Africa’s Most Sought-After Wildlife Encounter
Gorilla trekking means hiking into protected mountain forest with rangers and expert trackers to find a specific, habituated gorilla family, then spending one hour in their company — watching, photographing, and simply being present. It’s physically demanding, tightly permitted, and unlike anything else on a safari itinerary.
We’ve run gorilla trekking trips since 1995, across all three countries where wild mountain gorillas remain: Uganda, Rwanda, and DR Congo. Every trek is private, permit-secured in advance, and built into a wider itinerary that suits how you actually want to travel.
What’s Included
- Permits secured and confirmed before you travel — no last-minute surprises
- Private vehicle and guide for every trek, not a shared group departure
- Expert route planning across Uganda, Rwanda, and DR Congo
- Porters arranged at every trailhead to carry gear and assist on the climb
- Paired with wider wildlife safaris, not sold as a standalone add-on
- A dedicated planner from first enquiry through to your return flight
Uganda, Rwanda & DR Congo
Ugandaholds roughly half the world’s remaining mountain gorillas across Bwindi Impenetrable Forest and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, with the most affordable permits and the widest wildlife safari to pair it with. Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park offers the shortest average treks and the easiest airport access, at a premium price. DR Congo’s Virunga National Park has the cheapest permits by far, with access that depends on current regional conditions.
For the full breakdown of cost, access, and which country suits your trip, see our guides to gorilla trekking in Africa and Uganda vs Rwanda vs DR Congo.
Gorilla Trekking FAQ
How much does gorilla trekking cost? Permits alone range from roughly $400 in DR Congo to $1,500 in Rwanda, before the rest of the trip — see our full permit price breakdown.
How fit do I need to be?Reasonably fit and comfortable on uneven ground for a few hours. Porters are available at every trailhead if you’d like the extra help.
When’s the best time to go? Trekking runs year-round, though the dry seasons make for firmer trails — see our best time to visit Uganda guide.
Can I combine gorilla trekking with a wider safari?Yes — it’s how we build almost every gorilla itinerary, pairing trekking with wildlife parks, chimpanzee tracking, or a lakeside close to the trip.
Ready to Plan Your Gorilla Trek?
Every trip we run is private and tailored around you — your dates, your pace, your budget. Tell us what you have in mind and one of our safari planners will craft it into a detailed, costed proposal.
