Silverback Gorilla Tours offer primate enthusiasts a lifetime opportunity to embark on a journey to enjoy up close and personal encounters with dominant male gorillas “silverbacks” and the rest of the family members. Silverback Gorilla Tours take primate trekkers on the actual trek in the African jungles. Visitors embark on actual gorilla trekking and the entire adventure comes with breathtaking encounters with mountain gorillas in their natural habitat. Engaging in the active trek with mountain gorillas in the wild and later finding them is a unique opportunity that strikes once in a lifetime.
Where to go for Silverback Gorilla Tours in Africa
Silverback Gorilla Tours in Africa are enjoyable in Uganda, Rwanda, and Congo. Visiting Uganda, Rwanda, and Congo on the Silverback Gorilla Tour is a great opportunity for primate trekkers to search for unique mountain gorillas. These unique apes only account for a population of 1063 globally and trekking to see them is only possible in the 4 African safari parks. The 4 parks to visit for Silverback Gorilla Tours in Africa include;
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park (Best for Silverback Gorilla Encounters)
Bwindi National Park is located in the southwestern part of Uganda, where over 459 mountain gorillas live. Bwindi was officially gazetted in 1991, and in 1994, it was recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site thanks to its biodiversity significance. Today, the 331 sq. km Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park boasts over 25 fully habituated mountain gorilla families worth exploring on Silverback Gorilla Tours in Uganda.
On Silverback Gorilla Tours in Bwindi, visitors begin their primate adventures from the 4 sectors or regions; Ruhija, Buhoma, Rushaga, and Nkuringo. Each sector has gorilla groups for you to embark on a trek to see the Silverback Mountain Gorillas in the wild. Top gorilla groups to expect to explore on Silverback Gorilla Tours in Bwindi National Park include Mubare gorilla group, Habinyanja, Rushegura group, Bikingi, Nshongi, Kutu, Bweza, Busingye, Kahungye, Mishaya, Mucunguzi, Mukiza, Kyaguriro, Bitukura, and Oruzogo, etc. Our customized gorilla safari packages such as 3 Days Bwindi Gorilla Trek offer you the chance to trek and enjoy the company of endangered gorillas in their natural habitats
Mgahinga National Park for Silverback Gorilla Tours
Silverback Gorilla Tours in Mgahinga National Park provide visitors with the best option to enjoy treks free from the crowds. At Mgahinga, there is only one gorilla group to visit on the Silverback Gorilla Tour and that is the Nyakagezi gorilla family. Mgahinga National Park is the smallest of the 10 parks in Uganda but boasts of its thrilling mountain gorilla encounters.
Mgahinga is lying in Kisoro District, Southwestern Uganda. This park covers a land area of only 33.7 sq. km and gorilla treks to explore the silverback gorilla starts from Ntebeko area with briefing and allocation of park ranger guide.
Overall, to be allowed to engage in the active silverback gorilla trekking tour in Uganda, a valid gorilla permit is essential. A valid Uganda Silverback Gorilla Permit costs USD 800 per person and this caters for foreign nonresidents, USD 700 for all foreign residents, USD 500 for the Rest of Africa, and Ugandans plus the East Africa Community Citizens are charged UGX 300,000 per person. A gorilla permit should be booked early at least 2-6 months before the actual trek to see the Silverback Mountain Gorillas.
Volcanoes National Park
Silverback Gorilla Tours in Volcanoes National Park also involves embarking on the search for the adult male mountain gorillas and the rest of their family members. Visitors on Rwanda Silverback Gorilla Tours have up to 13 habituated gorilla families to visit in Volcanoes National Park.
The gorilla groups to visit during the Silverback Gorilla Tours in Rwanda include the Susa A, Bwenge, Hirwa, Ugenda, Agashya, Umubano, Karisimbi (Susa B), Amahoro, Muhoza, and others. To trek any of these habituated gorilla groups, a valid gorilla permit is required and you should be within the set age limit. One Rwanda gorilla permit costs USD 1500 per person and it can be booked through the local tour operator/company on the ground.
