Planning for gorilla trekking from Arusha in Tanzania? Tanzania is located in East Africa and shares borders with Uganda, Kenya, and Rwanda. The country has many wildlife national parks, but you cannot see mountain gorillas in Tanzania itself. To see gorillas, you need to travel to either Uganda or Rwanda. If Uganda is part of your plan, browse Uganda tours to see your options.
Tourists who want to trek mountain gorillas from Arusha in Tanzania can fly to Entebbe International Airport from Kilimanjaro Airport in northern Tanzania. From Entebbe, they can take a connecting flight to Kihihi or Kisoro airstrip, or fly from Kajjansi Airfield.
Routes From Arusha to the Gorilla Trekking Parks
For budget travelers, it’s possible to drive from Entebbe to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, which takes about 9 to 10 hours. After the drive, you can trek gorillas the next day.
Another option is to fly to Bwindi from Entebbe and then fly out of Kigali International Airport in Rwanda. Tourists can also fly from Kilimanjaro Airport in Tanzania to Kigali and drive 4 to 5 hours to Volcanoes National Park for gorilla trekking, or continue on to Bwindi and Mgahinga parks in Uganda. If Rwanda is your starting point, start planning in Rwanda.
Each of these routes offers a different balance of time, cost, and convenience, so the right choice often comes down to how much time you have available and whether you’d rather fly or drive the longer legs of the journey. Since many Arusha travelers end up visiting both countries, take a look at our East Africa safaris.
Booking Your Gorilla Permit
Gorilla permits should be booked 3 to 5 months before your trekking date, to avoid missing out due to high demand. Rwanda has the most expensive gorilla permits, at $1,500 per person. Uganda’s gorilla permits cost $800 per person, and the Democratic Republic of Congo offers the most affordable permits, at $400 per person.
Since permit availability is limited and demand is especially high during peak season, working with a trusted tour operator can help ensure your preferred dates and park are secured well ahead of your trip. For a side-by-side look at what’s available, you can browse all itineraries before booking.
Best Time to Go Gorilla Trekking
The best time to go gorilla trekking is from June to September and from December to February. These months usually have little or no rain, and the vegetation is not too thick, which makes trekking easier.
During the rainy season, the trails become steep and slippery, making the hike more physically demanding, although some lodges offer discounted rates during this quieter period, which can be worth considering for travelers on a tighter budget.
Where Gorilla Trekking Takes Place
Gorilla trekking is one of the most popular activities for tourists visiting Africa. You can do it in Virunga National Park in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda, and Bwindi Impenetrable Forest and Mgahinga Gorilla National Parks in Uganda, giving travelers from Arusha a range of options depending on their budget and preferred route. Start planning your own gorilla trekking in Uganda and Rwanda today.
