Tanzania safari and gorilla trekking

Gorilla trekking and Tanzania safari

Tanzania offers incredible safari experiences, but gorilla trekking is not a primary activity within the country. However, it is possible to combine a Tanzania safari with gorilla trekking in neighboring countries like Uganda and Rwanda.

Gorilla Trekking in Uganda and Rwanda

• Gorilla trekking is done in Uganda, Rwanda, and the Democratic Republic of Congo, which host national parks home to the remaining mountain gorillas
• Popular destinations for gorilla trekking include Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park in Uganda, Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda, and Virunga National Park in Congo
• Gorilla trekking permits are required and can be booked directly through the respective national park authorities or trusted tour operators

Combining Gorilla Trekking with a Tanzania Safari

• Many travelers combine a Tanzania safari with gorilla trekking in Uganda or Rwanda to experience two incredible wildlife encounters
• It doesn’t matter whether you start with the safari or gorilla trekking, as both can be easily combined
• Travelers can fly directly from Tanzania to Kigali (Rwanda) or Entebbe (Uganda) for gorilla trekking, or drive from Kigali to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest in Uganda
• The best time to visit depends on your preferences, as both countries offer gorilla trekking year-round

Top Tanzania Safari Destinations

• The Northern Circuit, including the Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater, Tarangire National Park, and Lake Manyara, is renowned for its wildlife density and the Great Migration
• Other popular safari destinations in Tanzania include Ruaha National Park, Nyerere National Park (formerly Selous Game Reserve), and Mahale Mountains National Park

Gorilla Trekking in Africa is one of the once in a lifetime experiences that attracts many travelers to do during their visit to Africa. Despite the high costs, time and discomfort from booking to doing the hike through the forest to search for these endangered apes, watching gorillas in their natural habitat in Uganda, Rwanda and Congo is one of the best wildlife experiences every traveler would do on his/her safari. Gorilla Trekking involves hiking/walking through the forest and at some point difficult terrain, thick vegetation, crossing rivers and swamps in search for gorillas, this activity is challenging and it requires one to be fit at the time of the trek. Gorilla trekking gives you an opportunity to encounter and watch the gorillas in their natural habitat for one hour in Rwanda, Uganda and Congo. For travelers who would like to spend more time with the gorillas in their natural habitat can opt to visit Bwindi Forest for Gorilla Habituation experience which gives you 4 hours encounter with the gorillas.

Where is Gorilla Trekking Done in Africa?

Gorilla Trekking from Tanzania, you can start your gorilla trip from Tanzania. Gorilla Trekking is done in Uganda, Rwanda and DR Congo which host the four national parks that are home to the only remaining mountain gorillas. These include Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National in Uganda, Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda and Virunga National Park in Congo. In Congo you as well have an opportunity to see the Lowland gorillas which are found in Kahuzi Beiga National Park. In order to trek at any of the mentioned national parks a gorilla permit is required for you to be allowed to go for gorilla trekking. With this once you have you planned dates of gorilla trekking we recommend you start booking your gorilla trip immediately given the fact services and permits sell out very quickly especially if you plan to do the trek in the peak season of June to September, it is always better to book at least 5 months in advance prior travelling. Gorilla Trekking at the mentioned parks can be booked directly or through a trusted Tour Guide from Mount Kilimanjaro Guide.

Cost and Getting Gorilla permits in Uganda

The Gorilla permit in Uganda Costs $700 Per person per trek for the Foreign nonresidents, $600 Per person for residents and $70 for East African Citizens (Uganda, Rwanda, Tanzania, Kenya, Burundi and South Sudan), this gives you an opportunity to spend one hour encounter with the mountain gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park or Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. Uganda has 17 habituated gorilla family groups with 16 found in Bwindi and 1 in Mgahinga this means 136 Gorilla permits are available every day for gorilla trekking in Uganda. Gorilla trekking in Uganda also gives you an option to spend more time with the mountain gorillas through Gorilla habituation experience which is only done in Bwindi forest, a gorilla habituation permit costs $1500 per person giving you an opportunity to spend 4 hours encounter with the semi habituated mountain gorillas under the guidance of trackers and researchers as opposed to one hour for the normal trekking. Getting gorilla permits in Uganda can be done directly by booking them through Uganda Wildlife Authority or through a trusted tour operator in Uganda like Mount Kilimanjaro Guide.

