Luxury Gorilla Tours in Uganda

Luxury gorilla safaris in Uganda offer high-end tours that combine comfortable accommodations with great wildlife experiences, focusing on mountain gorilla trekking and habituation. Trekking occurs in Mgahinga and Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park, while habituation takes place in the Rushaga sector of Bwindi.

These safaris cater to tourists wishing to see the mountain gorillas, which share over 98% of their DNA with humans. To see the gorillas, visitors need a valid permit from the Uganda Wildlife Authority.

Luxury gorilla safaris in Uganda provide high-end tours that combine upscale accommodation with outstanding wildlife experiences, especially mountain gorilla trekking and habituation. Trekking occurs in Mgahinga and Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park, while habituation takes place in the Rushaga sector of Bwindi. These safaris cater to tourists wanting to encounter primates closely related to humans, sharing over 98% DNA. To see the mountain gorillas, visitors need a valid gorilla permit from the Uganda Wildlife Authority.

The cost of gorilla safaris in Uganda

The cost of gorilla safaris varies based on transport, accommodation, group size, and the type of gorilla permit. Uganda offers two types of permits: gorilla trekking permits, allowing 1 hour with gorillas, and gorilla habituation permits, allowing 4 hours with semi-habituated gorillas.

Prices for trekking permits are $800 for foreign non-residents, $700 for foreign residents, $500 for the rest of Africa, and UGX300,000 for East African citizens. Habituation permits cost $1500 for foreign residents, $1000 for other foreign residents and the rest of Africa, and UGX 750,000 for East African citizens.

Tourists wanting to see mountain gorillas on luxury safaris must reach out to registered tour companies to buy permits for their travel dates. The Uganda Wildlife Authority sells these permits only to licensed operators. Tourists should book a safari and allow the operator to handle permit payments.

Gorilla trekking in Uganda

Gorilla trekking in Uganda occurs in Mgahinga National Park and Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park. Mgahinga is the smallest gorilla park, with just one mountain gorilla family, while Bwindi has the most, featuring many habituated families. Trekking happens daily for tourists with gorilla permits. On the morning of trekking, all participants must go to the sector headquarters for a briefing with rangers about safety rules. Each gorilla family is tracked by a group of 8, guided by armed rangers.

Trekkers with extra luggage or those wanting to be carried can hire porters. They are taken to the trek’s starting point, where they enter the jungle with armed ranger guides. Various trails are used to find mountain gorillas, allowing trekkers to see different wildlife and attractions. When the gorillas are found, trekkers have one hour to observe them and learn about their habits while asking questions. They can take photos and videos for memories. After this time, trekkers must leave the gorilla family so the animals can continue their daily activities.

After visiting mountain gorillas, you will see other wildlife like mammals, primates, and birds. You will receive trekking certificates and then be transferred to your lodge or next destination.

The most appropriate for luxury gorilla safaris in Uganda

The best time for luxury gorilla safaris in Uganda is during the dry seasons, which are from June to September and December to February. These months have little rain and good sunshine, making the trekking trails dry and easier to navigate, allowing for better views of the mountain gorillas. Although tourists can go on safaris at other times, they should be aware that from March to May and October to November, heavy rainfall can make trails muddy and slippery, obstructing views and complicating travel to the parks.

Accommodation on a luxury gorilla tour in Uganda.

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga National Park have offer unique and exceptional accommodation facilities where tourists can stay in comfort and tranquillity and feel the value for their money. Travellers to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park always book accommodation facilities near the sectors they are to track. Some of the best accommodation facilities include Kaara Gorilla Mountain Lodge, Nkuringo Bwindi Lodge, Mahogany Springs Lodge, Lodge, Chameleon Hill Lodge, Cloud Safari Lodge, Four Gorilla Forest Camp, Buhoma Lodge, Kiho Gorilla Safari Lodge, Gorilla Leisure Lodge, Burunga Gorilla Lodge, Bakiga, and others.

The Transport mode

To reach Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park or Mgahinga National Park for safaris, tourists can choose air or road transport. Both parks are located in southwestern Uganda, about a 9- to 10-hour drive from Entebbe. Air travel is the fastest option, with flights available from companies like Aerolink Uganda to Kihihi airstrip for the northern sector of Bwindi and Kisoro airstrip for the southern sector.

These airstrips are a short distance from lodges. Road transport is more common for tourists on gorilla trekking safaris. Although the journey is longer, it is affordable and offers beautiful views of attractions along the route. Kindly make your reservation by emailing us at info@gandaculturalexpeditions.com for unforgettable journey.