Tourists who prefer living large while on their gorilla trekking safaris have a wide range of luxurious hotels to stay for accommodation and in addition to that, they travel in a lavish 4×4 safari land cruisers or even scheduled flights to different national parks. A luxury gorilla trekking safari as well includes tourists visiting other places that are close to the gorilla destinations, and trekking a particular gorilla family as solo.
Top destinations for luxury gorilla trekking.
- Luxury gorilla trekking in Uganda
Luxury gorilla trekking in the pearl of Africa is highlighted by flying over the incredible landscapes to one of the gorilla destinations, Bwindi or Mgahinga National Park.
Visitors are picked by professional safari guides to a specific airfield and embark on the booked flight through the beautiful villages destined for Bwindi or Mgahinga national parks. There are only two airstrips that some these national parks – Kihiihi and Kisoro airstrips. Upon landing, visitors are picked up in a cozy 4×4 land cruiser vehicle from the airstrip to the lodge overlooking the land of Impenetrable forests.
This wondrous gorilla trekking adventure is led by professional park rangers, in the company of porters that will help to carry trekkers’ valuable luggage while on the hike
Trekkers get to shake off the tiring day spent hiking and trekking from a luxurious hotel on the edge of the park. Luxury hotels here have beautifully crafted wooden chalets that offer magical views of the forests, local drinks and delicious meals.
- Luxury gorilla trekking in Rwanda
Gorilla trekking in the land of thousand hills is typically luxurious because it is the most expensive among the three mountain gorilla countries in Africa. Gorilla Trekking in a lavish lifestyle involves flying closer to Volcanoes National Park, the only gorilla park in Rwanda, trekking with the professional tour guides and relaxing from any of the ultra-luxury lodges situated next to the park.
Some of the luxury lodges near Volcanoes National Park include One and Only Gorilla’s Nest, Amakoro Songa Lodge, Bisate Wilderness Lodge, Sambora Kinigi Lodge, Singita Kwitonda, Amarembo by Touch down, Sabyinyo Silverback lodge, and many more.
- Luxury gorilla trekking in D.R. Congo
D.R. Congo is one of the beautiful countries in Africa that are blessed to shelter the rare mountain gorillas.
While in D.R. Congo, visitors can either go to the Virungas National Park to spot mountain gorillas or Kahuzi-Beiga National Park for lowland gorillas.
Luxury gorilla trekking in Congo involves the following; –
- VIP gorilla trekking
High-end tourists get to trek a particular gorilla family either as a couple, family or solo individuals. The beauty about this is that the tourists enjoy all the gorillas to themselves however, they are supposed to pay for all the eight members that should be in a group trekking a single gorilla family.
- Luxury accommodation
A serene environment with a five-star experience is what VIP tourists should consider for their lavish lifestyle. High-end hotels in Virunga national park include Bukima Tented Camp, Mikeno tented lodge and Kibumba Camp. Their nightly prices range between 500 USD to 1000 USD per night per person.
- Comfortable and 4X4 Safari Cars
Visitors on luxury gorilla trekking in D.R. Congo are transported in our comfy 4×4 land cruisers / jeeps that are designed to offer a very relaxing drive over the bumpy roads of eastern D.R. Congo.
- Porters
VIP trekkers get to hire local porters to help them on the hike to meet the gorillas. During the rainy season, porters become more important as they to carry the luggage, push, pull or carry the trekkers incase the hike gets tough.
Top luxury gorilla safari lodges.
Luxury gorilla trekking lodges in Rwanda.
Bisate lodge
Bisate means “pieces” in Kinyarwanda and this was named after the peaks of the surrounding volcanoes that have eroded away. Located in northwestern Rwanda, this luxury lodge is found in the vicinity of Volcanoes National Park, overlooking Mikeno, Karisimbi and Bisoke mountains. The lodge is only a short distance away from the headquarters of Volcanoes National Park.
Bisate lodge has a lot of interest in conservation of nature, reforestation and rehabilitation of the natural environment.
The lodge is an award-winning facility with medals like the world’s best travel and leisure hotel award in 2023 and World travel award in 2022.
- Nature of the rooms
The six lavish en suite rooms of Bisate lodge are characterized by warmth, coziness and spectacular views of the Virunga Mountains. The lodge features both suites and family non-smoking rooms, a mini bar, bathrobes and a fire place.
- Amenities
This lodge offers services that would prompt a guest to live in it forever. It has high speed free WI-FI connection, bar and lounge, restaurant, free parking, private check in and out, delicious meals, laundry services and other services
One and Only Gorilla’s Nest
This high-end property is the closest to Volcanoes national park and is found in Kinigi tucked in the lush green surrounding overlooking the towering Virunga ranges.
