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Luxury Gorilla trekking in Rwanda, Uganda, and the Democratic Republic of Congo is the ultimate primate experience! Luxury Gorilla Safaris in Uganda & Congo Africa bringing you up close and personal with the mighty Gorillas in Africa!
These majestic primates roam the Virunga Mountains region that spans Rwanda’s Northern border, Uganda’s southwestern border, and Congo’s Eastern border.
Apart from Uganda’s Bwindi Impenetrable National Park which holds the highest population (about 459) in the world, these gentle giants also consequently live in the three national parks of the Virunga Mountains region. These are Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park, Virunga National Park in the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Mgahinga National Park in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
These 4 national parks thus provide the best natural habitat that makes them globally endemic to only these destinations where you can go and see a habituated family.
For diverse high-end experiences, we can craft an amazing itinerary taking you to these different countries, including other destinations like Serengeti National Park and the Ngorongoro Conservation Area in Tanzania, Kenya, and other destinations.
Below, discover the best luxury tracking experiences in the world when you go to these destinations.
Rwanda, which is also nicknamed the “land of a thousand hills” is a beautiful scenic destination for primate enthusiasts as the country boasts the most sought-after species of animals in the world like the endangered Mountain Gorillas and Golden Monkeys in Volcanoes National Park, Chimpanzees and Black and White Colobus Monkeys in Nyungwe Forest, etc.
However, a Rwanda Gorilla treks attract many of the adventures in the country and it is the best place to enjoy a high-end experience. The famous scenic forested landscape of Volcanoes National Park comprised of lushly slopping hills is home to the second largest population of habituated Mountain Gorillas, after Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.
These huge primates living in the place of a thousand hills will captivate every thrill of your being as you watch them go about their day when they feed, play with each other, and relax.
Because of the well-developed infrastructure like roads, classy luxurious lodges to rest from, higher Rwanda permit costs, and easier/quicker access to Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda offers the best luxury tracking safari trip.
The Rwanda Development strives to improve lodges and the experiences of travelers on primate tours. High-end accommodations like Bisate Lodge and others bring the world-class luxurious touch of primate experiences to the country.
You are free to add a wildlife expedition in Akagera National Park to your primate safari so you can see the Lion, Leopard, Buffalo, Giraffe, and Elephant, among others.
Moreover, the country is generally safe for travel, thus a danger-free destination for your safari. Kigali City especially is safe and clean, with very friendly local people to visit on your safari trip.
Gorilla trekking in the country is among the most famous and sought-after adventures in East Africa!
The “Pearl of Africa” protects the highest number of these endangered Mountain Gorillas in the world in both Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga national park which is also famous for harboring Golden Monkeys.
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park has about 20 habituated families while Mgahinga national park has one group for tracking. This makes the country provide the best tracking experience if you seek a higher chance of meeting a family more easily during your safari trip.
More so, the nation has an upper hand in protecting abundant wildlife thus favoring wildlife safaris in Queen Elizabeth National Park, Murchison Falls NP, Kidepo Valley NP, and Lake Mburo NP. Therefore, travelers on a primate safari can easily add an amazing wildlife adventure to their package.
The country is also safe with very minimal criminal cases, especially for tourists on a safari trip. Many of the tracking expeditions to Uganda begin from Kigali City.
Generally, Rwanda and Uganda are the best luxurious destinations for tracking these primates in East Africa, majorly because they carry the largest numbers of these primates, but also because of the peace and safety that prevails in both destinations.
Immerse yourself in the ultimate Gorilla trekking across Rwanda and Uganda
However, there are variations in the Rwanda Gorilla trek experiences from Uganda’s adventures. The aspects below point out these differences and the best destination to go for your safari trip.
Rwanda, being a smaller country than Uganda provides easier and quicker accessibility from the Kigali International Airport or Kigali City than the latter country from Entebbe or Kampala.
Therefore, both chartered and scheduled flights are easier to book in the former more so from Kigali than the latter of the two destinations during your safari trip.
Even though the Ugandan accommodation facilities are great and fair, the roads and lodges in Rwanda, especially Kigali are much better with more luxurious options.
Infrastructure is generally good during the dry months, which are also the best time to visit these destinations on a safari trip that commonly begins from Kigali.
The forests in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park are most times as it is described, “impenetrable”. However, the traversing animal trails allowing access in the park are at a much lower altitude compared to the land formation of the national parks in the Virunga Mountains region. Volcanoes National Park thus has steeper land since it sits around the Virunga Mountains thus a bit more strenuous to trek. However, various travelers enjoy hiking experiences in these steep destinations.
The best time to visit both destinations during your safari is thus in the dry seasons.
Rwanda offers a more defined luxury safari also because of the high costs of the permits. While the country sells its permits at $1500, it is less than half the price in the Ugandan trekking destinations where the cost of the permit is $ 700 for foreign nonresidents and $ 600 for foreign residents.
