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Imagine Africa  >  Gorilla tracking
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The majestic mountains

Imagine Africa client Cherry Dalton and her husband John travelled to see the mountain gorillas in the Virunga Mountains of Rwanda. Here she describes how the country has moved on from its recent troubled past and the magic of her ‘Attenborough moment’ with the majestic silverbacks.

Gorilla Trekking

Trekking gorillas has long been the top of many a bucket list and it is always an incredible experience to see the mountain gorilla at close quarters in its natural habitat. One of the key decisions to make is where to track them – Rwanda and Uganda both have their advantages and disadvantages – here we give you the rundown so that you can choose which destination will suit you best.

Top 8 experiences

Having being named as Lonely Planet’s top country for 2015, Uganda has firmly overcome the legacy of Idi Amin’s regime and is much more closely resembling Winston Churchill’s description of it as ‘the pearl of Africa’. Here we give a rundown of our top picks for Uganda to really make the most of your time here…

Gorilla tracking

Spotting the majestic mountain gorilla in its natural habitat is on the A-list of wildlife encounters. Whilst tracking the mighty silverbacks requires patience and stamina, coming face to face with a gorilla is a real privilege to cherish on any trip to Uganda or Rwanda. From the rugged rainforests of Uganda’s Bwindi Impenetrable National Park to the woolly green slopes of Rwanda’s Parc National des Volcans; gorilla territory is unapologetically remote. Trekking can therefore be quite demanding, lasting up to five hours and reaching high altitudes, yet a glimpse of these magnificent creatures in the wild is an unparalleled thrill for even the most seasoned safari aficionado.

Gorilla conservation is a national priority for both countries to guarantee the survival of their chest pounding heavyweight. The magnificent apes are still considered critically endangered but steady increases in the gorilla population are a promising nod to the future. The legacy of renowned primatologist Dian Fossey, and her ground breaking study of gorillas in the wild, is at the heart of the conservation effort. Following in the footsteps of her pioneering work, rangers and conservationists work tirelessly to protect the wild mountain gorilla. The resulting habituation of several troops has allowed for visitors to get closer than ever to these majestic animals year round. However, to avoid excessive disturbance to the gorillas’ fragile habitats, permits in both countries are limited and trekking groups are small. Crucially though, the revenue generated from a golden ticket into gorilla kingdom contributes the continuation of the conservation effort and is vital to securing the future of gorillas in the wild.

Uganda’s UNESCO protected Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, is home to half of the last remaining wild mountain gorillas. Nestled deep in the heart of Eastern Africa, the secluded rainforest boasts the highest concentration of primates in the world and is hidden well off the beaten track. The Virunga Mountains of Rwanda are considered to be more accessible, as they are located only a short drive from the capital city of Kigali. There, habituated gorillas tend to stay closer to the fringes of the volcanic foothills so treks tend to be shorter and less taxing especially during the dry season. But, no matter which of these incredible destinations takes your fancy, wading through the dense foliage of the African jungle with ears pricked for the spine tingling thud of a lumbering silverback is a real bucket list adventure.

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Bwindi National Park, Uganda

Buhoma Lodge offers spectacular views of the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, home to the rare and elusive Mountain Gorilla. Situated within the National Park, Buhoma Lodge is a short distance from the Buhoma HQ for gorilla tracking and other activities.

Buhoma Lodge

Bwindi National Park, Uganda

Engagi Lodge is a midrange property situated in Buhoma overlooking Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park and the Munyaga River. The lodge has been built using local materials and all of the staff has been employed from the surrounding areas.

Engagi Lodge

Parc National des Volcans, Rwanda

Gorilla Mountain View Lodge is a simple, comfortable forest lodge in Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park. Offering superb views, Gorilla Mountain View Lodge is a good value and convenient option for mountain gorilla treks.

Mountain Gorilla View Lodge

Bwindi National Park, Uganda

Gorilla Forest Camp is nestled in the heart of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park. Its exclusive location gives Gorilla Forest Camp the status of being the ideal base for gorilla tracking, primate viewing and birding excursions in the park.

Sanctuary Gorilla Forest Camp

Parc National des Volcans, Rwanda

Tiloreza Lodge offers a mixture of high quality accommodation with fantastic service and facilities. This is destined to become an Imagine Africa favourite!

Tiloreza Lodge

Bwindi National Park, Uganda

Mahogany Springs on the edge of Buhoma village in Uganda’s Bwindi National Park is a contemporary lodge, whose service and excellent food make it a superb base for gorilla tracking. Mahogany Springs has panoramic views, and is a great option for birders.

Mahogany Springs Safari Lodge

Parc National des Volcans, Rwanda

Sabyinyo Silverback Lodge is a forest lodge on the edge of Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park. Welcoming and relaxing, Sabyinyo Silverback Lodge is a perfect base for trekking into the Virunga Mountains in search of the mountain gorillas.

