Month: June 2024

Wondering how to book a wildlife safari in Africa? Superfine Safaris is your reliable travel agency to book and enjoy an exclusive Africa wildlife safari to Uganda, Rwanda, Kenya and Tanzania at pocket friendly costs. Whether you want to do the lifetime gorilla trekking in Bwindi Forest or the Virunga Conservation Area or want to experience the “big five”, Superfine Safaris offers a variety of customized African safari packages to meet, satisfy and exceed your travel expectations.

Do you want to go chimpanzee trekking in Kibale Forest Uganda or Nyungwe Forest National park in Rwanda, Book our customized chimpanzee tours to meet and interact with man’s close relatives in their natural habitats.

Book through a travel agent
Whereas you can book a safari yourself, booking through a travel agent is undeniably the best option. YES, these travel agents and destination management companies with all detailed information on what is required of travelers into a specific country. A travel agent will charge you a fair price to arrange for you a best trip. Search for the best travel agent based on the years of experience and trip advisor reviews from previous travelers before confirming your trip. Suprfine Safaris is one of the best travel companies to guide you on your African safari. We help you book gorilla permits, accommodation, driver guide, travel car and all other duties. Your only role is to come ready and we take you around. Booking a through a travel agent therefore saves you from the hustles of private bookings which can be time consuming and tiresome. A travel agent will also gives you all detailed information about covid19, for example the test requirements,

Book a direct flight
Flying direct from your home to your destination is the best thing you to do. This helps to avoid unnecessary stopovers and interactions with many people. Rwanda Air runs several direct flights from the United Kingdom and other Western African Countries for those who want to trek Rwanda gorillas in Volcanoes National park. In the same way, Kenya Airs has many direct flights from across the world, which saves you from meeting and interacting many people along the way. Booking a direct flight is therefore highly recommended for the traveler’s during covid19 pandemic.

Tour within the same country
If possible, tour within one country art a specific period of time. Whereas, connecting safaris across different countries is the best way to explore and enjoy different experiences, a simple itinerary within one destination is the best option in this covid19 time. Avoid itineraries that cross-land borders which expose you to meet many people some of which are covid19 positive. A 7 Uganda safari helps you to explore the popular activities in Uganda, whereas a 3 Days Rwanda gorilla tour offers you chance to trek gorillas and explore other beauties in the land of a thousand hills. Long stays in a single destination ensures fewer interactions and lesser chances of contracting the deadly covid19.

Choose your best destination
Have you dreamt of exploring the Pearl of Africa, Zero down to it and explore it to the fullest. Or5 else you want to maneuver through he rolling hills of Rwanda or in Magical Kenya, decide and travel now. Almost all destinations are now open and ready t6o welcome you! African Apes Holidays takes you whenever you want to go at affordable rates guaranteeing you safety, comfort and memorable experiences.

Contact Superfine Safaris Limited  for more travel tips and how to plan a safari during covid19.

Guide to gorilla trekking permits in Uganda, Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo with Superfine Safaris Limited. Gorilla permit/gorilla pass is a legal document that allows a traveler to trek gorillas in East and central Africa. The gorilla permit is an identification without which you will not be allowed to engage in mountain gorilla trekking experience.  This articles gives you detailed information  about gorilla permits, how to  book them, permit costs, when to book and everything else you need to know about gorilla trekking permits u east and central Africa

What is a gorilla permit?

Firstly, you ought to understand what a gorilla permit is! The permit is a document issued by Uganda wildlife Authority and Rwanda Development board to allow travelers visit and trek the endangered primates.  The gorilla permit is printed a few weeks to the trekking date and given to the travel operator through which travelers booked through. On the trekking date, every traveler is expected to carry his/her gorilla permit and present it to the respective park wardens.

How much does a gorilla permit cost in Uganda and Rwanda?

The cost of gorilla trekking permits in Uganda costs $800 for foreign nonresidents, $700 for foreign residents and UGX 300,000 for East African citizens. If you want to engage in the 4 hours gorilla habituation experience, the permit costs $1500 each. In Rwanda, each permit costs $1500 for foreigners and $200 for Rwandese and East African citizens.  For Congo gorilla tours, each permit costs $450 to trek in Virunga National park and Kahuzi Biega National parks.