Cost and Getting Gorilla Permits in Rwanda

The Gorilla permit in Rwanda Costs $1500 Per person per trek for the Foreign nonresidents, $500 Per person for foreign residents and $200 for East African Citizens (Uganda, Rwanda, Tanzania, Kenya, Burundi and South Sudan), this gives you an opportunity to spend one hour encounter with the mountain gorillas in Volcanoes National Park. Rwanda has 12 Gorilla families hence 96 Gorilla permits are available each day for gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park. Getting gorilla permits in Rwanda can be done directly by booking them through Rwanda Development Board or through a trusted tour operator in Rwanda like Mount Kilimanjaro Guide .

Cost and Getting Gorilla Permits in DR Congo

Gorilla tracking in Congo is done in Virunga National Park for Mountain Gorillas and Kahuzi Beiga National Park for Lowland gorillas. A gorilla permit in Virunga National Park costs $400 per person per trek for the high season months of Mid-December to mid-march then June to October and then $200 for the low season months of mid-march to mid-May and then mid-October to mid-December every year. A gorilla permit in Kahuzi Beiga National Park costs $400 for foreign non-residents, $200 for East Africa Residents and $20 for national residents. Getting gorilla permits in Congo can be done directly by booking them through Virunga National Park or through a trusted tour operator like Mount Kilimanjaro Guide.

What is the age limit for Gorilla Trekking in Africa?

The minimum age limit for Gorilla Trekking is 15 years and the maximum age is 85 years depending on fitness levels. Gorilla trekking for elders is now made possible especially in Bwindi forest through provision of sedan chair carriers, these chairs are used to carry those who feel unfit and are unable to walk into the forest at the time of their trek, you will be carried by potters to and from the forest during your trek, hiring the sedan chair can done in advance or at the day of the trek and price ranges from 400-500 dollars.

Gorilla Permit cancellation penalties and policy in Uganda, Rwanda and Congo

To go Gorilla Trekking you are required to have a gorilla permit, with this it is preferred that any one who books a gorilla permit should be able to utilize it for the trek on a given date. Gorilla permit cancellation penalties and policy in Uganda, Rwanda and Congo are the same when you fail to make it to the date of the trek from 0 to 8 days, to the day of tracking and with this you don’t get the refund for the permits. For the last 6 months gorilla permits cancellation policies have changed a lot due to the outbreak of CoronaVirus which has forced both countries to relax the cancellation policies, in Uganda all gorilla treks that were affected by the pandemic have been given an opportunity to change their dates of trekking twice.

What is the best time for Gorilla Trekking in Africa?

Gorilla Trekking from Tanzania is done throughout the year and the best time to do a gorilla trekking in Africa is during the drier months of January, February, June to early September, this is makes it easier to travel to the park and gives a clear view of gorillas given the vegetation cover is not too much high grown.

How to Combine Safari in Tanzania with Gorilla Trekking in Rwanda or Uganda?

Travelers can combine an African Safari in Tanzania with a Gorilla Trekking tour in Uganda or Rwanda by either flying direct into Kigali Rwanda or Entebbe Uganda stay for 3 or 4 nights then fly to Kilimanjaro International Airport for the safari in the Northern Circuit later flying out back home from Kilimanjaro International Airport or travelers can fly direct into Kilimanjaro International Airport, do the safari game drives in the Northern Circuit and then fly into Kigali or Entebbe for the Gorilla Trekking excursion later flying out of Kigali or Entebbe International Airports.  Note that one can arrive in Kigali and trek the gorillas in Uganda on a 4Hrs drive from Kigali to Bwindi avoiding the long drive hours(10Hrs) from Entebbe to Bwindi. There is also an option of flying direct from any location in Serengeti into Kigali or Entebbe using a small Aircraft.

