Where to go gorilla trekking – Rwanda vs Uganda? There are just a few hundred thousand mountain gorillas left in the world. A tiny portion of the population resides in Virunga Mountains, while the majority reside in Bwindi Impenetrable forest national park. The mountain gorillas are spread throughout Rwanda, Uganda, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. The forests that safeguard these amazing animals are closely guarded against poachers.
The majority of the remaining mountain gorillas are still found in the wild, but a few gorilla families have been trained to get accustomed to humans and can be tracked and observed by small groups of tourists while being closely monitored by park officials.
Many travelers see these critically endangered mountain gorillas in Rwanda, Uganda or Democratic Republic of Congo on their vacation wish lists due to the creatures’ declining populations and extinction threat. But which country Rwanda or Uganda offers the best chance to see gorillas?
Where do gorillas live in Rwanda and Uganda?
The mountain gorillas in Rwanda are found in Volcanoes National Park, a two-hour drive from Kigali and the airport. You would need to stay in Rwanda for at least two nights and ideally three nights if you wanted to go on a gorilla trek. Since Rwanda has more habituated mountain gorilla groups than Uganda, gorilla trekking permits are frequently simpler to obtain in Rwanda.
Both Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga National Park in Uganda are homes to mountain gorillas. From Entebbe, it takes two days of driving to get to Bwindi, usually with a stopover in the middle. Before embarking on a safari tour of Uganda after spending at least three nights in Bwindi, tourists are urged to experience gorilla trekking.
Which gorilla trek is easier, Rwanda or Uganda?
Which trek is easier between Uganda and Rwanda, which both provide fantastic prospects for a gorilla trekking adventure? The majority of the terrain encountered in Rwanda during a gorilla walk is less densely forested and more open. This may help you get a better look at these wonderful creatures. Comparing the terrain to Uganda, it is likewise less challenging for tracking, albeit the difficulty is increased by the higher altitudes. Given that Rwanda is a smaller country overall, travel distances are also often shorter there.
Because of Uganda’s underdeveloped infrastructure, going on a gorilla trek there can be more difficult. Even in the dry season, Bwindi experiences frequent rain, which could make the going treacherous. In Bwindi, each gorilla family also patrols a considerable area, and tracking times can range greatly from 30 minutes to eight or nine hours each day.
Bwindi Impenetrable Forest gets its name from the fact that the vegetation can occasionally be very dense. Gorilla hiking safari in Uganda is not recommended for the faint of heart because the slopes are steep and there are no paths.
So, even though comparing gorilla trekking in both nations can be challenging, Rwanda prevails at least in terms of simplicity.
What are the cost differences between Rwanda and Uganda?
A gorilla trekking permit in Rwanda now costs $1500, while a gorilla trekking permit in Uganda costs only $700. Although it is far simpler to reach by car, Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park is only around 75 miles from the arrival airport in Kigali.
From the Entebbe Airport, the drive to Bwindi National Park in Uganda takes eight hours, and it takes eight hours to return. This would require a minimum of two days to finish your gorilla trip in Rwanda and three days for a gorilla tour in Uganda.
Therefore, even if the Uganda gorilla permits are less expensive, the cost of transportation would be between $500 and $600. Some tourists opt to fly into Kigali and make travel arrangements to Bwindi from there. In actuality, though, because of the stress it places on the trekker, it is not advised to hasten your gorilla trekking experience.
In addition, trip from Kigali International Airport to Bwindi is breathtaking, passing through expanses of coffee farms, terraced slopes, and flowing rivers. This is the best of rural Africa.
In the end, tracking mountain gorillas in Uganda will cost more in terms of time and transportation than in Rwanda, but this expense is offset by a less expensive gorilla permit.
What else can you do in Rwanda and Uganda?
Both Rwanda and Uganda have several possibilities if you want to travel before or after your gorilla trekking safari experience. Game drives and accompanied walking safaris are options at Rwanda’s Akagera National Park, where the Big Five have recently been reintroduced and the park has recently undergone development. Akagera also provides opportunities for cultural excursions, fishing, and birding.
For intrepid tourists, Uganda provides a slightly more established safari experience. Before going gorilla trekking, tourists can enjoy two thrilling activities in Uganda: a Nile River cruise in Murchison Falls National Park and lion tracking in Queen Elizabeth National Park.
A day spent chimpanzee tracking in Kibale Forest National Park is a wonderful safari experience as well. This is an excellent way to start your gorilla trekking adventure because it gives you experience trekking. One of the most dramatic wildlife interactions you will ever have is seeing a gorilla up close, which is why many people want to schedule the gorilla safari at the end of their safari.