How to book a gorilla trekking permit in Uganda, Rwanda and Congo

You can book for a gorilla permit directly with the responsible government bodies, ie Uganda Wildlife Authority in Uganda and Rwanda Development Board in Rwanda. Alternatively, you can book for gorilla permit through any trusted travel agency. First check tourism forums to confirm that the travel agency you are booking with is licensed. In this case, Superfine Safaris is a reliable travel operator which has been licensed to book and reserve gorilla permits on behalf of the travelers. Booking through a travel agent saves you time and energy since they do everything for you from reserving the permits to picking them for you.

Do you need a permit to see gorillas in Uganda, Rwanda and Congo?

YES, as said already, a gorilla permit is a MUST have for anyone visiting gorillas. At the state of each trekking day, all travelers are gathered at the park headquarters of the respective gorilla parks. One of the major purposes of this gathering is to cross check and ensure every travelers has got a valid permit. Anyone found with no permit is not allowed to engage in gorilla trekking experience. You therefore need a gorilla permit to see gorillas in Uganda, Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

What is the cheapest way to go gorilla trekking?

Gorilla trekking is an expensive venture that comes with huge budget. However, here are the possible ways to ensure cheapest gorilla trekking experience. Firstly,

Trek gorillas in low season:

This is between February and May and September through November. This season is normally rainy attracting a low number of travelers. Service providers normally give discounted services such as accommodation and transport to encourage more stays. Traveling in a low/wet season is therefore one way of ensuring cheap gorilla trekking.

Traveling in a group:

Group tours are normally cheap and affordable compared to primate tours. If you can gather your mates and family and form a group, it would be a big deal. In group tours people share costs such as transport and accommodation. A single room is normally higher than a twin or triple room in which three people share room costs.

Book through a travel agent:

This is another way of ensuring a cheap gorilla trekking safari in Uganda, Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Whereas travel agents charge commission for booking you safari, the cost of commission is normally worth it. It’s less costly than doing everything for yourself. Also tour operators normally get discounted offers from hotels, Lodges, transport companies which is an advantage for you

Use public transport and choose budget accommodation:

Traveling in a public means such as Taxi rob use to the gorilla destination is cheaper compared to hiring a private car. Traveling from Kampala to Bwindi for example is roughly 50,000ush while hiring a car from Kampala to Bwindi ranges from 200,000 to 400,000shs per day exclusive of the fuel. Also consider staying in budget lodges on your gorilla trek. An average budget lodge can cost between $70 to $100 compared to luxury which cost over $1000.

Is Gorilla Trekking Cheaper in Uganda or Rwanda?

Gorilla trekking is cheaper in Uganda than Rwanda. The cost of Uganda gorilla permit to Bwindi Forest/Mgahinga Gorilla National parks cost $800 compared to $1500 in Volcanoes National park Rwanda. One Rwanda gorilla permit can therefore buy two gorilla permits in Uganda. It’s therefore wise for budget travelers to visit Uganda for cheap gorilla safari packages.

Is gorilla trekking worth the money?

YES, based on the positive gorilla trekking reviews from those who have done it, gorilla trekking is worth the money. Most people who have trekked gorillas before confirm that the experience is worth every penny and they can gladly do it over and over again. The magical feeling of looking into the eyes of the silverback gorillas, seeing adult female gorillas nurse and feed babies just like human mothers is thrilling and worth it.

How many days do you need for gorilla trekking?

The days of gorilla trekking in Uganda, Rwanda and Congo start from 1 Day gorilla trekking tour to over 10 Days gorilla safari. A 1 Day Uganda gorilla trek starts and ends from Kigali Rwanda. Here travelers fly into Kigali and cross over to Bwindi Forest or Mgahinga Gorilla parks in Uganda. The 1 Day Uganda safari starts at 3:00am with a transfer to the park headquarters to catch up with pre gorilla trekking briefing. In Rwanda, the 1 day gorilla trekking is simple.