Best time to do a Combined Gorilla Trekking and Tanzania Safari Trip

Tailored trips that combine Gorilla Trekking in Uganda or Rwanda with a Tanzania Safari are organized throughout the year as all the three countries enjoy a pleasant climate with average temperatures of 25°C and cool nights most of the times. The most rainy Months in Uganda ,Rwanda and Tanzania are March, April and May with shorter rains in October and November.

Therefore choosing the best time to do a combined Gorilla Trekking and Tanzania Safari trip depends entirely on what you want to see or experience on your Tanzania safari before or after gorilla trekking in Uganda or Rwanda.

If you interested in just seeing wildlife especially the big five animals on your Tanzania part of the safari after or before gorilla trekking, the best time to combine a gorilla trekking and Tanzania safari is throughout the year as Central and Western Serengeti have enormous resident animals including predators that can be seen all year around. Travelers should however note that the Months of March, April and May are the rainiest seasons with some roads becoming slippery and impassable. On a positive note though, It is also during the rainy Months of March and April that tourists can enjoy discounted accommodation rates in most luxury lodges and camps in Tanzania’s parks.

If you interested in encountering the wildebeest Migration, the best time to do a combined Gorilla Trekking and Tanzania Safari depends more on what stage of the great migration you are interested in seeing as explained below:

Monthly Wildebeest Migration Patterns -Routes

Wildebeest Migration Patterns show the routes that the great wildebeest migration takes through the year in both Masai Mara Game Reserve and Serengeti National Park. 

The Great Wildebeest Migration in January, February & March

in January, the migration starts to move into the Ndutu region of the Ngorongoro Conservation Area as the short grass plains here are rich in nutritious grasses providing the herds with the best conditions to raise their newborns and by Mid February calving season is in high gear with approximately 8,000 wildebeest being born every day for a period of approximately 3 weeks. Therefore the area around Lake Ndutu itself is the place to be at this time of year.

The Great Wildebeest Migration in April & May

Usually April brings the first signs of migration with hundreds of thousands of wildebeest beginning their arduous journey across the western plains and finally north.

The herds move through the Ndoha and Dutwa plains adjacent to the Mbalageti River, they may begin to pile up near the Mbalageti and Grumeti Rivers awaiting the crossing, a dangerous obstacle for animals. During these months there is too much wildlife viewing opportunities in both central Serengeti and Western Serengeti

The Great Wildebeest Migration June & July

Usually the rutting season starts in June and you expect to see fierce fighting between competitive males as they vie for the attention of females and it’s around this time that the dry season starts with large concentrations of wildebeest in the Western Serengeti and on the southern banks of the Grumeti River. Each migrating animal must face the challenge of crossing the crocodile-infested river and this dramatic river crossing is one of the most exciting events of the Great Migration

In early July, the hundreds of thousands of wildebeest and zebra continue to head north along the western edge of the park toward an even riskier barrier, the Mara River in northern Serengeti and this river crossing is a memorable and exciting wildlife encounter on Earth. The Mara River Crossings usually start in late July but the precise timing depends on the rains. Therefore if you want to see the Great Migration Grumeti River Crossing, June to early July is the best time to Combine Gorilla Trekking with a Tanzania Safari. 

The Great Wildebeest Migration in Late July, August, September & October

At the start of August, the migration herds have encountered the challenge of crossing the Mara River and are spread across the Northern part the Masai Mara Reserve with many remaining in the northern part of the Serengeti National Park. One should note that there is no single crossing. At some spots, there are just a few individuals while others have a mass of animals moving without break for hours. Therefore if you want to see the Great Migration Mara River Crossing, Late July to early October is the best time to Combine Gorilla Trekking with a Tanzania Safari. 

