Mountain gorilla trekking is the world’s most fascinating tourist activity, building a thrilling experience for the tourists to always remember. Mountain gorilla trekking began way back in 1902, when two gorillas were first seen by Robert Von Beringe on the slopes of Mount Sabinyo, making them known. Originally, Rwanda had its first gorilla trekking in 1979, Uganda in 1992, and the Democratic Republic of Congo in 1973. These are the only three African countries where mountain gorilla trekking is possible.

Mountain gorillas were a mystery to humans, until 1902 when Robert Von Beringe shot two gorillas on the slopes of Sabinyo volcano. In his shooting, he was unaware of what exactly he was shooting at. This made the Berline Natural Science Museum name the remains of one silverback “Gorilla Berengei.” Later on in the 1920s, Carl Akeley from the American Museum of Natural History began the study of gorillas. He then created a gorilla sanctuary to look after the gorillas as they were undergoing concrete study.

In 1959, official scientific research on gorillas was started by George Schaller whose work was carried on by Dr Dian Fossey after being believed in by the Leakey family. This put efforts into funding Dr Dian Fossey’s study as a primatologist. With great influence from Dr Goodall, Dian Fossey made various efforts to ensure mountain gorillas are protected starting with research at Kabara in DRC.

Dr Dian Fossey faced tragedy at Kabara along with her team, forcing them to shift their research to Rwanda in 1967 forming her own Karisoke Research Center. As she upgraded with her studies, more funds were generated for the care of the mountain gorillas. Sadly, she lost her beloved gorilla to the hands of the poachers forcing her to increase protection by forming the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund International. Her works were so astonishing that they impressed the National Geographical magazine and put her on the front cover. This made the gorillas more famous and as she published “Gorillas in the Mist”, the world was inspired to experience life with gorillas. By the time of her death, gorilla conservation was paramount giving birth to numerous gorilla individuals today.

Gorilla Trekking in Uganda

In Uganda, surveys were made in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park during the 1980s and was found worthy for the conservation of the mountain gorillas as well as other endemic species. The ancient Mubwindi forest was later designated as Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in 1991 receiving its first gorilla trekking in 1992 with the Mubare gorilla family in the Buhoma sector. The gorilla population increased as more families got habituated forming the Rushaga sector, Nkuringo sector, and Ruhija sector amounting to four gorilla sectors of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Bwindi has over 26 habituated gorilla families in all four gorilla sectors open for gorilla trekking all year round. On the other hand, Mgahinga Gorilla National Park has over 100 gorilla individuals with only one habituated gorilla family open for trekking. These two national parks are the only national parks in Uganda where mountain gorillas can be found.

Gorilla Trekking in Rwanda

The theology of mountain gorillas in Rwanda saturates around Dr. Dian Fossey an American primatologist who spearheaded the conservation of mountain gorillas. She formed a research center called “Karisoke Research Center” in Rwanda making her become “Nyiramacibiri” meaning “the woman who lives in the mountain”. This name was given to her by the local people. She formed the Dian Fossey Fund International after the death of her beloved gorilla and two gorilla families next to Karisoke Research Center which was selected for the habituation process. She successfully received group 11 gorilla family as the first habituated gorilla family in Rwanda. Group 11 was opened for gorilla trekking in 1979 in October with residents of Kigali as its first tourists, followed by Europeans from Trans Africa landers in November of the same year.

Today, gorilla trekking in Rwanda is done in Volcanoes National Park, habiting over 380 mountain gorillas and about 12 habituated gorilla families open for gorilla trekking. These include the Susa, Sabinyo, Amahoro, Agashya, Kwitondo, Umubano, Kwisanga, Igisha, Muhoza, and Isimbi gorilla families.

Gorilla Trekking in the Democratic Republic of Congo

Gorilla trekking in the Democratic Republic of Congo takes place in Virunga National Park for the mountain gorillas. However, due to the ongoing security conflict between the M23 rebels and government forces Virunga National Park is temporarily closed for mountain gorilla trekking. It is only Kahuzi-Biega National Park open for Eastern lowland gorilla trekking.

What are the gorilla trekking permit rates for the three countries?

Gorilla trekking permits vary for each of the three countries as listed below in the 2024-2025 permit rating.

Below are the gorilla trekking permit rates for gorilla destinations in East Africa

Rwanda

Rwanda has 96 gorilla permits available daily and this is the most expensive gorilla destination in East Africa compared to Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Foreign non-resident permits cost USD 1,500 per person

Foreign resident’s permits cost USD 500 per person

Rwanda and East African citizens cost USD 200 per person

The rest of the African countries cost USD 500 per person

Uganda

Foreign non-resident permits cost USD 800 per person

Foreign resident permits cost USD 700 per person

East African citizen permits cost USD 80 per person

For citizens of other African countries permits cost USD 500 per person

The Democratic Republic of Congo

Permits in DRC are generally USD 400 per person

When is the best time to do gorilla trekking?

Apart from DRC which is closed for mountain gorilla trekking, the other two countries Rwanda and Uganda are open for gorilla trekking all year round. However, the best time for gorilla trekking is during the dry season. For Uganda, the dry seasons run from June to August and from December to February. These are a bit wet since Bwindi and Mgahinga are in the rainforest zone. In Rwanda, the dry season runs from June to September, and then from December to February. During the dry season, the trails are dry permitting tourists to move with a lot of ease since the vegetation is usually sparse and the gorillas are ever enjoying the warm environment moving from one place to another.

The wet season is a good one as well to experience the green nature of the rainforests. It is also perfect for visitors traveling on a budget since accommodation facilities lower their prices. It is during this season that there is little movement from the mountain gorillas making it very easy to track them down. In the wet season, mountain gorillas are concealed in one place for warmth and there is always plenty to eat, unlike the dry season when they move for fresh food and fruits.