There is a particular silence that falls when you first see a mountain gorilla. You have walked through forest, past nettles and giant ferns, listening to the tracker's quiet instructions. Then the vegetation parts, and a huge, calm, intelligent face looks back at you. The hour that follows, in the company of a family that has accepted human visitors, is something most guests describe as the most affecting wildlife encounter of their lives.
Mountain gorillas live only in the mountain forests of Uganda, Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo, and only around a thousand remain. Responsible tourism plays a central part in their protection, with permit revenue supporting rangers, veterinary care and the communities that live beside the forest. Trekking takes place in small groups of up to eight visitors, led by experienced guides and trackers, and the minimum age for trekkers is fifteen.
We design gorilla journeys with great care: choosing the sector that suits your fitness, arranging porters if you want one, placing you in a lodge with a view and adding rest days and companion experiences such as chimpanzee tracking, golden monkeys and savannah safaris. Permits are limited and must be booked well ahead, so the earlier we start, the more choice you will have.
