Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi Compared to Virunga National Park

Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi Compared to Virunga National Park

Discover the ultimate gorilla trekking experience as we compare Uganda’s Bwindi Impenetrable Forest and Congo’s Virunga National Park. Uncover key differences in terrain, accessibility, cost, and wildlife encounters to help you choose your perfect adventure. Nothing beats the thrill of jetting off on a Gorilla trekking adventure. Regardless of whether it is your first time or your third. The promise of getting up close and personal with the Gentle Giants to learn about their human-like behavior and marvel at their massive size, the excitement goes on and on.

We help you make a rational decision 

Before getting down to the interesting part of packing your bags and reaching for your travel documents, you will first need to decide which safari destination to choose for this once-in-a-lifetime adventure. From Uganda’s Bwindi and Mgahinga National Parks, Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park, to Congo’s Virunga National Park, these places are blessed with mountain gorilla populations.

Amongst the frequently asked questions we receive here at Native Africa Tours is “how gorilla trekking in Bwindi is compared to Virunga National Park. Today, we are going to try to answer the question once and for all.

It is undeniable that deciding whether to go to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park or Virunga National Park for your next gorilla trekking adventure can be a challenge, as both National parks are renowned mountain gorilla natural habitats and offer memorable gorilla trekking experiences. We shall try and help you make that decision.

Uganda’s Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Virunga National Park in the Democratic Republic of Congo share an abundance of mountain gorillas, breathtaking landscapes, and phenomenal gorilla safari opportunities, but they cater to slightly different safari preferences.

Challenging hikes 

Virunga National Park, which is part of the greater Virunga Conservation Area, is known for its mountain peaks, hence offering rugged and challenging hikes while searching for the mountain gorillas. Besides gorilla treks, this Park offers one of the most unforgettable climbing experiences that might take you up above and sometimes into the subalpine moorland, and if you would like the idea of climbing active Volcanoes, then this is your place to be. On the other hand, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is known for its lush, dense rainforest, hence the name “impenetrable”. In terms of landscapes, this Park features smaller, more rounded mountains that are often blanketed by mist.

Both National Parks are exclusive and renowned safari destinations, being two of the four places where you can trek and get up close with the majestic mountain gorillas in their natural habitat, with the famous Bwindi being in Uganda. However, while Bwindi leans towards group tours, more luxurious, and exclusive gorilla experiences, Virunga National Park tends to be more budget-friendly and suitable for adventure seekers.

An overview of Virunga National Park and Bwindi Impenetrable National Park as gorilla trekking destinations

Virunga National Park, spanning an impressive 7800 square kilometers with an estimated mountain gorilla population of just 350 individuals, offers a real sense of vastness and exclusivity. This represents a-third of the World’s population of these Giant Apes living in the verdant slopes of Virunga Volcanoes.

This Park is also marked by dramatic Virunga Volcanoes, that include two active ones (Mount Nyamuragira and Mount Nyiragongo), and other inactive ones (Mount Karisimbi, Mount Bisoke, and Mount Sabyinyo).

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park spans 321 square kilometers and has a mountain gorilla population of over 500 individuals. Despite its smaller size compared to Virunga National Park, it boasts a higher concentration of these Giant Apes distributed in four trekking sectors- Buhoma, Nkuringo, Ruhija, and Rushaga. This Park dominates almost half the World’s concentration of Mountain gorillas, making it the most popular for gorilla tours.

Virunga Vs. Bwindi: Mountain gorilla population compared

The mountain gorilla population is the main selling point for any gorilla safari. No place in the World, let alone Africa, can compete with Bwindi when it comes to the richness of the mountain gorilla population.

Bwindi Impenetrable has the World’s highest population of mountain gorillas living in its four sectors. With its high population of these Giant Apes comes a high number of habituated gorilla families, totaling over 25 across the four sectors. This means Uganda Wildlife Authority issues over 200 gorilla permits each day.

Each year, thousands of visitors are drawn to Bwindi to witness its high mountain gorilla numbers, hence making it possible to enjoy large group gorilla tours.

