Gorilla Trekking is one of the most popular wildlife experiences in Africa. Many tourists visit Africa each year with the sole purpose of observing wild gorillas. The activity involves hiking through steep slopes and thick vegetation in search of wild gorillas. Gorilla Trekking can be strenuous but is always fun-filled and memorable. Travelers who may not be in excellent such as the elderly are always supported by porters found at the park headquarters. These porters also help by carrying heavy equipment or support travelers while through difficult sections of the forest. On completion, Travelers are awarded certificates by park officials to show that they participated in the activity and by doing so also contributed towards gorilla conservation.
There are two main sub-species of gorillas in East Africa. These included the Eastern Lowland Gorilla and the Mountain Gorilla. Eastern lowland gorillas are only found in DR Congo and they are the largest of the gorilla sub-species. Eastern lowland gorillas can be tracked from the Kahuzi-Biega national park. They are also found in Maiko National Park, Odzala-Kokoua National Park and the Itombwe Massif. Mountain gorillas are found in Uganda, Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Mountain gorillas can be tracked from Uganda’s Bwindi impenetrable national park and the Mgahinga national park. In Rwanda, Mountain gorillas can be seen in the Volcanoes national park. In DR Congo, Virunga national park is the only place where one can see mountain gorillas. To take part in gorilla trekking activities, one is required to have purchased a valid gorilla trekking permit. Gorilla permits cost $1500 in Rwanda, $700 in Uganda and $450 in Congo.
Luxury Gorilla Trekking in Rwanda
Rwanda has positioned herself a luxury travel destination. The leadership has achieved this by attracting Luxury travel brands and hotels to set up facilities in the country. Significant resources have been channeled to developing Tourism infrastructure including road networks and hotels. Rwanda markets her tourism resources aggressively with the intention of attracting wealthy Travelers. A classic example is the recent partnership with Arsenal Football Club. Rwanda also ensures that every client who visits the country is given special treatment. Important Visitors who enter the country are given surprise VIP treatment and may be given access to the president or other Senior Government officials.
As a result of these aggressive marketing endeavors and investments, the price of gorilla trekking in Rwanda is high. Gorilla permits cost twice the amount charged in Uganda. Despite the higher cost of traveling in 
Rwanda, it hasn’t stopped Travelers and those who desire the best services from visiting the country. Luxury gorilla trekking in Rwanda is only done at the volcanoes national park which is just about 2 to 3 hours’ drive from the Kigali city. One can also take a 1-hour flight by helicopter. While at the volcanoes national park, tourists also get an opportunity to visit the grave of Dian Fossey. A founder of the Karisoke research center, Dian Fossey dedicated her life to study and conserve mountain gorillas. After her death, she was buried in a graveyard she had created for the gorillas she worked hard to protect somewhere up in the Virunga volcanoes. Other activities around the Volcanoes National Park include climbing mount Karisimbi and Bisoke. There is also golden monkey trekking and visiting the Musanze Caves.
Which Lodges and Hotels are suitable for Luxury Gorilla Trekking in Rwanda? The Luxury Lodges in Rwanda include Sabinyo silverback lodge, Bisate eco-lodge, Virunga Lodge and One and Only Gorilla Nest. These lodges offer services that are of the highest possible standards and will organize helicopter transfers to Clients who don’t wish to travel by road from Kigali. Travelers interested in these Super Luxury Lodges are advised to make their reservations a few months ahead because they are on very high demand.
Note: It is important to stress that one can also book a luxury gorilla trekking safari in Uganda or Congo. Both countries can cater to the needs of a Luxury Traveler and at a lower cost. In fact, Uganda is really at par with Rwanda when it comes to gorilla trekking as we shall see below: –
Luxury Gorilla Trekking in Uganda
Uganda may not be aggressive at marketing her destinations but it has excellent lodges and facilities to cater for luxury Travelers. These accommodation facilities are in form of hotels and cottages. Uganda has more mountain gorillas and in two national parks. Uganda also has a lot of variety in what it can 
offer Tourists. This revelation is often not well communicated by the government. Uganda is the only country where tourists can still go for the gorilla habituation experience. This activity allows tourists to work with Researchers and learn how gorillas are taken through the process of getting comfortable with humans in their presence. This special activity allows travelers to spend more time with the gorillas than in the case of normal gorilla trekking offered in Rwanda. The normal gorilla permits in Uganda costs $700 but the habituation experience permit goes for $1500. Foreign residents in Uganda pay $600 for a permit while East African Nationals only pay 250,000 Uganda shillings which is equivalent to about 85 US Dollars.
Just like Rwanda, one can find chattered flights to the tourism sites and accommodation facilities that offer extraordinary services. The driving time from Kigali in Rwanda to Mgahinga or Bwindi National Park takes only 4 hours. Those who desire to have a similar Luxury gorilla trekking experience at much more affordable price but live in Rwanda or visited Rwanda can choose to cross the border into Uganda and visit either Bwindi impenetrable national park or Mgahinga national park. Because of the affordable gorilla trekking tours offered in Uganda, the country generally receives more Tourists. In fact, many Travelers chose to cross into Uganda from Rwanda to do their gorilla trekking and then return to Rwanda for other activities. Bwindi impenetrable national park is so large that it has four sectors for tracking mountain gorillas. The sectors include Ruhija, Rushaga, 
Buhooma, Ntebeko and Nkuringo. This implies that one can choose an easy, medium of difficult track. There are 19 habituated gorilla families in Uganda.
If distance is the issue, Travelers on a luxury gorilla trekking mission can book a chattered flight from either Entebbe/Kampala to the Kihihi or Kisoro airstrips which are close the gorilla parks. Some excellent accommodation facilities in Bwindi Mahogany springs lodge, Clouds Mountain gorilla lodge, Volcanoes Bwindi Lodge, Gorilla Leisure Lodge, Four Gorillas Lodge and Sanctuary Retreats Bwindi among many others.
Luxury Gorilla Trekking in Congo
The Democratic Republic of Congo may be receiving fewer tourists than Uganda or Rwanda but it won’t remain that way in the future. Congo offers much more in terms of variety and wildlife than either 
Uganda or Rwanda. Many predict that if peace returns in the country and tourism infrastructure is improved, the country will struggle to deal with Travelers flocking in to enjoy all that it has to offer. What sets Congo apart is that she is home to three sub-species of gorillas. Apart from Mountain gorillas, there are also Eastern Lowland gorillas and Western Lowland gorillas in Mountains at the Western Border. Congo still offers that feeling and experience of visiting the real Africa- unspoiled and pristine. The gorilla trekking permits in Congo cost only 450 US dollars. Congo also offers excellent accommodation facilities to Travelers who want the very best. We all hope that the current security situation in the eastern part of the country is contained and we get to experience the natural beauty that Congo offers.
Additional Information about Luxury Gorilla Trekking in Rwanda and Uganda
Travelers planning to go on a luxury gorilla trekking mission are advised to pack strong waterproof hiking boots, raincoats, free walking trousers, T-shirts (preferably dull-colored) to prevent attracting 
insects in the wild, insect repellents, cameras, binoculars, personal items and a back pack to carry some drinking water or snacks. You can read more from an article about the gorilla trekking packing list.
When is the best time to go for a luxury gorilla trek? The climate and weather patterns in all the three gorilla trekking countries are similar. They all have 2 dry seasons and 2 rainy seasons. The dry seasons run from December to February and from June to August while the wet seasons run from March to May and September to October. The best time to go for luxury gorilla trekking is in the dry season because the trails are usually dry and less slippery.
