Safari with gorilla trekking tours from South Africa in Uganda/ Rwanda

Amazing gorilla trekking tours from South Africa to Uganda/ Rwanda safari can best be memorable way to end a South Africa safari visit along with other primates like Golden monkeys, chimpanzees among others in Bwindi Impenetrable forest, Mgahinga national park, or Volcanoes national park which are the natural habitat of mountain gorillas and the only place where they do survive in the world. Following game drives and trophy hunting in Kruger game park and other South African parks, visiting coastal areas like cape town, to engage in mountain gorilla trekking, you’ll have to fly-in from Cape Town/ Johannesburg (JNB) in South Africa to Entebbe in Uganda or Kigali in Rwanda.

Plan gorilla trekking tours from South Africa in Uganda/ Rwanda

Be part of the mountain gorilla conservation efforts

For every permit you pay for and every visit you make to mountain gorillas and golden monkeys destinations, you directly contribute to the efforts of conservation and preservation of these endangered species; We salute all those that have embarked on this journey before.

Cost of gorilla permits from South Africa

The gorilla permits or pass are the most crucial requirement for trekking mountain gorilla in all these countries. All gorilla permits can be bought through a trusted tour agent like Travitude safari tours company at least months in advance prior to the date of visit. The number of trekkers is limited per gorilla family per day so for surety of a gorilla trekking trip advance booking is needed.

Habituation is only done at Bwindi impenetrable national park giving an opportunity to visitors 4 hours per day with the Gorillas at a charge of $1,500 (tourists) and $1,000 (foreign residents).

A gorilla trekking permit in Uganda costs $800 for tourists (FNR- foreign nationals/residents), $700 for foreign residents (FR) and $500 for individuals from the rest of Africa.

A gorilla permit in Rwanda costs $1500 for foreign nationals, $500 for foreign residents in Rwanda, rest of Africa and African nationals.

Happenings after finding the gorillas

On locating these mountain gorillas, you will be allowed to stay with them for an hour as you are having photos, observing, asking questions and so on. While on this session, you are not allowed eats or drinks or to take photos when the flash lights are on.

You will keep a 7 meters distance around the mountain gorillas and also advised to wear a mask if you’ve got one a regulation aimed at protecting the primates from contracting viral or bacterial respiratory diseases like flue or cold.

When the one hour of staying around a particular gorilla family elapses, you will get back to the park headquarters.

FAQs

Get more inspiration for gorilla trekking tours from South Africa

Safari packages for gorilla trekking tours from South Africa

Gorilla trekking safari experience from South Africa

1 DAY GORILLA TREKKING UGANDA SAFARI

Uganda gorilla trekking from South Africa on a 1 day tour package requires you to fly to Kigali international airport in Rwanda. From Kigali city, you'll head to Uganda's Bwindi impenetrable forest/ Mgahinga national parks where more than 50% of the world's remaining mountain gorilla species live. The road drive from Kigali to the gorilla parks takes 3- 4 hours. Gorilla trekking starts at with pre-trek briefing at 7 am and takes 4- 6 hours after which you'll head back to Kigali to catch up with a departure flight.

1 day gorilla trekking Rwanda safari

Luxury Rwanda gorilla trekking tours from South Africa are an excellent match for wildlife tourists from Kruger game park making a perfect Africa primate trekking & safari combo. The 1 day gorilla trekking Rwanda safari requires you to fly-in to Kigali from where you set off on a 2.5 hours rad drive to Kinigi at Volcanoes national park headquarters. Volcanoes national park in Rwanda is hoe to the gentle mountain gorillas residing in the tropical rainforests of the Virunga massif along with colobus monkeys, golden monkeys etc.

2 days gorilla trekking Uganda safari

2 day Uganda gorilla trekking safari from South Africa requires you to fly-in Kigali- Rwanda taking a relaxing day with a Kigali city tour before crossing over to Uganda on 3 hours journey. Uganda is home to more than 50% of the world's remaining endangered mountain gorillas in Mgahinga & Bwindi impenetrable forest national parks. These parks are also double as UNESCO heritage sites to protect the endangered primates and the ancient tropical rainforest ecosystems. Consider a mid-range/ affordable gorilla trekking package from South Africa in Uganda that has much more affordable gorilla permit costs.

2 days gorilla trekking Rwanda safari

2 day Rwanda gorilla trekking safari package from South Africa is a mid-range to luxury budget safari category. Fast travelers that would love to encounter mountain gorillas in the shortest time possible should consider this itinerary. Volcanoes national park, home to mountain gorillas in Rwanda is an easily accessible park on a 2.5 hours drive. Day 1 will get you relax on a city tour around Kigali visiting coffee shops, museum, nature parks, local markets, art & crafts shops etc. after which you will to you booked accommodation in Kinigi for rest. The 2nd day is the main gorilla trekking day that gets you trek through the tropical rainforests to encounter the gentle giants. Gorilla trekking in the Volcanoes takes 3- 6 hours after which you will head back to Kigali int'l airport for departure.

