Is Uganda or Rwanda Better for Gorilla Trekking?
Is Uganda or Rwanda Better for Gorilla Trekking?
Choosing the best place for gorilla trekking is always challenging, whether you are a repeat traveler or a first-time visitor. This is why visitors often ask questions like “Is Uganda or Rwanda better for gorilla trekking?”
Explore our comprehensive guide as we take you through the details, providing in-depth knowledge on the factors that make both Uganda and Rwanda better destinations for gorilla trekking. At the end of this article, you will be able to choose the better option for a gorilla trekking tour in Africa.
In our guide to choose Uganda or Rwanda for gorilla trekking, we shall look at different factors, including prices/gorilla permit rates, location and accessibility of gorilla parks, gorilla group families, level of difficulty, and other crucial travel tips.
A Comprehensive Guide – Is Uganda or Rwanda Better for Gorilla Trekking?
Destinations to Visit: Is Uganda Rwanda Better for Gorilla Tracking?
Uganda or Rwanda has a place for you to go to track mountain gorillas. The advantage Uganda has over Rwanda is the fact that two (2) National Parks are available for gorilla trekking.
The two Uganda gorilla trekking destinations include Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga. The presence of these two parks avails guests options to visit their desired destinations to see mountain gorillas. It also increases the chances of visitors participating in gorilla trekking safaris.
Rwanda is an incredible place as well to consider for gorilla trekking tours. But visitor options are limited to only one place, that is the Volcanoes National Park in Musanze. It is in Volcanoes National Park where all Rwanda gorilla tours are conducted. With this insight, we can say Uganda is the best country to consider for gorilla trekking safaris.
Accessibility of the Gorilla Destination from the City/Airport in Uganda or Rwanda
When planning or choosing a place to track mountain gorillas, first, you should have an idea of how to reach your destination. Uganda’s Bwindi and Mgahinga National Parks are found in the southwestern part of the country.
From Kampala, you should expect to spend over 8-9 hours to reach Bwindi or Mgahinga in the misty Kigezi highlands. Given the unique landscapes in Southwestern Uganda, a 4×4 safari car is the most suitable option for your connection to Bwindi or Mgahinga for your gorilla tours.
But again, there are shorter routes, for instance, guests can depart from Kigali and drive via Katuna or Chanika border to Bwindi/Mgahinga. The drive time from Kigali to either park takes between 4 and 5 hours.
Katuna border offers an easier connection to the Northern sector (Buhoma) or the Eastern (Ruhija) sector. Whereas Chanika border crossing takes you through Kisoro to Mgahinga and also offers the best alternative connectivity option to the Southern gorilla sectors in Bwindi, which is the Rushaga and Nkuringo.
Access to Bwindi or Mgahinga in Uganda is also possible by air. By air, it can involve you taking a flight from Entebbe International Airport or Entebbe Airport. The landing point can be at Kihihi or Kisoro Airstrip.
Connecting from either Kihihi or Kisoro Airstrips to Bwindi or Mgahinga can take less than 2 hours. Visitors get picked up by the professional driver guide and transferred to the safari lodges. You check in the respective accommodation near the sector or region for your planned gorilla trekking adventure.
In a 4×4 safari vehicle, access to Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda takes about 2-3 hours. This involves navigating through the spectacularly scenic route to the Northwestern end of Rwanda while appreciating the beauty of the countryside rolling hills.
Looking at the accessibility options, Rwanda beats Uganda. If you don’t want to spend long hours on the road, then booking the Rwanda gorilla safari can be the best option. But again, road tripping in Uganda to either Bwindi or Mgahinga comes with multiple opportunities, including a photography at the Equator crossing.
Mountain Gorilla Families –Is Uganda or Rwanda Better for Gorilla Trekking?
Mountain gorillas in Rwanda or Uganda reside in families/groups. Currently, 1063 exist on earth, and half of them reside in Uganda; several habituated gorilla groups are available for gorilla trekking.
