Gorilla Trekking in Rwanda Vs Uganda: Gorilla trekking is one of the most fantastic activities available on a Rwanda safari, attracting millions of travelers from all over the globe. On the planet, there are three countries where gorilla trekking can be done in Rwanda, Uganda, and Congo. Of these three countries, Uganda is the most visited gorilla destination in Africa because it has half of the world’s population of mountain gorillas, which can be found in two national parks: Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, which is located in the south-western region.
Furthermore, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is home to around 21 habituated gorilla families divided into four gorilla sectors: Nkuringo in the south, Ruhija in the east, Buhoma in the north, and Rushaga in the south. Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is home to one habituated gorilla populations, the Nyakagezi gorilla family. In all, there are 21 habituated gorilla families available for hiking in Uganda on a regular basis.
Gorilla Trekking in Rwanda Vs Uganda?
The reason for this is that the distance between Rwanda and Uganda is small and convenient, as opposed to the enormous trip between Kampala and Uganda.
The following are the main reasons why visitors visit the mountain gorillas in either Bwindi Impenetrable National Park or Mgahinga Gorilla National Park from Rwanda-Kigali:
Short Travelling Distance
Gorilla trekking in Rwanda is carried out in Volcanoes National Park which is approximately a 3½ hours’ drive from Kigali city. However, gorilla trekking in Uganda is done in Bwindi Impenetrable national park and Mgahinga Gorilla national park and driving to either park takes approximately 9 to 10 hours’ drive.
Cost of a Gorilla Trekking Permit
Gorilla trekking in Uganda versus Rwanda is cheaper and more inexpensive, allowing you to save money. Rwanda Gorilla Trekking Permit costs USD 1,500 per person for all nationalities, but Uganda Gorilla Permit is USD700 for foreign non-residents and USD600 for foreign residents. Trekking the mountain gorillas in Uganda vs. Rwanda will allow you to save money on gorilla trekking permits and accommodation because a gorilla trekking safari from Entebbe takes three days, whereas a gorilla trekking safari from Kigali takes only two days if you take an early flight to Kigali airport, sleep in Kigali before the trekking day, and travel to Uganda’s gorilla destination at 4:00am. You will arrive in Uganda in the morning for the briefing, which begins at 7 a.m. at the park headquarters.
Length of Gorilla Trekking Safari
Gorilla trekking safari in Rwanda Versus Uganda, visitors may plan a short safari of two days’ spectacular gorilla trekking safari where you will take your trip to Kigali International Airport and then link to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park or Mgahinga Gorilla National Park on the first day. On the second day, proceed for your gorilla trekking experience in Bwindi before returning to Kigali for your next flight which is not feasible while traveling from Entebbe International Airport in Uganda since you will need a minimum of three days. The first day for travel to the national park, which is a 9 to 10 hour drive away, the second day for gorilla trekking, and the third day for travel back to Entebbe Airport. Tourists that schedule their gorilla trekking safari in Uganda rather than Rwanda-Kigali will save money on transportation, accommodations, and the length of the safari thus Gorilla Trekking in Rwanda Vs Uganda.
Length of Gorilla Trekking in Rwanda Vs. Uganda
Gorilla trekking in Rwanda’s Volcanoes national park can take between 30 minutes to 6 hours of trekking because the habituated mountain gorilla groups in Volcanoes national park tend not to move further into the forests. On the other hand, gorilla trekking in Uganda, especially in Bwindi forest national park, can take between 5 to 8 hours or more if the mountain gorilla family that you are trekking has moved further into the forest.
In addition to this, gorilla trekking in Uganda takes longer than in Rwanda because Bwindi Impenetrable forest itself is dominated by thick vegetation and the terrain is very steep and muddy making hiking the trekking trails difficult for visitors.
Gorilla Habituation Experience
Unlike Rwanda, Uganda offers visitors gorilla habituation experience in Bwindi Impenetrable national park. The activity is conducted in Rushaga sector of Bwindi national park. Gorilla habituation experience in Uganda is a full-day activity in which gorillas are educated for 2 to 3 years until they are accustomed to human presence. As a result, trackers will be accompanied by researchers, doctors, and park rangers, and once you reach the gorilla group, you will have four hours to spend with them collecting samples for research, learning about their lifestyle, and photographing them in their natural habitat, as opposed to the one hour given during trekking.
However, gorilla trekking is an incredible experience that begins in the morning with a briefing and then continues with a guide into the deep tropical woods in search of habituated gorilla families. You will be allowed one hour to spend with them in their natural environment, taking photographs, making movies, and learning about their fascinating lives while listening to the wonderful sounds of birds.
Gorilla trekking may be done in groups of 8 people, beginning at roughly 8:00 a.m. and lasting anywhere from 30 minutes to 7 hours, depending on the location of the group of gorillas you’re trekking with on that particular day. Visitors should bring ample drinking water, packed lunches, good hiking shoes, a waterproof backpack, and walking sticks, which may be obtained at the park headquarters by your guide, providing you a privileged experience on your safari.
Gorilla trekking in Uganda from Rwanda is the best safari ever with the easiest access for visitors traveling to Uganda’s trekking. Visitors will fly to Kigali international airport, and then connect to Uganda via Katuna border in Kabale border or Cyanika border in Kisoro to encounter the critically endangered mountain gorillas in either Bwindi Impenetrable National Park or Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. This tour is ideal for budget visitors who can’t afford gorilla trekking in Rwanda.
Contact info@rwandasafaritour.com for the best gorilla safaris in Rwanda or Uganda.
