Uganda Rwanda and Congo Gorilla Safari feature the three countries that have got the highest concentration of primates in the world. It is no surprise that today gorilla trekking is the main tourist activity that draws tourists to Uganda, Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo and is interestingly the highest revenue earner for the respective governments, hence is conducted in a stringent manner so that the Mountain gorillas in the jungles benefit from gorilla tourism in addition to the local community members surrounding the National Parks where these mountain gorillas are found. Daily gorilla trekking safaris/trips are planned/organized by Gorilla Safaris Tours, and need to booked in advance.

For most trekkers who opt for gorilla trekking in Uganda, Rwanda and Democratic Republic of Congo, the conservation of the critically endangered mountain gorillas is the principal reason why gorilla permits are high, and presently go for $1500 per person for tourists tracking from Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park, $600 per person for tourists tracking from Uganda’s Mgahinga National Park and Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and $400 per person for trekkers to Virunga National Park of the Democratic Republic of Congo.

It is a magical opportunity to track Africa’s Mountain gorilla primates that share over 98% of man’s DNA, making them our close relatives. Gorilla trekking is a dream come true when you know that you are among the few lucky ones to meet face to face with these critically endangered primates, but saving their lives and working hard to ensure their threatened population grows is the reason for the high gorilla permits. Most importantly, the increased funding from gorilla tourism is the major strength behind the recovery and eventual growth in the population of mountain gorillas that now stands at over 880 individuals.

A good place to start you gorilla trekking safari for all three countries is a flight to Kigali in Rwanda. Flights to Kigali Rwanda have become much more accessible and cheaper than other countries. For a gorilla safari in Rwanda, you can be picked at Kigali international airport and be transfer by car for 2 hours from Kigali to Ruhengeri the base for gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park. Volcanoes National Park has a unique scenic forest covered with mountains as well as six volcanoes; this is why Rwanda is referred to as the ‘Land of a Thousand Hills’. Over a total number of 200 mountain gorillas are found along the border of the Virunga Mountains. To get to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, it is 4 hours’ road drive from Kigali with border crossing, or if you fly to Entebbe international airport, it is 8-9 hours’ dive but with a lot of wildlife sceneries to see.

In Uganda, gorilla trekking takes place in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site in south western Uganda. It harbours half of the wild mountain gorilla population totaling to 480 which is half of remaining mountain gorillas in the wild. In Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, the gorillas are found in the mid vegetation on the Virunga Mountains of Muhavura Mountains especially in the open areas of the bamboo zone. Trekking gorillas in Mgahinga National Park was difficult since the gorillas used to cross borders making it inconsistent for the activity yet there is only one gorilla family in the park. Gorilla trekking permit in Uganda costs $600 per person per trek. You can spend $1,500 on a Gorilla Habituation Experience safari which is 4 hours with a gorilla family on an all day trek in Bwindi Forest.

Bwindi Forest has 4 different sectors each with different habituated gorilla families.  If you are an adventurous tourist and you want to see more of the country and go somewhere a bit off the beaten path, Uganda is the country to choose. Of the three countries, Uganda is the most scenic and dramatic region with spectacular features providing adventure experience. Apart from gorilla trekking in Uganda, there other activities that you can participate in like boat cruise and game viewing including climbing lions as a unique feature in Queen Elizabeth National Park, see the falls in Murchison Falls National Park, game viewing and horseback safaris in Lake Mburo National Park, Chimpanzee tracking in Kibale Forest National Park, hot springs and bird watching in Semuliki National Park, Game viewing and cultural safaris in Kidepo Valley National Park, Golden monkey and the Batwa culture in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park and mountain hikes in Rwenzori and Elgon National Parks. So gorilla trekking safari can be combined wildlife highlights as mentioned above. For adventurous visitors, Uganda gives you the highest advantage in going gorilla trekking safari compared to its neighbouring countries

To get to the Democratic Republic of Congo, you will drive from Kigali straight to the border crossing at Goma which is 3 hours before using a different vehicle for the drive to Virunga National Park.  Gorilla trekking in the Democratic Republic of Congo is done in Virunga National Park a UNESCO World Heritage Site located in the eastern of Congo and bordering Uganda and Rwanda. Virunga National Park is over 200 mountain gorillas living in the southern part of the park. The park is managed by Congolese National Park Authorities with the Institut Congolais Pour la Conservation de la Nature (ICCN), who are partners with Africa Conservation Fund.

Virunga National Park is located west of Goma which is the capital city of north Kivu province. Transportation from Goma to Virunga National Park can be arranged with Virunga National Park or with Gorilla Safaris Tours. It is advisable that the best way to reach Goma is by passing via Rwanda on a well maintained road from Kigali, a 3 hours’ drive to reach the border of DRC which is near Goma. Another option would be to cross the border of Bunagana in south western Uganda, where you can access an affordable local visa which can be purchased. Gorilla trekking permit costs $ 400 per person per trek. Apart from doing gorilla trekking alone in Virunga National Park, you can also add the Nyiragongo volcano hike

In Uganda, Rwanda and Democratic Republic of Congo gorilla trekking system is similar which cooperate in their conservation efforts and devote those high fees, in principal, to monitoring and protecting these species that were made famous by Dian Fossey. To avoid congestion and reduce the chance of gorillas catching human diseases to the shy mountain gorillas, just 8 people per day are accompanied by the park rangers and trackers are permitted to search of each gorilla family habituated to humans.