Ultimate Guide to Gorilla Trekking From Europe
Gorilla trekking from Europe is feasible by flying into major airports in Uganda or Rwanda and then arranging a transfer to a national park like Bwindi Impenetrable, Mgahinga Gorilla or Volcanoes, either by road or domestic flight. Booking a gorilla permit is essential and costs vary based on the country and permit type. The best time to go is during the dry seasons (June–September and December–February) for easier trekking conditions.
Gorilla Trekking From Europe: Albania, Andorra, Austria, Belarus, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Kosovo, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Moldova, Monaco, Montenegro, Netherlands, North Macedonia, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, San Marino, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, Ukraine, United Kingdom, and Vatican City
To go gorilla trekking from Europe, you can book a gorilla trekking tour through European based tour operators specialising in African wildlife holidays (Like: Kabira Gorilla Safaris & The Bespoke African Safari Co.). These tours typically involve flying to Uganda or Rwanda, where trekking takes place in national parks like Volcanoes National Park (Rwanda) or Bwindi Impenetrable National Park (Uganda), often combining it with other activities in East Africa. The gorilla trekking itself requires a reasonable level of fitness, as it can be physically challenging, and involves hiking through dense rainforest to find a gorilla family, where you are allowed a one-hour visit.
How to Plan A Gorilla Trekking From Europe
- Flights: Book international flights to Entebbe International Airport (EBB) in Uganda or Kigali International Airport (KGL) in Rwanda. Airlines such as KLM, Qatar Airways, and Brussels Airlines fly into Uganda, with convenient connections available from major European cities.
- Permits: Purchase a gorilla trekking permit for your chosen location and dates. A standard permit costs $800 for foreign non-residents in Uganda, while a gorilla habituation permit is $1500. Rwanda’s standard permit is $1500 per person. It is highly recommended to book permits well in advance.
- Transfers: From the airport, you can arrange a transfer to the national park. This can be a multi-hour drive or a short domestic flight to a nearby airstrip, depending on your budget and time constraints.
- Accommodation: Options range from budget-friendly guesthouses to high-end lodges with amenities like spas and gourmet dining. Choose accommodation based on your budget and proximity to the park.
- Travel Insurance: Ensure your travel insurance covers medical emergencies, trip cancellations, and lost baggage.
Gorilla Trekking Tours From Europe
All three of the world’s top destinations for mountain gorilla safaris are located in Africa. Safari enthusiasts know that the Congo, Rwanda, and Uganda are the best places to go gorilla trekking through wild, unspoiled rainforests in the hopes of seeing these elusive animals. Everyone who has had the incredible fortune to witness mountain gorillas in their native environment can attest to the fact that it was an experience that left an indelible impression on them.
Those who love animals and travel on safaris often should not miss a gorilla trek because of the unparalleled intimate interactions that participants have. Our Gorilla Trekking Tours From Europe Top Picks:
![Gorilla trekking blog [Uganda Safaris]](https://www.kabiraugandasafaris.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Gorilla-Trekking-Blog-600x400.jpg "Gorilla trekking blog [Uganda Safaris]")
Uganda Gorilla Trekking From Europe
To go gorilla trekking in Uganda from Europe, fly into Entebbe International Airport, book a permit in advance (costing $800 USD for foreign non-residents), and plan your trip during the dry seasons (June-September and December-February) for the best trekking conditions. While trekking is possible year-round, these dry periods offer easier-to-navigate trails with less rainfall, making it simpler to view the gorillas.
Rwanda Gorilla Trekking From Europe
To go gorilla trekking in Rwanda from Europe, fly into Kigali International Airport (KGL), which has direct and connecting flights from major European cities. Once you have your gorilla permit (which costs approximately $1,500), you will travel to Volcanoes National Park, where the trek takes place. Plan your trip well in advance to secure flights and permits, which are in high demand, especially during peak season.
Gorilla Habituation Experience from Europe
A Gorilla Habituation Experience is a program in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, Uganda that allows tourists to spend four hours with a gorilla family currently undergoing habituation, making it a more immersive experience than standard gorilla trekking. From Europe, you can book this experience through a local tour operator in Uganda, which will handle the necessary permits, accommodations, and logistics to get you to Bwindi for the 4-hour encounter.
An innovative and exciting new way to enjoy a wildlife vacation in the African jungles is the Gorilla Habituation Experience, which puts you in close proximity to a family of magnificent mountain gorillas for as long as four hours. For the same fee as a half-hour encounter in Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park, you can spend more time watching and photographing these majestic creatures as they play, groom, and interact with one another. Participating in the important process of acclimating gorillas to human presence is a once in a lifetime opportunity.
Kabira Safaris Africa specializes in gorilla trekking in Rwanda and Uganda from United Kingdom, London, Birmingham, Greater Manchester, Leeds, Glasgow, Edinburgh, Tyneside, Bristol, Sheffield, Liverpool. We provide you with all of the information you need about gorilla permit prices and availability, which gorilla family you should track, when is the best time to visit mountain gorillas, what to pack, how to get there, and what should be the best choice of accommodation.
Gorilla Trekking Destinations
The main gorilla trekking destinations are in Uganda, Rwanda, and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Uganda and Rwanda offer mountain gorilla trekking in parks like Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Volcanoes National Park, respectively, while the DRC offers both mountain gorillas in Virunga National Park and Eastern lowland gorillas in Kahuzi-Biega National Park.
Uganda
- Bwindi Impenetrable National Park: Home to half of the world’s mountain gorillas, this park is a popular and accessible destination with multiple habituated gorilla families.
- Mgahinga Gorilla National Park: Located in the Virunga Mountains, this park offers mountain gorilla trekking and is a good option for seeing the golden monkey as well.
Rwanda
- Volcanoes National Park: This is another key destination for mountain gorillas, located in the Virunga Mountains. Trekking here can be more physically challenging due to high altitude and steep trails.
Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC)
- Virunga National Park: Offers mountain gorilla trekking, but the experience can be more physically demanding due to the terrain.
- Kahuzi-Biega National Park: Located in eastern DRC, this park is the main place to see the Eastern lowland gorilla.
- Odzala-Kokoua National Park: Located in the Republic of the Congo (a different country than the DRC), this park is known for Western lowland gorillas.
