Gorilla Trekking for Solo Travellers: Being a solo traveller doesn’t limit you from engaging in the gorilla trekking in Africa. Gorilla trekking for solo travellers offers a unique opportunity to connect with nature while witnessing the majestic mountain gorillas. It is a fantastic opportunity for solo travellers to foster personal growth, experience adventure, and deepen their appreciation for primate conservation. Planning a successful solo gorilla trekking safari is possible when you get in touch with the right gorilla experts. Below is an ultimate guide to planning a gorilla trek for solo travellers, including incredible tips.
Best Gorilla Trekking Destinations for Solo Travelers
When it comes to solo gorilla trekking safaris in Africa, two places must be on your must-visit list. They include Uganda and Rwanda –these two destinations are perfect for any solo traveller to visit and enjoy a solo gorilla tour in East Africa. Each of the two countries has a destination where solo travellers can trek with mountain gorillas.
Best Solo Gorilla Trekking –Uganda
As solo travellers, visiting Uganda presents you with a chance to enjoy a trek with a group of mountain gorillas in the wild, starting from any of its two safari parks. The two places to include in your travel plan for gorilla trekking as a solo traveller are Mgahinga – Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park.
Bwindi is essentially a dense tropical forested park, home to the highest profusion of mountain gorilla groups. Over 24 habituated gorilla groups make Bwindi National Park an ideal place to embark on a solo African gorilla trekking tour. While in Bwindi, solo travellers can start trekking with mountain gorillas from the four sectors, including Ruhija, Rushaga, Buhoma, and Nkuringo. Each gorilla sector has habituated gorilla groups, lodges, and access options, making Bwindi Impenetrable National Park a favourite choice for solo travellers seeking to fulfil their long-held dreams of encountering Great Apes.
Mgahinga lies in the Virunga Conservation Area and is the smallest park not only in the Virunga region, but also in Uganda, where it is entirely located. Despite the size, Mgahinga gorilla safaris promise incredible mountain gorilla encounters to all primate lovers on Uganda gorilla trekking as solo travellers. The Nyakagezi gorilla group is the best gorilla group to explore in Mgahinga, and treks begin in the Ntebeko region of Kisoro District.
Solo Gorilla Trekking Safaris in Rwanda
Rwanda is one of Africa’s most visited destinations, primarily for gorilla trekking. In Rwanda, the focus of any primate enthusiast is Volcanoes National Park. Located in Musanze Province, Northwestern Rwanda, Volcanoes National Park is home to Africa’s endangered species, including mountain gorillas, golden monkeys, and multiple Albertine Rift-endemic bird species.
Solo travellers on gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park can track the 13 habituated gorilla families. The gorilla groups to consider a must-visit for solo travellers on gorilla trekking in Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park include the Sabyinyo gorilla group, Karisimbi group, Amahoro family, Group 13, Umubano gorilla family, Susa A, Ugenda, Kwisanga group, Isimbi gorilla group, and Igisha gorilla family. The starting point for gorilla trekking is Kinigi, where park officials always conduct the briefing and allocate ranger guides and groups.
How does gorilla trekking for solo travellers work?
One may wonder how to secure a gorilla trekking slot for solo travellers. Even if you are a solo traveller, there are options to make you embark on a successful gorilla safari. First, you need to consider our available options, including the following;
Join our captivating group gorilla safaris.
The easiest way to embark on gorilla trekking as a solo traveller is to join one of our group tours. Usually, our group gorilla safaris accommodate up to 8 pax. It is the most cost-effective alternative for anyone planning to go gorilla trekking in Uganda or Rwanda as a solo traveller. Talk to the expert now to be guided on the suitable group tour package to join.
Ultimate Private Gorilla Trekking Expeditions with Experts
Booking exclusive private gorilla trekking tours in Uganda or Rwanda can also help you achieve your dream to engage in this thrilling trek with African mountain gorillas. Contact our team to organize a personalised private gorilla safari in Uganda/Rwanda.
Valuable Tips for Planning Gorilla Trekking for Solo Travellers
Explore our incredible travel tips to help with the planning stages of gorilla trekking as a solo traveller. These essential tips apply to all guests with plans to be in Uganda or Rwanda.
Book a Rwanda/Uganda gorilla permit early.
The first step to securing a solo gorilla safari slot in Uganda or Rwanda is obtaining a valid gorilla permit. As you plan, bear in mind that permits are generally limited to a maximum of 8 pax per gorilla group. Also note that gorilla treks are only conducted once a day, and therefore, you shouldn’t waste any available opportunity to secure a permit in advance. Do not even try to wait till the last minute because you may miss out, especially during the peak season, from June to September or December to February.
Book a solo gorilla trekking safari with a trusted tour operator
When searching for the gorilla trekking safari company to secure a slot, Native Africa Tours shouldn’t miss out on your list. We are a complete gorilla safari company with extensive experience organising memorable mountain gorilla tours for solo travellers and large groups. Contact our team to begin every essential step to book your dream gorilla safari holiday.
Be ready for the terrain challenge
Gorilla trekking is generally a distinct expedition from the everyday safari experiences. Given the terrain, a guided gorilla trek takes primate trekkers deeper into the jungle to locate a gorilla group. The length of the gorilla trek can’t be predicted, but it will take you at least 2-6 hours. The determining factors include the general terrains, the location of gorilla groups, and visitors’ fitness levels.
Carry the ideal gear/equipment for your solo gorilla trekking tour.
Regardless of the destination, packing right is crucial for all solo travellers who want to see the gorillas in Rwanda or Uganda. Given the gorilla habitat, your packing should include gardening gloves, long trousers, long-sleeved shirts, a sweater, a daypack, a first-aid kit, a safari hat, waterproof walking or hiking boots, and snacks. The gorilla safari packing list should also include snacks to keep you physically fit during the gorilla trek, sunscreen, personal toiletries, a pair of binoculars, a good pair of socks, gaiters, and more.
Time your gorilla adventure
The best time to embark on gorilla trekking as a solo traveller is during the dry season, also known as the peak season, and runs from June to September. The second phase of the peak season occurs from December to February. But given the flexibility of this adventure, you can reach your destination to track gorillas even during the wet or rainy (off/low) season, which runs from March to May/from October to November. The only challenge during the rainy season is the heavy rainfall that the gorilla destination often experiences. But it’s best for budget travellers on solo trips.
Gorilla Trekking Permits –Know the cost.
Obtaining a single gorilla permit for your tour should be a must-do. Ensure your permit is reserved early, ideally 2-6 months before your gorilla visit in Uganda or Rwanda. Currently, Uganda mountain gorilla permits still cost USD 800 per visitor (for non-resident visitors), USD 700 per person for all foreign residents, and UGX 300,000 for East Africans. The current cost of gorilla permits in Uganda is effective until June 2026, and the new rates, effective following Uganda Wildlife Authority’s revision, can be shared by early July.
Rwanda gorilla trekking permits still cost USD 1500 per visitor. Like Uganda, Rwanda has yet to review its gorilla permit cost, and our team will share any updates. Booking a gorilla permit for Rwanda or Uganda is possible through the trusted tour operator, Native Africa Tours.
For anyone on solo travel, booking a gorilla trek in Uganda or Rwanda should be a must with Native Africa Tours, the trusted, leading gorilla Safari Company in Africa.
