In Motion Gorilla Safaris is a premier tour operator specializing in unforgettable gorilla trekking adventures across Uganda, Rwanda, and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Driven by our genuine passion for tourism, conservation, and community empowerment we dedicate ourselves to delivering exceptional tour and travel experiences. Our goal is to inspire, connect, and exceed every client’s expectations.
Welcome to In Motion Gorilla Safaris
In Motion Gorilla Safaris is a prime gorilla trekking company offering some of the most unique and top-notch safari packages across the East African region and beyond. Our carefully crafted tours range from gorilla safari tours, wildlife safaris, Chimpanzee Trekking adventure tours, cultural experiences, hot air balloon safaris, to hiking and climbing safaris. We proudly operate under East Africa Gorilla Safaris — an outstanding gorilla safari company offering exceptional experiences in Uganda, Rwanda, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Our journeys take you deep into the heart of Africa’s only gorilla trekking destinations: the legendary Bwindi Impenetrable and Mgahinga Gorilla National Parks in southwestern Uganda, Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda, and Virunga National Park in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Our dedicated team is composed of industry experts with over 10 years of professional experience, each committed to providing outstanding service and crafting truly memorable experiences for every traveler. Our tours are guided by friendly and knowledgeable Ugandan guides who bring every destination to life with passion and insight. With deep local roots and years of experience, we ensure every moment of your journey feels authentic, safe, and unforgettable. We value your time. Our expert travel advisers respond promptly, plan efficiently, and adapt to your needs — ensuring your African safari runs smoothly from start to finish.- Customize Your Trip
- Lowest Price Promise
- Flight & Transport Help
- Expert Local Guides
- Eco-Friendly Travel Certified
Bwindi impenetrable national park covers about 331 square kilometers, dominated by montane and lowland forests and borders Rwanda and Congo’s Virunga national park.
Bwindi impenetrable national park is the first gorilla trekking destination in Uganda sheltering over 450 gorillas. It is the largest host of these rare primate species in the whole world. This has seen the park registering nothing but progress hence boosting gorilla tourism in the country
Almost all visitors who book a Uganda tour come to witness and spend their quality time with these human-like primate species that share almost 98% of human genes. Bwindi impenetrable national park is home to 24 habituated gorilla families. Some gorilla families are still under habituation process that takes nearly three full years where they are trained to tolerate human presence.
Gorilla families in Bwindi impenetrable national park are something any trekker wouldn’t want to miss out as they are characterized by charisma, playfulness especially the adolescent ones and the way the adult gorillas care for their young ones makes it a beautiful experience to watch.
Habituated gorilla families in Bwindi impenetrable national park are sheltered in four gorilla tracking regions scattered in different parts of the park and they include Buhoma gorilla sector in the North, Rushaga, Nkuringo in the southern part of the park and Ruhija in the Eastern part.
Among all the four, Buhoma gorilla sector is the most visited gorilla sector and can easily be accessed especially from the famous Queen Elizabeth national park making it a favorite and popular spot for gorilla trekking in Bwindi impenetrable national park.
There are over 19 gorilla individuals in Nkuringo sector and was the very first family to be habituated in this sector.
Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is the second gorilla trekking destination in Uganda and shelters only one habituated gorilla family known as “Nyakagezi” making it one of the popular spots for gorilla trekking in the country. Even though Mgahinga is the smallest national park in Uganda, it is one of the most visited safari destinations and primate trekking activities have entirely made it famous.
Gorilla trekking in Uganda start at 7:30am in the morning with a briefing in the company of tour guides and park rangers for safety. The adventure can take between 30 minutes and 6 hours depending on the location of tracked gorilla family.
Visitors are only limited to one hour once they locate a specific family while maintaining a short distance of about 7 meters in their presence and are advised not to get very close with these primate species.
Rules and regulations of gorilla trekking.
Do not chew in the presence of gorillas
Do not eat or drink in the presence of gorillas
Do not try to feed gorillas
Always maintain a distance of 8 meters away from gorillas
Do not litter the environment of gorillas
Do not ease yourself near the gorilla premises.
Do not cough or sneeze in the presence of gorillas
Persons above the 15 years are allowed to trek gorillas
Do not try to touch gorillas.
Do not make noise while trekking
Do not smoke in the presence of gorillas.
Only eight visitors are allowed to trek a certain gorilla family per day
You are required to follow rules and guidelines given by guides and stay in your group.
Rwanda is yet another perfect gorilla trekking destination on the African continent and one of the best places to trek and spend quality time with endangered mountain gorillas in their natural habitat. There have been tremendous efforts through Rwanda Development Board and the central government to boost tourism sector and to date, this sector has registered nothing but success and progress.
There is improved infrastructure in the country especially roads that have been improved hence easing all tourism activities in the country. Rwanda is one of the safest countries to visit and one of the leading safari destinations in Africa.
