Yes, you can combine gorilla trekking with either a Kenya or Tanzania safari. It is right to give credit where it is due, and Kenya and Tanzania deliver some of the best safari tours. However good these countries are for safaris, they don’t harbor mountain gorillas. Now this leaves many with questions: how, then, can you combine them with a gorilla trekking adventure? These two experiences cannot be compared but rather combined.
A standard African safari focuses on the wildlife viewing experiences, typically on game drives. Such experiences offer unmatched opportunities for spotting some of Africa’s formidable apex predators and other giants and sprinters in an epic showdown. A safari in Kenya and Tanzania breeds a broader perspective of how people around the world view Africa.
A gorilla trekking adventure is incredibly different. It is a life-changing experience that showcases the untold stories of the African jungles. It uncovers what was hidden for generations. Gorilla trekking is an individual experience reflected in a person’s memories. This experience is very intimate, allowing every single person to enjoy it individually. You can fathom its greatness unless you have done it yourself.
The adventure does not start when you get to the mountain gorillas; no, it starts right from the briefing area with entertainment. This entertainment immerses you in the blend of culture, heritage, and the ancient forest. The participation through trekking in the impenetrable jungles that date back thousands of years alone hits different.
The most incredible thing about Africa is that it doesn’t force you to make hard choices of choosing between gorilla trekking and safari. It provides a basic way to combine the best two experiences. This combination can tell the best African story of safari and gorilla trekking.
How to combine gorilla trekking with safari in Kenya or Tanzania?
After establishing the fact that this combination of gorilla trekking and safari in Kenya and Tanzania is possible, the next step is the planning phase, or how to do it. The order of arrangement of this combo safari and gorilla trekking does not matter. However, from our experience in organizing these combined tours, many clients prefer to end with gorilla trekking.
The proximity of the gorilla trekking destination to Kenya and Tanzania is just divine. The East African region is probably the best in the world. It is the only region on Earth where one can trek gorillas in their natural habitat and at the same time do a safari. This strategic location is a gift from nature that paves a path for exploration.
It is best to understand that though the destinations are in one region, they are still in different countries and far apart. This is why, when planning your combined gorilla trekking and safari in Kenya and Tanzania, consider having many days. Safaris in Kenya or Tanzania can take a full day at the destination in addition to the driving distances between the airports.
This is the case with the gorilla trekking too, as destinations are located about 10 hours from the capital and main gateway airports. Consider having an average of about 10 days tour for a successful combined safari.
What does a successful combined gorilla trekking and safari in Kenya or Tanzania involve?
A combined gorilla trekking and safari in Kenya or Tanzania involves traveling through different destinations, spotting wildlife, and trekking gorillas. One thing a combined gorilla trekking and safari in Kenya and Tanzania offers is an indescribable adventure. Words cannot do justice to explaining how amazing this typical safari combo is. But one thing is for sure: wildlife viewing adventures and gorilla encounters.
The main characters of this safari combo are the wildlife and the mountain gorillas. However, this is not all it involves. It entails driving for long hours and meeting different people from distinct walks of life. From airport pickups to en route meals to lodges, all is crafted to make the experience a memorable one.
It also captures the cultures and heritages of the different countries where these destinations are. Combined tours strike a blend of cultures, wildlife, and border crossings at airports. There are numerous fees and permits involved, from gorilla permits to visas and other fees.
Visitors should also expect to have prolonged hiking hours before encountering the mountain gorillas. The natural terrain of these primates is mountainous and different from the relatively flat savannah plains in Kenya and Tanzania. Visitors must prepare for such terrain as well as the gear to go with it.
With combined gorilla trekking and safari in Kenya or Tanzania, prior preparations should be made before flying in. This is mostly for the gorilla trekking. Mountain gorillas are sensitive primates that are highly protected and conserved. This is why a maximum of 8 people are allowed to trek a single gorilla family a day. Therefore, availability can be competitive and requires prior booking and payments, especially for gorilla permits.
Where to do safari in Kenya and Tanzania? – Safari destinations
Kenya and Tanzania are massive powerhouses for safari and wildlife viewing. This is attributed to their numerous safari destinations. These can include the following.
Masai Mara National Reserve
In the wild southwestern region of Kenya at the extreme border with Tanzania, lies the Masai Mara National Reserve. This vast savannah plain is among the best safari fields. It hosts the Great Wildebeest Migration. This reserve hosts several wildlife species, from the Big Five animals- lions, leopards, buffalo, rhinos, and elephants to antelopes, warthogs, waterbucks, and hyenas, among others. It is located in Narok County, dominated by the Maasai people, after whom the reserve is named. This reserve forms a blend of culture and wildlife safari.
Serengeti National Park
Serengeti National Park is situated in Tanzania and is without a doubt an island of safari greatness. It hosts almost all the wildlife species to spot on safari, with its major highlight being the Great Migration. This park lies on the border with Kenya on the northwestern side. It forms an ecosystem extension with Kenya’s Masai Mara National Reserve. It is a popular hotspot for combined gorilla trekking and safari. Serengeti harbours some of the largest concentrations of wildlife on earth.
Other safari destinations that serve as a preferred combo with gorilla trekking include Ngorongoro Conservation Area, Amboseli National Park, etc.
What are the different gorilla destinations?
There are limited gorilla trekking destinations in the world. The remaining habitat for the mountain gorillas is the Virunga Conservation Area. This area crosses three different countries. The gorilla trekking destinations include the following.
Volcanoes National Park
Situated in the heart of Rwanda, Volcanoes National Park is a prominent gorilla destination. It was established in 1925, making it among the oldest protected areas in Africa. It is located close to the border with the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda. This park hosts about 300 mountain gorillas. These live in about 13 gorilla families, habituated and available for trekking. It is a perfect gorilla destination for luxury travelers as the gorilla permits go for USD 1,500 with 5-star accommodation.
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is second to none as it is the most popular gorilla destination. It is the best gorilla trekking adventure destination in the world, voted for in the 2025 Tourism Awards. With over 1,064 mountain gorillas roaming the planet today, Bwindi hosts over half of these. Approximately 460 mountain gorillas are found in Bwindi’s 4 gorilla sectors of Buhoma, Rushaga, Nkuringo, and Ruhija. About 26 gorilla families are habituated and available for trekking among the 50 gorilla families in Bwindi.
Mgahinga Gorilla National Park
Established in 1991 as a national park, Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is a recognized UNESCO site. It hosts over 100 mountain gorillas with one habituated gorilla family. Mgahinga is on the southwestern border with Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park.
The above gorilla destinations are the best for combined gorilla trekking and safari in Kenya and Tanzania. Virunga National Park is also a gorilla destination in the Democratic Republic of Congo that hosts mountain gorillas. However, safety in this park is not guaranteed; therefore a popular gorilla destination to consider on this combo.
In conclusion, contact Epic Uganda Vacation for more information on embarking on a combined gorilla trekking and safari in Kenya and Tanzania. We organize tours across the region and have experience in combined safaris with primate encounters.
