Volcanoes Safaris operates in both countries. I used them in 2009 for a Rwanda & Uganda trip and all was splendid-Buide Karenga in Rwanda and Guide Abraham (which I think was really Ibrahim) in Uganda. Volcanoes has beautiful properties you can stay at which are high end in both luxury and price. I opted for less expensive places such as Kinigi Guesthouse in Rwanda or Mantana Camp in Bwindi. I also used Mantana for gorillas and other safari activities 2x in Uganda and Guide Gabriel was wonderful. I used Primate Safaris in Rwanda (based in Rwanda) one time and really loved the guide, Theogene.

There are quite a few other companies mentioned here too. If you search for gorilla trip reports on the forum you'll find a variety.

If you are in good physical shape you'll do fine. In preparation of your trip continue to stay active, especially stair climbing type of activities. Many of your fellow travelers will be about your age.

Let us know if you want additional suggestions. I'll stick in a link to my report which includes clothes/gear for gorillas and other hints. I went some other places besides gorillas.

Illustrated report
http://safaritalk.net/topic/3984-have-orthotics-will-track/?hl=orthotics

Same report on Fodors
http://www.fodors.com/community/africa-the-middle-east/have-orthotics-will-track12-assorted-primate-treks-in-a-3-week-safari.cfm

Here is some detailed info on Uganda
http://www.fodors.com/community/africa-the-middle-east/gorillas-did-anyone-not-see-them.cfm

It's wonderful you'll be seeing the gorillas on your next trip!

I had been researching this question for a short add on to Rwanda after our Tanzania safari this September. The thing that amazes me is the outrageou fees charged by these companies. Luxury facility or not, these are lodges, not luxury tent camps (in Tanzania and Kenya we are told that the lodges cost less than tented camps due to infrastructure). So how do companies like Vocanoes Safaris justify a rate of $3,500+ per per for a 3 night / 4 day visit to Rwanda? Even taking out the $750 per person for a gorilla permit ($1,500 for two), that is $5500 for land-only cost for a couple on a group tour (not private). That's $1,833 per night! What first world country luxury hotel would charge that per day even with meals included. I admit to not yet having my experience. But for our Sept trip 3 nights / 4 full days, we are going with Umubano-Tours at a cost of $1,800 per person, gorilla permits included\, fully escorted guide + 4 X 4 vehicle private tour for the two of us. That is using the Mille des Collines hotel in Kigali and Mountain View Gorilla Lodge plus a day room in Kigali the day of our departure. So far, I'm very pleased with my dealings with Herbert and the reports I've read from others.

I'll be going to Rwanda (and Kenya) this coming August - arrangements made through Eben Safaris, owner Eben Schoeman, whom I've used before. His advice echoed what Leslie was saying above. Unless you have gobs of money to throw away, don't stay at the high end places in Rwanda such as Sabyinyo Silverback Lodge or Virunga. We'll be staying at Le Bambou - looks like a nice mid level place, gets good reviews on Trip Advisor and is close to the meeting place for the gorilla treks. Although I don't know exactly how the Rwanda portion of our trip prices out, I'm happy with the overeall cost, which is ballpark $10,000 per person (2 people) for BOTH Rwanda (including gorilla permits) and Kenya for 14 nights on the ground. Staying at all tented camps in Kenya - example Lion Porini. Can't wait

Our 14 day day Tanzania(inclusive of Hot Air balooning over the Serengeti) + Rwanda (inclusive of one gorilla trek permit) land only trip using OAT for Tanzania will be about $5,500 per person. Airfare from JRO to KGL adds $249 pp on Precision Air. We booked international flights on Turkish Airlines.

On your advice I had previously read through Eben's entire website and I really do appreciate all he said about overpriced tours, though I know he doesn't like OAT's vehicles or group tours, for that matter. But after all he espouses, you are paying alot, IMHO. I also checked out all the tour companies he graciously recommends for those who don't want a custom private tour through him and found them all to be surprisingly expensive. I guess that word is a relative thing. We are price sensitive travelers, fly coach, 3 star hotels, etc. I did figure out to avoid mass market tours in Kenya using the minivans and no tented camps.

