Is Gorilla Trekking Worth the Money? -Uganda, Gorilla Safari 2025
Is gorilla trekking worth the money? The Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) – Is gorilla trekking worth the money, time & effort? Is it really worth to go gorilla trekking in Uganda, Rwanda and Congo? One of the Frequently Asked gorilla trekking safaris Questions: Is gorilla tracking or trekking worth the money and we can honestly say YES!
Absolutely no wildlife experience beats gorilla trekking in Uganda, Rwanda and Congo. You meet the massive mountain gorillas relaxed in the thick African jungles – this is mind-blowing, an experience like no other. It is a lifechanging adventure though every trekker experiences it differently.
Interestingly, all questions about gorilla safaris get answered after an encounter with these closest cousins to humans. At that moment, what strikes your mind are the words of David Attenborough “Spending time with these gentle creatures in the wild was a profoundly moving experience.”
Is gorilla trekking worth the money, effort & time? Yes, tracking to meet the massive mountain gorillas in the wild is a dream come true. Mountain gorilla safaris are only carried out in 3 locations: Uganda, Rwanda & Congo, East Africa. In the 3 countries, only 4 African safari parks offer this thrilling experience: Volcanoes National Park for Rwanda, Virunga National Park Congo, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park.
Understanding if gorilla trekking is worth the money, time and effort
Is gorilla trekking worth the money? Yes, trekking gorillas in Africa is one of the costly experiences. To most trekkers who have had time to go gorilla safaris in Africa, if asked “is gorilla trekking worth the money, time and effort?” The honest answer will be “truly, it is a priceless experience.”
Trekking gorillas comes at a cost, but within visitor pocket range and most travelers have had double gorilla trekking in Uganda and Rwanda. This is possible on 4 days double gorilla safari in Uganda, 3 days gorilla safari in Rwanda or 4 days Uganda gorilla trekking & Fly gorilla habituation experience.
In Uganda, the price for gorilla permits is USD 800 for foreign non-residents, USD 700 foreign residents & shs. 300,000 for East African citizens; habituation permits cost USD1500 for foreign residents, USD1000 foreign non-residents & shs.750,000 East African citizens. In Rwanda, gorilla permits are available at USD1500 – is gorilla trekking worth the money? Yes, purchasing a gorilla permit or embarking on gorilla safaris is the wisest decision you can make.
Conservation efforts facilitation
Success in mountain gorilla conservation and protection hasn’t come from no where but with facilitation from gorilla tourism, gorilla safaris, gorilla trekking tours. What you pay for gorilla trekking experience is invested in running several gorilla activities and because of efforts invested in saving the lives of these apes, their number has steadily increased to currently over 1063.
Uganda and Rwanda have tourism revenue sharing initiatives – where in Uganda, 20% of the park entry fees in given back to the local community and in Rwanda, 10%. There are several local community projects that are facilitated. The whole idea is to ensure that they embrace not only gorilla tourism/conservation but also protection of other wildlife.
Is gorilla trekking worth the money, effort? Embarking on guided gorilla trekking is an investment worth one’s time, effort, money. This is a once-in-a-lifetime experience, imagine meeting mountain gorillas in the wild, because you can’t find them at any zoo, except only in Uganda, Rwanda and Congo.
A typical gorilla trekking safari requires 3 days or more to have ultimate experience with these rare species in their natural habitat. On normal gorilla treks, you get to enjoy strictly one hour face-to-face with these large apes, then during gorilla habituation, 4 hours. Meeting mountain gorillas in the wild lets you affirm how close we are to them, 98% of their DNA is same to ours – this is what makes them our closest relative besides chimpanzees.
Is gorilla tracking worth the money? Mountain gorillas are endangered and considering their status, they need to be protected from extinction. Not more than 1063 of them still thrive on planet and only spotted on gorilla safari in Uganda, Rwanda and Congo.
Abundant wildlife
A gorilla safari in Uganda, Rwanda or Congo offers a special treat to nature lovers. Not only do you get to meet mountain gorillas, but also a range of other faunal and floral species. These apes share the same habitat with important wildlife species including chimpanzees, grey cheeked mangabeys, l’hoest monkeys, red colobus monkeys, red-tailed monkeys, baboons, etc.
There is also possibility to incorporate ultimate guided gorilla safaris and game viewing in the savanna parks. The key places for wildlife safaris include Lake Mburo National Park, Murchison Falls National Park, Queen Elizabeth National Park and for longer Uganda safaris, you can combine Kidepo Valley National Park.
Tanzania safaris, Kenya safaris can also be incorporated with Uganda, Rwanda gorilla safaris, visit Maasai Mara National Reserve or Serengeti National Park Tanzania for wildebeest migration and transfer to Uganda/Rwanda to see mountain gorillas. The Big 5 game safaris and gorilla tours can also be arranged – 6 days gorillas and wildlife in Uganda/Rwanda/Kenya/Tanzania.
When should you travel to see gorillas in Uganda, Rwanda or Congo?
Seeing gorillas in Uganda, Rwanda and Congo is possible at any time of the year, but the dry season is perfectly the best. The dry season for gorilla safaris is best done from June, July, August, September & December, January, February.
The rest of the months are also important: the rainy season, March, April, May and October, November. The challenge though is it is when heavy rains are recorded and the floor can be muddy or slipper, but it is possible to go gorilla safari in Uganda, Rwanda or Congo, Africa.
What to pack -gorilla tracking/trekking Uganda, Rwanda or Congo
Regardless of the season, pack well and don’t miss to include a good camera with no flashlight, first aid kit, long trousers, sweaters, bottled water, insect repellents, sturdy and waterproof trekking/hiking boots, rain jacket or poncho, energy giving snacks, bottled water for drinking, gardening gloves, insect repellents, pair of socks, daypack and more.
Is gorilla trekking hard – how difficult is it?
Before you meet gorillas in the wild, you engage in a trek through the dense African rain-forests. It takes some good hours, about 2-6 navigating through the forest and it requires some level of physical fitness.
Is gorilla worth the money?
Yes, gorilla trekking is 100% worth the money. This primate adventure is beyond ones thought of packing bags, taking a flight to Uganda, Rwanda or D.R. Congo and trek gorillas in their habitat. The entire adventure is mind blowing and to most guests, it is one of the priceless experiences.
How many days do you need for gorilla trekking?
A normal gorilla trekking tour requires at least 3 days minimum. The 3 days Uganda gorilla safari for instance includes day one for transfer to the park, day 2 for actual gorilla trekking and day 3, you depart back to Kampala or Entebbe.