Our Story

Private access, official rates, no exceptions.

Private African Gorilla Trips arranges private access to mountain gorillas in Rwanda and Uganda — every permit we book is an official Rwanda Development Board or Uganda Wildlife Authority product, quoted at the published rate, never marked up.

What we add is everything around the permit: the lodge, the private guide and transport, the specialist permits for photography and filming, and a single point of contact from first enquiry to the morning you walk into the forest.

Sanctuary gorilla forest camp gorilla trek guide

Why Book Through Us

OFFICIAL RATES, ALWAYS

Every permit we arrange is quoted at the published RDB or UWA rate — never marked up, never informal.

PRIVATE FROM START TO FINISH

Guides and transport are private regardless of which permit tier you choose.

48-HOUR PROPOSAL TURNAROUND

Tell us your dates, group size and preferred experience tier. We reply with a bespoke proposal within 48 hours.

HOW WE WORK

From First Message to the Forest

1. You tell us what matters. Dates, group size, the experience tier you are considering, and anything that shapes the trip — a photographer in the group, children, a honeymoon, limited mobility.

2. A proposal within 48 hours. A day-by-day itinerary with lodges, permits and transfers, and the reasoning behind each choice, so you can compare options rather than just prices.

3. Permits secured first. Gorilla permits are the limited resource on every trip, so we secure them before anything else, through the Rwanda Development Board or the Uganda Wildlife Authority, at the official rate.

4. Everything around the permit. Lodges, private guide and vehicle, flights or helicopter transfers, add-on experiences, and a trip pack with practical details such as tipping and packing.

5. One contact throughout. The same person handles your trip from enquiry to departure, and is reachable while you are travelling.

Frequently Asked Questions

How far ahead should we book?
For July, August and December, six to twelve months ahead is sensible, because gorilla permits for popular dates sell out. Outside peak season, a few months is often enough, and we can sometimes arrange shorter notice.

Rwanda or Uganda?
Rwanda offers shorter transfers and the most polished lodges; Uganda offers lower permit prices and the Gorilla Habituation Experience. Many guests do both. See our itineraries for how they combine.

Is every trip private?
Yes. Guides and vehicles are private on every trip, whichever permit tier you choose.

Do you add a mark-up to permits?
No. Permits are quoted at the official RDB or UWA rate.