Rwanda gorilla trekking versus Uganda gorilla trekking

Rwanda and Uganda are two of the three countries in the world where mountain gorilla tracking is conducted. Democratic Republic of the Congo is the third and last country in which mountain gorillas can be found. In order to experience the wilderness and activities like hiking, gorilla trekking, and the migration of wild animals, many tourists who would like to visit East Africa or all of Africa come here.

However, as the tourist sits down to consider which of the three nations to visit for gorilla trekking, a comparison of Rwanda and Uganda is brought up. The most frequent question posed by travelers hoping to see mountain gorillas in Africa is this one.

Numerous queries are addressed in this article, including: Which country is ideal for gorilla trekking? by contrasting the gorilla hiking experiences in Rwanda and Uganda. If you adhere to it closely, it will assist you in selecting the best country from which to go gorilla trekking. We’ve included a number of things to think about while selecting the ideal nation in which to go gorilla trekking.

Every gorilla trekking trip in both nations is exceptional, joyful, and a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. There are identical mountain gorillas in both nations. The experiences vary depending on the country and how its visitors are treated.

The most important factors to think about are:

Cost of a Mountain Gorilla permit

This is among the elements that distinguish gorilla trekking in Rwanda from Uganda. Because of the cost of the gorilla permit, most visitors view Rwandan gorilla trekking as a more upscale experience than that of Uganda. A Ugandan gorilla permit was costing 700 USD, but that was increased to $800 USD by July 2024.

However, a Rwandan gorilla permit sets you back $1,500 USD. Every traveler wants to have the most amazing safari experience at prices they can afford. Experience and prices go hand in hand, making it easier for guests on a tight budget to choose which country to visit after deciding on a safari budget.

Even though the cost of a gorilla permit is double that of another, the experience is always the same. You will decide which of the two nations to visit based on the cost of your gorilla trekking expedition.

The Gorilla Trekking Points’ accessibility

This is another aspect to take into account when contrasting gorilla trekking in Rwanda vs Uganda. How far is the closest international airport from the gorilla trekking park? Some visitors may not wish to go across the lengthy, uneven roads of Africa. Drive time to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park or Mgahinga National Park is nine hours from Entebbe International Airport. The one additional benefit is that, although at an additional cost, Uganda has chattered domestic airlines that run daily flights from Kajjansi or Entebbe international airport to Kisoro or Kihihi airstrip. You’ll avoid the tiresome drive to Kampala Bwindi by doing this.

On the other hand, Volcanoes National Park is just a 2-hour drive from Kigali International Airport. It just takes four to five hours by car to get from Kigali to Uganda’s Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, which makes it feasible to go gorilla trekking from Kigali. The plus is that the trip is more gorgeous with wonderful places to halt as one continues to enjoy the African safari experience, but the distance still matters.

Habituation of Gorillas

Mountain Gorilla Habituation is a unique activity that allows visitors to spend four hours with the gorillas and is only conducted in Uganda. Uganda is the finest and only choice for a traveler wishing to undergo gorilla habituation.

Mountain gorillas families

This establishes the daily sales volume of gorilla permits. This is one of the additional elements to take into account while contrasting gorilla trekking in Rwanda and Uganda. The more gorilla families there are, the more permits are sold each day, making gorilla permits widely accessible. There are more than four gorilla families in Uganda’s Bwindi Impenetrable Forest and one gorilla family in the Mgahinga National Park. That being said, a fresh family of 20 gorillas has recently joined Uganda from Rwanda. Currently, the family has made Mgahinga National Park their home.

Trekking Experiences

Gorilla trekking in Uganda takes place in two national parks: Mgahinga National Park and Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park. In Rwanda, gorilla trekking is limited to the Volcanoes National Park. In both countries, the walk begins at 7:30 am with a briefing by park rangers, after which visitors are split up into groups of eight. Depending on the gorillas’ movements, the trekking can take anywhere from one to eight hours.

There are gorilla families in Rwanda that are rather close together, making it easier to track them and requiring less physical fitness. Additionally, there are gorilla families like Karisimbi, which are located high on the slopes of Mount Karisimbi and are difficult for people who are not physically fit to approach.

Rwanda offers easier and more accessible gorilla trekking routes than Bwindi, particularly on the Nkuringo side, where a high level of physical endurance is required to appreciate the climb. The verdant, dense rainforest in Bwindi is the epitome of what goes into gorilla trekking. To experience the challenge of a gorilla hike that is both tough and worthwhile, head straight to Bwindi.

Accommodations

On the side of the accommodation, guests can also compare gorilla trekking in Rwanda and Uganda. It’s fortunate that both nations offer first-rate lodging options that suit a wide range of visitor needs. While some accommodations in Bwindi are inside the park, the lodges are situated closer to the national parks where gorilla trekking is conducted. The lodgings are designed to provide guests with a distinctive experience and the best possible views of the surrounding woodlands. The cost of the gorilla trekking safari is directly impacted by the type of lodging.

Watching and taking pictures

When comparing Bwindi Impenetrable to Volcanoes National Park, which is home to bamboo woods, the former is thicker and more naturally formed, making gorilla viewing positions somewhat more difficult. The lack of light in the forest makes it more difficult for photographers to take sharp images without the use of flash bulbs.

Since the forest is open and the sun enters the park, taking images of volcanoes is an excellent idea. When compared to the Ugandan National Park, there is less vegetation.

While selecting the greatest is difficult, you can use our guide to identify the highlights. In Rwanda and Uganda, there are only mountain gorillas living there. Both countries follow the same set of hiking rules, regulations, and processes. The experience of going on a gorilla trekking expedition remains unaffected by minor variations across all countries.

Getting in touch with trustworthy local operators who can provide you with information and advice according on your budget, age, available time, and other considerations is the only essential component of the gorilla trekking experience.