Rwanda & Uganda Gorilla Safaris with Trek Rwanda Gorillas
Trek Rwanda Gorillas is a licensed tour operator running gorilla trekking safaris in Rwanda and Uganda since 2009. We book your gorilla permit, private 4x4 and driver-guide, and lodges — from a 1-day gorilla trek in Volcanoes National Park to 14-day trips that add Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, chimpanzees in Nyungwe and Kibale, and Big Five game drives in Akagera. Rwanda gorilla permits cost US$1,500; Uganda permits cost much less, which is why many travellers trek in Bwindi.
A Licensed Rwanda & Uganda Tour Operator Behind Every Trip
Before you pay for a gorilla permit, it's worth knowing exactly who is booking it. Trek Rwanda Gorillas is the safari brand of Maranatha Tours & Travel, a licensed Rwanda tour operator registered with the Rwanda Development Board (RDB) under RDB Licence No. RDB/TL/2019/07/TO/10116 and Uganda Tourism Board (UTB) under UTB Licence No. UTB/RTT/TT/2024/101151. We have run gorilla trekking and wildlife safaris in Rwanda and Uganda since 2009, and travellers rate us 5.0 on TripAdvisor.
Our Rwanda safaris centre on Volcanoes National Park's mountain gorilla families, paired where you like with golden monkey tracking, Nyungwe Forest chimpanzee trekking, Akagera National Park's Big Five game drives, and Lake Kivu relaxation. Our Uganda safaris cover Bwindi Impenetrable Forest's gorilla trekking, Kibale Forest's chimpanzee tracking, Queen Elizabeth National Park's wildlife, and Murchison Falls. For travellers who want both, our combined Rwanda and Uganda safari itineraries cross the border seamlessly.
Popular Rwanda Gorilla Safaris & Uganda Safaris
Every gorilla and chimpanzee package below includes the trekking permit, private 4x4 transport and a professional driver-guide. Prices are per person, sharing.
*Prices marked with an asterisk are indicative starting rates — we confirm the exact price, including current permit fees, in your written quote.
Congo travel note: the UK and US governments currently advise against travel to North Kivu, where Virunga National Park is located. We run Virunga trips only when the park confirms it is open, and we recommend Rwanda or Uganda for most travellers. Read our Congo gorilla trekking guide →
The Gorilla Habituation Experience
For travellers who want more than the standard one-hour visit, the Gorilla Habituation Experience gives you up to four hours with a gorilla family that is still getting used to people. It is offered only in Uganda, in Bwindi's Rushaga sector.
What Is Gorilla Habituation?
Instead of a fully habituated family and a strict one-hour visit, habituation permits let you join researchers and trackers observing a semi-habituated gorilla family for up to four hours, learning firsthand how gorillas are gradually acclimatised to human observation.
Rwanda: Gorilla Trekking Only
Rwanda does not offer gorilla habituation. Instead, you take a standard gorilla trek in Volcanoes National Park: a guided hike to a habituated family, then one hour with the gorillas. Permits are limited to eight visitors per family per day.
Uganda Gorilla Habituation
Uganda's Gorilla Habituation Experience runs in Bwindi's Rushaga sector, with up to four hours alongside researchers and trackers and a maximum of four visitors per day.
Chimpanzee Safaris in Uganda and Rwanda
Chimpanzee tracking is often the perfect companion trek to gorilla trekking — generally shorter, more affordable, and just as thrilling.
Nyungwe Forest, Rwanda
Rwanda's premier chimpanzee destination, Nyungwe Forest National Park also offers a 60-metre canopy walkway and over 300 recorded bird species alongside its chimp tracking.
Kibale Forest, Uganda
Known as the "Primate Capital of the World," Kibale Forest National Park holds Uganda's highest chimpanzee density and the best sighting success rate of any Ugandan park.
Budongo Forest, Uganda
Inside Murchison Falls National Park, Budongo Forest pairs chimpanzee tracking naturally with a Nile boat cruise and Big Five game drives on the same itinerary.
