Want to experience luxury gorilla safaris? Choosing the best luxury gorilla tour operators will give you a very special and unforgettable trip. Also called Abercrombie and Kent gorilla trekking, a luxury gorilla trekking experience is something you will always remember.
Since mountain gorillas live only in Uganda, Rwanda, or Congo, seeing them is rare and very special.
I have traveled in East Africa for many years, and I can say my time with gorillas was one of my best experiences.
If you want to book a Uganda luxury safari, consider staying at Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge or Sanctuary Gorilla Forest Camp. Other luxury lodges are also good, but these two are highly recommended.
For Rwanda, I suggest Bisate Lodge or Sabyinyo Silverback Lodge for top luxury, and Mountain Gorilla View Lodge for a more affordable luxury stay.
Luxury trips are also the best option for pregnant travelers going gorilla trekking.
In this article, I explain how a luxury gorilla experience feels and why you should book one. I also list some of the best gorilla trekking companies you can trust with your luxury trip in Uganda or Rwanda.
What does booking a luxury gorilla safari feel like?
It is smooth, stress-free, and memorable. These three words explain how luxury gorilla trekking feels. Imagine flying to and from Bwindi, staying at Clouds or Bisate Lodge, and being driven in luxury 4×4 Land Cruisers. The experience is amazing.
The tour company you book with also matters. Some companies may not give you a true luxury experience. They may offer you an upper mid-range trip instead.
Always check each lodge included in your safari package to confirm its level. You can also check the prices online.
Also, never allow your operator to use a safari van for a luxury safari. Luxury safaris should use flights and 4×4 Land Cruisers only.
Luxury experiences by country
Each country offers a different kind of luxury gorilla experience. Below is what you should expect:
Luxury Gorilla Trekking in Uganda
Uganda has many good lodges for luxury safaris in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.
The only challenge is the long distance to reach Bwindi. Even if you start from Kigali, it still takes 4 to 5 hours to drive to Bwindi.
The best option is to book a scheduled or private flight. Flights take less than 2 hours and save a lot of driving time.
Uganda’s luxury safaris are also cheaper than Rwanda’s. If you want to spend less and still enjoy a luxury trip, Uganda is a good choice.
Luxury Gorilla Trekking in Rwanda
Rwanda is a good place for luxury gorilla trekking. Gorilla tracking is easier here because Volcanoes National Park is only 2 hours from Kigali by road or 15 minutes by helicopter.
Rwanda also has some of the best lodges. No lodge in Uganda matches Bisate Lodge or Sabyinyo Silverback Lodge.
A Rwanda gorilla permit costs $1,500. Rwanda has fewer gorillas than Uganda, even though they claim to have more.
The high price is worth it because the permit fee helps in gorilla conservation.
Since 2018, mountain gorillas are no longer listed as endangered, and this is because of the money raised from permits in Rwanda, Uganda, and Congo.
Only a small part of the permit fee goes to the local community. Most of it supports the gorillas.
Luxury Gorilla Trekking in DR Congo
Congo resumed gorilla trekking in 2019 after the Virunga Foundation hired an international security company to protect the park.
Permits cost $400 in Congo. The best luxury lodge there is Mikeno Lodge.
Only choose Congo if Rwanda or Uganda are not an option. Congo has some informal rules, and foreign tour operators may face challenges.
How to book an unforgettable luxury gorilla tour
Now that you know what luxury gorilla trekking is like, here are a few things that can affect your trip and how to make the right choices:
- Choose the right accommodation: If you’re booking a luxury trip, you should choose the best lodges. Don’t accept mid-range lodges in a luxury package. If possible, book the most expensive lodges. They are costly but will give you real value for your money.
- Means of transportation: If you are trekking in Uganda, reduce the time you spend on the road. Flights are better. Do not drive from Rwanda to Bwindi unless you really want to. The best option is booking a flight from Entebbe to Bwindi. It only takes about 2 hours.
- Which company you book with: Luxury does not mean you must book with a big company. Big brands usually charge much more. Local companies can give you the same trip at a better price. Some of the listed gorilla safari companies offer luxury trips at fair prices.
- Destination: Both Uganda and Rwanda offer great luxury experiences. Rwanda’s only advantage is the short 2-hour drive from Kigali to Volcanoes National Park.
Best place to go
For a luxury experience, I recommend Uganda. If you book flights, you will enjoy a beautiful view of the countryside as you fly for 2 hours.
It’s a good way to begin your gorilla safari.
For better comfort, I suggest Rwanda. Stay at Bisate Lodge or Sabyinyo Silverback Lodge if you can.
Book your luxury gorilla safari now.
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