Uganda Gorilla Trekking Versus Rwanda Gorilla Trekking
Seeing a mountain gorilla in its natural home is a once-in-a-lifetime safari experience. Both Uganda and Rwanda offer this amazing chance to meet these gentle giants. They are the two most popular places for gorilla trekking safaris, but they offer slightly different experiences.
When choosing, you should think about costs, how easy it is to get there, and the kind of forest trek you prefer. Here is a simple breakdown to help you decide which country is the better one for your adventure.
Cost and affordability.
The price of the gorilla permit is the biggest difference between the two countries. Uganda is the much more affordable choice for travelers. A permit in Uganda’s Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park or Mgahinga Gorilla National Park costs around 800 USD per person for a foreign non-resident. In contrast, a gorilla permit in Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park costs 1500 USD per person.
Rwanda has deliberately aimed for a more luxurious and high-end tourism market, which explains the higher price. This cost difference is also seen in the accommodation options. Uganda offers a wider range of places to stay, from budget-friendly guesthouses to mid-range lodges. Rwanda tends to have more high-end and luxury lodges, which increases the total cost of the trip significantly. If you are a traveler looking to save money, Uganda is the clear winner.
Ease and Access and Travel time.
Rwanda is a more convenient choice for travelers who have limited time. Volcanoes National Park is located just a short 2- to 3-hour drive on good roads from Kigali International Airport (KGL). This means you can arrive, drive to your lodge and then be ready for your trek the next morning very easily. Some tourists can even trek and fly out on the same day, though this is not recommended.
Uganda requires a bigger time commitment. The main gorilla park, Bwindi Impenetrable national park is a long 8- to 10 hour drive from Entebbe International Airport (EBB). This lengthy road journey often requires travelers to spend an extra night traveling. However, a popular option is to fly into Kigali (Rwanda) and then drive just 4 to 5 hours to the southern sector of Bwindi in Uganda, combining the easier flight with Uganda’s cheaper permit. Uganda also offers domestic flights, which are faster but more expensive.
Trekking experience and environment.
The actual experience of searching for gorillas is where the two counters differ in terms of the terrain. Uganda’s Bwindi impenetrable National Park is a dense, ancient rainforest. The name “impenetrable” tells you a lot. The terrain is often steep, muddy and covered in thick vegetation, meaning the trek can be very challenging and requires more physical effort. For adventurers who love a wild, rugged jungle experience. Uganda is a fantastic choice.
Rwanda’s volcanoes national park is set in the Virunga Mountains and has more bamboo forest than open grassland areas. Generally the trekking trails are considered a bit easier and shorter and then less steep than in Bwindi. The more open vegetation can sometimes make for clear photos of the gorillas once you find them. Both countries have a nearly 98% success rate in finding the gorillas but the effort to reach them is different.
Extra activities and trekking options.
Uganda offers a great variety of things to do beyond just the gorillas. Travelers often combine their gorilla trek with a full safari experience in other nearby national parks like Queen Elizabeth National Park (for lions and other wildlife) or Kibale Forest National Park (for chimpanzee trekking). Uganda also offers a unique Gorilla Habituation Experience in Bwindi, where you can spend up to four hours with the gorilla family for the higher permit price (1500 USD ) compared to the standard one-hour visit in both countries.
Rwanda has fewer safari options. Most visitors focus mainly on the gorillas and then perhaps a trek to see the golden monkeys, which share the same park. For the travelers on a short trip who are only interested in the gorillas, Rwanda’s convenient setup is the best choice. However for a longer vacation combining mountain gorillas with a broader African wildlife safari, Uganda provides more options.