Gorilla trekking in Rwanda can only be done in Volcanoes National Park, a vast and popular destination in the country, part of the Virunga region. The park is dominated by savanna grasslands, bamboo forests, Afro-montane forests, several volcanoes including Muhabura, Sabyinyo, Karisimbi and Gahinga.
Rwanda gives its visitors 14 habituated gorilla groups to choose from and they include Agashya, Susa, Karisimbi, Hirwa, Sabyinyo gorilla family, Kwitonda, Bwenge family, Ugenda gorilla family, to mention but a few. During briefing just a few minutes before the activity commences, visitors are divided into groups of eight people and each group allocated to track one gorilla family.
While trekking these primates, visitors can also sight other wildlife species in Volcanoes National Park including several bird species, buffaloes, elephants, duikers, monkeys, baboons, etc.
Meet Rwanda’s newborn gorillas at one of the world’s most prestigious wildlife festivals. Kwita Izina continues the centuries-old Rwandan tradition of naming children in front of family and friends. Rwanda began officially naming mountain gorillas in 2005. It has evolved into a global celebration of nature. By naming them, we give these magnificent animals the respect they deserve.
The ceremony is an opportunity to thank the surrounding community, research partners, veterinarians, and dedicated conservationists, rangers, and trackers. 374 mountain gorillas have been named in the last 18 years. The 18th Annual Kwita Izina will be held on September 2, 2022, to commemorate the country’s dedication to sustainable and responsible tourism.
The Kwita Izina Gorilla naming ritual continues a centuries-old Rwandan tradition of naming children in front of family and friends. Park rangers and researchers named their gorilla pups in the Rwandan mountains thirty years before the first formal gorilla naming ceremony, and they observed each gorilla in its family and habitat.
Rwanda began officially naming mountain gorillas in 2005. It has evolved into a global celebration of nature. Naming these magnificent animals gives them the respect they rightfully deserve. The ceremony is largely intended to thank the communities, research partners, veterinarians, and committed conservationists, rangers, and trackers who work every day to conserve the gorillas in Volcanoes National Park, the gorillas’ natural home. More than 350 mountain gorillas have been named in the country.
In the previous 15 years, almost 350 mountain gorillas have been named. Kwita Izina is now part of an ambitious effort to safeguard Rwanda’s natural heritage and boost tourism’s role in the country’s transformation. Rwandans from all walks of life now recognize the gorilla’s intrinsic importance and contribution to the country’s economic prosperity as a result of the naming ceremony. Rwandans were trained as gorilla keepers. Rwanda has emerged as the continent’s leading conservation and sustainable tourist destination. For example, the 2010 census counted 480 mountain gorillas in the Virunga Massif, but the 2016 census counted 604 in the same area. These initiatives have helped to increase the global population of mountain gorillas to 1,063, which is no longer categorized as endangered.
A juvenile mountain gorilla named Kwita Izina was honored at the foot of Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park.
Here’s all you need to know about the event and the famous mountain gorilla. Kwita Izina was inspired by the historic Rwandan custom of naming kids soon after birth. Young mountain gorillas born in Rwanda the previous year are named during this ceremony. This year’s ceremony will name 19 baby mountain gorillas and their freshly established families. The Kwita Izina ceremony names approximately 239 mountain gorillas. There are fewer than 1,000 mountain gorillas on the planet. This endangered species can only be found in three countries and four national parks. Mountain gorillas produce enormous amounts of tourism money and directly benefit the economy.
Mountain gorillas produce major tourism money and directly aid communities economically. Rwanda produced roughly $400 million in tourism revenue in 2016. Tourists visiting the country’s mountain gorillas contribute significantly to this. Former AWF CEO Patrick Bergin was given the distinction of naming a gorilla in 2008. Sakora was her name.
Therefore, Gorilla Naming Kwitai Izina is a Rwandan tradition that names baby gorillas for easier identification. This began in 2005 when a number of gorilla cubs were named, each after the circumstances of their birth, their future expectations, and where they were born. Gorilla naming rituals are held in Volcanoes National Park, attracting a crowd of tourists, conservatives, researchers, and locals who come to enjoy every moment. Virunga National Park is home to ten gorilla families. It has the reserve’s greatest gorilla population. Rwanda’s gorilla naming is not only a sign of great ape naming but also an occasion to recognize conservationists and a global showcase for the country’s gorillas. The naming of a young gorilla is uncommon because most Rwanda Development Board (RDB) rituals are done in one day, but this time the event lasted a week.
Expert Local Guides
Travel with knowledgeable guides who bring East Africa’s wildlife and culture to life.
Personalized Safari Experiences
Every journey is customized to match your style, schedule, and adventure goals.
Empowering People, Protecting Nature
Your trip directly supports wildlife protection and local community growth.
