Is Gorilla Trekking Cheaper in Uganda or Rwanda?
Choosing a cheaper gorilla trekking destination is crucial yet remains a significant challenge among visitors on an African gorilla safari. With uncertainty, many questions have been raised by tourists, including “Is gorilla trekking cheaper in Uganda or Rwanda?” To help you choose a cheaper gorilla safari destination between Uganda and Rwanda, this article provides comprehensive details, including gorilla permit costs, transportation options, accommodation types, and more.
Is Gorilla Trekking Cheaper in Uganda or Rwanda? Explore the Key Determinants
The Difference in Gorilla Trekking Prices/Costs
Uganda gorilla trekking is generally cheaper than gorilla trekking in Uganda, especially for gorilla permits. A gorilla permit is a key determinant of gorilla trekking adventures. If you are a budget-conscious trekker, it is one area to look at when choosing a cheaper destination to visit to see gorillas. Both Uganda and Rwanda have a set cost for gorilla trekking permits.
As per the updated gorilla permit rates in Uganda, foreign non-residents pay USD 800 per person. The standard permit costs USD 700 for residents and UGX 300,000 for East Africans. Compared to Rwanda, the standard license costs USD 1,500, making Uganda a cheaper destination for gorilla safaris.
At the end of it all, a valid gorilla permit is a must-have for you to be able to enjoy a gorilla trekking adventure in Uganda or Rwanda. Obtaining it early is crucial for proper planning, and you can do it with ease through Native Africa Tours. Note that these rates often change as the review period approaches, and we shall provide all updates.
Transportation or Accessibility
Getting to gorilla trekking destinations in Uganda and Rwanda requires careful planning. First, you should understand that all gorilla treks are conducted in remote destinations. These destinations are located far from the city centre, but there are safe ways to get there. If you are interested in trekking with the gorillas in Uganda, be prepared for an 8-10 hour journey from Kampala via Masaka and Mbarara to Kabale. Visitors can also begin their road trips from Entebbe city or cross from Kigali via Katuna or Chanika, and connect to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park or Mgahinga to enjoy their gorilla tour.
Hiring a car for your road transportation can cost between USD 150 and USD 300. Visitor connectivity has also been enhanced by domestic flights from Entebbe to either of the two airstrips in Southwestern Uganda (Kihihi or Kisoro). The cost of flights ranges from USD 200 to 300 per visitor. Whereas flights offer a quick connectivity option, not everyone can afford it.
To reach Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park for you to begin your gorilla trekking tour, expect to drive for only 2-3 hours if your starting point is Kigali. This is a slightly shorter distance compared to access to Uganda’s gorilla trekking parks. Choosing Rwanda offers an advantage in reducing fuel costs, which may not be the case in Uganda.
Compare gorilla trekking experiences in Uganda and Rwanda.
There is nothing better than trekking with gorillas in either Uganda or Rwanda. But Rwanda offers a typical high-end gorilla trekking experience. Uganda, on the other hand, provides a relatively budget gorilla tour experience. Still in Uganda, visitors can also participate in the gorilla habituation experience. This is one of the unique gorilla adventures that sets Uganda apart from Rwanda. Visitors who embark on a guided gorilla habituation experience spend up to 4 hours with a semi-habituated family of mountain gorillas.
Accommodation Types in Uganda Vs Rwanda
The cost of accommodation can determine whether a destination is cheaper for gorilla trekking. Accommodation rates vary by type, and each destination offers budget, midrange, and luxury options. Uganda’s gorilla safari lodges and camps are generally cheaper than Rwanda’s. A wide range of lodges and campsites are available in and around the main gorilla safari destinations in Uganda, including Gorilla Leisure Lodge, Ride 4 a Woman, Buhoma Lodge, Chameleon Hill Lodge, Sanctuary Gorilla Forest Camp, Nshongi Camp, and more.
Rwanda, like Uganda, offers a range of lodges and camps for visitors to consider for an overnight stay in Volcanoes National Park. The high-end accommodation options to consider on a Rwanda gorilla safari in Volcanoes National Park include Bisate Lodge, Singita Kwitonda Lodge, Virunga Lodge, Five Volcanoes Boutique Hotel, Sabyinyo Silverback Lodge & more.
Regardless of the destination, you can be guided on the affordable accommodation that suits your budget, and this is only possible when you book a safari through a trusted tour operator/company. In addition to securing gorilla permits, we also book accommodation facilities for our guests. In general, we offer all-inclusive tours, so you do not have to worry about finding a lodge during your visit.
Extra Safari Experiences
Uganda offers more options for tourists to add on to gorilla trekking, giving it a significant advantage over Rwanda. Additional experiences often come at an extra cost and can make a destination cheaper or expensive. While in Uganda, visitors have additional options, including chimpanzee tracking in Kalinzu, Kibale National Park, Budongo Reserve, and Kyambura Gorge.
Game viewing in the savanna plains of Uganda is a must, and visitors can choose from Queen Elizabeth National Park (an excellent spot to find the tree-climbing lions), Lake Mburo National Park, Kidepo, and Murchison Falls National Park. If you want more adventurous experiences, then you can be part of the breathtaking Rwenzori Mountaineering.
Visitors on a Rwanda gorilla safari are limited in the additional options available to them. Chimpanzee trekking in Rwanda is best done in Nyungwe Forest National Park, and if you want mountaineering experiences, you have a chance in the Virunga Volcanoes (Bisoke, Karisimbi, and Mt. Muhabura). Game drives are only enjoyed in Akagera National Park, which is not the case in Uganda, where you can choose from the top 4 savanna parks.
Best Time to Enjoy Uganda-Rwanda Gorilla Trekking Tour
Rwanda-Uganda gorilla trekking tours can be done at any time of the year. But the dry season offers ideal conditions for trekkers more than any other period. Therefore, you can plan your gorilla safari around June, July, August, September, December, January, and February.
During these peak dry months, all gorilla safari destinations in Rwanda and Uganda receive relatively low/no rainfall, keeping the gorilla habitat drier and more accessible. The weather during the dry season is far better than during the wet or rainy season.
What to take with you for a gorilla safari in Uganda/Rwanda
Whether you have plans to visit mountain gorillas in Uganda or Rwanda, packing right is crucial. Here is the list of essentials to include: long-sleeved shirts with neutral colors, a safari hat, long pants, long trousers, waterproof hiking boots, a pair of thick socks, a camera, gardening gloves, a first-aid kit, a rain jacket, and more.
Our take
We can conclude that gorilla trekking is cheaper in Uganda than in Rwanda. But visitors have ultimate freedom to experience both destinations on a combined gorilla trekking safari. Contact Native Africa Tours to begin planning and booking your unforgettable Rwanda/Uganda gorilla trekking tour.