The lodge is found in the eucalyptus plantations of Virunga ranges hence offering mouthwatering and memorable views and fresh breeze.
- Nature of the rooms
The 24 rooms of this lodge are suites and non-smoking rooms with bathrobes, kitchen area, extra bathroom, house-keeping, room service, fire place, mini bar and a safe.
- Amenities
One and Only Gorilla’s Nest offers comforting services like a fitness Centre, swimming pool, free parking, sauna, buffet breakfast, evening cultural entertainment, spa, dry lounge, restaurant, among others.
Luxury gorilla trekking lodges in Uganda.
Buhoma lodge
Buhoma Lodge is one of the enchantresses found inside the premises of Bwindi impenetrable National Park. It is one of the few lodges found within the pristine environment of Bwindi Forest making it so close to the mountain gorillas.
Buhoma Lodge boasts wining the traveler’s choice award in 2022 and 2024.
- Nature of the rooms
The lodge’s ten chalets have an ultimate level of comfort constructed from local materials and finished off with an eco-friendly solar lighting.
The chalets consist of non-smoking private and family rooms with a safe, ensuite bathrooms, flush toilets, showers, bath tubs, insect proof window screens, and open fire places for family or honeymoon clients.
- Lodge amenities
The lodge offers special diet menus for all guests, free internet, free breakfast, free parking, outdoor furniture, laundry services, kids’ meals, foot and full body massage on request, private check ins and outs, ironing, restaurant and lounge, etc.
Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge
Guests feel like they are in cloud 9 when they stay at this lodge, found near the southern entrance of Bwindi impenetrable National Park.
- Nature of the rooms.
The cottage room feature suites, non-smoking rooms and family rooms whose coziness is a collective effort from room service, fire place and huge space.
Accommodation is offered by a collection of 8 spacious cottages built from volcanic stone, safe, sitting room, hair dryer among others.
- Amenities
The lodge offers free parking, free internet, spa, gift shop, meals all-inclusive, concierge and a 24-hour front desk support personnel.
Mikeno tented lodge
Mikeno Tented Lodge is D.R. Congo’s high-end property found in the heart of Virunga national park within the lush Mahura Forest near the park’s headquarters.
While at this lodge, guests can spot the wondrous Nyiragongo and Mikeno Mountains. It’s easy for guests to enroute via Senkwekwe gorilla orphanage to visit the orphaned mountain gorillas.
- Nature of the rooms
The lodge’s 12 bungalows accommodate two individuals and are beautifully constructed with a wowing touch of lava rock walls and finished off with a roof made of thatch. The rooms have a private deck, free lounge, fire place and spacious bathroom.
- Amenities
Each of the bungalows is cozy with a fire place in the corner, stone showers, flush toilets, delicious meals, hot tub, laundry services, free internet, free parking space, bar and lounge.
Tips on how to do luxury gorilla trekking safaris.
- Consider choosing the perfect time for a luxury safari
The dry months of June to August and December to February should be ideal because there are no rains to make both air and road transportation a challenge.
- Choose the perfect gorilla family
Each tourist has a special taste and preference of the gorillas they want to spot. Therefore, visitors should communicate if they want a family with infants, or silverbacks so that they get to enjoy exactly what they love to see.
- Pack crucial clothing for the adventure
A comfortable trekker definitely enjoys the activity than any other individual. Trekkers should have a checklist of all the clothes that offer comfort while in the jungle like hiking boots, long pants, gloves, sunscreen and other items.
- Explore other attractions in Uganda.
At the end of a gorilla trekking tour, ensure to create time and visit other interesting destinations that are close to the gorilla parks. One can visit places like Lake Bunyonyi, Queen Elizabeth national park, the Batwa villages, Lake Mutanda, Senkwekwe gorilla orphanage, Nyungwe national park, Lake Kivu, and other places.
Helicopter flights to Volcanoes national park in Rwanda.
On a daily basis, high-end clients fly to Volcanoes National Park from Kigali. Visitors are picked from Kigali international airport and fly above verdant beautiful highlands, vast plantations, and local villages to land in Musanze airstrip. Thanks to Akagera aviation that helps visitors get to their destination in the shortest time possible.
Domestic flights to Kisoro and Kihiihi airstrips in Uganda.
Kihihi airstrip is close to the northern part of Bwindi National Park hence clients going to either Buhoma or Ruhija gorilla sectors should use this airstrip. Flights to Kihiihi airstrip take off from Entebbe airport by Aerolink.
Visitors destined for Nkuringo and Rushaga gorilla sectors in southern Bwindi national park will definitely land at Kisoro airstrip in Kisoro town. This same airstrip also serves visitors going to Mgahinga National Park which is located 35km from Kisoro town.
