Luxury gorilla trekking safaris in Africa take place in Uganda’s Bwindi impenetrable national park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park and Virunga National Park in Congo
A safari in Africa is always spiced up by sinking into a well-located luxury accommodation. Most of these hotels offer a serene environment with magical views. These luxury gorilla safari lodges provide high-quality service to travelers, ensuring that you get good value for your money, and they offer continental meals along with a variety of drinks.
Chartered and scheduled flights
Instead of using tarmac roads and traveling for many kilometers, you can book scheduled or chartered flights operating within the country to the national parks. This is more comfortable and not tiresome and the fastest way to travel to gorilla trekking safari parks. Chattered Flights are available in Uganda to Bwindi and Mgahinga. Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda is just 2 hours away from Kigali; hence, there is no need for flights unless otherwise. Please note that Rwanda offers the most luxury gorilla trekking safari experience. Their permits cost $1500 each. Congo gorilla permits are cheap at only $400 but they offer luxurious accommodation units. Ugandan gorilla permits cost $800 for gorilla trekking permit and $1500 for gorilla habituation permit spending 1 hour and 4 hours respectively. Uganda has various accommodations ranging from shoestring to midrange to luxury.
The best time to visit any of the three countries for a luxury gorilla trekking experience is during the dry season when the roads to the park are in good condition and accessible. The rocks will not be slippery, the skies are clear and no rain is interrupting. Though the roads leading to gorilla trekking destinations in Uganda are so fascinating with views of the mountains of the moon, typical African villages, national parks and so much more, they are not well maintained compared to Rwanda’s standard roads, which are more comfortable to drive on.
If you want to go gorilla trekking in peak season, make sure you book the luxury gorilla safari lodges and gorilla trekking permits in advance to avoid disappointments. People normally book even six months before they can come to trek gorillas in Uganda , Rwanda and Congo.
Some of the luxury gorilla safari accommodation facilities are Nkuringo Bwindi gorilla lodge, Mahogany springs lodge, Mount Gahinga lodge, Sanctuary gorilla forest camp, Clouds Mountain gorillas lodge and silverback lodge in Uganda.
In Rwanda you can stay at Sabyinyo silverback lodge or Bisate Eco Lodge, while in Congo tourists can sleep in Mikeno lodge among others. Tourists who would love to mix a luxury gorilla trekking safari with other wildlife adventures should consider Uganda, not Rwanda. Uganda boasts diverse wildlife spread all over the country; you can enjoy wildlife viewing using a hot air balloon or an open-roof vehicle.
Please make sure you travel with a raincoat, insect repellent, cotton clothing, walking sticks, snacks and some water, as the trails can sometimes get steep and slippery and it can rain sometimes. After gorilla trekking, you can explore the nearby villages and visit the local people, enjoy local traditional dances and learn about their ways of life.
Uganda is also one of the only countries that will offer you an exclusive gorilla habituation experience where you will spend four hours with gorillas with only four researchers, unlike gorilla trekking, where you will be eight people and only spend one hour observing gorillas. Though the gorilla habituation is expensive compared to trekking, it’s worth a lifetime experience.
