Rwanda Safaris & Uganda Safaris with Trek Rwanda Gorillas
Trek Rwanda Gorillas is a licensed Rwanda tour operator and one of the best Rwanda safari companies working across East Africa today. We design and operate Rwanda safaris, Uganda safaris, and Congo gorilla treks — from mountain gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park to Big Five game drives in Akagera, chimpanzee tracking in Nyungwe, and Bwindi Impenetrable Forest expeditions across the border. Every itinerary is planned, permitted, and guided by our team, operating under Maranatha Tours & Travel since 2009.
A Licensed Rwanda Tour Operator Behind Every Itinerary
If you're comparing Rwanda safaris and Uganda safaris before booking, it's worth knowing exactly who you're trusting with the trip. Trek Rwanda Gorillas is the safari brand of Maranatha Tours & Travel, a licensed Rwanda tour operator registered with the Rwanda Development Board (RDB) and Uganda Tourism Board (UTB), operating gorilla trekking and wildlife safaris across Rwanda, Uganda, and the Democratic Republic of Congo since 2009. That combination of longevity, accreditation, and a 5.0 TripAdvisor rating is a large part of why we're regularly counted among one of the best Rwanda safari companies operating today.
Every Rwanda safari we run centres on Volcanoes National Park's mountain gorilla families, paired where you like with golden monkey tracking, Nyungwe Forest chimpanzee trekking, Akagera National Park's Big Five game drives, and Lake Kivu relaxation. Every Uganda safari covers Bwindi Impenetrable Forest's gorilla trekking, Kibale Forest's chimpanzee tracking, Queen Elizabeth National Park's wildlife, and Murchison Falls. For travellers who want both, our combined Rwanda and Uganda safari itineraries cross the border seamlessly.
Featured Rwanda Safaris & Uganda Safaris for 2026
Every package below includes gorilla or chimpanzee permits, private 4x4 transport, and a professional driver-guide as standard.
*Prices marked with an asterisk are indicative starting rates — please confirm exact pricing when requesting your quote.
The Gorilla Habituation Experience
For travellers who want more than the standard one-hour visit, the Gorilla Habituation Experience offers a far deeper encounter with a gorilla family still becoming accustomed to human presence.
What Is Gorilla Habituation?
Instead of a fully habituated family and a strict one-hour visit, habituation permits let you join researchers and trackers observing a semi-habituated gorilla family for up to four hours, learning firsthand how gorillas are gradually acclimatised to human observation.
Rwanda Gorilla Habituation
Rwanda does not offer a separate gorilla habituation experience. Instead, visitors participate in gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park, where treks take place in designated sectors and are limited to a small number of permits each day.
Uganda Gorilla Habituation
Uganda's Gorilla Habituation Experience runs in Bwindi's Rushaga sector, similarly allowing up to four hours with a gorilla family and a small visitor group, priced under Uganda's revised 2027 tariff structure.
Chimpanzee Safaris in Uganda and Rwanda
Chimpanzee tracking is often the perfect companion trek to gorilla trekking — generally shorter, more affordable, and just as thrilling.
Nyungwe Forest, Rwanda
Rwanda's premier chimpanzee destination, Nyungwe Forest National Park also offers a 60-metre canopy walkway and over 300 recorded bird species alongside its chimp tracking.
Kibale Forest, Uganda
Known as the "Primate Capital of the World," Kibale Forest National Park holds Uganda's highest chimpanzee density and the best sighting success rate of any Ugandan park.
Budongo Forest, Uganda
Inside Murchison Falls National Park, Budongo Forest pairs chimpanzee tracking naturally with a Nile boat cruise and Big Five game drives on the same itinerary.
Revised Uganda Gorilla & Chimpanzee Permit Prices
The Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) has announced new low season permit rates for 2026 and a revised tariff structure taking effect 1st January 2027. Here's exactly what's changing.
