla trekking and spend unforgettable moments with wild gorillas. These parks provide adequate hotels near to trekking areas and immersive facilities to provide guests with the greatest tropical forest experience.
Where to go for Gorilla Trekking Safaris in Africa?
Let’s take a closer look at which park you’d want to visit for gorilla trekking on your next African safari excursion.
Gorilla Trekking Safaris in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.
Bwindi is perhaps the finest destination in Africa to go gorilla trekking since it mixes logistics, pricing, and hotel availability with the greatest number of gorillas to attract the most people. Aside from being ecologically rich, the 331 sq km UNESCO World Heritage Site protects over 500 mountain gorillas, and a trekking permit costs only $700, which is less than half the price of one in Rwanda.
The park also has a diverse range of other animals, including chimps, monkeys, elephants, and over 350 bird species. Its major draws are mountain gorilla tracking and nature trekking. Visitors can undertake gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest by booking gorilla permits ($700 per person) at any of the four visitor centers located around the park and joining the daily early morning small trekking groups led by local rangers and trackers. When rangers locate a gorilla family, they allow tourists to observe the gorillas for one hour from a safe distance while adhering to many conservation laws.
In addition to gorilla trekking, the park offers a variety of other activities. Visitors may explore the forest on guided nature walks and learn about the numerous plant and animal species that live there. There are also other cultural activities offered, such as excursions to local villages to learn about their way of life and traditions.
The forest itself is stunning. It is one of Africa’s oldest and most biologically diversified woods, with over 160 tree and fern species. The deep forest canopy supports a diverse range of fauna, including 11 primate species, several of which are endangered.
The park is around 310 miles from the International Airport and takes approximately 10-11 hours to drive. Most people, however, appreciate the rural journey to the gorilla forest for its beautiful scenery via Switzerland-like undulating mountain sceneries. Alternatively, to skip the exhausting trek, take a 1-hour domestic flight from Entebbe International Airport to two tiny airports (Kisoro and Kihihi), about a 1.5-hour drive outside Bwindi.
Finally, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is a one-of-a-kind and amazing location that provides tourists with the opportunity to witness the most extraordinary species and natural sceneries. It is Africa’s best gorilla trekking destination, with enormous cultural and ecological value. Bwindi Forest National Park is a shining example of conservation success. It is a must-see African location for anybody interested in animals, ecology, and conservation, and all visitors will leave with a memorable impression.
Gorilla Trekking Safaris in Volcanoes National Park.
Volcanoes National Park is Rwanda’s tourism crown jewel, with some of the most effective conservation projects, particularly those focusing on primates and community sustainability for Rwandans. This Rwandan jewel is one of the best sites in Africa to go gorilla trekking, with some of the most opulent lodges situated around the trekking center.
However, when compared to its neighboring gorilla parks and the impenetrable Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Volcanoes National Park is the most costly gorilla destination, with trekking permits costing up to $1500 per person. Some of the more expensive lodges in the park charge up to $4000 a night for an exclusive room. However, there are also less expensive choices in the trekking hubs for travelers who can still afford the exorbitant permit cost.
The 160-square-kilometer park is part of the broader Virunga Conservation Area, which includes national parks in neighboring Uganda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The park is called for the five inactive volcanoes that dominate the area, notably Mount Karisimbi, the tallest volcano in the Virunga range. The park also has a number of other primate species, including the golden monkey, as well as a broad diversity of bird species.
Although gorilla trekking is the major draw of Rwanda’s Volcanoes, travelers may also take guided nature treks in the forest and participate in cultural activities such as visits to local communities to learn about their way of life and traditions. The park’s second big attraction is following the endangered golden monkeys that can only be found in this location. Volcano trekking trips take place early in the morning in small tourist groups escorted by rangers and local trackers. Visitors may only spend an hour with a gorilla troop once they discover it, and they must follow rigorous conservation guidelines during their trip.
The Volcanoes National Park is roughly a three-hour drive from Kigali’s International Airport. Most tourists will stay one night in Kigali to see its cultural scenes, two nights in the park, and one morning go gorilla trekking.
Overall, Volcanoes National Park is a one-of-a-kind primate forest that provides visitors with the opportunity to undertake gorilla trekking in Africa for the first time. It is extremely important for conservation efforts. It is the place to go for gorilla trekking adventures in Africa, as well as to witness wonderful animals, ecology, and conservation.
Gorilla Trekking Safaris in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park.
Mgahinga Gorilla National Park in southern Uganda, near the border with Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, is one of the greatest forest reserves in Africa for gorilla trekking and seeing mountain gorillas. It is located at the base of three Virunga Volcanoes (Mt Muhavura, Mt Gahinga, and Mt Sabyinyo). A gorilla permit in Mgahinga, like in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, costs $700 per person.
The 33.7 square kilometer park is part of the larger Virunga Conservation Area, which also includes Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park and the Democratic Republic of the Congo’s Virunga National Park. The park’s rich range of fauna includes multiple primate species, including the park’s main feature, endangered mountain gorillas, golden monkeys, and different monkey and baboon species.
Africa Gorilla trekking safaris in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, like those in other national parks in the region, begin early in the morning in small tourist groups accompanied by local trackers and rangers. Depending on how near the gorilla troop is to the beginning site, the trip might last anything from a few hours to a whole day. Visitors can see the gorillas from a safe distance for one hour after they are discovered.
In addition to gorilla trekking, the park offers a variety of other activities. Visitors may explore the forest on guided nature walks and learn about the numerous plant and animal species that live there. Cultural activities are also provided, such as excursions to nearby towns to learn about their way of life and traditions.
Uganda’s Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is accessible in the same way as Bwindi is; it is 310 miles from Entebbe International Airport and takes around 10-11 hours to travel. Visitors can, however, take domestic flights from Entebbe to Kisoro, a tiny airport about an hour’s drive from the park.
Africa Gorilla Trekking Safaris in Kahuzi Biega National Park.
Kahuzi-Biega National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, is one of the greatest sites in Africa to undertake gorilla trekking. The eastern lowland gorilla, one of the rarest and most endangered gorilla subspecies, lives in the 2,300-square-mile park.
Although the park has the most affordable gorilla permits, it is a true adventurer’s dream location with immersive forest experiences monitoring primates like as colobus monkeys, baboons, and chimps, as well as forest elephants, bush pigs, and various kinds of antelope.
The once-in-a-lifetime gorilla trekking experience at Kahuzi-Biega National Par is comparable to that in other eastern national parks, however the park includes eastern lowland gorillas, not mountain gorillas, as seen in zoos.
Visitors can arrive in Rwanda’s Kigali International Airport and then proceed to the park via the Goma or Rusizi borders. A three-hour journey from Burundi to the Rwanda Ruwa border and then to Rusizi is possible. Although it is the quickest route, it requires a border crossing. Visitors can drive 5-6 hours from Goma International Airport to Kahuzi Biega, however the security on this road is precarious and should be avoided.
In Summary; Visitors can arrive in Rwanda’s Kigali International Airport and then proceed to the park via the Goma or Rusizi borders. A three-hour journey from Burundi to the Rwanda Ruwa border and then to Rusizi is possible. Although it is the quickest route, it requires a border crossing. Visitors can drive 5-6 hours from Goma International Airport to Kahuzi Biega national park, however the security on this road is precarious and should be avoided. Send us an email for the best gorilla safari offers at info@explorerwandatours.com