Uganda has about 26 gorilla families distributed across Bwindi/Mgahinga. The gorilla groups in Uganda reside in the various regions/areas. They include Mishaya gorilla group, Mubare family, Habinyanja gorilla group,
Rushegura family, Nkuringo, Habinyanja, Kanyanyi gorilla family, Mukiza, Oruzogo, Bweza gorilla group, Bikingi, and many other groups. Only one group resides in Uganda’s Mgahinga National Park, and is called the Nyakagezi gorilla family.
Rwanda on the other hand boasts of 13 habituated mountain gorilla groups and these are all available for visitor encounter. Trekking with any of these groups is 100% possible while on Rwanda gorilla safaris in Volcanoes National Park.
Gorilla permit prices/rates –Uganda Vs Rwanda for Gorilla Safaris
By all means, gorilla permits are needed for you to participate in the trek to explore mountain gorillas in Uganda or Rwanda. The cost of gorilla trekking permits in Uganda Vs Rwanda. At USD 800 per person, it is possible to book a gorilla permit and visit Mgahinga or Bwindi Impenetrable National Park to track mountain gorillas.
Breakdown of gorilla permit rates in Uganda
- USD 800 per person for the foreign non-residents.
- USD 700 per person for foreign residents
- USD 500 per visitor for the Rest of Africa.
- UGX 300,000 per trekker for East African citizens.
Breakdown for gorilla habituation permit costs
- USD 1500 per person for Non-residents
- USD 1000 per person for the Rest of Africa & Residents.
- UGX 750,000 for the East African citizens.
Gorilla trekking permits in Rwanda to date.
Each gorilla permit in Rwanda is available for booking at USD 1500 per visitor.
How to book gorilla permits & tours in Uganda or Rwanda
Contact Flawless Adventure Planners Ltd to organize your gorilla tour in Uganda/Rwanda. This covers aspects like booking accommodation, transportation, and other amenities.
Level of difficulty of gorilla treks in Uganda or Rwanda
Bwindi is lying at the altitude of 1160-2607m. The highest peak of Bwindi is Rwamunyonyi and is situated in the Ruhija sector, Eastern Bwindi.
Mgahinga’s elevation is at 3474 meters. The altitude range at Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda, is 2,400 to 4507m. The lowest section of the park lies at 2400m, and Mt. Karisimbi lies on the highest peak of the Park.
Looking at the variation in the elevation, a certain level of fitness is required for you to conquer the tough terrains before you find your gorilla family.
When is the best time to visit Uganda/Rwanda?
Uganda/Rwanda welcomes guests every year to track mountain gorillas. The parks are open to all guests at any time of the year, but the most ideal period is through the dry season. This is during the extended dry season of the year, which runs from June to September or from December to February.
During the wet or rainy season, still, it is still possible to arrange a gorilla tour. This occurs from March, April, to May and or October to November.
Gorilla Safari Lodges –Uganda Vs Rwanda
Rwanda features a myriad of luxury gorilla lodges and camps. The luxury lodges in Volcanoes National Park include Mountain Gorilla View Lodge, Sabyinyo Silverback Lodge;
Five Volcanoes Boutique Hotel, Bisate Lodge, One and Only Gorilla Nest, and Virunga Lodge. Midrange Lodges, Le Bambou Gorilla Lodge, Volcanoes View Lodge, and others.
Accommodation options in Bwindi include Trackers Safari Lodge, Nkuringo Gorilla Lodge, Buhoma Lodge, Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge,
Chameleon Hill Lodge, Bweza Gorilla Lodge, Four Gorillas Lodge, Ichumbi Gorilla Lodge, and Mutanda Lake Resort.
Mgahinga’s Lodges include Mount Gahinga Lodge, Kisoro Tourist Hotel, Mucha Hotel Kisoro, Amajambere Iwacu Community Camp, and Travelers Rest Hotel.
Choose a Suitable Itinerary
Conclusion; we understand the challenge one goes through to choose the best destination for gorilla trekking. But first, when you deal with a reliable tour operator such as Flawless Adventure Planners Ltd, everything gets done with ease.
Given our expertise experience, each destination promises distinct experiences. Paying a visit to both even offers unique opportunity to discover what each holds. Talk to our expert team to plan and book a gorilla tour of your dream in Africa.