Seamless, Worry-Free Travel
We handle every detail so you can relax and fully enjoy your African adventur
Formerly known as Albert National Park, Virunga is a top gorilla destination in Congo and is situated in the eastern part of the country bordering Rwanda and the great mountain Rwenzoris of Uganda. Going for Congo safaris without spending some time with endangered mountain gorillas feels absolutely incomplete as the chances of sighting them in Virunga is over 95% as there are about 200 gorilla individuals in this national park making it a variety for visitors to choose from.
Kabirizi gorilla family group is one of the gorilla groups in this park and the largest host of over 30 gorilla members. Other gorilla families in Virunga National Park include Mapuwa gorilla family, Humba family, Rugendo family, Nyakamwe family, Lulengo gorilla family, Munyaga gorilla family, etc. The largest gorilla family in Virunga National Park is Bageni group that split from Kabirizi with about 26 gorilla members. Humba group also split from Nyakamwe gorilla family due to continued misunderstandings that developed between two brothers, Nyakamwe and Humba. Nyakamwe gorilla family is made up of 11 gorilla individuals and derives its name from the group leader and dominant silverback known as “Nyakamwe”. Munyaga gorilla family is yet another group with 7 gorilla members and is sheltered in Bukima sector.
Humba gorilla family is made up of 10 gorilla members while Rugendo gorilla family has eight gorilla members and Mapuwa with 22 gorilla individuals.
Just as it’s the case in Uganda and Rwanda, gorilla trekking tours in Congo start after the briefing in the morning where visitors are instructed on rules and regulations to follow while gorilla trekking. After of which visitors can embark on the trekking journey that involves getting through deeper forests, hiking and searching these human-like primate species.
Virunga national park also offers a rare opportunity for visitors to engage in other gorilla trekking activities like visiting the Senkwekwe gorilla orphanage which is situated just close to the park where visitors can spend their time caring and encountering these orphaned mountain gorillas rescued from poaching and other illegal wildlife activities.
Gorilla trekking in Rwanda can only be done in Volcanoes National Park, a vast and popular destination in the country, part of the Virunga region. The park is dominated by savanna grasslands, bamboo forests, Afro-montane forests, several volcanoes including Muhabura, Sabyinyo, Karisimbi and Gahinga.
Rwanda gives its visitors 14 habituated gorilla groups to choose from and they include Agashya, Susa, Karisimbi, Hirwa, Sabyinyo gorilla family, Kwitonda, Bwenge family, Ugenda gorilla family, to mention but a few. During briefing just a few minutes before the activity commences, visitors are divided into groups of eight people and each group allocated to track one gorilla family.
While trekking these primates, visitors can also sight other wildlife species in Volcanoes National Park including several bird species, buffaloes, elephants, duikers, monkeys, baboons, etc.
Apart from Maiko national park which does not offer gorilla trekking opportunities, Kahuzi-Biega National Park is the only spot for tracking Eastern lowland gorillas, one of the two sub-species of eastern gorillas. The mighty park is situated near Rwanda’s Lake Kivu bordering Rwanda and Burundi. Almost all visitors who go for Congo safaris never miss out on visiting Kahuzi-Biega national park so they can spend their quality time with the rare Eastern lowland gorillas.
There are about 140 eastern lowland gorillas where visitors can track them in about 30 minutes to 6 hours depending on their location as they also tend to move in thicker forests to search for food. Unlike mountain gorillas, Eastern lowland gorillas are notably bigger than the former.
Step 1: Begin the Conversation
Reach out to our expert safari planners via email, call, or live chat. Tell us about your must-see destinations, your dream of meeting the mountain gorillas, and the kind of travel experience that speaks to your heart. We listen, we understand, and we start building your adventure together.
Step 2: Shape Your Experience
Collaborate with your dedicated safari expert to fine-tune every detail — from choosing the perfect gorilla trekking routes and lodges to adding cultural encounters or wildlife extensions in Uganda, Rwanda, or the Congo. Your safari becomes a reflection of your style, values, and curiosity.
Step 3: Journey with Confidence
Travel with peace of mind knowing your local safari manager handles everything — permits, transfers, accommodations, and on-ground logistics. All you need to do is immerse yourself in the moment and enjoy the magic of East Africa.
Step 4: Relive and Inspire
When your journey comes to an end, the memories live on. Share your unforgettable gorilla encounters and African adventures with fellow travelers, friends, and our growing community of conservation-minded explorers.
Our Affiliations
Volunteer with Us
Are humanitarian projects your passion? Join us and make a difference! Our community and schools near the orphanage rely on dedicated volunteers for childcare, teaching, health, football coaching, youth mentorship, environmental conservation, agriculture, community development, and women’s empowerment. Come and be part of this transformative project, and help create lasting impact in the lives of those who need it most.
Experience the Wonders of Uganda, Rwanda, and Congo Like Never Before
Embark on a journey where gorilla and chimpanzee trekking meet authentic cultural encounters—each moment crafted to reflect your unique sense of adventure.
Share your travel dreams with us and we’ll design a personalized African experience filled with magic, memories, and meaning.