The Great Wildebeest Migration in November & December Migration

At the end of October or early November, the wildebeest move down from Kenya into the eastern region of the Serengeti past Namiri Plains. By December, the wildebeest herds are spread across the eastern and southern regions and the cycle continues as the calving season starts once again. November and December is a good time to see the animals in Central and Eastern Serengeti

Travelers must note that Central Serengeti (the Seronera Area) can be visited all year around due to the presence of large numbers of resident animals including predators.

What Else Can You Add on Your Combined Gorilla Trekking and Tanzania Safari Trip?

After a Safari and Gorilla Trekking tour in Tanzania and Rwanda or Tanzania travelers may add some activities including Chimpanzee Tracking in Kibale or Nyungwe Parks, Golden Monkey tracking, cultural experiences or even a boat excursion on Lake Bunyonyi or in Akagera National Park. You may also decide to stay by the beaches of Zanzibar, Lake Kivu or Lake Victoria. Travelers with enough time at hand can do additional safari game drives in the different savannah National parks across Uganda and Akagera National Park.

Is It Possible to Do a Road Trip from Tanzania to Rwanda or Uganda and Vice Versa?

Yes, it is possible to take a road trip between Tanzania and Uganda and Rwanda through Mutukula border or Rusumo border respectively. From Arusha or Western Serengeti one connects to these border points through Mwanza City and Bukoba Town. The journey however is a long one and may take up to 2 days on the road.

Where is Gorilla Trekking done in Rwanda and Uganda?

In Rwanda, Gorilla Trekking is done at Volcanoes National Park which is located in the far northwest of Rwanda and home to the endangered mountain gorillas in the rich montane vegetation of bamboo forests and open grasslands while in Uganda Gorilla Trekking is done in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga National Park in South Western Uganda 10 Hours from Kampala and 4 Hours from Kigali Rwanda and the trekking can be done all year around though the dry Months  of June, July, August and September all through to October.

Recommended Combined Gorilla Trekking and Tanzania Safari Tours

6 Days Serengeti Safari and Uganda Gorilla Trekking Tour

The 6 Days Serengeti Safari and Gorilla Trekking in Uganda combines Big Five animals adventures in Serengeti and Ngorongoro with Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi National Park delivering two of Africa’s classic safari experiences in as short time. This Serengeti Safari and Gorilla trekking tour brings you an ultimate wildlife experience in East Africa and it involves viewing of the Big 5 animals such as lion, rhino, leopard, elephant and buffalo and Gorilla trekking in Tanzania and Uganda. While on this tour you will visit Serengeti National park(Central or Western), Ngorongoro conservation Area and Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. The trip starts in Tanzania and ends at Uganda International Airport after Gorilla watching in Bwindi. Request for Quotation

8 Days Uganda Gorilla Trekking and Tanzania Safari Tour

This combined 8 Days Tanzania Safari and Gorilla Trekking tour in Uganda combines a big five Serengeti Safari with a Gorilla Trekking experience in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park giving you an ultimate East African Safari Vacation encounter. The 8 Days Tanzania Safari and Gorilla Trekking Tour takes you to witness two of Africa’s Safari spectacles. This  tour covers the majors wildlife parks of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in Uganda, Ngorongoro Crater, Serengeti National Park and Tarangire National Park in Tanzania. The Tour begins at Uganda International Airport-Rwanda from where you will cross over to Bwindi in Uganda and watch gorillas and thereafter take a flight to Kilimanjaro International Airport to do you safari in Tanzania.  The best time to go for this tour is (All Year around) if your interest in Serengeti is the Big Five animals and (during the Months of May and June) if your interest in Serengeti Grumeti River Crossing Great Migration.  

