Did you know that you can combine a safari with gorillas and wildlife in the savannah plains of Kenya? Do you know that you can spot the big five in Masai Mara and add a gorilla trekking tour in Uganda, Rwanda and D.R. Congo?

Combining safaris is the best way to explore beautiful East Africa and during this safari, tourists visit gorillas in their respective homes and then head to the mighty Masai Mara national reserve in Kenya for its diverse wildlife including the big five mammals, big cats, wonders of the world – wildebeest migration and undulating savannah plains. This safari takes visitors closer to the gorillas during a gorilla trekking safari in either Rwanda, Uganda or D.R. Congo.

Gorilla trekking, therefore, is an experience where visitors spend an hour in the presence of gorillas but the overall experience may take about 2 to 8 hours depending on the location of these beautiful and most attractive primates. This adventure is always conducted in the morning and in only one shift; 8 visitors are allowed to trek one gorilla family per day and this means that gorilla permits are limited in number hence the need for prior booking.

Each gorilla destination (Uganda, Rwanda and D. R. Congo) has got respective prices for gorilla trekking permits. There are eastern low land gorillas in Democratic Republic of Congo located in Kahuzi-Biega national park, while the rare endangered mountain gorillas can be found in Virunga massif which spans across all the three countries and combines Virunga national park in DR Congo, Volcanoes national park in Rwanda and Mgahinga national park in Uganda the Pearl of Africa. Bwindi national park is located in Uganda, just above the Virunga massif and shelters over 50% of total population of mountain gorillas in the whole world.

Each gorilla permit in Uganda costs USD 700, USD 600 and 250,000 UGX for foreign non-residents, foreign residents and East African citizens respectively. In Rwanda, gorilla trekking permits cost USD 1500 while D.R. Congo, a gorilla permit costs USD 450 for foreigners and USD 200 for nationals. The minimum age for trekking gorillas is 15 years. This experience requires one to be physically fit since it involves hiking and moving long distances in the jungle.

For those visitors who are disabled, pregnant or elderly, no worries at all since there is a special chair designed for you – a sedan seat for gorilla trekking and this can be used in Bwindi National Park in Uganda and Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda.

A sedan seat is carried by a team of 8 energetic porters and it costs 300-500$ each to hire. They will carry and take you to the presence of endangered mountain gorillas, watch them for one hour and bring you back to the starting point.

After gorilla trekking, you then fly to Masai Mara reserve in southern Kenya which will be another rewarding experience. This place is known to host the annual wildebeest migration that crosses from Serengeti national park into Kenya every year. Spending 3 to 4 days in this reserve creates everlasting memories since there is a lot to discover including beautiful moments of sunrise and sunset, predators hunting for prey, migration of wildebeests and savannah mammals.

You can check out other itineraries that let you visit Masai Mara and go gorilla trekking in Rwanda, in Uganda like at Bwindi Impenetrable and also relax at Diani Beach.

There is a lot to see apart from these such as the big five animals (lions, leopards, elephants, rhinos and buffaloes), giraffes, bat-eared fox, elands, gazelles, cheetahs, hippos, crocodiles, spotted hyenas, and more. Also, birds can be spotted eagles, Grey crested cranes, giant kingfisher, lanner falcons, and Kori.

Create memories in this Savannah reserve while on game drives and these can start any time in the morning, afternoon or evening.

There are different ways to combine gorilla trekking and Masai Mara wildlife expeditions since Standard Safaris is experienced in crafting tailor-made East African Safaris. Our senior tour consultants are ready to serve you with the best safari types you have been dreaming to undertake; whether solo, group tours, high-end, camping or honeymoon.