Uganda & Rwanda

Meet the Mountain Gorillas in Their Wild Home

Ripple Safaris designs unforgettable Gorilla Trekking expeditions through the misty forests of Bwindi and the Virunga Volcanoes — safe, sustainable, and unforgettable.

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Gorilla Trekking and Wildlife Safaris in Uganda and Rwanda

Ripple Safaris creates carefully planned journeys through Uganda and Rwanda, pairing expert local guidance with the landscapes and wildlife that make East Africa unforgettable. Join a mountain gorilla trek in Bwindi, Mgahinga or Volcanoes National Park, or discover the region on a wildlife safari.

From gorilla permits and transport to accommodation and knowledgeable guides, we bring the details together around your travel dates, interests and pace. Choose a focused trekking experience or combine gorilla trekking and wildlife viewing in a tailor-made Uganda and Rwanda safari.

Gorilla Trekking

Guided mountain gorilla trekking in Uganda and Rwanda, with help planning permits and your route.

Wildlife Safaris

Personalized wildlife journeys across Uganda and Rwanda, planned around the places and experiences you want to discover.

Who We Are

Local Experts in Gorilla Trekking Since Day One

Ripple Safaris is a Uganda-based tour operator specialising in primate trekking across East Africa. Our guides grew up beside these forests, and every itinerary we build supports park rangers, local communities, and gorilla conservation programmes.

Licensed & permit-guaranteed gorilla trekking
Small group sizes for a personal experience
24/7 support throughout your journey

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Why Ripple Safaris

Travel With People Who Know These Forests

Expert Local Guides

Certified trackers with years of forest experience.

Safety First

Fully insured treks with experienced ranger escorts.

Conservation Focused

A share of every booking supports gorilla conservation.

24/7 Support

We are with you from booking to the final farewell.

Where We Go

Two Countries, One Unforgettable Encounter

Uganda

Bwindi Impenetrable & Mgahinga

Home to over half of the world's remaining mountain gorillas, spread across four trekking sectors.

$800 Permit Fee

4 Trekking Sectors

Jun–Sep Best Season

Explore Uganda Destinations

Rwanda

Volcanoes National Park

Trek the Virunga Mountains where Dian Fossey once studied gorillas, with easier access from Kigali.

$1,500 Permit Fee

1 Trekking Sector

Year-round Best Season

Explore Rwanda Destinations

More Destinations to Explore

Uganda

Rwenzori Mountains National Park

Trek the Rwenzori Mountains in Uganda, a UNESCO World Heritage landscape of glaciers, alpine valleys, waterfalls and rare high-altitude flora.

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Uganda

Lake Mburo National Park

Plan a Lake Mburo National Park safari in Uganda for zebra, impala, lakeside birding and a mix of savannah, woodland and wetland habitats.

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Rwanda

Volcanoes National Park

Plan mountain gorilla trekking in Rwanda's Volcanoes National Park, with golden monkeys, Virunga volcano hikes and forest scenery.

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A relaxed five-day western Uganda safari combining Kibale chimpanzees, Bigodi Wetland, crater lakes and Queen Elizabeth wildlife.

Price on request

View Details

How It Works

Your Journey in Four Simple Steps

Step 1

Tell Us Your Plans

Step 2

We Secure Your Permit

Step 3

Fly In & Settle Down

Step 4

Trek & Meet the Gorillas

Traveller Stories

What Our Guests Say

EXCELLENT

Tripadvisor Review Us

Hagai Liviatan

Amazing trip in Rwanda and Uganda. A dream that came true

We are a family of 5, with children 17, 13 and 10 years old, and travelled with John of Ripple Safaris for 13 days, most of them in Uganda and a few in Rwanda. We had an amazing time with excellent hotels and adventures including trekking with gorillas and chimpanzees, rafting and more. John is a very knowledgeable guide who listens to all customers' needs and drives carefully. We won't forget this trip ever.

Tal K

Excellent

Excellent trip! John (our guide) was extremely knowledgeable and informative as to all aspects of our trip, local culture, nature etc. I would very much recommend taking the trip with him.

Winkel

Perfect safari with perfect team.

We recently had the privilege of going on a safari with Ripple Safaris, and it was an experience of a lifetime. The team was exceptionally responsive, and our guide John made sure we had the best chances to see animals in their natural habitats. We saw a wide range of wildlife, including the Big Five.

Kerstin

Wonderful experience in a country with unbelievable facets!

We had an amazing trip starting in Rwanda and travelling into Uganda. Our great guide John gave us an insight into the country, the people and the rich culture. Great individual lodges, a perfect car and an excellent variety of activities.

Gorilla Safari Experience

Experienced guides

Outstanding guiding skills from John. Very experienced and made the whole trip amazing. Never got bored although I was on a solo trip. We visited different Uganda parks.

Kigozi D

Excellent service and Team work

All I can say is thank you to Ripple Safaris and the entire team. My guide Ben went far and beyond to make sure that my tour was enjoyable. I recommend them to anyone planning to visit Uganda or Rwanda.

Akol J

Great safari

I did a trip with Ripple Safaris and these guys are well organized and up to point in everything. John was an amazing guide who helped us in everything and was a great driver too. Highly recommend them.

Gallery

Our Safari Moments

Travel Guidance

Frequently Asked Questions

Helpful details on permits, trekking and planning your time in the forest.

Talk to a safari planner

01 How fit do I need to be for gorilla trekking?

Moderate fitness is enough for most travellers. Treks can last anywhere from one to eight hours, depending on where the gorilla family spent the night, and the terrain is often steep, muddy and at high altitude. Walk at your own pace, as guides stop regularly for rests. Porters are available to carry your bag and offer a helping hand on difficult sections, and we can request a closer gorilla family if mobility is a concern.

02 How much does a gorilla permit cost?

The standard foreign non-resident permit costs US$800 in Uganda and US$1,500 in Rwanda. Uganda sometimes offers discounted low-season rates, and East African residents and citizens pay less. Prices depend on your visitor category and travel date, and permits sell out early in peak months, so we recommend booking several months ahead. We always confirm the current rate with you before securing your permit.

03 What is the best time of year to trek?

Gorilla trekking is possible all year, but the drier months of June to September and December to February offer the easiest, least slippery trails and the best photography conditions. These are also the busiest periods, so book early. The rainy months of March to May and October to November bring fewer visitors, lush scenery and sometimes cheaper rates, though trails can be muddy and you should pack good rain gear.

04 Is gorilla trekking safe?

Yes, it is very safe. Every trek is led by experienced guides and accompanied by armed park rangers who monitor the forest and protect both visitors and wildlife. Groups are limited to eight people per gorilla family, and you spend a maximum of one hour with the gorillas. Briefings before each trek explain how to behave around them, keeping the experience safe for you and the animals.

Ready to Track the Mountain Gorillas?

Permits are limited daily — let us secure yours today.

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Get In Touch

Let's Plan Your Gorilla Trek

Send us your travel dates and group size, and one of our safari consultants will reply within 24 hours with a tailored itinerary.

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