Travelers only need two hours and 30 minutes’ drive from Kigali to Volcanoes National park.  Other popular days for gorilla trekking include 2 Days gorilla adventure, 3 days gorilla safari, 4 days  double gorilla safari that include double trekking in both Uganda and Rwanda, 5 Days that combine gorillas and chimpanzees, 6 Days that include gorillas, chimpanzees and game viewing among others. The days of gorilla trekking therefore depend on the traveler’s available time, budget and interests.

What is the age limit for gorilla trekking

15 years old is the official age limit for gorilla trekking in Uganda, Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Given the adventurous nature of the experience and the endangered nature of gorillas, 15 years is considered the best starting age for anyone visiting gorillas. Travelers are asked to present their passports showing the actual date of birth to confirm that one is indeed of age. However in case  a child is not yet 15 years but almost celebrating it, May be like one or two months to make 15 years, his/her parents/guardians are asked to write and submit a consent letter to Uganda Wildlife Authority. In this letter, the parent admits to be accountable for anything that happens to that child during gorilla trekking experience.

Which country is best for gorilla trekking?

The answer for which country is best for gorilla trekking is not conclusive since it varies from one person to another. The trekking in each country is unique in its own kind and worth doing. However I you are looking for luxury gorilla tour, Rwanda is the best destination for you. Since 2027, Rwanda transformed into a luxury gorilla safari destination. This followed the double hiking of Rwanda gorilla permits from $750 to $1500.

Uganda on the other hand is home to the highest number of mountain gorillas compared to Rwanda and Congo. The high number of habituated gorilla families’ guarantee availability of permits giving many travelers chance to take part in this lifetime experience. Also, A Uganda gorilla trekking permit is quite cheaper at $800 compared to $1500 in Rwanda.  The cheap gorilla permits therefore make Uganda the best country for gorilla trekking for low income earners.

Gorilla Tours in Africa are the highlight of most travelers on African safaris visiting Uganda, Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo. An encounter with the endangered gorillas, looking direct into their red round eyes is a dream come true for many and a lifetime experience you should not miss! Gorilla Tours in Africa take place in three designated national parks which are Bwindi Impenetrable Forest/Mgahinga Gorilla National parks in Uganda, Volcanoes National park in Rwanda and Virunga National park in the Democratic Republic of Congo.  Superfine Safaris Limited helps you customize best gorilla tours in Africa at pocket friendly prices without compromising the quality of the experience

Once you get to the park headquarters, you are handed over into the hands of the rangers from the Ugandan Wildlife Authority. After a briefing,   in your group of eight travelers, you will be led into the jungle by armed rangers. The hiking is very physically demanding on difficult terrain and at quite a fast pace since the rangers are usually keen to find the gorillas as early as possible so that the group can return to the gate before the evening. Gorilla trekking  time is not certain but  ranges from between 2 to over 6 hours. It may be less or more than this depending on the location of the gorillas and the speed of the slowest person in your group. Ranger guides move at a speed of the slowest person.

After reaching the gorillas, you are given one hour to observe them and enjoy their company. And yes, the experience is as good as everyone says! Mountain gorilla habitats are quite dense and some of the gorillas, particularly the younger ones, can be hard to see clearly if they don’t feel like coming out into the clearing. The rangers do their best to get a good view for everyone.

Gorilla Tours Uganda

Book and enjoy our tailored Uganda gorilla tours to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National park.  Located in south western Uganda, Bwindi Forest is a prime gorilla tours destination sheltering half of the world’s total gorilla population. There are over 500 mountain gorillas in Uganda scattered in the four regions of Bwindi Forest.  The gorilla regions in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest are Buhoma in the north, Ruhija in the East, Rushaga and Nkuringo in the south.  The other gorilla tours in Uganda take place in Mgahinga Gorilla National park to see the one and only Nyakagyezi Gorilla Family. Trekking in each sector of Bwindi Forest offer you chance to meet a different gorilla family of different characters.  The list of gorilla families in Uganda include:

• Nyakagyezi Family
• Mubare Group
• Habinyanja Group
• Rushegura Group
• Kyaguliro Group
• Christmas Family
• Mishaya Family
• Oruzogo group
• Nshongi Family
• Bitukura Family
• Kutu Family
• Kahungye Family
• Katwe Family
• Busingye Family
• Rwigi Family

