Booking a Gorilla Tour as Addition to Kenya Safari

Are you planning or you have booked a safari in Kenya but you are also interested in seeing the Mountain Gorillas, booking a Gorilla Tour as Addition to Kenya Safari at end or start of Kenya Safari is the best option. For adding a gorilla tour to the end of your Kenya safari, it would be efficient to look at options in Uganda or Rwanda or DR Congo, as both are accessible from Kenya with a short flight.

Here are a few ways for booking a Gorilla Tour as Addition to Kenya Safari:

1. Fly from Kenya Nairobi (NBO) to Kigali, Rwanda: Kigali is close to Volcanoes National Park, where you can arrange gorilla trekking. This option is straightforward, with Kigali’s international airport well-connected to Kenya.
2. Fly from Kenya Nairobi (NBO) to Entebbe, Uganda: From Entebbe, you could either fly or drive to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, which is Uganda’s prime gorilla trekking area. This could be part of a short tour ending in either Entebbe or Kigali, if you prefer a different departure point.

Costs & Considerations for booking a Gorilla Tour as Addition to Kenya Safari

1. Gorilla Permits:
   • Rwanda: $1,500 per person.
   • Uganda: $800 per person ($1,500 for habituation).
2. Transport:
   • International flights (Nairobi–Kigali or Nairobi–Entebbe): $300–500 round trip.
   • Domestic flights in Uganda (Entebbe–Bwindi): $250–350 round trip.
3. Lodges:
   • Rwanda: High-end lodges $500–1,200 per night; mid-range $200–500.
   • Uganda: Luxury lodges $300–700 per night; mid-range $150–300.
4. Visa:
   • East African Tourist Visa ($100): Covers Kenya, Uganda, and Rwanda.
5. Fitness: Moderate fitness is required for trekking. Trails can be steep and muddy.

Gorilla trekking is a popular and unique wildlife experience in Africa, offering visitors the chance to observe these majestic primates in their natural habitats. The major gorilla trekking to choose from for booking a Gorilla Tour as Addition to Kenya Safari at end or start of Kenya Safari include:

1. Uganda

• Bwindi Impenetrable National Park: Located in southwestern Uganda, this UNESCO World Heritage site is home to about half of the world’s mountain gorillas. The dense, misty forest provides an enchanting backdrop for gorilla trekking.
• Mgahinga Gorilla National Park: Also in southwestern Uganda, this park is part of the larger Virunga Conservation Area. It hosts one habituated gorilla family and offers scenic views of the Virunga volcanoes.

2. Rwanda

• Volcanoes National Park: Situated in the northwest of Rwanda, this park is famous for its role in the work of Dian Fossey and her efforts to study and conserve mountain gorillas. The park offers well-organized treks and a high probability of successful gorilla sightings.

3. Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC)

• Virunga National Park: Located in eastern DRC, Virunga is Africa’s oldest national park and one of the most biologically diverse areas on the continent. Despite security concerns in the region, it offers incredible gorilla trekking experiences.
• Kahuzi-Biega National Park: Also in the DRC, this park is one of the last refuges of the eastern lowland gorillas (Grauer’s gorillas). The park provides an opportunity to see these less commonly visited gorillas in a beautiful montane and lowland forest setting.

Here’s a detailed plan to incorporate a gorilla trekking tour into your Kenya safari:

---

Phase 1: Kenya Safari

Day 1–5 (or longer): Explore Kenya’s Top Safari Parks

1. Masai Mara (3–4 days)
   • Experience the Great Migration (July–October) and spot the Big Five.
   • Stay at luxury lodges or tented camps within or near the park.
   • Activities: Game drives, hot air balloon safaris, cultural visits to Maasai villages.
2. Amboseli National Park (2–3 days)
   • Marvel at large elephant herds with Mount Kilimanjaro as a backdrop.
   • Activities: Game drives, guided nature walks, bird-watching.

End Phase 1 in Nairobi.

• Optional: Visit Giraffe Centre or Karen Blixen Museum if time permits.

---

Phase 2: Gorilla Trekking (3–4 Days)

You can fly to Rwanda (Volcanoes National Park) or Uganda (Bwindi Impenetrable Forest) for gorilla trekking.

