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Gorilla Trekking Safaris

Wildlife

Explore Africa's Primate Adventures

A view of gorillas in the wild is a thrilling experience that includes hiking through thick forests to see gorillas where they live. A gorilla trek commonly occurs in mountain areas of Central Africa such as Rwanda, Uganda and Democratic Republic of Congo. Accompanied by knowledgeable guides, traverse treacherous terrain to locate and spend time with a family group of gorillas. While it may be a rare opportunity to observe these awe inspiring primates at close range, it also greatly contributes towards conservation efforts since revenue from gorilla permits go towards habitat protection and local communities.

Primates And Primarily Gorillas: Our 15-Year Journey

Our journey started over 15 years ago when we were focused on primate and gorilla tracking safaris. We started as the global pioneer in the field but we have evolved so much that now we offer this service across 42 different countries. However, our encounters with our fellow primates is still very dear to us and a huge part of what we do.

Sl Rwanda Gorilla David Yarrow

Expertise and Passion: Our Founder Will Bolsover

Expertise and Passion: Our Founder Will Bolsover

Our CEO and Founder, Will Bolsover, spent many years in the jungles of Central and East Africa. He worked in the gorilla parks of Uganda and Rwanda, the Eastern Lowland and Mountain Gorilla parks of the Democratic Republic of Congo and tracked chimpanzees in Tanzania's Mahale and Gombe regions. Notably, Will was the first to lead gorilla safaris in Gabon, working alongside Emmanuel de Merode, who now manages Virunga National Park in the DRC. Known affectionately as ‘swamp boy’ for his love of the jungle's depths, Will has been recognized multiple times by Conde Nast Traveler as a leading travel specialist for this region.


From World Primate Safaris to Natural World Safaris

Founded as World Primate Safaris in 2005, our company evolved into Natural World Safaris, yet our expert knowledge of gorilla safaris remains a cornerstone. We continue to support primate conservation, donating a percentage of each safari sold to conservation projects.

Am I Fit Enough?

ROC Sl Nws Lango Bai Republic Of Congo Credit Andrew James

Best Gorilla Destinations

Svnp Volcanoes National Park Landscape Blackbean

Conservation Efforts

Sl Congo Ngaga Camp Gorilla Credit Andrew James

Do's and Don'ts

RWA St Rwanda Mountain Gorilla Trekking Tourist Marian Galovic

Gorilla Behaviour and Social Structure

Rwanda Richard Denyer Hirwa Twins Funny

Gorilla Trekking for Families

Congo Gorilla Virunga National Park L M Spencer

Gorilla vs. Chimpanzee Trekking

Chimpanzees

Guide to Gorilla Permits

St Uganda Bwindi Impenetrable Forest Mountain Gorilla Shutterstock Gudkov Andrey

Is Gorilla Trekking Safe?

St Uganda Mountain Gorilla Shutterstock Photocechcz

Jan Ramer

AUDI RWANDA

Lodges & Camps

Wilderness Bisate

Packing List

St Uganda Bwindi Impenetrable Forest Mountain Gorilla Shutterstock Daniel Lamborn

Photography Tips

Sl Rwanda Gorilla David Yarrow

Rwanda VS Uganda

CAR St Western Lowland Gorilla Central African Republic Car Sergey Uryadnikov

The Best Time to Go

Sl Congo Ngaga Camp Gorilla Credit Andrew James

The Role of Trackers and Guides

RWA St Rwanda Mountain Gorilla Trekking Tourist Volcanoes National Park Karenfoleyphotography

What to Expect

RWA St Rwanda Mountain Gorilla Shutterstock Brina L Bunt
Sl Rwanda Gorilla David Yarrow

Where Do Gorillas Live?

Central Sub-Saharan Africa, especially in countries like Uganda, Rwanda, Cameroon, Central African Republic (CAR), Congo-Brazzaville, DR Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon and Angola are the native habitats of gorillas. They inhabit a variety of forest ecosystems including lowland rainforests, mountain forests and bamboo forests. Two species of gorilla exist namely; western gorilla (Gorilla gorilla) and eastern gorilla (Gorilla beringei) each with its own subspecies. It is important to take conservation measures given that they are categorised as endangered due to increased loss of habitat through things like deforestation, poaching and diseases therefore undertaking this activity promotes their life by partaking in a permit cost that directly works for their protection.

The Best Places for Gorilla Trekking

For gorilla trekking between Rwanda and Uganda, each destination has a unique experience. We have provided a comprehensive guide that may help you make your choice which you can read here. We've also provided a brief summary of each main destination below.

Gorilla Trekking in Uganda

Authenticity is key to travelling in Uganda with its less crowded spaces and various tastes. You can go for the treks at Mgahinga Gorilla National Park situated on the slopes of Virunga Volcanoes and Bwindi Impenetrable National Park known for their foggy forests. The permits cost $700 per permit. Though Eastern lowland gorillas live here as well, gorilla tracking will only focus on mountain gorillas. This activity is well regulated in the country to protect these amazing creatures and their habitats.

Gorilla Trekking in Rwanda

Rwanda is known for its commitment to conserving gorillas, especially within the Volcanoes National Park where Mountain Gorillas inhabit the Virunga Mountains. Rwanda offers some of the best experiences with primate tracking aided by good infrastructure and luxury lodges. In Rwanda, permits for gorilla trekking are priced at $1500 each, with this money going towards conservation efforts. Its population of mountain gorillas has been consistently growing as an indication that it has had a successful conservation story so far.