Access to Volcanoes National Park from the heart of Kigali, expect to spend at least 2-3 hours’ drive. Volcanoes Park is the most accessible destination to visit to explore on the Silverback Gorilla Tours.
Virunga National Park
Silverback Gorilla Tours in the Virunga National Park offers another thrilling opportunity to explore the rare mountain gorillas. Virunga is the biggest of all the 4 mountain gorilla parks covering a land area of 7800 sq. km. It was officially gazetted in 1925 primarily to provide refuge to the present endangered mountain gorillas in the wild. The Virunga National Park contains 8 habituated gorilla families including the Humba gorilla family, Kabirizi, Rugendo, Munyaga gorilla family, Bageni group, and Mapuwa gorilla group.
The Virunga gorilla permits are available for booking at USD 450 per person. Visitors on Congo Silverback Gorilla Tours can secure their permits through the local expert on the ground.
Aside from mountain gorillas, Congo gorilla safaris also offer primate enthusiasts a chance to explore the massive Eastern lowland gorillas. The Eastern lowland gorillas in Congo can be trekked only in Kahuzi-Biega National Park. The permits for trekking the Eastern lowland gorillas can be booked at the same amount as mountain gorillas (that is USD 450).
Virunga National Park and Kahuzi-Biega National Park are accessible from Congo and Kigali in Rwanda.
Silverback Gorillas
Silverback Gorillas are typically mature male gorillas. For a male gorilla to be recognized as a silverback, it should reach 12-13 years, a stage when they develop a gray (silver) like hair and have large canine teeth. Silverback Gorillas are the dominant group leaders and each family can comprise 5 to 40 members. His role mainly involves defending the entire group from any attacks.
At around 11 years, often, male mountain gorillas start leaving their original group. At this age, they can be spotted even moving alone till the moment when they can attract other females.
Who is eligible to go for the Silverback Gorilla Tours?
Silverback Gorilla Tours can be enjoyed by all visitors above 15 years old. As per the gorilla trekking rules, visitors of 15 years and above are considered to be eligible to purchase a gorilla permit and also participate in the active gorilla trek to see the silverback gorillas in the wild.
What to pack for a Silverback Gorilla Tour in Uganda, Rwanda, and Congo
Essentials to include on your packing list for Silverback Gorilla Tours and safaris in Uganda, Rwanda, or Congo include long-sleeved shirts, a valid gorilla permit, long trousers, a waterproof daypack, a camera with additional batteries and memory card, insect repellents. Other items to pack for a gorilla tour include bottled drinking water, snacks, a first aid kit, a sweater, a rain jacket, and more.
When to go for the Silverback Gorilla Tours
Silverback Gorilla Tours in Uganda or Rwanda can be conducted at any time of the year, but the dry months are the best for you to have a thrilling trek to see gorillas. On the travel calendar, the dry months occur from June to September, then December to February. The dry months are the peak months and visitors are advised to book their tour and permits in advance at least 2-6 months before the actual visit to explore silverback mountain gorillas.
Where to stay on Silverback Gorilla Tours
Gorilla safari lodges to book for overnight stay during the Silverback Gorilla Tours in Uganda include Four Gorillas Lodge, Chameleon Hill Lodge, Ichumbi Gorilla Safari Lodge, Rushaga Gorilla Havens Lodge, Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge, Nkuringo Bwindi Gorilla Lodge, Nshongi Camp, Buhoma Lodge, Gift of Nature Lodge, Trekker’s Tavern Cottages, and Ruhija Gorilla Safari Lodge.
Accommodation in Rwanda to book for an overnight stay during the Silverback Gorilla Tour include Five Volcanoes Boutique Hotel, Sabyinyo Silverback Lodge, Bisate Lodge, Mountain Gorilla View Lodge, Kinigi Guesthouse, and Muhabura Hotel.