---

Option 1: Rwanda

• Day 1:
  • Fly Nairobi to Kigali (~1.5 hours).
  • Take a scenic 2–3 hour drive to Volcanoes National Park.
  • Stay at a lodge near the park, such as Sabyinyo Silverback Lodge or Virunga Lodge.
• Day 2:
  • Gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park.
    • Begin early with a briefing by park rangers at Kinigi headquarters.
    • Trek for 2–6 hours to see a gorilla family in their natural habitat.
    • Spend 1 hour observing and photographing gorillas.
  • Optional: Afternoon cultural visit to Iby’Iwacu Village.
• Day 3:
  • Optional: Golden monkey trekking or a hike to Dian Fossey’s grave.
  • Drive back to Kigali for a city tour (e.g., Kigali Genocide Memorial).
  • Evening flight back to Nairobi or onward destination.

---

Day 1: Arrival and Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

• Morning: Arrive at Entebbe International Airport (or start from your hotel in Kampala/Entebbe).
  • Optional: Depending on your arrival time, you might explore Kampala or Entebbe briefly.
• Mid-Morning to Afternoon: Begin your journey to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. This drive takes approximately 8-10 hours.
  • Scenic Views: Enjoy the beautiful Ugandan countryside, passing through towns, farmlands, and the equator line for a photo opportunity.
  • Lunch: Stop for lunch en route in a local town such as Mbarara.
• Evening: Arrive in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.
  • Check-In: Settle into your lodge. Options range from budget to luxury accommodations.
  • Dinner: Enjoy dinner at your lodge.
  • Overnight: Stay at the lodge.

Day 2: Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi

• Early Morning: Have an early breakfast and prepare for the gorilla trek.
  • Briefing: Report to the park headquarters for a briefing by the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) rangers. You’ll be assigned to a gorilla group.
• Morning to Afternoon: Begin the gorilla trek.
  • Trekking: The trek can last from 2 to 8 hours depending on the location of the gorilla family. It involves hiking through dense forest, so a reasonable level of fitness is required.
  • Gorilla Encounter: Spend up to one hour with the gorillas once you find them. Observe their behavior, take photographs, and enjoy this once-in-a-lifetime experience.
• Afternoon: Return to the lodge for lunch.
  • Relaxation: Rest after the trek or take a guided nature walk/community visit to learn about the local Batwa culture.
• Evening: Dinner at the lodge.
  • Overnight: Stay at the lodge.

Day 3: Return to Kampala/Entebbe

• Morning: Breakfast at the lodge and check out.
• Mid-Morning to Afternoon: Begin the journey back to Kampala or Entebbe.
  • Lunch: Stop for lunch en route.
  • Optional: Visit Igongo Cultural Centre near Mbarara or the equator line for souvenirs and photos.
• Evening: Arrive in Kampala/Entebbe.
  • Departure: Depending on your flight schedule, transfer to Entebbe International Airport for your departure or check into your hotel if staying an extra night.

Inclusions and Exclusions

Inclusions:

• Gorilla trekking permit
• All transportation (4×4 safari vehicle)
• Professional English-speaking driver/guide
• Meals as specified in the itinerary
• Accommodation for two nights
• Bottled water during the trek

Exclusions:

• International flights
• Visa fees
• Personal travel insurance
• Tips and gratuities
• Alcoholic beverages and additional meals not mentioned in the itinerary
• Optional activities such as the Batwa community visit (if not included)

Tips for the Trip

• Packing: Bring sturdy hiking boots, long-sleeved shirts, waterproof jacket, insect repellent, sunscreen, hat, and gardening gloves for the trek.
• Fitness: Ensure you are in good physical condition for the trek.
• Permits: Book your gorilla trekking permits well in advance, as they are limited and in high demand.
• Camera: Bring a good camera with extra batteries and memory cards.

Flying to Kigali, Rwanda or Entebbe international Airport, Uganda

You will have an option of flying into Kigali or Entebbe to visit Uganda, Rwanda or Congo for gorilla trekking. Many people prefer flying into Kigali and trek mountain gorillas in Bwindi. The main reason for this is to avoid long drives involved from Entebbe. Check our Uganda safaris from Kigali and get back to us. Those that fly into Entebbe will enjoy a scenic drive that will see you stop at the equator crossing, a chance to have a look at the ankle long-horned cows as well as the rolling hills of Kigezi. Whichever Airport you will use, we will assist in airport transfers as well as the transport to and from Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.

Booking a Gorilla Tour as Addition to Kenya Safari Through Eco Adventure Safaris?

Eco Adventure Safaris has positioned herself as one of the leading tour operators offering authentic and value-for-money gorilla treks to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Mgahinga National Park, Virunga National Park and Volcanoes National Park. We endeavor to provide accurate and timely information that you can rely on to organize Gorilla trekking on New year in Africa. Our staff are always on standby to assist you with all the arrangements, and if you need more information about our service, please visit our website for more information and options about booking a Gorilla Tour as Addition to Kenya Safari.