2026 Low Season Rates (April, May & November) — Already in Effect
| Activity | Foreign Non-Resident | Foreign Resident |
|---|---|---|
| Gorilla Tracking | $600 | $500 |
| Chimpanzee Tracking | $200 | $150 |
Low season permits cannot be rescheduled once booked.
Revised Tariff Structure — Effective 1st January 2027
| Activity | FNR ($) | FR ($) | ROA ($) | EAC (UGX) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gorilla Tracking | 800 | 700 | 500 | 300,000 |
| Gorilla Habituation | 1,800 | 1,600 | 1,000 | 750,000 |
| Chimpanzee Tracking (Kibale) | 300 | 200 | 100 | 180,000 |
| Chimpanzee Habituation | 400 | 300 | 250 | 250,000 |
| Chimpanzee Tracking (Kyambura) | 200 | 150 | 100 | 50,000 |
FNR = Foreign Non-Resident · FR = Foreign Resident · ROA = Rest of Africa · EAC = East African Community citizens. UWA has also suspended the 7-day free permit reservation window effective 1st March 2026 — permits are now secured only with full payment at time of booking. Contact us to lock in current pricing before the 2027 change →
National Parks of Rwanda
Four national parks define Rwanda's wildlife tourism, each with a distinct landscape and headline experience.
Other Things to Do in Rwanda
A Rwanda safari is about far more than gorillas — round out your trip with these experiences.
Kigali City & Genocide Memorial
Rwanda's capital blends modern cafés and rooftop bars with the deeply moving Kigali Genocide Memorial, offering essential context for the country's story.
See Kigali Itineraries →Lake Kivu Boat Trips & Kayaking
Unwind lakeside after a gorilla trek with boat cruises, island hopping, coffee tours, and kayaking across one of Africa's Great Rift Valley lakes.
See Lake Kivu Safaris →Iby'iwacu Cultural Village
Traditional dance, basket weaving, and daily Rwandan life on show near Volcanoes National Park — a genuine cultural counterpart to the wildlife trekking.
See Cultural Itineraries →Congo Nile Trail
A 227km hiking and cycling route tracing Lake Kivu's eastern shore through tea plantations, banana terraces, and rural villages.
See Adventure Excursions →Best Months for Gorilla & Wildlife Safaris
Long Dry Season — June to September
Rwanda and Uganda's peak trekking season. Trails are firm and dry, wildlife visibility is at its best, but this is also peak demand — book permits 4–6 months ahead.
Short Dry Season — December to February
A second excellent dry-trail window with noticeably smaller crowds than June–September, offering easier permit and lodge availability at similar trekking conditions.
Long Wet Season — March to May
Rwanda's lushest, most photogenic forest scenery, fewer tourists, and often discounted permits and lodges — trails are muddier but gorillas move to lower altitudes, easing tracking.
Short Wet Season — October to November
Moderate rainfall, manageable trails, and green forest scenery, alongside the same off-peak pricing advantages as the long wet season.
How to Book a Gorilla Tour
Choose Your Itinerary
Browse our Rwanda, Uganda, and Congo safaris and pick the country, duration, and activities that fit your trip.
Send Us Your Dates
Contact us with preferred travel dates and group size — we check live permit availability directly with RDB and UWA.
Confirm & Pay
Once availability is confirmed, a deposit or full payment secures your permit — permits are non-transferable once booked.
Prepare for Your Trek
We send a full packing list, health requirements, and trip briefing well ahead of your travel date.
Travel & Trek
Arrive in Kigali or Entebbe, meet your driver-guide, and begin the safari — permits, transport, and lodging all handled.
Requirements Needed for Gorilla Trekking
The Rwanda Gorilla Naming Ceremony — Kwita Izina
Each year, Rwanda holds Kwita Izina, its official gorilla naming ceremony, at Kinigi near Volcanoes National Park. Modelled on a traditional Rwandan naming ritual for newborns, the ceremony gives a name to every mountain gorilla infant born in the park over the preceding year, performed by conservationists, government officials, and invited global dignitaries.