Comparatively, Virunga National Park has about 350 mountain gorillas. The National Park boasts 8 habituated gorilla families- Nyakamwe, Humba, Mapuwa, Bageni, Munyaga, Rugendo, Lulengo, and Kabirizi. This means that a total of 64 gorilla permits are issued each day for this National Park.

Virunga Vs. Bwindi: Cost of gorilla permits compared

The cost of gorilla trekking permits in Bwindi and Virunga National Park varies a lot. Virunga National Park is generally more budget-friendly than Bwindi. It offers gorilla permits at $400 per person for International Visitors and $200 per person for Congolese Citizens.

In contrast, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park provides more costly gorilla trekking permits. $800 per person for foreign non-residents. $700 per person for foreign residents, and shs.300,000 ($83) for East African Community visitors.

Remember, here at Native Africa Tours, we craft bespoke gorilla safaris and can design an itinerary that is suited to your exact tastes and preferences.

Accessibility to the national parks compared.

You can’t compare Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Virunga National Park without talking about accessibility to the two safari destinations.

Bwindi tends to be more accessible for visitors, thanks to its more developed infrastructure and flexible travel options. In simple terms, there are several options for getting there compared to Virunga. It is accessible by air (to the nearby airstrip) or by road. For the latter, you will need eight to nine hours to transfer from Entebbe/Kampala to the National Park. You can also access the destination from Kigali by driving 3-4 hours, crossing any of the borders- Katuna or Cyanika.

For air, you will need to take a scheduled or charter flight from Entebbe International Airport to Kihihi (if exploring Buhoma or Ruhija sector). Or Kisoro airstrip (when exploring Nkuringo or Rushaga sector) then drive for two hours to the National Park.

Accessibility to Virunga National Park is quite challenging and tricky. Considering the destination is located in the war-torn Eastern region of the Democratic Republic of Congo.

However, the Government of the Democratic Republic of Congo is tirelessly working with the Park management to ensure the safety and security of visitors while accessing the National Park or undertaking gorilla trekking tours. The best way to access this Park is via Uganda or Rwanda, although the latter is the most popular. You can land at Kigali International Airport, then drive 4-5 hours to the Park via the Goma-Gisenyi border crossing.

Accommodations in Virunga National Park and Bwindi Impenetrable National Park compared

Accommodations in Virunga National Park and Bwindi Impenetrable National Park range from luxury Lodges to cozy, charming options. They cater to various preferences and budgets.

In Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, regardless of which sector you visit, you will find several options of high-end and budget-friendly accommodations. In the Buhoma sector, you will find the likes of Bwindi Lodge, Sanctuary Gorilla Forest Camp, Mahogany Springs Lodge, Engagi Lodge, Gorilla Bluff Lodge, and Ride 4 a Woman Guesthouse. There are other Lodges in the other three sectors too.

In contrast, Virunga National Park has fewer accommodation options. They include Mikeno Lodge, Ngila Lodge, Kibumba Tented Camp, Bukima Tented Camp, and Lulimbi Tented Camp.

Access to the gorilla families is compared.

Virunga National Park is part of the greater Virunga Conservation Area. It provides easier access to the habituated gorilla families. These mostly inhabit the lower slopes of Mount Mikeno and other areas with sparser vegetation.

In contrast, Bwindi Gorilla trekking is quite hectic as the vegetation is denser and terrains are rugged and steep. This makes gorilla treks here more challenging compared to their counterpart.

Both Bwindi Impenetrable Forest and Virunga National Park offer unforgettable gorilla trekking experiences, each with its own unique charm. Bwindi impresses with its dense biodiversity, well-established tourism infrastructure, and a sense of serenity in Uganda’s highlands. Virunga, on the other hand, captivates with raw adventure, fewer crowds, and the chance to support one of the world’s oldest and most ecologically important parks. Ultimately, your choice depends on your travel style whether you seek comfort and accessibility or off-the-beaten-path exploration. Either way, you’re guaranteed a once-in-a-lifetime encounter with the majestic mountain gorillas.