Gorilla Trekking Safaris

CAR Isak Pretorias

Dzanga Sangha Gorilla Tracking Safari

Track endangered western lowland gorillas, observe forest elephants, bongos, and mangabey monkeys, and join the local Ba'Aka tribe on a net hunt in the dense rainforests of the Dzanga Sangha reserve. Journey to the rainforests of the remote Dzanga Sangha Reserve on this pioneering safari to the Central African Republic. Dzanga Sangha is one of the few places in the world where you can track habituated western lowland gorillas, and is also home to forest elephants and the elusive bongo antelope. Join the local Ba’Aka people as they hunt and gather medicinal herbs, and trek through pristine rainforest in search of colourful birdlife and mangabey monkeys. Staying in the comfortable yet basic Sangha Lodge, this safari is perfect for adventurous travellers hoping to get off the beaten track for incredible wildlife experiences.


From 10345 per person
St Uganda Mountain Gorilla Shutterstock Photocechcz

9 Day Western Lowland Gorilla & Bai Safari

Located in the north-west region of the Republic of the Congo, discover two unique camps inside the pristine Odzala-Kokoua National Park, and a third on a private concession bordering the national park. This is a lowland rainforest characterised by a network of bais, rivers, marshes and swamps. This vast and truly wild region, with its wide range of landscapes and habitat, is home to an incredible diversity of life. Forest elephant, leopard, bongo, forest buffalo, giant forest hog and hippo live alongside the greatest density of western lowland gorilla in Africa.

From 19000 per person
RWA Rwanda Gorilla Richard Denyer

Short Gorilla Tracking Safari

Nothing can prepare you for it. The moment you first encounter a mountain gorilla nestled in the midst of the verdant Rwandan thicket. As soon as you step foot in the legendary Virunga Mountains, there’s a palpable sense of interconnectedness, rippling from the land, to the wildlife, to the people.

From 11500 per person
RWA Cl Rwanda July Gorilla Sideview Credit Richard Denyer

Luxury Complete Rwanda Safari

The opportunity to visit Rwanda's three main wildlife hotspots whilst staying in the most luxurious accomodation and transferring vy helicopter, from tracking the world famouns mountain gorilla and meeting the doctors of the mountain gorilla vetinary project, to tracking the cheeky chimpanzee in Nyungwe and searching for a multitude of wildlfie on game drives in Akagera National Park.

From 39000 per person
Sl Rwanda Gorilla David Yarrow

Luxury Gorilla Trekking Safaris

Luxury Gorilla Trekking Safaris

Explore our range of bespoke safaris, including the Luxury Complete Rwanda Safari and the Dzanga Sangha Gorilla Safari. Experience the thrill of tracking western lowland gorillas and observe other unique wildlife, like forest elephants and bongo antelope, in the Dzanga Sangha Reserve. For a more exclusive experience, consider our 9 Day Western Lowland Gorilla & Bai Safari in the Republic of the Congo or our Short Gorilla Safari in Rwanda.

Best Time for Gorilla Trekking

Trekking is available year-round, with seasonal variations impacting conditions. The dry season, from June to September and December to February, is generally preferred for its more predictable weather and easier trekking conditions. The wet season, from March to May and October to November, offers lush landscapes and fewer crowds, although trails can be more challenging.

If you’re looking for Central Africa (Democratic Republic of Congo, Gabon or Central African Republic), it’s possible to have a great trip during the rainy season since the terrain is flat and rains normally occur in the afternoon and night. The air is often clearer and a great chance to see animals that you can only see during the rainy season such as Bongos or grey parrots. It’s really based on your personal preference and what you’re looking to experience.

For those looking for Rwanda and Uganda then you might want to look more closely at the dry/wet seasons.

Essential Gear for Gorilla Trekking

Prepare for your trek with lightweight clothing, a rain jacket, sturdy walking shoes, and long-sleeved tops and trousers to protect against the elements and insects. A successful gorilla trek also depends on physical fitness, which one of the team can discuss with you so you can embark on your trip with confidence.

Sl Rwanda Gorilla David Yarrow

Why Choose Natural World Safaris for Gorilla Trekking?

Our safaris offer more than just standard experiences. We provide scenic helicopter transfers and the chance to learn from the Mountain Gorilla Veterinary Project doctors. Our deep connections ensure access to the best lodges and exclusive opportunities, such as habituation safaris.

Contact us for a bespoke quote

Physical Fitness and Health Considerations

When it comes to gorilla trekking, it’s important that you’re in good physical shape as the terrain can be difficult and the conditions challenging. We recommend doing some cardiovascular and strength training exercises before your trip. If you have any health concerns, please consult with your doctor and make sure to bring all necessary medications along.

Gorilla Trekking Safety and Regulations

The safety of both our trekkers and the gorillas themselves is our top priority on every trip we run. To ensure minimal disturbance of the animals and a more personalised experience, all our gorilla trekking tours are limited to only eight people. Our guides possess vast knowledge about their habitats thus making encounters highly probable; in fact no group has ever come back without meeting them.

Gorilla Permit Costs and Community Benefits

A gorilla permit in Uganda costs $700 while that in Rwanda goes for $1,500; money which is used to support conservation efforts as well as community development projects around these areas. These funds help maintain their natural habitats so they can continue thriving as well providing for locals’ needs hence ensuring wider spread of tourism benefits within different societies. Please read through our guide on Gorilla Permits if you want more details about how this works towards protecting wild mountain gorillas.

There’s no doubt about it – without ecotourism there would be no mountain gorillas left anywhere on earth today! Indeed ecotourism alone has saved this species from extinction but such success stories wouldn’t have been possible were it not for local people living adjacent national parks believing in them too.