Beyond the celebration itself, Kwita Izina is a genuine conservation milestone — a public accounting of the park's gorilla births and a reminder of how far the species has recovered thanks to tourism-funded conservation. Travellers visiting during the ceremony period can often combine a trek with the event itself; ask us about timing your Rwanda gorilla safari around Kwita Izina when planning your trip.
What Makes Us One of the Best Rwanda Safari Companies
Licensed Rwanda Tour Operator
Registered with the Rwanda Development Board and Uganda Tourism Board, operating fully within the legal conservation framework of both countries.
5-Star TripAdvisor Rated
Maranatha Tours & Travel holds a 5.0 TripAdvisor rating from verified travellers across Rwanda, Uganda, and Congo itineraries.
Established Since 2009
Over a decade guiding gorilla trekking and wildlife safaris, with deep working knowledge of permit systems and border logistics.
Fully Custom Itineraries
Every safari is tailored — combine gorilla trekking with Big Five game drives, cultural visits, and lakeside relaxation.
What Travellers Say About Maranatha Tours & Travel
"Maranatha Tours made our gorilla trekking experience in Rwanda absolutely unforgettable. Every detail was perfectly arranged."
"Best safari company I have used in Africa. We did the 5-day Rwanda gorilla and Lake Kivu tour and the 12-day Rwanda-Uganda combination. Both flawlessly organised."
"I was nervous about trekking, but the team arranged a porter and chose the most accessible gorilla family for our group. Looked after me the entire way."
Rwanda Safaris & Uganda Safaris: Frequently Asked Questions
Rwanda vs Uganda safaris — which should I choose?
How far in advance should I book a Rwanda or Uganda safari?
What is the Gorilla Habituation Experience?
Is Trek Rwanda Gorillas a licensed tour operator?
What is included in a Rwanda or Uganda safari package?
What is the Rwanda Gorilla Naming Ceremony?
Book the Rwanda or Uganda Safari of a Lifetime
Whether you have one day or fourteen, and whether you're trekking in Rwanda, Uganda, or Congo, Trek Rwanda Gorillas by Maranatha Tours & Travel designs and operates the itinerary that puts you face-to-face with mountain gorillas safely, legally, and unforgettably.
Request Your Rwanda or Uganda Safari Quote
Send Us Your Travel Dates
Tell us your preferred dates, group size, and which safari interests you — we confirm permit availability within 24 hours.
Rwanda & Uganda Travel Guides
Complete Guide to Gorilla Trekking in Rwanda 2026
Everything you need to know — permits, packing list, difficulty, best time to visit, and what happens during the trek itself.
Read Guide ›
Bwindi Impenetrable Forest — Uganda Gorilla Safari Guide
Bwindi vs Volcanoes National Park — which country gives the better gorilla experience? An honest comparison of both destinations.
Read Guide ›
10-Day Rwanda Safari — The Complete Holiday Itinerary
Gorillas, chimpanzees, Akagera Big Five, Lake Kivu, and Kigali — the complete Rwanda wildlife experience in 10 unforgettable days.
Read Guide ›
Virunga National Park — Congo Gorilla Trek & Nyiragongo Hike Guide
The world's most affordable gorilla permit ($400) and the dramatic Nyiragongo lava lake hike — why Congo belongs in your Africa itinerary.
Read Guide ›
Nyungwe Forest — Rwanda's Chimpanzee & Canopy Walk Safari
Nyungwe National Park offers 13 primate species, a 60-metre canopy walkway, and tea estate scenery — Rwanda's most underrated safari destination.
Read Guide ›
Lake Kivu Safari — Rwanda's Hidden Jewel After Gorilla Trekking
Lake Kivu provides the perfect decompression after the intensity of gorilla trekking — boat trips, beach dining, and island excursions on one of Africa's Great Rift Valley lakes.
Read Guide ›