How much does a trip cost, and what do gorilla permits run?
It depends on the length of the trip, your choice of lodging (value to high-end), your group size, and the season. Our Trips & Pricing page lists sample itineraries with real per-person starting prices — from $1,340 per person for a short Uganda safari up to $5,700 for the 10-day Uganda Western Circuit, all privately guided by Sam. Prices are per person, based on two or more people traveling together.
The largest single cost is the gorilla trekking permit, which is set by each country's wildlife authority. In Uganda, a gorilla permit is $800 in high season and $600 in low season. In Rwanda, it's $1,500 year-round. Permits are included in the prices we quote you. Because the wildlife authorities adjust these from time to time, we always confirm the current rate when we build your itinerary.
How hard is gorilla trekking, really?
Gorilla trekking can be a challenge at times because finding a family usually requires some bushwhacking through brush and bamboo forests. However, your group of up to 8 is well supported by a large contingent of guides and porters dedicated to making sure you reach the gorillas.
Your porter will not only carry your small backpack but will literally carry you if you have trouble with the terrain. Each and every day there are tourists in their 80s who are able to enjoy this extraordinary experience.
Best time of year to visit Rwanda vs Uganda vs Tanzania?
Rwanda, Uganda, and Tanzania share similar equatorial seasons. The best overall window is the dry season: June through September, with a secondary window in December through February. The best choice still depends on what you want to do, because each country has slightly different peaks.
June through September is the best time to see mountain gorillas in Rwanda and Uganda, because that's when the hiking is easiest. In Tanzania, the best safari season runs June through October: less rain, easier roads, more wildlife viewing. That's also the Great Migration window.
If you'd rather avoid the crowds, consider the rainy seasons (March through May, October through November). You'll deal with rain at times, but the scenery is lush and the light is excellent for photography.
How small are your groups? And is this trip right for older travelers?
All of our trips are customized, so you'll never be with anyone outside your own group, with one exception: during mountain gorilla or chimpanzee tracking, where the parks limit group size to 8.
The minimum age to see the gorillas in both countries is 15. You're never too old to see the gorillas. The porters work hard to help you get to a family, and if you have knee issues or other medical concerns that limit hiking, the park rangers will place you in a group visiting the gorilla family closest to the departure point.
