Searching for Africa’s best gorilla trekking companies in Uganda, Rwanda, and DR Congo, or Destination Management Companies (DMCs) for gorilla tours in Africa?
Looking for budget or luxury gorilla tour operators? This guide lists several of them. Gorilla trekking is one of the most common tourism activities in Uganda, Rwanda, and Congo. It brings in thousands of tourists from different countries who travel to enjoy a trek in the natural homes of these amazing animals.
Gorilla trekking is truly a special experience. Being close to animals that share more than 90% of human DNA, show human-like behavior, and also face similar threats is very interesting.
In Uganda and Rwanda, mountain gorillas have helped grow the tourism industry through the money earned from gorilla permits. If you’ve heard about gorilla trekking and want to try it in any of the three countries, this list will help you choose a tour operator that mainly focuses on gorilla trips and knows everything about them.
List of Top 10 Recommended Gorilla Trekking Companies & DMCs
- Magical Gorilla Adventures
- Dream Destination Safaris
- Standard Safaris Ltd
- Gorilla Riddles
- African Gorilla Trekking
- Bwindi Uganda Safaris
- Gorilla Holidays (U) Ltd
- Thousand Hills Travel
- Primate Tours
- Uganda Safaris Adventure
I will continue to update this list with companies I believe can organize excellent treks. Earlier, I shared a general list of Uganda tour operators, but not all of them focus on gorilla tours, even though they are well known. Those companies are better for general wildlife safaris in the countries mentioned.
You may find some companies on both lists. That’s because many of them offer different types of tours across East Africa. I have personally trekked with all the companies listed here, and I have never had a bad experience. Their guides and staff are professional, informed, and helpful.
I always advise travelers to book their gorilla safaris with companies that focus more on gorilla tours. There are many reasons for this, which I will explain in this article so that you can understand the benefits of working with companies that mainly organize gorilla trekking tours in East Africa.
If you are planning to trek gorillas while pregnant, make sure to book with a company that specializes in gorilla safaris.
The list above includes companies from different countries because most of them also operate in neighboring countries. Many already have offices in more than one country to make it easier to help clients. These companies can also organize Uganda gorilla trekking from Kigali or gorilla tours from Entebbe, along with both luxury and budget gorilla safaris.
Why Choose Gorilla Trekking Companies?
Have you searched for reasons but didn’t find clear answers? In this article, I give all the reasons, based on many factors, both from your side and from the tour company’s side. I recommend choosing gorilla tour specialists because of the following reasons:
Knowledgeable
Gorilla trekking companies know a lot about anything related to gorilla tours. They will give you the best advice and the right information for your safari.
If I asked you which country is best for seeing mountain gorillas or which season is better for trekking, you might not know. Even some tour operators may not know. The same goes for questions like whether Uganda or Rwanda is better for trekking. Not everyone has the right answer, but gorilla trekking companies usually do.
They will help you choose the best time for your trek, which gorilla group to book, and how to organize your trip properly. Many travelers don’t know this information, and those who search online often find old or wrong details.
Price
Gorilla trekking companies often offer lower prices depending on the type of lodge you want to book. This is very important, especially in the low season. A company that often sells gorilla trips can easily tell the high and low seasons in Uganda and adjust prices accordingly.
These companies also have good working relationships with many lodges near the trekking areas. Since they send many clients every year, lodges give them special rates. This means you can stay at a lodge that normally costs $300 for just $150. Sometimes, the price can be even lower depending on how many clients a company sends.
This is a great benefit that not all travelers know about—and one you should take advantage of. Offers like this are not easy to find.
Permits are a Priority
Many companies ask clients to pay early, saying they need to buy permits immediately, but they end up buying them just a few days before the safari. This is not good because not every gorilla group gives the best experience, and not all of them are in areas with good accommodation.
Have you ever asked yourself why many travelers prefer trekking in Buhoma? These are some of the reasons. It is hard to get Buhoma permits a few days before your safari—no matter the time of year—unless you book them months in advance as advised.