Uganda gorilla tour packages

Our Uganda gorilla tour packages include 3 Day Gorilla trekking  Uganda , 5 Days Uganda gorilla and chimpanzee safari, 1 Day  Gorilla trekking Uganda starting and ending from Kigali Rwanda.  Contact superfine safaris for the best gorilla trekking tours in Uganda, Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Gorilla Tours Rwanda

Go gorilla tours Rwanda  to Volcanoes National park, home to the highest number of gorillas in the Virunga Conservation Area.  Situated in north western Rwanda, Volcanoes National park is naturally blessed with spectacular setting, amazing wildlife and greenery!  The cost of Rwanda gorilla tours is $1500 for a permit. The cost may be more if you add transport, accommodation, driver allowance, and porters among others.  Rwanda offers the best luxury gorilla tours compared to Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo. The list of habituated mountain gorillas in Volcanoes National park Rwanda include:

• Karisimbi Family
• Amahoro Family
• Agashya Family
• Umubano Family
• Kwitonda Family
• Susa A Family
• Ugenda Family
• Hirwa Family
• Pablo Family
• Titus Family

Each Rwanda gorilla family is visited by a group of eight travelers each day for a maximum of an hour. Gorilla tours Rwanda also offer you chances of encountering other wild animals which live in Volcanoes Park. These include golden monkeys, colobus monkeys, baboons, Forest Elephants, and various bird species. Some of the top Rwanda gorilla tour packages include 3 days Rwanda gorilla trekking, 1 Day gorilla trekking Rwanda and 5 days Rwanda primates’ safari that include both gorillas and chimpanzees

Congo Gorilla Tours

Congo Gorilla Tours entail trekking mountain and lowland gorillas. YES, the country is home to two different gorilla species which give you opportunity to meet the on the same trip. The 5 days Congo gorilla safari entail double trekking to see mountain gorillas in Virunga National park and Eastern Lowland gorillas in Kahuzi Biega National park. Fortunately the cost of gorilla trekking in Congo is still low at $450 compared to $800 in Uganda and $1500 in Rwanda.  Congo gorilla tours are therefore the best for budget travelers

Tips for Gorilla Tours in Africa

1. Get as fit as you can before the trip, but don’t feel that you must be a super athlete. You will be assigned to a gorilla family group based on their location and your age/fitness level. Some treks are easy or moderate. Just know that some treks turn out, as mind did, to be more difficult than originally estimated.
2. Notify your driver/guide of any health or fitness issues the night before your trek. He/she may have some influence about which level of difficulty you are assigned to.
3. Hire a porter.  You need a porter to assist you carry the camera equipment, rain jacket, water, etc.  Porters also help to support by grabbing your hands in case of slippery grounds.
4. Speaking of water, take more than you think you will need, in case your trek is longer than expected (and if you hire a porter, you don’t even have to carry it).
5. Snacks and packets of electrolyte powder mix will be helpful to re-fuel during your trek
6. Bathroom breaks – The guide explained that at any point, you could ask to pause for a bathroom break. Ladies can go behind these bushes, and men can go behind those bushes. Also, they explained that if you needed to go for long call, the porters/guides would dig a shallow hole in the ground for your use.
7. Ladies – If you go to an online retail store and type in “female urinal” you will find an array of products that allow women to pee standing up and while fully clothed (wow, such power!). They are specially designed funnel-like items, inexpensive, small/discrete, plus no toilet paper is needed – genius! I know it seems odd; just practice in your own bathroom or shower a time or two, but they really work!
8. Also, practice with your camera, and recognize that you may or may not need a long zoom. A wide focus area may cause your camera to focus on the vegetation in the foreground, and your gorillas will be blurry. Before you leave, practice photographing your dog, the neighbor’s cat, etc. With only one hour with the gorillas, you will be glad if you’ve already figure out the best position to use for photography on your gorilla tour safari

About Gorilla Trekking Certificates

OHH YES, travelers are rewarded with mountain gorilla trekking certificates after successful gorilla trekking. This is an evidence that someone trekked the gorillas! Travelers go worth the gorilla certificate and they can always refer to it for remembrance.

