Current Gorilla Trekking Discounts

Our current gorilla trekking discount offers are exclusive and time-limited, and they offer a rare opportunity to witness majestic mountain gorillas in their natural habitat. Book your adventure today with Native Africa Tours and be part of a select group to observe these rare creatures in the dense jungles of Uganda or Rwanda.

How to Get Gorilla Trekking Discounts

Many factors can influence Gorilla trekking discounts; if you are observant, you can land on great offers. Here is a breakdown of how you can get gorilla tracking discounts in Uganda or Rwanda.

Book a Gorilla Tour During the Low Season

You are more likely to benefit from the current gorilla trekking discounts if you book a gorilla safari around the off months of the year. When planning a gorilla trek adventure, it is always important to mark the off-months or low season on the travel calendar. Off-months or low season across gorilla safari destinations run from March to May, and the shorter off-season phase starts in October and runs to November.

During the off months, you may benefit from discount offers, which usually range from 10% to 30%. The gorilla trekking discounts vary depending on the gorilla safari company you book with. First, please contact your preferred gorilla trekking tour planner to discuss the possible discount offers available at the company.

The low season usually attracts very few visitors, and companies often offer promotional rates to attract more. Not only gorilla safari companies but also lodges, hotels, and camps tend to provide great discount offers around the low months of the year to attract guests to stay in their accommodations. This is perfect for anyone planning a budget gorilla tour to Uganda or Rwanda.

Group bookings

Group bookings have always been a smart way to save on costs. Joining a group on a gorilla tour in Uganda or Rwanda can offer significant discounts. These group safaris can help you cut down on transportation, accommodation, and other expenses, making you a savvy and resourceful traveler.

Target promotional discounts on gorilla permits

Occasionally, the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) or Rwanda Development Board (RDB) may run special promotions with limited-time discount offers from which you can benefit. The promotional discounts on gorilla permits come with slightly lower rates for booking the permit, which is the essential tool any trekker must have to engage in a gorilla trek in Uganda or Rwanda.

East African residents’ offers

Overall, the cost of obtaining a gorilla trekking permit for East African citizens is far below the rate for foreign nonresidents and foreign residents. Therefore, if you are from Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, Tanzania, Kenya, or South Sudan, you can book a valid gorilla permit in Uganda at UGX 300,000.

Book long tours

Long gorilla tours usually come with discounted offers. Even in the regular season, there is room to bargain for better rates for a long gorilla trekking safari than for short tours. The long safaris typically come with a combination of other activities or destinations besides where you plan to track gorillas.

Our best long safaris include:

Are there discounted gorilla permits in Uganda?

No! Uganda no longer offers discounted gorilla permits to visitors who plan to track gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park or Mgahinga National Park. However, despite the decision to cut off the discounted permits, Uganda remains Africa’s most affordable gorilla safari destination.

A valid gorilla trekking permit in Uganda costs USD 800 per visitor –a charge that applies to foreign nonresidents; USD 700 for foreign residents, USD 500 for the Rest of Africa trekkers, and lastly, individuals from Uganda or East African citizens pay UGX 300,000 per person.

With the high demand for gorilla trekking adventures, we recommend booking your permit at least 2-6 months before your planned visit to Uganda or Rwanda. A reliable and responsible travel company such as Native Africa Tours is readily available to assist you in securing a valid gorilla permit and organizing the entire adventure at pocket-friendly rates, ensuring you are proactive and prepared for your adventure.

Discounted gorilla permits in Rwanda

The Rwanda gorilla tour visitors also enjoy a USD 1050 discount on gorilla permits. This is far below the normal cost of obtaining a gorilla permit in Rwanda, which is USD 1500 per person. The discounted offer on Rwanda gorilla permits applies to specific months, around March, April, May, and November.

During the mentioned months, the discounted gorilla permit offer applies when you stay at least two nights in Akagera National Park or Nyungwe Forest National Park and take a gorilla tour in Volcanoes National Park.

How many gorilla permits are available in Rwanda and Uganda?

About 25 habituated gorilla groups in Uganda translate to 200 valid gorilla permits. In Rwanda, the 13 habituated gorilla groups in Volcanoes National Park translate to about 104 permits available for booking. This is because a maximum of 8 people visit each gorilla group family daily, and each trekker must have a license.

Gorilla trekking experience in Uganda and Rwanda –destinations to explore

Gorilla trekking experiences in Uganda are enjoyable in any of the two destinations. They include Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. These are the two places to visit to explore mountain gorillas, and interestingly, they hold over 25 habituated gorilla groups.

At Bwindi, expect to begin your trek with gorillas from the Buhoma, Rushaga, Ruhija, and Nkuringo sectors. Gorilla trekking starts in Mgahinga from the Ntebeko region. The treks start with a briefing about gorilla trekking rules and regulations, then allocating gorilla families and park ranger guides. The briefing begins at 7:00 a.m., and the trek is expected to start around 8:00 a.m.

The best time to visit to see gorillas

Gorillas in Uganda and Rwanda can be visited at any time of the year. But the dry months offer excellent weather conditions for trekkers to have the best trek with these gentle giants in their natural habitats. The dry months to mark on your travel calendar include June, July, August, September, December, January, and February.

The wet months experience heavy rain, which usually disrupts activities. The heavy rain can make the ground muddy or slippery, and the vegetation dense, making it difficult to trek to see gorillas successfully. The rainy months extend from March to May and then from October to November.

What to pack for gorilla tours in Rwanda and Uganda

When preparing to trek mountain gorillas in Uganda or Rwanda, you must pack right for your gorilla trek. A checklist of essentials to carry on your gorilla trek includes long trousers, waterproof hiking boots, long-sleeved shirts, a good camera with a non-flashlight, gardening gloves, a daypack, and a light and waterproof rain jacket. Additional items include high-energy giving snacks, bottled drinking water, a safari hat, gaiters, a daypack, a gorilla permit, travel visas, and passports.