Difference between Gorilla trekking in Uganda and Rwanda

Uganda and Rwanda are both great gorilla trekking destinations and today we are going to be discussing the key differences of trekking gorillas in Uganda and Rwanda to help you decide on which destination to choose. However, note that there is no bad choice when it comes to the two because it all comes down to personal preference.

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Gorilla trekking in Uganda VS Rwanda

Gorilla trekking in Uganda and Rwanda starts early morning with a briefing from the guides about the rules and regulations for gorilla trekking and the allocation of gorilla families, and the trek starts immediately after the briefing.

The standard gorilla trekking duration is an hour for both Uganda and Rwanda but Uganda offers tourists more time with the gorillas through the habituation experience. The habituation experience is only offered in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park where tourists get 4 hours with the Mountain gorillas studying them. During habituation, tourists get a chance to learn more about the Mountain gorillas, ask the necessary questions from the researchers, record videos and take photos. A maximum of 4 people participate per day, so you need to book the gorilla permit in advance. Get in touch with us for more information.

The Mountain gorillas in Uganda

Uganda is a small landlocked country that has massive savannah forests and plains which are home to a wide range of wildlife including the endangered Mountain gorillas. There are two gorilla populations in Uganda, one in Mgahinga National Park and the second one in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park found in southwestern Uganda.

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park: Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is a UNESCO Heritage Site that is home to half the remaining population of the Mountain gorillas in the world. It is dominated by thick rainforests, some of which are impenetrable, and you need a machete to clear a path through some bushes as you trek the Mountain gorillas. The mist and fog in Bwindi are a common occurrence and even when the sun is shining, the forests usually remain dim at the ground level. Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is home to 20 habituated gorilla families, which are found in the four trekking sectors, which include Nkuringo, Rushaga, Buhoma and Ruhija. Upon purchase of the gorilla trekking permit, you will be assigned a section and on the day of the trek, assigned a gorilla family in the sector which appears on your gorilla permit.

Buhoma Sector has gorilla families, including the Mubare family, Rushegura, Habinyanja gorilla family, Binyindo gorilla family and Katwe gorilla family. Rushaga gorilla families include Shongi gorilla family, Kahungye gorilla family, Busingye gorilla family, Bweza gorilla family, Bikingi gorilla family, Kutu gorilla family, Mucunguzi gorilla family and Mishaya gorilla family. Ruhija sector has gorilla families, which include the Bitukura gorilla family, the Kyaguliro gorilla family, the Oruzogo gorilla family and the Mukiza gorilla family. The Nkuringo sector has the Nkuringo gorilla family, the Christmas gorilla family and the Bushaho gorilla family.

Mgahinga National Park: Mgahinga National Park is smaller than Bwindi and one of the smallest National Parks in the country; hence, it has a smaller gorilla population. The National Park is the best gorilla trekking safari for tourists who do not wish to avoid the large crowds. Mgahinga has just one habituated gorilla family, the Nyakagezi family which is headed by the silverback Mark and a second silverback Ndugutse.  The habituation process started in 1991 and by 1994, the Nyakagezi gorilla family was ready for trekking. At first, the Nyakagezi gorilla family used to migrate to the neighbouring countries but has now fully settled in Mgahinga National Park.

In conclusion, Rwanda has more accessible and luxurious experiences; it has an easier gorilla tracking experience, whereas Uganda has a more affordable gorilla trekking experience with two diverse gorilla trekking destinations and more diverse wildlife beyond Mountain gorillas.

The Mountain gorillas in Rwanda

Rwanda is part of the East African community and one of the three gorilla trekking destinations in the world. Rwanda has only one gorilla population, which is found in Volcanoes National Park in the northwest corner of the country. Volcanoes National Park is home to over 600 Mountain gorillas and 12 habituated gorilla families, and the increase in the population is due to the conservation measures that have been put in place to protect the gorillas. Rwanda is a luxury safari destination and the best time to see the Mountain gorillas is from June to September. The different gorilla families in Rwanda include Karisimbi, Susa Gorilla family, Sabinyo gorilla family, Umubano gorilla family, Amahoro gorilla family, Kwitonda gorilla family, Agasha gorilla family, Hirwa gorilla family, Ugyenda gorilla family and Bwenge gorilla family.

Visit Rwanda and experience the Kwita Izina celebrations, a tradition that was started in 2005, where baby gorillas are named and now has become a global celebration with the president of Rwanda present. By naming the baby gorillas, conservation and increase in the population is realized and ever since it was started, over 397 mountain gorillas have been named. The last with Izina which was the 2oth, was held on the 18^th.October.2024.

Gorilla permits in Uganda VS Rwanda

It is easier and cheaper to book and purchase gorilla permits in Uganda as compared to Rwanda. The gorilla permits in Uganda are issued by the Uganda Wildlife Authority, and there are about 160 permits printed per day, 8 for each gorilla family in Bwindi and Mgahinga. The reason why there are few permits printed per day is to minimize the interactions between humans and Mountain gorillas. Although Uganda has more Mountain gorilla families as compared to Rwanda, they still have the same rules when it comes to the number of permits printed per day for each gorilla family. Rwanda prints 96 gorilla permits per day.

Because there are more gorilla permits printed in Uganda as compared to Rwanda, the gorilla permits in Uganda are easier to get, which is not the same as in Rwanda. Uganda and Rwanda gorilla permits have to be booked in advance to properly plan for the gorilla trekking safari in both countries.

