Comparing Gorilla Trekking in Uganda and Rwanda

Which is the best country to visit for gorilla trekking? Uganda or Rwanda? To start with, both Uganda and Rwanda are the most amazing destinations to visit for gorilla trekking in Africa. What is essential is how you choose the place to go for gorilla trekking and be certain that there is no bad choice.  To guide you make the right choice, this article offers insights on key factors that differentiate Rwanda and Uganda when it comes to gorilla trekking adventure.

Gorilla trekking in Uganda Vs Rwanda

Uganda is known as a gorilla highland for a good reason. Amazingly, visitors can choose from the 2 National Parks to begin their gorilla trekking adventures. A gorilla trekking tour in Uganda allows you to start your search for mountain gorillas from Bwindi Impenetrable Forest or Mgahinga Gorilla National Park -MGNP

Bwindi offers multiple options for tourists to engage in a gorilla trek. The 331 sq. km Bwindi features up to 4 gorilla sectors, including Buhoma, Ruhija, Rushaga, and Nkuringo. At Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, tourists on a gorilla trekking tour can explore about 24 habituated gorilla families.

The gorilla groups to visit in Bwindi include Bitukura gorilla family, Christmas, Rushegura, Nshongi, Muyambi group, Katwe group, Habinyanja gorilla group, and Mubare gorilla group. Bwindi also features gorilla groups such as Oruzogo, Kyaguriro B, Mukiza, Kyaguriro A, Happy gorilla group, Rwigi, Bikingi, Mucunguzi, Mishaya gorilla group, Bweza gorilla family, Kahungye, and Busingye.

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park also protects other gorilla groups, including Nkuringo, Posho group, Christmas, Bushaho, Tindatine gorilla group, Rwigi, and others.

At Mgahinga National Park, gorilla trekking commences from Ntebeko, and visitors are involved in exploring the Nyakagezi gorilla group. The Nyakagezi group is the only group in Mgahinga that you should expect to trek. This group is comprised of adult females, infants, juveniles, and about 4 silverback gorillas.

 Affordability

Uganda is a favorite destination for most tourists on a gorilla tour in Africa, thanks to its affordability. Uganda offers more pocket-friendly gorilla trekking tours than Rwanda. This is because gorilla permits cost about half the cost of obtaining gorilla permits in Rwanda. Visitors on the Uganda gorilla tour can secure the permits at USD 800 –the current rate that applies to all international visitors and USD 700 per person for all foreign residents. The cost of permits for tourists under the category of Rest of Africa is USD 500, and Ugandans plus other East African citizens pay UGX 300,000 per person.

Gorilla habituation

Besides the normal gorilla trekking trips, tourists can also engage in the gorilla habituation adventure. This is done only in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, and this is possible in the Rushaga region. Visitors on Rushaga gorilla habituation enjoy up to 4 hours as they explore the unique behaviors of gorillas and take photos. But to engage in the Bwindi gorilla habituation experience requires you to have a valid gorilla permit, and this is available for booking at USD 1500 per person.

Explore more than gorillas in Uganda.

Uganda is an endowed destination, and each region presents unique opportunities. On Uganda gorilla safaris, expect to explore other destinations including Queen Elizabeth National Park, Kyambura Gorge, Mount Elgon National Park, Rwenzori Mountains National Park, Kibale National Park, Lake Mburo National Park, Semuliki, Kidepo, and Murchison Falls National Park.

While in Uganda, visitors also have multiple experiences to enjoy, including rhino tracking, volcano hiking, mountaineering adventures, cultural experiences, game drives, boat cruise tours, guided forest walks, chimpanzee tracking, chimpanzee habituation experience, and others.

The cons of Uganda gorilla trekking over Rwanda

Long road drives from Kampala

Getting to Mgahinga or Bwindi takes tourists between 8 and 10 hours of driving. These are slightly long hours to spend on the road to reach the parks. But the amazing side of it is that tourists get a chance to have exposure to most of the attractions en route, including the Equator crossing, and tree-climbing lions.

Besides, accessibility isn’t a huge challenge anymore. Tourists can organize a fly-in gorilla tour up to Bwindi or Mgahinga National Park. Through the local tour operator, visitors can take a chartered or scheduled flight up to Kisoro or Kihihi Airstrip. The flights to Kisoro/Kihihi begin from Entebbe Airport, and these are organized or operated by Aero Link.

Gorilla trekking in Rwanda Vs Uganda

Rwanda is an exceptional destination in Africa and offers captivating encounters with mountain gorillas in their natural setting. In Rwanda, gorilla trekking is carried out in the Volcanoes National Park, unlike Uganda, with 2 gorilla safari destinations. Volcanoes National Park, Ruhengeri, is situated in the Northern Province of Rwanda and is inhabited by about 13 gorilla families.

The gorilla groups to visit in Volcanoes National Park include Hirwa gorilla group, Ugenda family, Bwenge, Umubano family, Sabyinyo, Amahoro, Susa A, Agashya, Karisimbi (Susa B), and Titus.

Obtaining gorilla permits in Rwanda (cost) Vs Uganda

A valid Rwanda gorilla permit currently costs USD 1500 per person. The cost of a Rwanda gorilla permit is about twice the cost of the permits in Uganda. The gorilla permits are open for booking through a reliable tour operator in Rwanda, and this should be done at least 2 to 3 months in advance.

Accessibility to Volcanoes National Park from Kigali: Visitors can spend fewer hours to connect to Volcanoes National Park. Depart from Kigali and in just 2-3 hours, you can be at Volcanoes National Park. In case you are driving from Nyungwe National Park, you can take about 4-5 hours to reach Volcanoes National Park.

General Information

Best time to travel for gorilla trekking

Uganda and Rwanda offer all-year-round gorilla trekking expeditions. Visitors can travel to Uganda or Rwanda during the dry season or wet/rainy months and still engage in the adventure to see the mountain gorillas. Despite this flexibility, the dry season presents favorable conditions for tourists to enjoy successful gorilla treks. The shortest dry season is normally recorded from December to February, while the longest dry months begin from June to September.

What to pack for Uganda/Rwanda gorilla trekking

Items worth packing for gorilla trekking in Uganda or Rwanda include long-sleeved shirts, a camera, a waterproof daypack, a safari hat (wide-brimmed), long pants or trousers, sturdy and waterproof hiking boots, a camera that is free from the flashlight, gardening gloves, insect repellents, a sunglasses, sunscreen, and a first aid kit.