Please Note that to be able to view the Mara River Crossing Great Migration Serengeti in the Months of Late July, August, September and early October, you will need to adjust this tour to a drive in Fly out  package on the Tanzania part or add two more days to your trip. Request for Quotation

8 Days Rwanda Gorilla Trekking and Tanzania Safari

On this Rwanda Gorilla Trek and Serengeti Great Migration Safari In Tanzania and Rwanda, you will be able to Combine two of East Africa’s most iconic experiences including viewing the wildebeest Migration Mara River Crossing and the Mountain Gorillas in Volcanoes National Park-Rwanda. This package is a drive In-Fly out Itinerary that will help you maximize your time in the Kogatende Area North of Serengeti National Park. The 8 Days Rwanda Gorilla Trekking and Serengeti Great Migration Safari will be customized to your goals to uncover the marvels of East Africa’s untouched wilderness. This Gorilla Trekking and Wildebeest Great Migration multi-country Safari tour will give you an ultimate African Safari Holiday to remember!  Note that this itinerary is recommended for Late July, August and September though it can be adjusted especially on accommodation locations to accommodate traveling in any other month of year. Request for Quotation

10 Days Gorilla Trekking and Zanzibar Holiday

This Gorillas and Zanzibar Beach Holiday is an affordable Uganda Gorilla Trek and Zanzibar tour suitable for honeymooners, family or small group vacation. The 10 Days Gorillas and Zanzibar Beach Holiday takes you on a vacation of a lifetime as you come face to face with the giant gorillas in Bwindi and indulge in the white sand beaches of Zanzibar. Request for Quotation

11 Days Luxury Uganda Gorilla Trekking and Tanzania Safari

This all-inclusive top Luxury Uganda and Tanzania Safari is Serengeti and Gorilla Trekking Tour that combines mountain gorilla trekking in Uganda with game-drives in Serengeti and Ngorongoro crater and Tarangire National Parks in Tanzania. This top Luxury Uganda and Tanzania Safari gives you a full experience of the best of Tanzania’s Northern Circuit and the endangered Mountain Gorillas of Bwindi. The trip begins from Kilimanjaro International Airport and ends at uganda International Airport. Request for Quotation

This itinerary applies for Central Serengeti (Seronera Area) all year around and can as well be combined with game drives in Western Serengeti (Grumeti Area) where you can witness the Grumeti River Crossing in May, June and Early July. If you are interested in witnessing the Mara River Crossing great Migration in Late July, August, September to Early October, the itinerary can be adjusted accordingly and we recommend that you add at least a day or two days to be able to maximize your Mara River Crossing experience in North of Serengeti and you  should consider flying out of Kogatende Airstrip to Arusha or Kilimanjaro on the last day.

Prices & Details for the your Gorilla Trekking from Tanzania Safari 

 Mount Kilimanjaro Guide  will help you book your Gorilla Trekking from Tanzania in Uganda, Rwanda and DR Congo contact us and we advise you on the booking process. We as well have different gorilla trekking safari packages ranging from budget, mid-range to luxury options that we can book for you including the gorilla permits. We guarantee you a great gorilla tour in Uganda, Rwanda and DR Congo with us. Gorilla Trekking from Tanzania This is just an example of what we do; each of our holidays is tailor-made. Contact our Expert team now for them to design a trip that will suit you really well.

DEPARTURE TIME
Flexible

WEAR
Comfortable athletic clothing, hat, jacket and sunscreen.

INCLUDED:

• All activities (unless labeled as optional)
• Park Entrance fees where applicable
• Gorilla Trekking Permit Fees 
• Meals (as specified in the day-by-day section)
• Drinks (as specified in the day-by-day section)
• All accommodation (unless listed as upgrade)
• Accommodation on the day before the tour departs
• Round trip airport transfers
• A professional driver/guide
• All transportation (unless labeled as optional)
• All flights during the tour
• All Taxes/VAT

NOT INCLUDED

• Accommodation on the last day
• International flights (from/to home)
• Tips
• Personal items (souvenirs, travel insurance, visa fees, etc.)
• Some meals (as specified in the day-by-day)