Rwanda Tours; Gorilla Trekking & Wildlife Safaris in East & Central Africa
Lets Go Tours Rwanda offers you guided gorilla trekking tours to Uganda, Rwanda and Congo at a discount! Are you planning an African safari to see the endangered mountain gorillas in the jungle? Our gorilla safaris take you deep into the jungle forests of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, Mgahinga Gorilla National park, Volcanoes and Virunga National Park. In addition to gorilla trips, Lets Go Tours Rwanda offers customized wildlife safaris, in the savannah park of Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda and Rwanda giving you chance to encounter big five and other numerous wild animals in the wilderness.
The great annual wildebeest migration in Serengeti and Masai National Park is a lifetime experiment you will live to remember. The amazing chimpanzee trekking done in Kibale Forest Uganda and Nyungwe Forest is your opportunity to meet up with your close relatives. For adventure travelers, Lets Go Tours Rwanda offers guided mountaineering tours to conquer the active Nyiragongo Volcano in Virunga National park Congo, The snow capped Mount Rwenzori in Uganda and the iconic Mount kilimanjaro in Tanzania among other mountains across Africa. With over 10 years of service in the tours and travel industry, Lets Go Tours Rwanda has arranged numerous short and long gorilla trips and other other wildlife safaris or solo and group travelers. Our cultural tours to the Gorilla Guardian Village and other cultural sites in Uganda, Rwanda and other African countries give you chance to learn different traditions, norms, cultures and beliefs of African people.
We offer custom trips from budget to luxury holidays for all kinds of travelers. Our tours extend to the rest of East Africa to cover Kenya wildlife safaris, Tanzania and Zanzibar.
EXPLORE TOP TRAVEL DESTINATIONS IN AFRICA WITH LETS GO TOURS RWANDA
WHY TRAVEL WITH LETS GO TOURS RWANDA?
- Experience – Lets Go Tours Rwanda has over 15 years experience in handling clients who visit East Africa.
- Our driver guide guides are born and raised in East Africa with vast knowledge about wildlife, culture, and people
- We offer pocket friendly safaris. All safaris are tailormade to meet our clients budget and time
- We custom design safaris to match your travel style and dreams.
- Our vehicles are specially designed with quality and comfort in mind
Featured Gorilla Tours & Wildlife Safaris
Classic Game Viewing Tours
Book a 3 Days 3 Akagera National park tour for classic wildlife viewing and boat cruise at Lake Ihema with Lets Go Tours Rwanda. Read More
Enjoy a 3 Days Serengeti National Park safari with Lets Go Tours Rwanda. Discover birds and wild animals in Serengeti Game Reserve. Read More
Be part of our tailored 3 Days Murchison Falls game tour for game viewing & boat cruise experience with Lets Go Tours Rwanda. Read More
Customized 3 Days Queen Elizabeth National Park tour for exceptional game viewing & launch cruise at Kazinga channel with Lets Go Tours Rwanda. Read More
Book a tailored 6 Days Serengeti & Zanzibar safari with Lets Go Tours Rwanda. Big game and zanzibar beaches on this 6 Days Tanzania game Safari. Read More
The 10 Days Kenya & Tanzania game safari is an excellent package to explore wild animals and birds in the two countries with Lets Go Tours Rwanda. Read More
Guide to Gorilla Trekking in Uganda, Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo
Since gorilla trekking is the best wildlife experience which bring most travelers to Africa, Lets Go Tours Rwanda gives you a detailed guide on gorilla tours in Uganda, Rwanda & Congo. Before confirming any gorilla safari to Africa, travelers are advised to read these common questions and their answers to ensure a lifetime experience.
Where is the best place to trek gorillas?
Uganda, Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo are the only places to see mountain gorillas in their natural habitats. There are roughly 1006 mountain gorillas surviving in the jungles forest of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest and the Virunga Conservation Area shared by Mgahinga Gorilla Park in Uganda, Virunga National Park in Congo and Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda. Uganda is home to half of the world’s total population followed by Rwanda. Gorilla trekking experience in each country is exceptional and unique in its own kind. You can do gorilla treks in all countries for better comparisons and experience.
What is the cost of gorilla trekking in Africa?
