A luxury gorilla safari is built around the hour you spend with a gorilla family and the comfort you return to afterwards. You fly or drive to the edge of the forest, stay in a small lodge with a private terrace, trek with your own guide and porters and experience the best a luxury gorilla safari has to offer. This guide explains what a luxury gorilla safari includes, where the finest lodges are both in Uganda and Rwanda, and how inland flights, lodging and private guiding change the trip.
What a luxury gorilla safari includes
Luxury lodges near the gorillas are small, often with ten to twenty rooms each with a deck, a fireplace and a view over the forest. Staff greet you with warm towels and a hot drink and a guest manager looks after your plans. Meals are tailored from the picnic lunches on the trek trails to candlelit dinners with wine.
You trek with a private guide in addition to the park rangers who can set the pace and help with photography. Hired porters carry your bag while a number of lodges offer a massage afterwards for exhausted legs. A private vehicle and driver guide are available for the days between the trek and the the inland flight.
Where to stay on a luxury gorilla safari
In Uganda, the finest lodges sit inside or beside Bwindi Impenetrable National Park with in the Buhoma, Ruhija and Rushaga sectors. These have cottages with forest views, fine dining and spa treatments. In the south, Mgahinga has a small number of upscale options near the volcanoes while Lake Bunyonyi has island lodges for a night of quiet after the trek.
In Rwanda, luxury lodges around Volcanoes National Park are among the best in East Africa. Domed villas with private plunge pools, fireplaces and views of the Virunga volcanoes put you deep in the forest. The permit here is definitely priced higher than in Uganda and the lodges are priced to match. Both countries reward early booking because the best rooms are numbered.
Flying to the gorillas
The biggest change on a luxury gorilla safari is the inland flight. The drive from Entebbe or Kampala to Bwindi takes eight to ten hours while a charter or scheduled flight to Kihihi or Kisoro airstrip takes about an hour and a half. You arrive in the morning, trek in the afternoon or the next day and fly out when you are ready.
In Rwanda, the drive from Kigali to Musanze takes two to three hours on a good road while a helicopter transfer is available as well. Many luxury travelers combine both countries, flying from Entebbe to Kigali. We book the inland chartered flights and the road legs together so there are no gaps on the day.
Habituation and private experiences
A gorilla habituation experience lets you spend four hours with a gorilla family that is being prepared for visitors instead of one hour a normal trek permits. It is only available in Uganda at The Rushaga sector in Bwindi where the groups have smaller gorilla numbers. This is an excellent addition for photographers and for anyone who wants longer hours with the gorillas.
Other private experiences include a guided visit to the Batwa community, a bush breakfast on the edge of the forest, a canoe trip on Lake Bunyonyi and a private game drive in Queen Elizabeth National Park. Our guide to the gorilla habituation experience explains how it works.
The pace matters as much as the lodge. A well planned luxury trip has no early morning flights on the day before a trek and no long drives after it. You arrive a day early, rest, trek at your own speed and have a slow afternoon before you leave. That rhythm protects the one day that matters while leaving you with energy to enjoy the lodge.
When to go for a luxury gorilla safari
The driest months: June to September and December to February are best for easier trails and clearer views. The wetter months bring fewer visitors along side greeny hills and the best lodges are happy to accommodate you. Because the number of permits and rooms is limited, booking the best dates within 3 to 6 months is highly advised.
Practical tips for a luxury gorilla safari
Pack for a mix of cool mornings and warm afternoons. Long trousers, a long-sleeved shirt, sturdy boots, gloves and a light rain jacket are essential even in a luxury lodge. Our guide on what to wear and pack for gorilla trekking gives the full list. Bring a camera with a quiet shutter and no flash.
Minimum age is fifteen and anyone unwell may be asked to stay behind. Telling us about any health needs in advance is essential. Gorilla permits are non-refundable once booked so we confirm your dates and your health before we book.
How Offmap plans a luxury gorilla safari
We start with your permit dates and the lodges you would like or could be favorable then plan for inland charter flights and private guiding around them. We keep the route short and unhurried while we place the trek in the middle of the trip so that a delay does not cost you the permit. Our team looks after your trip from the first message to the last transfer.
To compare tiers, read our guide to a luxury safari in Uganda, or browse our Rwanda safaris. When you are ready, tell us your plans on the Plan My Safari page.
4-Day Rwanda Gorilla Trekking Safari
5-Day Uganda Gorilla Trekking Safari
Frequently asked questions
What does a luxury gorilla safari include?
It includes a small luxury lodge near the forest, flights to the edge of the park, a private guide and vehicle, porters and fine dining. The gorilla hour is the same for everyone, so the luxury is in the comfort, the planning and the pace of the days around it.
Should I choose Uganda or Rwanda for a luxury gorilla safari?
Both are excellent. Rwanda has the most polished luxury lodges and short transfers from Kigali, though its permit costs more. Uganda has a lower permit, more families to visit and a wider choice of safaris. Many travellers combine both, and we can plan either route.
How do I get to the gorillas in comfort?
Fly. A charter or scheduled flight from Entebbe to Kihihi or Kisoro takes about an hour and a half, instead of eight to ten hours on the road. In Rwanda, the road from Kigali takes two to three hours, and a helicopter transfer is also available.
Can I spend longer with the gorillas?
Yes, on a gorilla habituation experience in Uganda. You spend up to four hours with a family that is being prepared for visitors, in a small group. It suits photographers and anyone who wants more time. The permit is separate and non-refundable, so book early.
How far ahead should I book a luxury gorilla safari?
Book nine to twelve months ahead for the dry months, and at least six months ahead for other times. The best lodges have few rooms, and permits sell out. We hold lodges while you confirm, and we purchase permits once your dates are firm, because permits are non-refundable.