Uganda Gorilla & Chimpanzee Permit Prices
Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) permit prices, including the low-season rates and the revised tariff from 1 January 2027. Rwanda's gorilla permit stays at US$1,500 all year.
Low-Season Rates (April, May & November)
| Activity | Foreign Non-Resident | Foreign Resident |
|---|---|---|
| Gorilla Tracking | $600 | $500 |
| Chimpanzee Tracking | $200 | $150 |
Low-season permits cannot be rescheduled once booked.
Standard Tariff — From 1 January 2027
| Activity | FNR ($) | FR ($) | ROA ($) | EAC (UGX) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gorilla Tracking | 800 | 700 | 500 | 300,000 |
| Gorilla Habituation | 1,800 | 1,600 | 1,000 | 750,000 |
| Chimpanzee Tracking (Kibale) | 300 | 200 | 100 | 180,000 |
| Chimpanzee Habituation | 400 | 300 | 250 | 250,000 |
| Chimpanzee Tracking (Kyambura) | 200 | 150 | 100 | 50,000 |
FNR = Foreign Non-Resident · FR = Foreign Resident · ROA = Rest of Africa · EAC = East African Community citizens. Since 1 March 2026, UWA no longer holds permits for 7 days without payment — a permit is secured only once it is paid in full. Some operators report a higher 2027 gorilla rate for foreign non-residents, so we always confirm the exact UWA fee in your written quote. Ask us to check permit availability for your dates →
National Parks of Rwanda
Rwanda has four national parks, each with its own landscape and headline experience.
Other Things to Do in Rwanda
A Rwanda safari is about far more than gorillas — round out your trip with these experiences.
Kigali City & Genocide Memorial
Rwanda's capital blends modern cafés and rooftop bars with the deeply moving Kigali Genocide Memorial, offering essential context for the country's story.
Kigali City Tour →Lake Kivu Boat Trips & Kayaking
Unwind lakeside after a gorilla trek with boat cruises, island hopping, coffee tours, and kayaking across one of Africa's Great Rift Valley lakes.
See Lake Kivu Safaris →Iby'iwacu Cultural Village
Traditional dance, basket weaving, and daily Rwandan life on show near Volcanoes National Park — a genuine cultural counterpart to the wildlife trekking.
Iby'iwacu Cultural Village →Congo Nile Trail
A 227 km hiking and cycling route in Rwanda, along Lake Kivu's eastern shore through tea plantations, banana terraces and rural villages.
Congo Nile Trail Guide →Best Time for Gorilla Trekking in Rwanda & Uganda
Long Dry Season — June to September
Rwanda and Uganda's peak trekking season. Trails are firm and dry, wildlife visibility is at its best, but this is also peak demand — book permits 4–6 months ahead.
Short Dry Season — December to February
A second excellent dry-trail window with noticeably smaller crowds than June–September, offering easier permit and lodge availability at similar trekking conditions.
Long Wet Season — March to May
The greenest forest scenery and fewer tourists. Uganda sells low-season gorilla permits in April and May, and many lodges cut their rates. Trails are muddier, but gorillas often feed at lower altitudes.
Short Wet Season — October to November
Moderate rain, manageable trails and green forest. November is also a Uganda low-season permit month.
How to Book a Gorilla Trekking Safari
Choose Your Itinerary
Browse our Rwanda, Uganda, and Congo safaris and pick the country, duration, and activities that fit your trip.
Send Us Your Dates
Contact us with preferred travel dates and group size — we check live permit availability directly with RDB and UWA.
Confirm & Pay
Once availability is confirmed, full payment for the permit secures it, plus a deposit for the rest of the safari. Permits are non-transferable once booked.
Prepare for Your Trek
We send a full packing list, health requirements, and trip briefing well ahead of your travel date.
Travel & Trek
Arrive in Kigali or Entebbe, meet your driver-guide, and begin the safari — permits, transport, and lodging all handled.