Packing list for Gorilla Tours in Africa

Walking boots are a must, binoculars were extremely useful and of course a camera to capture all the wildlife. You are also reminded to carry inspect repellents, sunglass, warm sweaters, gardening hand gloves, energy giving snacks and bottled drinking water. A first aid kit and toiletries are also recommended on your Gorilla trekking tour in Africa.

Book and enjoy luxury gorilla trekking safaris in Africa tailored and guided by Superfine Safaris Limited. Our luxury gorilla trekking tours are mostly done in Volcanoes National park where a single mountain gorilla permit costs $1500.  Uganda luxury gorilla safaris mainly entail mountain gorilla habituation experience at $1500 where only four people are allowed to visit the gorilla family for a maximum of 4 hours.  A normal gorilla trekking permit in Uganda costs $800 while in the Democratic Republic of Congo, a permit costs $450 for an hour’s interaction with the endangered gorillas.

What makes a luxury gorilla trekking safari?

There are several factors that determine a luxury gorilla trekking safari in Africa. These include among others:

Luxury lodges/hotels (Accommodation Facilities)

Luxury gorilla trekking safaris entail staying in luxury/first class lodges and hotels near or within mountain gorilla parks in Uganda, Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Some lodges are extremely luxury costing over $1000 for a single night. Staying in these kind of hotels/lodges qualify our safari as a luxury gorilla trekking tour.  The list of luxury gorilla lodges include

1. Bwindi lodge in Bwindi Forest
2. Buhoma Lodge
3. Bisate Lodge in Volcanoes National park Rwanda
4. Virunga Lodge in Mgahinga Gorilla Park
5. Four Gorillas Lodge in Bwindi
6. Sabyinyo Silverback Gorilla Lodge in Volcanoes Park Rwanda

Trekking gorillas in Volcanoes National park Rwanda

Since 2017, Rwanda transformed into a luxury gorilla safari destination offering the most expensive gorilla permit.  A single Rwanda mountain gorilla permit was doubled from $750 to $1500   for an hour with the endangered gorillas. The cost of Rwanda gorilla trekking is far higher compared to Uganda at $800 and Congo at $450.

Use chartered flights or book 4×4 land cruisers

Using chartered flights to connect to mountain gorilla parks is a luxury venture.  Flying from Entebbe at Kajjansi airstrip to kisoro or kihihi airstrips from where you connect to Bwindi Forest or Mgahinga Gorilla National park is a luxury experience. The addition of flight fares, gorilla permits and other expenses make this whole experience luxury

Double Gorilla trekking

Double gorilla trekking comes with double pricing. If you trek two times in Uganda, the cost doubles to $1600 while in Rwanda it becomes $3000. Double mountain gorilla trekking offers double experiences rewarding adventure seekers with a lifetime experience.  For Rwanda and Uganda double gorilla trekking, you requires a Uganda and Rwanda permit which is together costs $2300. If you double trek I Uganda, you buy two Uganda gorilla permits each at $800 hence totaling to $1600. Double treks therefore make a luxury gorilla trekking safari

Booking a private gorilla tour

A gorilla trekking safari becomes luxury when one books it privately. YES, private gorilla tours are normally expensive compared to when someone books through a travel operator.  Low budget travelers are therefore advised to book through travel operators if they want to cut costs of gorilla trekking.

Combining gorilla trekking with other wildlife experiences

If you combine mountain gorillas and other wildlife experiences in Uganda or Rwanda. The cost becomes higher making it luxury gorilla trekking tour.  Some of the interesting wildlife experience you can do together with mountain gorilla trekking include game viewing, mountain climbing, cultural tours, bird watching and chimpanzee trekking among others.

How to book a luxury gorilla trekking safari?

Contact superfine safaris for your luxury gorilla trekking safari in Uganda, Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo. We help you to reserve the gorilla permits, booking your favorite lodge, provide transport and handle any other ground activity to ensure stress free and enjoyable gorilla safaris in Africa. You can email us at info@gorillasafarisinafrica for bookings or general inquiries.

In conclusion, luxury gorilla trekking safaris in Uganda, Rwanda and Congo offer you a different taste of Africa’s primates.