Uganda has more families to trek on a safari than Rwanda’s tracking destination does. There are about 20 habituated families in the former while the latter has about 14, making it easier to find a group among the Ugandan groups than among the Rwandan groups.
Other than the amazing Rwanda Gorilla treks, the country will also avail you of different ranges of activities to do for example the Virunga hike/hiking and meeting local people as it boasts various cultivated destinations in unspoiled villages across the beautiful Lake Kivu.
The park is also home to the grave of the legendary Dian Fossey, which you can visit in addition to the many genocide memorial sites to commemorate the 1994 genocide. Also, enjoy the thrill of tracking other animals like Chimpanzees in Nyungwe Forest and Golden monkeys in Volcanoes NP or exploring Kigali City.
Even though the destination is not famously thought of as one of the best Africa’s big five viewing endpoints like safari destinations in Kenya, Serengeti National Park, and Ngorongoro Conservation Area in Tanzania, a trip to Akagera National Park will offer an amazing wildlife adventure.
Uganda on the other hand boasts a rich big five population in savannah destinations such as Queen Elizabeth National Park, Murchison Falls NP, Lake Mburo NP, Kidepo Valley NP, and Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary. However, the best East African destinations to explore animals are in Kenya and Tanzania, especially in Serengeti National Park and the Ngorongoro Conservation Area.
Explore wild animals like Lions, Leopards, Buffaloes, Elephants, and Rhinos among others on your safari trip to these animal destinations.
The Democratic Republic of Congo is another ultimate destination for tracking the gentle giants during a safari trip. The country boasts two species which are the Eastern Lowland and the renowned Mountain Gorillas.
Therefore, an ideal destination to explore both species, especially if your intent is in learning about the diversity of each.
In Congo, you can explore the Mountain Gorillas in Virunga National Park while the Eastern Lowland species are in Kahuzi Biega National Park.
Volcanoes National Park:
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park:
Using Chartered and Schedules Flights During Topnotch Gorilla Safaris in Africa
Travelers who would love to enjoy high-end transportation can either book scheduled or chartered flights to the different parks.
This is a quick and more comfortable way to arrive at your destination. Note that the Ugandan flights are possible within the country but may not be necessary in Rwanda since the tour destinations are about two hours away on a road drive.
The best time to visit Rwanda is in the dry seasons of February, April, May, June, August, October, November, and November. Expect lesser rainfall and clear skies in these months thus drier tracks in the parks and roads of Kigali or other cities around Kigali.
June to September of the dry season are the best months for tracking in Rwanda. It is the best time to visit because of the less strenuous primate walks than in the wet season when the tracking trails are wet and more strenuous to pass through.
Tracking is quite expensive, but it depends on the destination tourists go to for the adventure. Rwanda Gorilla treks are more expensive than the costs in the Ugandan and Congo destinations which are quite cheaper.
Rwanda Gorilla treks cost $ 1500 for both foreign residents and foreign nonresidents while citizens of East Africa pay 30,000 Rwandese francs. However, other costs to cater for on your safari include food, accommodation, the cost of packing necessities like cameras and hiring a porter, etc.
This trek is quite expensive, especially for budget travelers/tourists in Rwanda because permits and accommodation costs are higher than those in the Ugandan nation and DR Congo. Even though this is for conservation purposes, budget tourists can camp to cut costs.
Yes, luxury Gorilla trekking is worth the money because of the conservation costs that are needed to protect the Mountain Gorillas and their natural habitat. More so, it exposes tourists to more relaxed, personal, and comfortable trips, especially when they come during the best time to visit which is the dry months.
However, midrange and budget travelers can also enjoy an amazing experience without having to spend much. For example, you may stay in comfortable less expensive lodges or camp alternatively.
3 days of splendid luxury safari trips in Rwanda will cost between $ 4000 to $ 6000 per person. This will depend on various factors such as the choice of accommodation of stay or rest, cost of safari activities added to Rwanda Gorilla trekking, and park entrance fees among others.
Frequently Asked Questions
It is best to wear clothes that cover your body when going tracking in Rwanda for comfort against the weather, plants, and insects. These include long trousers, long-sleeved shirts, hiking boots, and a hat or cape.
Carry your camera, pair of binoculars, permit, sunscreen lotion, and insect repellent among others.
The Ugandan and Rwandan destinations are both safe for your Gorilla trek experiences. There are no terrorism threats in both countries visitors leave both destinations with no harm.
You can enjoy luxurious expeditions by sleeping in high-end or top-notch lodges, buying a Rwanda tracking permit, using flights to connect to different countries, and traveling solo sometimes.
Conclusively, luxury tracking safaris are possible for tourists in the Rwandan, Ugandan, and the Democratic Republic of Congo destinations. However, the best experiences are more defined in Rwanda, more so if you explore during the best time to visit which are the dry months.
The Ugandan and DR Congo destinations can also offer standard high-end services especially if travelers crave additional safari activities like a wildlife safari, especially in Queen Elizabeth National Park or another adventure.
Inquire today and let us help plan your safari to a destination of your choice!
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