5 days Uganda gorilla & primates safari

Adventurous 5 day Uganda gorilla trekking, chimpanzees & wildlife safari from South Africa starts and departs in Kigali- Rwanda. Uganda's western wildlife circuit is just 3 hours drive away from Kigali in Rwanda making it very accessible destination. Day 1 sees you drive to Mgahinga/ Bwindi impenetrable forest national parks and rest as you prepare for the next day's gorilla trekking experience. After gorilla trekking, you'll have game drives and boat cruise in Queen Elizabeth national park and enjoy wonderful wildlife & features for example lions, elephants, buffaloes, rhinos, 52 crater lakes, warthogs, antelopes, shoebills & 660+ bird species etc. At the outskirts of Queen Elizabeth N.P in Kalinzu forest reserve, you'll encounter & track chimpanzees very early on the 4th morning of this safari. Later on you will head to another section of Queen Elizabeth N.P before you return to Kigali to prepare for departure.

7 days Uganda- Rwanda primates safari

A week/ 7 days Uganda- Rwanda primate trekking safari from South Africa starts on arrival in Entebbe and departure in Kigali. Planned wildlife highlights on this safari are; a horseback riding/ walking safari in lake Mburo to encounter beautiful ungulates (zebras, antelopes, buffaloes, waterbucks etc.). 2 days Queen Elizabeth wildlife game drives, boat cruises and birding excursions with wonderful sightings of tree climbing lions, leopards, buffaloes, elephants, hippos, shoebills, flamingos etc. Mountain gorilla trekking is done in Bwindi impenetrable forest along with a Batwa local community tour and after cross over to Rwanda's Volcanoes national park. You'll track golden monkeys in Volcanoes national park and after head to Kigali city. The last day offers a Kigali city tour in local markets, coffee shops, art & crafts shops before sleep.

Gorilla habituation experience on gorilla trekking tours from South Africa

Gorilla habituation is where you track gorilla families along researchers/ doctors and rangers for 4 hours as you study their behavior and make them get used to the presence of human and enhance future trekking activities. Specifically, gorilla habituation is only done at Bwindi Impenetrable national park’s in Rushaga & Nkuringo sectors at a cost going for $1,500 per person.

Cost of gorilla trekking from South Africa

Itinerary quotes are compiled in dollar currencies as they are the common payments especially for lodges. Budget travel on gorilla trekking from South Africa costs you from $1,800- $2,000 per person. Mid-range/ affordable travel on gorilla tours from Cape town/ Johannesburg costs you from $2,000- $3,500 per person. Luxury travel for gorilla trekking from South Africa costs from $3,500- $7,000 ranging from comfort to fly-in itineraries. These costs change with cost $ quality of services/ amenities, accommodation lodges class, transport mode, permits, number of days, meals etc.

Best time for gorilla trekking tours from South Africa

The dry seasons in these areas are the best for the gorilla trekking tours from South Africa that is from June to September and December to March. It’s easier to trek to the higher altitudes where gorillas stay during dry seasons when there’s rainfall that makes the terrain slippery and muddy thus making it difficult to achieve to gorilla nests easily. Also gorillas like any other animals tend to roam more during the dry season creating higher chances of finding them easier than during the wet seasons.

A guide & tips for gorilla trekking tours from South Africa;

Tropical countries have unpredictable climate, rain gear is a must have
Insect repellent
Recommended clothing – long trousers and long sleeved sweaters or shirts while in the forest to avoid insect and plant stings.
Sturdy hiking boots are essential, especially ones you have used before.
Drinking water, however eating, drinking and smoking near the gorillas is strictly forbidden – your guide will communicate designated time and place.
Photography is permitted, although you must not use flash
Porters are available to help you carry your day-pack for a small charge.
You will not be allowed to trek gorillas if you have communicable disease like flu or cough

Your travel route map

How to access gorilla trekking parks from South Africa?

Flights; Set off from O.R Tambo international airport (JNB) or Cape Town international airport (CPT) to Entebbe international airport (EBB) in Uganda on a 4 hours 15 minutes flight and to Kigali international airport (KGL) on 3 hours 50 minutes flight. You will then head to Volcanoes national park in Rwanda and Bwindi Impenetrable national park or Mgahinga national park in Uganda all of which have the highest number of the endangered mountain gorillas.
Roads connecting to the gorilla parks; Starting from Kigali- Rwanda, it will take you 2 hours 30 minutes to reach Volcanoes national park, 5 hours across the border to Mgahinga and Bwindi Impenetrable national parks in Uganda. Setting off from Kampala- Uganda, it will take you 10 hours to Mgahinga and Bwindi Impenetrable national parks.
Domestic flights; You can also a domestic flight from Entebbe or Kajjansi- Uganda for 1 hours 10 minutes to Kisoro or Kihihi airstrips to reach the gorilla parks earlier.