The world’s best places to visit to trek gorillas in 2025 are Uganda, Rwanda, & Congo. Of the 3 popular gorilla trekking destinations on the African continent, Rwanda and Uganda are the safest, while Congo is still unstable. Both destinations have ideal national parks for you to visit to see gorillas in the wild. Overall, there are 5 parks that you can explore more about gorillas in Africa, with 2 existing in Uganda alone. Below is the list of the destinations in Africa to visit to trek gorillas in 2025.
Where to trek gorillas in Uganda?
The key places present for you to go trek gorillas in Uganda include Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. These two gorilla national parks offer refuge to more than 50% of the world’s 1,063 mountain gorillas. This makes Uganda an outstanding gorilla destination with the highest concentration of mountain gorillas. Uganda also has abundant opportunities for you to trek these unique wildlife in their habitats. Access to Mgahinga or Bwindi is possible for all visitors, both by road and by air. Using road transportation, a visitor can get to Bwindi or Mgahinga in a 9-10-hour drive. But the quickest option is air travel, where you can depart from the main Entebbe Airport to Kisoro/Kihihi Airfield.
What makes Uganda the best place to trek gorillas?
Abundant gorilla trekking alternatives. Uganda alone is home to many habituated gorilla groups, thus providing visitors with a higher chance to engage in the trek with mountain gorillas. About 50 gorilla families reside in the jungles of Bwindi, with 24 habituated and available to trek 24 and one in Mgahinga. Visitors choose their ideal location or trailhead to begin their trek with a group of mountain gorillas. The main sectors of interest for gorilla safaris in Uganda include Ntebeko in Mgahinga, plus 4 that are in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, including Rushaga, Buhoma, Ruhija, and Nkuringo.
Affordable gorilla tours. Uganda is the right location for all primate adventure seekers in search of budget-friendly gorilla safaris in Africa. At only USD 800 per visitor, you can obtain a valid gorilla permit to go trek gorillas in either Mgahinga or Bwindi. The cost of Uganda gorilla permits is lower than the price for Rwandan gorilla trekking permits.
Enjoy more than standard gorilla treks. Uganda is where you can have plenty of other unique experiences, including a gorilla habituation experience. With habituation experience, a visitor gets 4 hours to interact with a group of mountain gorillas and take pictures, which is far beyond the standard treks, with 1 hour of observing these apes. To enjoy this special primate adventure, you can book a permit for USD 1,500.
Combine other experiences with ease. Uganda is a flexible destination with visitors having a myriad of other experiences to include on their bucket list. The additional experiences are available within the same gorilla trekking destinations and also the nearby sites like Queen Elizabeth National Park, most popular for its rare tree-climbing lions, plus other diverse savanna and aquatic species.
If you are interested in epic chimpanzee treks, Uganda is the best place to be, with a visitor having over 5 options to choose from to enjoy their search for habituated chimpanzee communities. The nearby and exceptional chimpanzee trekking destination is Kibale National Park, which shelters more than 1,500 chimpanzees and an additional 12 primate species.
Where to trek gorillas in Rwanda (2025)?
Volcanoes National Park is where you should expect to start your trek with the Rwanda gorillas. Volcanoes NP is a historic destination, the prime spot where the world’s famed primatologist, Dian Fossey, spent 18 years while learning more about gorillas and also ensuring that they and their habitat are safe. This park is nestled in the scenic Virunga Mountain region and boasts unique landscapes plus diverse wildlife.
Why visit Volcanoes National Park before 2025 ends?
Easier access & luxury experience. Volcanoes National Park is the easiest place to consider for your gorilla trekking adventures in Africa. In just 2-3 hours of driving from the heart of Kigali, you can reach Volcanoes National Park. Besides the easier access, there are top-notch accommodation properties that make it a desirable high-end destination. They include the luxurious wilderness Bisate Lodge, Singita, and more.
The cost of the permits for Volcanoes National Park is perfect for luxury travel, with each available for booking at USD 1,500 per person. Obtaining the Rwanda or Uganda gorilla permits is easier when you deal with an expert like Montero Safaris.
Where to trek Congo gorillas (2025)?
Congo is another budget destination to consider for African gorilla trekking experiences. In the DRC, the main areas of interest for you to see gorillas include Kahuzi-Biega and Virunga National Park. The Kahuzi-Biega National Park shelters mainly the Eastern Lowland gorillas (Grauer’s gorillas), and the park currently hosts more than 5 habituated groups. The Virunga National Park is Congo’s ideal place for you to find the rare mountain gorillas. It is an extensive park with an area coverage of 7,800 square kilometers and holds over 8 habituated gorilla groups.
Why visit the Congo gorillas? Congo offers both Eastern Lowland and Mountain gorilla treks at affordable rates. A single permit for trekking any of the two subspecies of gorillas in Congo costs USD 400 per visitor. The ideal accommodation options to stay, especially in the Virunga, include Tchegera Island Camp, Mikeno Lodge, and Kibumba Tented Camp.
When should you go to trek gorillas in 2025?
Gorillas in Uganda, Rwanda, or Congo are best visited during the dry seasons, although it is possible to enjoy the treks at any time of the year. The drier months of the year mainly occur from June to September (considered to be the longest session), and December to February are also noted to be shorter dry peak months. These peak months come with a high visitor population, unlike the peak wet or low season that extends from March to May and also from October to November.
Conclusively, to experience the unmatched gorilla trekking adventure in Africa, Uganda and Rwanda are ideal places to consider. Book your gorilla expedition with Montero Safaris and explore mountain gorillas in Bwindi, Mgahinga, and Volcanoes National Parks.