How to book a gorilla safari in Uganda and Rwanda. Knowing how you can book a gorilla safari is essential for anyone who plans to engage in a gorilla trekking adventure in Rwanda or Uganda in 2025. Booking gorilla safaris in Uganda and Rwanda starts with securing a valid gorilla permit from the respective destination you intend to embark on a gorilla trekking adventure.
The two alternatives for you to book a gorilla safari include through a registered and recognized safari company or you can plan an independent safari. However, all visitors are encouraged to book their gorilla safaris in Rwanda or Uganda through a recognized tour company.
Essential steps to book a gorilla safari in Uganda or Rwanda
The useful steps any primate enthusiast should consider when planning a gorilla tour in Rwanda and Uganda include;
Contact the local tour company/operator
Before you even think of taking a flight to any of the gorilla trekking destinations, you should contact the local registered company to book a gorilla safari and permits. A registered tour company or tour operator usually falls under their membership umbrellas like the Association of Uganda Tour Operators (for the case of Uganda) or Rwanda Tours and Travel Association.
Booking a gorilla safari through the tour company with a membership association in the respective destinations is essential. It proves the eligibility of such safari company or tour operator whom you plan to deal with to book your gorilla safari. Scenic Luxury Vacation is a true and eligible safari company to trust in your gorilla safari 2025.
How to contact the local tour operator or company. All active tour operators/companies have email addresses for you to send your inquiry or you can talk to the reservation team directly by calling. There is also the option of chatting with the expert via their active WhatsApp contacts. Visitors already in the country and nearby the company can walk in and talk to the reservation to book a gorilla safari.
Check availability in line with your desired dates.
The important step of booking a gorilla safari is ensuring that you cross-check availability if the dates you plan to visit Uganda or Rwanda for gorilla trekking are available. Your local tour company or tour operator is in a position to contact the Uganda Wildlife Authority or Rwanda Development Board to check available dates, months, years, and destinations you want to embark on the gorilla trek. This should be done in advance about 2-6 months before taking a flight up to Rwanda/Uganda to track mountain gorillas.
Book a gorilla permit.
A valid gorilla permit must be booked in advance through the registered local tour operator or company. Gorilla permits are issued by the Uganda Wildlife Authority or Rwanda Tourism/Development Board. The advantage of dealing with a registered local tour operator is that everything is made easier and quicker for you to have your permit secured without necessary traveling to go through the tedious process.
Pay for the gorilla permit.
A valid gorilla permit must be paid for first for it to be reserved for you. Booking a gorilla permit is usually based on first come first served and remember the permits are limited. In Uganda, about 192 permits represent the 24 habituated gorilla groups that are available for trekking in Bwindi National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. In Rwanda, the 13 groups of mountain gorillas translate to about 104 permits that can be available for booking by visitors on Rwanda gorilla tours. Every gorilla group is trekked by a maximum of 8 guests and each destination conducts only single gorilla treks per day.
Prepare adequately for your trip.
The easiest way to plan and prepare for your gorilla trip is by dealing with the local tour operators. When you deal with the local tour operator, you can get essential travel recommendations, guidance, and travel advice early. You can be guided on when and when not to travel for gorilla trekking. The ground tour operators are better informed on the weather changes and gorilla groups to be trekked.
Where to go for a gorilla safari
There are very few places to consider for gorilla safaris in Africa. To be specific, visitors with plans to visit mountain gorillas have only 4 National Parks to engage in a gorilla trekking adventure. These include Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park in Uganda, Volcanoes National Park Ruhengeri in Rwanda, and the Virunga National Park in the Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. Each of the 4 gorilla safari parks in Africa has already habituated gorilla groups.
When to book a gorilla safari
Gorilla safaris can be booked at any time of the month or a year. However, it is safe to have your gorilla safari booked at least 2-6 months in advance and interestingly, bookings can also be made even a year or 2 before the actual gorilla trekking. Considering early booking for your gorilla safari is essential because it presents you with a higher chance of securing a gorilla permit.
The best time to visit Uganda and Rwanda for a gorilla safari is during the dry season. The dry months of the year run from June, July, August, to September, then December, January, to February. These months are characterized by less rainfall and drier forest floor thus making it easier to engage in a gorilla trek.
How much is a gorilla permit
Tourists on gorilla safari can book their permits at USD 800 per person in Uganda and USD 1500 per person in Rwanda. The cost of Rwanda and Uganda permits covers the park entrance fees, gorilla trekking experience, and guide fees.
A normal and successful gorilla safari requires visitors to pack right. The essentials one can have for a gorilla safari include waterproof hiking boots, a pair of gardening gloves, a first aid kit, insect repellents, a pair of long-sleeved shirts, long trousers, a waterproof daypack, a sweater, and valid gorilla permits. The additional items to have for your gorilla trip include a waterproof rain jacket or poncho, anti-malaria tablets, visas, passports, safari hat, adequate water bottles, snacks to keep you fit, and others.