Gorilla trekking costs depend on which country you chose to visit for these endangered species. In Uganda, each gorilla permit costs $700 for foreign nonresidents, $600 for foreign residents and UGX 250,000 for East Africa citizens. In Rwanda, each permit costs $1500 while in Congo; a single gorilla permit costs $450. Rwanda offers the most expensive gorilla permits which make it a luxury gorilla destination compared to the neighboring Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo. The gorilla permit cost includes park entrance fee, conservation fee, government taxes and ranger guide fee.
When is the best time to see gorillas?
Dry season between June to September and December to February is rated the best time for gorilla trekking in Africa. This season is mostly dry with les or no rains which make it easy to trek through the jungles in search for the endangered gorillas. Travelers visiting in the dry season are advised to book gorilla permits as early as six months in advance due to high demand for these gorilla passes.
How long is gorilla trekking time?
The length of gorilla trekking experience is not specific. This depends on the location of mountain gorillas and the physical fitness/hiking speed of travelers. The trekking time can range between 2 to over 8 hours. However, the allowed time with the endangered gorillas is strictly an hour counted from the time you meet the gorillas.
What is the age limit for gorilla trekking?
In all gorilla countries, the age limit is 15 years. This means that only travelers aged 15 years and above are allowed to trek the endangered mountain gorillas in Uganda, Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
What to pack for gorilla trekking?
Travelers visiting gorillas are reminded to pack the right attires and other essentials to ensure a peaceful trek. Your gorilla trekking packing list should include hiking boots/shoes, gardening gloves, hat, sunglasses, rain jacket, Scarf, warm sweaters. The other essentials to carry include insect repellents, first aid kit, bottled drinking water, toiletries, energy giving snacks and emergency medicine.
What are gorilla trekking add-ons?
There are many interesting activities you can add on your gorilla trekking experience. These include chimpanzee trekking, cultural tours, bird watching, mountaineering, game viewing, nature walks, golden money trekking, camping, wildebeest migration and city tours among others. These complement gorilla trekking making your African safari more enjoyable. Depending on you available time and budget, you can choose any additional activity to do along your gorilla trekking experience.
How many people are allowed to visit a gorilla family?
Each people are allowed to visit a gorilla family each day. Tis means that each gorilla family has 8 permits available for travelers.
What about gorilla habituation experience?
Gorilla habituation experience is the act of training wild gorillas to familiarize them with people. The 2-3 years’ experience takes place in Rushaga sector in southern Bwindi Forest. Apparently, 2 gorilla families are undergoing habituation experience and only four people are allowed to visit each family. There are therefore only 8 habituation permits available every day. Travelers are allowed to spend four hours with the wild gorillas in the jungle.
What are the rules and regulations of gorilla trekking?
At the start of each gorilla trekking day, travelers are briefed on the rules and regulations of gorilla trekking experience. These guidelines have been put by conservation bodies in Uganda, Rwanda & Congo to ensure safety of the endangered gorillas and travelers. These include:
• Keep a distance of 7 meters away from the gorillas
• Do not trek gorillas when sick
• Do not look direct into the eyes of the gorillas
• Do not eat or drink when with the gorillas
• Do not touch the gorillas
• Do not use flashlight cameras
• Do not litter anything in the park. Leave only the footprints
• Do not pluck any vegetation from the park
• Follow the footsteps of your ranger guide
• Use a low tone when communicating
• Spend strictly an hour with the gorillas
• Keep within your group/ do not move away from your group members.
Validity of gorilla permit
The mountain gorilla permit is valid for an hour. After seeing the gorillas, the permit is claimed expired.
Do I own the gorilla permit?
No, travelers do not own the gorilla permit even after paying. The permit remains a property of the respective government. At the start of the trekking day, travelers are asked to submit gorilla permits to the park managers. Permits are recycled and reused.
What I fail to see the gorillas?
In rare cases when travelers fail to see mountain gorillas after a full day of searching, they are given a second chance to trek again without paying. However, if a traveler fails to see gorillas due to his/her weaknesses such failure to hike or sickness, he/she loses the permit and the chance to trek. He will be asked to pay again for another trekking chance.
Can the elderly and travelers with disabilities trek gorillas?
Yes, elderly and physically unfit travelers also have a chance to trek gorillas. There are sedan chairs at the park headquarters for hire. Here travelers are lifted to and from the jungle by local porters.