Get a chance to witness the gigantic and elegance of huge silverback gorillas in their natural habitat, and do it with ultimate comfort, exquisiteness and style by booking a luxury gorilla safari.
For travellers that join luxury gorilla safaris in Uganda and Rwanda, there are chances of experiencing awe-inspiring as well as life-changing encounters with one of the most amazing creatures on Earth in style.
While the price of gorilla permits will remain constant, the accommodation (only sumptuous lodges/tented camps) and classing transportation (fly-in safaris or drive by luxurious safari vehicles) and meals will be booked for this kind of trip.
Experience True Luxury in Rwanda
When it comes to offering luxury safaris, Rwanda is possibly the best place in Africa. Over 12 habituated gorilla families are trekked by visitors and for this reason, only 96 gorilla permits are issued each day to allow travellers visit the tranquil jungles of Parc National des Volcans. This Protected Area is the natural refuge for these endangered Giant Apes.
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One of the things that make Rwanda the best destination for luxury gorilla treks is the relatively higher price of gorilla permits-$1500 per person day trek and this allows only visitors that are 15 years and above to venture into the jungles to search for the Giant Apes. Permits are only issued by Rwanda Development Board (but can also be booked by Tour Operator), guaranteeing one hour with the Giant Apes.
For transportation from Kigali City to the Parc Natonal des Volcans for your luxury trip, choose between the 30-minute helicopter transfer provided by Akagera Aviation or road transfers by the luxurious safari vehicle including the 4WD Toyota Land Cruiser or Land Rover. Spend the night at one of the top sumptuous Safari Lodges/Camps to make your dream for luxury gorilla trekking complete. For this reason, you can stay at One & Only Gorilla’s Nest, Bishop’s House, Bisate Lodge, Sabyinyo Silverback Lodge, Singita Kwitonda Lodge or Mountain Gorilla View Lodge.
Uganda, an Alternative Destination for Luxury Gorilla Trekking
Experience a gorilla safari in a luxury style in Uganda’s two magnificent destinations as they uncover their jaw-dropping habituated gorilla families. These tours lead travellers to the south-western side of the country, with hope of spending one hour with one of the habituated gorilla groups.
This country offers the more affordable option for gorilla permits that cost only $700 for the foreign non-residents, $600 for the foreign residents or Shs. 250,000 for the East African residents. Bwindi has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1994, having gained a National Park status three years before.
This park together with its counterpart (Mgahinga Gorilla National Park) is in the southwestern side of the country, 8-9 hours’ drive away and for your gorilla trek, you can charter a flight to Kisoro or Kihiihi airstrip then go to the lodging place with a luxury Safari Land Cruiser or Prado. If you are the kind of person that relishes breathtaking sceneries then you should consider transferring by a luxury ride straight from Kampala or Kigali City.
These gorilla treks normally begin in the morning hours (7:00am to be precise) with briefing at the Park Headquarters, followed by the actual search for Giant Apes in their natural environment. As for the trekking duration, expect anything between 30 minutes and four hours but after which, one hour is provided to watch them interact with their natural surroundings. This is a physically demanding adventure but after all the time in the jungle, travellers go for lunch and refreshment at the Lodge.
After your adventure in the Jungles of Bwindi, the best thing to do is rest your head at a comfortable luxurious place of lodging. The top choices here are Buhoma Lodge, Sanctuary Gorilla Forest Lodge, Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge and so much more.
Gorilla Trekking in Congo
Though few travelers think about DR Congo due to the on and off civil conflicts, you can experience a gorilla safari on luxury in this country. This country hosts both the mountain gorillas and Eastern lowland gorillas in the eastern side of the country.
The Virunga National Park, Africa’s oldest national park hosts a considerable population of the mountain gorillas. The park is well developed to host luxury travelers. The Mikeno Lodge and Bukima Tented Camp are the most luxurious within the park. The eco-luxury camps offer a tranquil stay within the Virunga Mountains of Central Africa.
When is the best time to book for your luxury gorilla trek?
While gorilla trekking is possible all year round, the drier months (June to September and December to February can really be hot and thus more favorable for gorilla tours. This therefore means the Parks will be more thronged than usual while the months of March, April, May, October and November are cooler and receive heavier downpours this become challenging to enjoy gorilla treks as trails are muddy and slippery.
What is Luxury Accommodation Like?
You should not expect a five star service in any of the gorilla safari lodges, but you will get the best of accommodation services that the East African gorilla market can offer. The lodge will surely give you a treat close to a five star experience, but it might not match the five star services offered in Europe.
What are Luxury Safari cars like?
All luxury safari cars are air conditioned. They are spacious enough to maximize comfort. They also have a fridge in case you wish to take some cold drinks. And they are usually the customized Land cruiser 79 series.
In conclusion, a luxury gorilla safari is made possible not merely by the choice of lodges but also the expertise of the tour operator; their keenness on minor details and their ability to inform you prior of the negative surprises that might spoil your trip.
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