Gorilla Trekking Requirements
The Rwanda Gorilla Naming Ceremony — Kwita Izina
Each year, Rwanda holds Kwita Izina, its official gorilla naming ceremony, at Kinigi near Volcanoes National Park. Modelled on a traditional Rwandan naming ritual for newborns, the ceremony gives a name to every mountain gorilla infant born in the park over the preceding year, performed by conservationists, government officials, and invited global dignitaries.
Beyond the celebration itself, Kwita Izina is a genuine conservation milestone — a public accounting of the park's gorilla births and a reminder of how far the species has recovered thanks to tourism-funded conservation. Travellers visiting during the ceremony period can often combine a trek with the event itself; ask us about timing your Rwanda gorilla safari around Kwita Izina when planning your trip.
Why Travellers Book With Trek Rwanda Gorillas
Licensed Rwanda Tour Operator
Registered with the Rwanda Development Board and Uganda Tourism Board, operating fully within the legal conservation framework of both countries.
5-Star TripAdvisor Rated
Maranatha Tours & Travel is rated 5.0 on TripAdvisor by travellers on our Rwanda and Uganda safaris.
Established Since 2009
Guiding gorilla trekking and wildlife safaris since 2009, with deep working knowledge of RDB and UWA permit systems and border crossings.
Fully Custom Itineraries
Every safari is tailored — combine gorilla trekking with Big Five game drives, cultural visits, and lakeside relaxation.
What Travellers Say About Maranatha Tours & Travel
"Maranatha Tours made our gorilla trekking experience in Rwanda absolutely unforgettable. Every detail was perfectly arranged."
"Best safari company I have used in Africa. We did the 5-day Rwanda gorilla and Lake Kivu tour and the 12-day Rwanda-Uganda combination. Both flawlessly organised."
"I was nervous about trekking, but the team arranged a porter and chose the most accessible gorilla family for our group. Looked after me the entire way."
Rwanda Safaris & Uganda Safaris: Frequently Asked Questions
Rwanda vs Uganda safaris — which should I choose?
How far in advance should I book a Rwanda or Uganda safari?
What is the Gorilla Habituation Experience?
Is Trek Rwanda Gorillas a licensed tour operator?
What is included in a Rwanda or Uganda safari package?
How much is a gorilla permit in Rwanda and Uganda?
What is the best time for gorilla trekking?
How difficult is gorilla trekking?
Is it safe to go gorilla trekking in Congo?
What is the Rwanda Gorilla Naming Ceremony?
Book the Rwanda or Uganda Safari of a Lifetime
Whether you have one day or fourteen, Trek Rwanda Gorillas by Maranatha Tours & Travel plans and runs the trip that puts you face to face with mountain gorillas — safely and legally, with permits booked for you.
Request Your Rwanda or Uganda Safari Quote
Send Us Your Travel Dates
Tell us your preferred dates, group size, and which safari interests you — we confirm permit availability within 24 hours.
Prefer WhatsApp? Message us on +256 701 800 149 and we'll reply the same day.
Rwanda & Uganda Travel Guides
Rwanda Gorilla Permit Cost & How to Book
What a Rwanda gorilla permit costs, who qualifies for discounts, and how to book one for your dates.
Read Guide ›
Gorilla Trekking in Rwanda vs Uganda
Bwindi vs Volcanoes National Park — which country gives the better gorilla experience? An honest comparison of both destinations.
Read Guide ›
Best Time for Gorilla Trekking
Dry seasons, wet seasons and low-season permits — when to go gorilla trekking in Rwanda and Uganda, month by month.
Read Guide ›
How Difficult Is Gorilla Trekking?
How long treks take, how steep they are, and how porters help — so you can choose the right gorilla family and trip.
Read Guide ›
Nyungwe Forest — Rwanda's Chimpanzee & Canopy Walk Safari
Nyungwe National Park offers 13 primate species, a 60-metre canopy walkway, and tea estate scenery — Rwanda's most underrated safari destination.
Read Guide ›
Lake Kivu Safari — Rwanda's Hidden Jewel After Gorilla Trekking
Lake Kivu provides the perfect decompression after the intensity of gorilla trekking — boat trips, beach dining, and island excursions on one of Africa's Great Rift Valley lakes.
Read Guide ›