But friends and I have experience with OAT and have been very pleased. I also prefer a small group rather than just the two of us and a guide. I also wanted cultural features, not just game viewing). Also, I appreciate you are probably staying at high-end luxury camps and may be doing some bush flights - while our trip is 5 nights of lodges, 6 nights of more moderate camps.

The thing I still cannot quite grasp about Rwanda is why it is so much more expensive than Tanzania and Kenya, even when you take out the $750 for a gorilla permit. Being a poor country, I would think Rwanda tour operators would not want to chase away so many tourists with the high prices.

OAT discontiued its post-trip 3 night Rwanda option (that used to be $2,500 pp for one gorilla trek, but included RT air from either JRO or Nairobi and some cultural elements too which was a pretty good deal). I asked them why and they said they had too few takers due to the price and the fact that this involves only one hour of actual gorilla viewing. Most of their other trip-add ons are in the $1,200 range for 5 - 6 days.

Leslie - yes I'm sure a small group trip like OAT can offer an even better price. You are right, we are doing private tour and 2 gorilla permits plus a day of golden monkey trek in Rwanda. I think our accomodations are likely considered "mid level luxury" - definitely not HIGH end, but all tented camps in Kenya which adds to the cost. There are a couple of included flights in Kenya. And we're staying 3 more nights than you are. Bottom line.... if you're happy with what you are getting for the cost you are paying, it's a great trip!!

Price also depends on when you are going.

OAT has really great pricing, hard to beat or even match. For many visitors, OAT and similar group trips provide just what they're looking for. Sharing with 5 or 6 others in a vehicle is considered small group travel, even more of a bonus.

For people booking a private trip for one person or a couple, the fixed costs are not spread over half a dozen people, so it naturally costs more. Lodging is not booked in large numbers as it is for OAT's annual # of visitors. (Modest lodging can help reduce pricing, though.) If the additional flexibility to leave earlier in the morning, linger longer, have the desired mix of culture and wildlife, craft a unique itinerary, or focus on certain species or birds is not worth the extra money, then it's a waste to spend more in order to do those things. Some people feel having that additional flexibility is money well spent. Fortunately, there are adequate options for many types of trips.

You can contact Uganda Tour Operators members.
After contacting members of this association, we ended up booking our gorilla tour with katona tours and travel.
We recently used Katona Tours and for gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest and game viewing in Queen Elizabeth National Park.
Prior to the trip payments were taken safely and the itinerary was customized and planned without hassle. The Lodges were all nice with en suite bathrooms.
Katona tours is thoroughly professional, reliable company and legitimate safari company a member of Uganda tour operators and Uganda tourism operating gorilla treks in Uganda and Rwanda

I booked my safari with Churchill Safaris and I can honestly say they are FANTASTIC!!!!!! I worked with the owner, Ether Birungi Kyambadde (ether@churchillsafaris.com), and she was great. I went by myself at the end of December for three weeks. I went to the Ngambe Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary and stayed overnight to do a forest walk with 10 chimpanzees. You have to arrange in advance and get a lot of shots to avoid giving the chimpanzees any diseases, but the experience is magical. I tracked chimpanzees in Kibale Forest, tracked gorillas in Uganda and Rwanda (also golden monkeys). I did a safari in Queen Elizabeth Park in the Ishasha sector, and Ether arranged for me to have a cooking lesson at her house to learn how to make a traditional Ugandan meal. Churchill Safaris is fantastic and very responsive. My driver/guide named Isaac was with me the entire trip and he has a great personality and had a lot of information to share. I cannot say enough good things about them and my trip. I highly recommend booking through Churchill Safaris

Sorry, I know I am late to the thread.

We used Classic Africa for two gorilla treks in Rwanda last year:
We visited the Susa group with our guide Edward,and the Kwitonda group with Francois-- both arranged by our guide Robert from Classic Africa

http://classicuganda.com/guides/rwanda-guides/

Robert our guide-so knowledgeable and kind.

This was an experience I will never forget--thanks to Robert and Stella from Classic Africa.

pollydill - may I ask where you stayed?

We stayed at the Gorilla Mountain View Lodge-such beautiful surroundings, food and people.

There are a lot of Companies on the Association of Uganda Tour Operators website which you can contact so that you can get a genuine and reliable tariffs for your Gorilla trekking. Alternatively, you can send your inquiry to most of them and then compare prices.