Discounted Gorilla Trekking Tours for 2025, 2026 and 2027

Discounted Gorilla Trekking Tours for 2025, 2026 and 2027

If you’re dreaming of a close encounter with mountain or lowland gorillas, now is the perfect time to plan your adventure. Trek Africa Expeditions is offering discounted gorilla trekking tours across Uganda, Rwanda, and the Democratic Republic of Congo for 2025, 2026, and 2027. Gorilla trekking is a once-in-a-lifetime experience, offering a magical opportunity to observe these gentle giants in their natural environment while supporting conservation efforts.

Best Places for Gorilla Trekking in Africa

1. Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Uganda

Bwindi Impenetrable Forest is one of the most iconic destinations for gorilla trekking, home to nearly half of the world’s remaining mountain gorillas. With multiple trailheads and trekking routes, visitors can choose treks of varying difficulty and duration.

• Permit Cost: $800 for foreign non-residents, $700 for residents, and $70 (UGX 300,000) for East African citizens.

• Special Offer: Africans can now trek gorillas in Bwindi for $500.

Bwindi is renowned for its rugged beauty and offers an unforgettable experience of tracking habituated gorilla families through ancient rainforest.

2. Gorilla Trekking in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, Uganda

Located in Uganda’s southwestern corner, Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is part of the greater Virunga Volcanoes ecosystem. It’s a smaller park but provides a highly personal gorilla trekking experience, often with fewer tourists.

• Permit Cost: Same as Bwindi – $800, with special African rates at $500.

Mgahinga also offers a chance to see the rare golden monkeys and climb volcanic peaks for panoramic views.

3. Gorilla Trekking in Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda

Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park is famous for its stunning scenery and high-quality trekking experience. Here, visitors can track habituated gorilla groups against the backdrop of the misty Virunga volcanoes.

• Permit Cost: $1,500 for foreign non-residents, $500 for foreign residents, and $200 for East African citizens.

• Discount Alert: Book trekking dates between November 1st and May 31st to enjoy a discounted permit at $1,050 per person.

Volcanoes National Park offers a more luxurious, well-organized gorilla trekking experience with shorter trekking times on average.

4. Gorilla Trekking in Virunga National Park, DR Congo

Virunga National Park is Africa’s oldest national park and offers one of the most adventurous gorilla trekking experiences. The park is home to both mountain gorillas and the rare eastern lowland gorillas.

• Permit Cost: $400 during high season (mid-December to mid-March and June to October).

• Low Season Deal: $200 during low season (mid-March to mid-May and mid-October to mid-December).

While political stability must be checked before planning, trekking in Virunga remains one of the most rewarding wildlife experiences on the continent.

5. Lowland Gorilla Trekking in Kahuzi-Biega National Park, DR Congo

Kahuzi-Biega National Park is the premier destination for trekking the eastern lowland gorillas — the largest gorilla species on Earth. Located just 30 km from Bukavu, this park offers an off-the-beaten-path experience.

• Permit Cost: $400 for foreign non-residents, $200 for East African residents, and $20 for national citizens.

Trekking through the lush forests of Kahuzi-Biega provides a rare opportunity to witness these powerful yet gentle creatures in the wild.

Gorilla Trekking Costs: Uganda, Rwanda, and Congo Compared

When planning your gorilla trekking adventure, the cost of permits is an important factor to consider. Here’s a quick breakdown:

While Rwanda is positioned as a luxury gorilla trekking destination, Uganda promotes itself as an affordable yet premium experience. Congo offers the most budget-friendly options, making it ideal for adventurous travelers seeking authentic wildlife encounters.

Accessibility: Rwanda Offers the Easiest Access to Gorillas

If convenience is your priority, Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park is the most accessible option. Located just a 2-3 hour drive from Kigali International Airport, you can even complete a gorilla trek in a single day.

In the past, travelers often avoided Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in Uganda because of the 9-10 hour drive from Entebbe. However, today, Trek Africa Expeditions arranges gorilla tours to Bwindi through Kigali, cutting the drive down to just 4-5 hours. Using an East African Tourist Visa, visitors can easily fly into Rwanda and trek gorillas in Uganda at a more affordable price. In fact, many Rwandan tour operators now promote Bwindi as a more budget-friendly option.

Number of Gorilla Families: Uganda Offers More Opportunities

When it comes to gorilla family groups open for trekking, Uganda leads the way. Bwindi Impenetrable National Park alone has 20 habituated gorilla families, offering 160 trekking permits daily.

In comparison:

• Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park has 12 habituated families, with 96 permits available each day.

• The Democratic Republic of Congo has 10 gorilla families across Virunga National Park (8 families) and Kahuzi-Biega National Park (2 families).

This higher number of groups in Uganda provides greater flexibility, especially during peak travel seasons when permits in Rwanda and Congo can sell out quickly.

Gorilla Trekking Experience: Uganda, Rwanda, and Congo Compared

The actual trekking experience is remarkably similar across Uganda, Rwanda, and Congo, with a 98% success rate of seeing gorillas in all three countries. No matter where you trek, you’ll have an unforgettable encounter with these majestic primates in their natural habitat.

However, Uganda offers a unique option: the Gorilla Habituation Experience in Bwindi, where you can spend four full hours with semi-habituated gorillas alongside researchers and trackers. A gorilla habituation permit costs $1,500 per person, compared to the standard one-hour encounter on a regular trek.

Meanwhile, Congo offers something special too—the chance to see Eastern Lowland Gorillas in Kahuzi-Biega National Park, the largest gorilla species by size.

Trekking Distance: How Far Will You Hike?

The distance you’ll hike to see gorillas varies in Uganda, Rwanda, and Congo depending on the specific gorilla family assigned to you. Park rangers consider your physical fitness and trekking preferences when assigning groups.

If you prefer a shorter trek, simply inform the park authorities on the day of your trek. However, gorillas are wild animals and may move during the day, sometimes requiring longer hikes regardless of your initial assignment.

Best Time for Gorilla Trekking in Uganda, Rwanda, and Congo

Gorilla trekking is available year-round, but the best months are from June to August and December to February when the weather is drier and forest trails are less slippery.

If you’re traveling during the rainy seasons of March to May and November, expect more challenging treks—but you might also enjoy discounted accommodation rates at lodges.

Why Book Your Gorilla Trekking Safari with Trek Africa Expeditions?

Trek Africa Expeditions is a trusted, locally owned tour operator based in Entebbe, Uganda. We specialize in crafting life-changing, sustainable safari experiences across East Africa, including Uganda, Rwanda, and Congo.

We are proud members of the Association of Uganda Tour Operators (AUTO) and are registered with the Uganda Tourism Board (UTB). Our strong relationships with the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) make it easy for us to secure your gorilla permits and organize your dream trekking adventure.

Highly rated on TripAdvisor and Trustpilot, Trek Africa Expeditions offers expert guidance, personalized itineraries, and competitive pricing. Contact us today to learn more about our Discounted Gorilla Tour Offers for 2025, 2026, and 2027, and to find the best gorilla trekking options in Africa.