Gorilla Tours Africa - Plan Your Ultimate Gorilla Safari in Uganda, Rwanda and Congo (2026 Guide)
Gorilla tours Africa are a bucket-list adventure, bringing you face-to-face with endangered mountain gorillas in their misty forest homes. This gorilla trekking experience in Africa draws tourists closer to nature. Imagine going through the verdant forest undergrowth. Then start feeling the whispers of nature with the rustling of the leaves on the towering trees.
Gorilla tours in Africa blend thrilling hikes, cultural encounters, and conservation, mainly in Uganda, Rwanda, and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The climax of these unique things to do in Africa is when travelers come up close to the gigantic mountain gorillas. At the sight of these gorillas in Africa, one gets varied emotions of compassion through their interactions.
Expect 1–4 hour treks, 60-minute gorilla encounters, and gorilla trekking permit costs in Africa from $400–$1,500. Book your gorilla tours Africa for an emotional, nature-packed journey.
Best Time to go for Gorilla Trekking in Africa
Here, we’re looking at the best time for African gorilla safaris Uganda, Rwanda, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. The gorillas in Africa can be tracked down and encountered at any time of the year. Although gorilla trekking in any of those African countries mentioned above would be best during the dry period months. So, the best time for gorilla tours in Africa is in June, July, August, September, and October.
Since gorilla trekking involves hiking, trails in Bwindi, Volcanoes, and Virunga are less muddy, making gorilla tracking in those destinations easier. The mountain gorillas are also easier to track down during this period because they shelter themselves in the dense bushes. So, they can hardly be tracked down during the rainy seasons.
Peak gorilla tours months in Africa (June–September) see higher costs and crowds. So, consider December to February for lower prices (10–20% less) quieter parks and better gorilla observation experiences.
Where to Go for Gorilla Tours Africa | Best places to see gorillas in Africa
Where is the best country to go gorilla trekking? There are three specific countries in Africa that are popular for this gorilla tours Africa. One of these is Uganda, where the gorilla trekking adventures take place in Bwindi Impenetrable Park in the southwest. The other country is Rwanda where the gorilla trekking tours take place in the Northwest part of the country at Volcanoes National Park.
Lastly, the gorilla safaris are also hosted at Virunga and Kahuzi-Biega National Park in the DR Congo around the Virunga Mountains that are shared within the three countries above. However, some places hardly talked about, yet they also offer gorilla trekking safaris in Africa like Dzanga- Sangha forest reserve in the Central African Republic. Also, this place has a great population of the lowland gorillas. In Nigeria, the gorillas in Africa are found in the Cross River National Park, the largest tropical rainforest of the Country.
Despite this, we are looking at the gorilla trekking safaris in Uganda, Rwanda, and the DRCongo since they’re the best places to see gorillas in Africa. Note: Gorilla tours in Africa require one to attain a gorilla trekking permit for those particular destinations.
1. Uganda gorilla trekking tours
The most famous destination for Uganda gorilla tours is Bwindi Impenetrable Park. Other destinations in Uganda for gorilla tours Africa include Mgahinga National Park. So, Bwindi has the highest population of the mountain gorillas in Africa, with over 459 of these wild species in the rainforests.
Also, Bwindi in Ugandad is home to other species such as the colobus monkeys, chimpanzees, L’Hoests’s monkeys, butterflies. So, you can also do bird watching in Bwindi during your gorilla trekking Africa safari. Bird species such as Shelley’s crimson wing, regal sunbird and the Rwenzori turaco those to see alongside the gorillas in Uganda. Some of the trails used during the gorilla trekking in Bwindi are the Ivy River trail, the habinyanja trail and the Kashasha trail.
The Batwa community is also part of this park and people come from all over the world to explore their unique lifestyle with the African gorilla safari Uganda.
2. Rwanda gorilla trekking tours in Africa
Some of the best gorilla tours in Africa are experienced in Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park. This park has over 10 mountain gorilla family groups headed by the giant silverback. Families of these gorillas in Rwanda include the Amahoro group, the Susa family, the Kwitonda family group and many more. Volcanoes Park is famous for tours to see gorillas in Africa and also for tracking the golden monkeys. Some of the hiking trails used in the park for Rwanda gorilla trips are;
- Mount Bisoke trail (3,711m)
- Mount Karisimbi trail (4507m)
- Mount Gahinga hike (3474 m) and many more.
Also, Volcanoes has other attractions in Rwanda to supplement your gorilla safaris in Africa such as the Iby’iwacu cultural village. Others include the Dian Fossey grave, the Musanze caving and Mount Karisimbi. The park also has other wild animals such as the chimpanzee, the duiker, African elephants and many more.