Sabyinyo Silverback Lodge

Bwindi National Park, Uganda

Situated on the edge of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest is Volcanoes Bwindi Lodge, a stunning property teeming with charm. This lodge offers guests an unchartered adventure to track the mountain gorillas famous to the area.

Volcanoes Bwindi Lodge

Bwindi National Park, Uganda

Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge sits stunningly on the edge of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest with incredible views of the Virunga Volcanoes. The wonderful lodge accommodates guests in eight stone cottages, each has its own fire place for cool evenings.

Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge

Bwindi National Park, Uganda

Located on the Nteko Ridge of Bwindi National Park, Nkuringo Bwindi Gorilla Lodge overlooks a beautiful swathe of the world-renowned forest. The ridge provides a superb vantage point across the Kashasha River Valley and the forested hill beyond.

Nkuringo Bwindi Gorilla Lodge

Lake Burera, Northern Rwanda

Volcanoes Virunga Lodge is one of Rwanda’s top lodges, with superlative views of the amazing Volcanoes National Park. Very relaxed and comfortable, Volcanoes Virunga Lodge offers superb adventure hikes to local villages and mountain gorilla tracking.

Volcanoes Virunga Lodge

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Queen Elizabeth National Park, Volcanoes National Park, Kisoro, Bwindi National Park

Full of fascinating wildlife, spectacular nature and unique culture, this tour takes you through two incredible countries. With a wide variety of adventures to embark on, this journey through Rwanda and Uganda makes for an unforgettable experience.

11 nights from $7705 per person Highlights, Imagine Favourites, Wildlife

Uganda and Rwanda Highlights

Volcanoes National Park

An unforgettable Gorilla experience! Journey into the heart of Kinigi Volcanoes National Park on this four day trip and encounter numerous gorilla families. Stunning surroundings, spectacular views and rare wildlife make this experience truly memorable. 

6 nights from $4780 per person Safari, Wildlife, Spa

4 day Gorilla Safari

Volcanoes National Park, Kisoro, Bwindi

For the ultimate Gorilla adventure, visit spectacular National Parks in both Rwanda and Uganda to see them in a variety of habitats! With every destination a prime spot for Gorillas, this expedition promises to provide memorable experiences for everyone!

12 nights from $5944 per person Wildlife, Honeymoon, Imagine Favourites

Gorillas in the Virungas and Bwindi

Nyungwe Forest, Lake Kivu, Gisenyi, Volcanoes National Park

The ultimate Rwandan adventure allowing you to experience the culture of this fascinating country, as well as admire spectacular wildlife and nature at Lake Kivu and at the incredible Volcanoes National Park.

7 nights from $6919 per person Highlights, Wildlife, Imagine Favourites

Rwanda Highlights

Bwindi, Queen Elizabeth National Park

For an exhilarating adventure packed with wildlife and excitement, head on this journey through Uganda's National Parks, Wetlands, and Rainforests to spot some of the most incredible animals on Earth.

6 nights from $5661 per person Wildlife, Imagine Favourites, Walking & Trekking

Gorillas, Chimps and Wildlife

Bwindi, Uganda

Embark upon this invigorating, four-day journey through Uganda's spectacular Bwindi Impenetrable National Park; one of the best locations to see the famous Mountain Gorillas.

4 nights from $4026 per person Wildlife, Spa, Walking & Trekking

Express Gorilla Trekking

Kinigi Volcanoes National Park, Queen Elizabeth National Park

From mountain Gorilla treks in Rwanda to safari expeditions in Uganda, this adventure is rich in wildlife and nature. Spot a variety of Africa’s most famous animals in diverse and fascinating environments!

7 nights from $5441 per person Wildlife, Imagine Favourites, Walking & Trekking

Gorillas in Rwanda, Chimps and Wildlife in Uganda

Parc National des Volcans Rwanda, Nairobi, Masai Mara

Tracking mountain gorillas in Rwanda and spotting the big five on a safari to Kenya combine to offer a truly exceptional East African wildlife encounter which is sure to blow your socks off.

7 nights from $9058 per person Highlights, Safari, Spa

Mountain Gorillas and Big Five

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Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Uganda

The ultimate mountain gorilla experience! Spend half a day assisting with the habituation of a mountain gorilla family on the slopes of Bwindi Forest, assisting in familiarising the gorillas with humans to ensure harmonious encounters with tourists.

Gorilla Habituation Experience

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Uganda

Trek deep into Bwindi Impenetrable Forest for one of the great wildlife encounters, an hour in the company of the highly endangered mountain gorillas. Tracking takes between three and eight hours but every second is a life-defining experience.

Gorilla Tracking

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