Permits in Uganda are best booked and purchased through the Uganda Wildlife Authority especially if you are not a citizen in the country. Registered tour operators help ease the purchase of the permits from UWA and they also help with planning the gorilla trekking safari.

Rwanda gorilla permits can easily be purchased through a trusted tour operator and directly from the Rwanda Development Board. It is easy to check for the availability of the permits on the RDB website but to ease the process; we advise that you book through a trusted tour operator.

The cost of the gorilla permit in Rwanda VS Uganda

The cost of the gorilla permit in Uganda is cheaper than the permit in Rwanda and this is because Rwanda has always marketed itself as a luxury destination. Both countries increased the cost of the gorilla permit to properly cater to the Mountain gorillas and the services rendered to trekkers when they come for gorilla trekking in both countries.

Uganda: The cost of the standard gorilla trek permit in Uganda, according to the category tourists, is $800 for foreign non-residents, $700 for foreign residents and UGX 300 000 for East African citizens. The cost of the gorilla habituation permit is $1000 for foreign residents, $1000 for citizens from other African countries, $1500 for foreign non-residents and UGX750,000 for East African citizens.

Rwanda: The cost of the gorilla permit in Rwanda is $1500 for foreign non-residents, $200 for East African citizens and $500 for citizens from other African countries and foreign residents. Rwanda offers discounts on gorilla permits when you book in bulk (over 30 permits) and if you book to also participate and spend at least two nights at either Akagera National Park or Nyungwe Forest National Park.

Location of the gorilla trekking destinations in Uganda VS Rwanda

Uganda and Rwanda are the three most popular safari destinations in the world, and their locations matter when choosing where to go for gorilla trekking.

Uganda: Both Bwindi and Mgahinga are located in the furthest corner and remote southwestern Uganda and getting there by road takes 8 to 9 hours from Kampala or Entebbe. It is a tiring journey but worth it as you get to experience the beautiful scenery along the way as you drive to Bwindi or Mgahinga. You can also decide to access both Bwindi and Mgahinga through Rwanda and this is possible by using the land borders of Gatuna and Cyanika. The drive from Kigali, Rwanda, through the land borders to Bwindi and Mgahinga takes about 5 hours, which is a shorter time.

Rwanda: Volcanoes National Park is closer to the capital city of Rwanda, Kigali, and it takes 3 to 3 hours to drive from Kigali to Volcanoes National Park. Many tourists find it easy to access Volcanoes National Park due to the shorter drive as compared to Uganda which takes almost the whole day.

Accommodation during a gorilla trek safari in Uganda VS Rwanda

Uganda has more affordable accommodation facilities as compared to Rwanda which is known for its luxurious facilities. Both countries have three categories of accommodation and these are budget, mid-range and luxury accommodation facilities. The choice you make depends on your traveling budget and note that accommodation has to be booked in advance, especially during the dry season.

The accommodation that you can use while on a gorilla trek in Bwindi should be located within the sector you have been assigned to easily access the Mountain gorillas in the morning. And since Mgahinga is small, accommodation is found outside the National Park in the nearby towns and the closer the lodge, the better. Some of the accommodations you can use include Buhoma Lodge, Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge, Sanctuary Gorilla Forest Camp, Buhoma Community Rest Camp, Chameleon Hill Lodge, Nkuringo Safari Lodge, Mantana Luxury Tented Camp, Mount Gahinga Lodge and many others.

Accommodations to use when gorilla trekking in Rwanda include Gorilla View Lodge, One&Only Gorilla’s Nest, Five Volcanoes Boutique, Hotel Muhabura, Amakoro Songa Lodge, Singita Kwitonda Lodge, Wilderness Bistate Lodge, Da Vinci Gorilla Lodge, Villa Gorilla, Le Bambou Gorilla Lodge and Sabinyo Silverback Lodge among others.

Extra safari activities to do after the trek in Uganda VS Rwanda

Uganda has more to offer to tourists on the trek, and so some of these include chimpanzee trekking, Golden monkey trekking, game drives, bird watching, abseiling along River Nthe file, boat rides, Mountain climbing, a visit to the Sipi Falls, Fallsd nature walks and cultural trips.

Rwanda on the other hand also has a lot to offer although not as much as Uganda (and this can be attributed to the fact that Uganda is bigger than Rwanda) and you can get to visit the Nyungwe Forest National Park where activities like chimpanzee trekking, canopy walks, nature walks, birding and cycling are carried out and Akagera National Park where you get to spot the different wildlife while on a game drive. Other safari destinations in Rwanda include the Virunga mountaiMountainsin Volcanoes National Park and the genocide memorial centers, among others.

The pros of gorilla trekking in Uganda VS Rwanda

Rwanda

• You don’t have to travel long distances after getting into the country
• Rwanda has better and high-end accommodation facilities that tourists can use during the gorilla trek safari.
• Rwanda is a much more stable country and safer as compared.

Uganda

• The cost of the gorilla permit in Uganda is cheaper and almost half the cost of the Rwanda gorilla permit.
• Uganda has more post or pre-gorilla trekking safari activities than Rwanda
• The gorilla permit in Uganda is easier to get
• Uganda offers tourists more time with the Mountain gorillas through gorilla habituation.

There are so many differences between Uganda and Rwanda gorilla trekking, but the similarities are more, for example, the rules and regulations and time spent with the gorillas. In conclusion, gorilla trekking in Uganda and Rwanda is a fun-filled experience and whichever destination you choose, you will have a great time in both countries.

For more information, get in touch with us at Encounter Africa Safaris.