3. Gorilla trekking in Congo
Congo gorilla tours in Africa are mostly experience at Virunga National Park. Also, Virunga National Park is one of the largest mountain gorilla conservatory areas in Africa, with a population of about 350 of these species in its dense forests. Just as in the other parks with gorillas in Africa, there are also different family groups of the gorillas in the park. This include the Mapuwa family, the Lulengo family, the Munyanga family, and many more.
Congo Gorilla trekking Permits.
- Foreign residents and foreign non-citizens; 400$
- East African citizens: 200$
Comparing African gorilla safaris in Rwanda, Uganda & DR Congo
The parks for gorilla trekking safaris in Congo have thicker forests that demand more physical treks, unlike in Uganda and Rwanda. Hence, these forests are hardly penetrable, and the steep terrain of the trails in Congo makes the African gorilla trekking experience harder compared to Uganda and Rwanda. Secondly, Congo has more insecurities than Rwanda and Uganda because of the various rebel attacks that sometimes take the lives of some of the mountain gorillas in Africa. However, the country has tried to mitigate these threats by tightening security in those destinations.
Next, the Democratic Republic of Congo offers more affordable gorilla trekking permits in Africa compared to Uganda and Rwanda. For instance, in Congo, gorilla safari permits cost 400$; on the other hand, these permits in Rwanda cost 1,500$ and 800$ in Uganda.
Uganda Vs Rwanda Vs Congo: Comparing Gorilla Tours Africa Experiences
Also, Congo offers more of the natural biodiversity richness, like the boundless tropical rainforests and the Virunga mountains views. In Rwanda, a wide range of experiences come with the gorilla trekking in Africa, like visiting the Dian Fossey tomb. Also, Caving adventures and visiting the Iby’iwacu village. On the other hand, Uganda has a larger population of the mountain gorillas. Hence, it offers the best gorilla habituation and trekking safaris in Africa to a variety of tourists.
Next, since Uganda has the largest population of gorillas in Africa compared to Congo and Rwanda Congo has both the lowland and the mountain gorillas that the other countries don’t have. And Rwanda has the least of these individuals. In both Uganda and Rwanda, the maximum people allowed per trek is 8. In Congo, the maximum people allowed to go on the gorilla trekking safari per trek is 6.
Rwanda has more of the luxurious accommodations that come at a bigger cost during gorilla safaris in Africa. Uganda and Congo have more affordable accommodation facilities if you plan to go on a gorilla trip in these places.
Costs and Accommodations during a Gorilla safari in Africa: Uganda Vs Rwanda Vs Congo
-
Uganda (Bwindi): Gorilla trekking permit$800, habituation $1,500, park entry $40. Budget: Karungi Camp ($25), Rushaga Lodge ($30). Luxury Accommodtaion: Kamara Lodge ($300).
-
Rwanda (Volcanoes): Gorilla safari permit in Rwanda $1,500, golden monkey $100, park entry $40. Budget lodge: Virunga Hotel ($32). Luxury lodge: Amarembo ($1,838).
-
DRC (Virunga): Gorilla trip permit $400, entry varies. Accommodation Options: Mikeno Lodge, Kibumba Camp ($50–$300).
In conclusion, each of the tree countries has its own special attributes that make it good for gorilla trekking in Africa. Gorilla tours Africa deliver life-changing encounters in Uganda, Rwanda, and DRC. Uganda offers the most gorillas and value, Rwanda blends luxury with culture, and DRC provides raw adventure. Book early (3–6 months) for permits and dry-season magic
Gorilla Trekking Africa & Wildlife Tours
2 Days Bwindi gorilla trek in Uganda from Kigali
Join our affordable African gorilla trekking tour in Bwindi from Kigali! Day 1: Scenic drive via Cyanika border to Kisoro lodge. Day 2: Trek majestic mountain gorillas, then return. Affordable Africa gorilla tours await—book your dream wildlife encounter!
1 Day Rwanda Gorilla trekking from Kigali
Feel the thrill of Rwanda gorilla tours up close! Start early from Kigali, drive 2 hours to Volcanoes National Park, trek endangered gorillas in Africa in lush forests, and stop in the evening. A bucket-list Africa gorilla trekking day pure magic in the wild!
1 Day Uganda Gorilla Trekking from Kigali
Short on time? Dive into gorilla trekking in Uganda from Kigali! Early border crossing to Bwindi, hike with silverbacks for an hour, and head back. Budget-friendly gorilla tours in Africa are an option for epic wildlife moments. Your heart will skip a beat!
2 Days Rwanda Gorilla Tour from Rwanda
Indulge in intimate Rwanda gorilla safaris from Kigali! Day 1: Transfer to Volcanoes, optional cultural visits. Day 2: Track silverbacks, explore Virunga, & return after your gorilla tour in Africa. Premium Africa gorilla trekking, life-changing bonds with nature!
