Tanzania is found in east Africa bordering Uganda, Kenya and Rwanda. The country is one of Africa’s gems boasting with various wildlife national parks though you can not find mountain gorillas in Tanzania, you can trek them from either Rwanda or Uganda.
Tourists trekking mountain gorillas from Arusha in Tanzania can fly in to Entebbe international from Kilimanjaro airport in northern Tanzania. After arriving in Entebbe international airport, they can fly to Kihihi or Kisoro airstrip from Entebbe international airport or Kajjansi airfield.
For budget travellers, they can drive from Entebbe to Bwindi impenetrable forest national park or Kajjansi airport for 9-10 hours and trek gorillas the next day. Tourists can also opt to fly from Entebbe to Bwindi and fly out of Kigali international airport in Rwanda. Tourists can also fly from Kilimanjaro airport in Tanzania to Kigali international airport in Rwanda and then drive for 4-5 hours to Volcanoes national park for gorilla trekking or even Bwindi and Mgahinga national parks.
Booking your gorilla permit
Gorilla permits must always be obtained at least 3-5 months before the trekking date to avoid missing out on the permits. Rwanda offers the most expensive gorilla permits costing $1500 per person, Uganda gorilla permits cost $600 per person and Democratic republic of Congo offers the cheapest gorilla permits costing $400.
The best time for trekking mountain gorillas is from June to September and from December to February when there are no rains and the vegetation is not thick making it easy to traverse the jungle. The rain season can make the trekking trails very steep and slippery though some lodges in the national parks give discounts on their rates.
Gorilla trekking is one of the most commonly done activity by tourists to Africa, this can be done at Virunga national park in Democratic republic of Congo, Volcanoes national park in Rwanda, Bwindi impenetrable forest national park and Mgahinga gorilla national park in Uganda.