Gorilla trekking companies understand these issues and always try to book your permits early so they can plan a good trek for you. In most cases, their packages include permits. One good thing about these companies is that they often get permits even when only a few are left.
You should also know that very few companies give refunds for permits if you cancel. Most companies clearly state this in their terms. The only way you can get a refund is if the operator sells your permit to someone else, which can be hard because it is not easy to find another client for the same date. But since gorilla trekking companies sell many gorilla safaris, they have a higher chance of reselling your permit compared to regular operators.
So, what does this mean? If you cancel months before your safari, you have a better chance of getting a refund on your permit. Though not guaranteed, the chances are better with a gorilla trekking company.
Discounts on Permits
Many clients book permits each year, but not all of them actually go for trekking. Some cancel their trips months in advance, and their permits must be resold. These permits are often sold at a lower price, even during the high season. If your safari is on the same date as one of these canceled permits, you could get a discounted permit.
Gorilla trekking companies usually have many permits from earlier bookings. This gives you a better chance of getting a permit at a discount.
Also, these companies offer big discounts in the low season. You might get a trekking permit for as low as $300 or $350. They run such deals to attract more clients. You can read more about Uganda’s high and low tourism seasons if you are not yet familiar.
Lastly, gorilla specialists always try to buy permits for areas with the best lodges. These permits sell out fast and have better resale value than others. The best way to get these is to book early—something that gorilla trekking companies always do.
Knowledgeable Consultants
There is nothing better than working with a consultant who knows a lot about gorilla trekking. These consultants will not only give you advice but also prepare a good itinerary for your trip.
I’ve seen many cases where consultants book lodges far from the trekking area. Clients then have to travel long distances before the trek. A common example is booking a Rushaga permit while your lodge is in Buhoma. This is very unprofessional and rarely happens with gorilla trekking companies.
Always work with consultants who know the gorilla trekking areas well.
Also Read: Step by Step Guide for Booking a Memorable Safari in Uganda
What other benefits come with knowledgeable consultants? From my experience, not many consultants ask about your health or fitness when you book. Most just send you an itinerary with accommodation and prices, ask for payment, and that’s all. Few will stay in touch or ask about your health after you pay—especially if your arrival is months away.
This is important because gorilla trekking is a physical activity and needs a certain level of fitness. Some health conditions could put you at risk. If you are not sure about your fitness, I suggest doing some exercise before the trip to prepare for the trek.
Free Trekking Gear
Some companies offer free trekking gear as a way to attract clients, especially because many people don’t have their own. It is rare to find an operator who gives free gear, but your chances increase if you book with a gorilla trekking company.
To find these offers, visit the operator’s website or contact them directly to ask if they provide free gear. Free gear can save you the trouble of carrying extra luggage or spending more money after arrival. This is especially helpful if you are traveling on a tight budget.
Financially Secure
From my own research, companies that focus on gorilla trekking are usually more financially stable than those that focus mainly on wildlife safaris. This may not apply to every company, but it is always better to book with a financially stable operator. That way, if you cancel, you are more likely to get a refund as stated in the company’s cancellation policy.
Virtual Reality (VR) Gorilla Trekking
Did you know you can experience gorilla trekking from your home through Virtual Reality? We now live in a world where this is possible, and since 2014, VR has become more popular.
New and better VR gear is being released all the time. While you may not be in Bwindi, Volcanoes National Park, or Virunga in real life, VR can give you a clear idea of what gorilla trekking is like.
Of all the tour companies in Uganda, Rwanda, and Congo, I have only seen Matoke Tours promote Virtual Reality Gorilla Trekking. More companies may adopt this in the future.
There are many benefits of booking your gorilla trip with gorilla trekking companies, and the points above are just some of them.
Most of these companies have teams where each consultant handles a specific type of tour. This means that consultants who answer gorilla tour questions are experts in that area. You are likely to get correct and helpful answers fast. These companies will also give you extra advice and tips for your trip—something that many other operators don’t do.
