How much does it cost to see mountain gorillas in Bwindi and Volcanoes National Park?

The major cost or price factors to consider when looking at mountain gorilla tracking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park or Volcanoes National Park in Uganda and Rwanda respectively are gorilla permits or passes, accommodation or Lodges for an overnight stay while in respective national parks, as well as transport to and from Bwindi or Volcanoes National Park. Having mentioned the above essential elements, other extra expenses to consider include, tips to lodge staff, guides and porters, hiring porters for your gorilla trek or sedan chairs for the elderly people. When you contact Encounter Africa safaris, we will tailor a gorilla trekking safari to cover all essential elements such as gorilla permits, accommodation and transport to and from Bwindi impenetrable National Park or Volcanoes National Park.

Sample of well costed gorilla trekking tours to Bwindi and Volcanoes NP

3 Day Bwindi gorilla trekking tour

3 Day gorilla habituation experience safari

5 Day Bwindi gorillas and chimp trekking safari

5 Day Bwindi gorillas and wildlife safari

Gorilla trekking permits price

The most essential cost of your gorilla tour to Bwindi impenetrable National Park or Volcanoes National Park in Uganda and Rwanda respectively is your gorilla permit. A gorilla permit is a document or card that allows entry to Bwindi impenetrable National Park or Volcanoes National park. It is the same gorilla permits that allows you to spend one hour with mountain gorillas in Uganda or Rwanda escorted by armed ranger guides employed by Uganda Wildlife Authority for Uganda and OTRPN for Rwanda.

The gorilla permit booking systems in Uganda and Rwanda are highly organized and regulated to collect the needed revenues without compromising the lives of these mountain gorillas in Bwindi and Volcanoes National park. Its for this reason that both Uganda and Rwanda have a maximum number of people allowed to visit a given habituated mountain gorillas at 8 people per one hour per day.

The number of gorilla trekking permits available for booking in either national park depends on the number of habituated mountain gorillas. Kindly refer to our articles on How many gorilla permits are available daily in Bwindi or Volcanoes National park.

Each gorilla trekking permit is valid for one day and is marked with a unique serial number. Every gorilla permit will have personal details of each individual, and that’s why passport details are required at the time of booking.

When you book your gorilla safari to Bwindi or Volcanoes National Park with Encounter Africa safaris, we will arrange a driver-guide and transport for the whole tour. We will make sure your airport transfers are included as well as the transport to your lodge and trekking points. If you intend to extend your safari to other National Park, we will organize this for you. For more information, please contact us on email and phone.

The fact that gorilla trekking in Bwindi and Volcanoes National Park starts very early in the morning, we recommend booking accommodation closer to the park entrance and starting point to avoid delays on the day of your gorilla trek. You will arrive at your lodge a day before your trek and spend one more night at the same lodge after your gorilla trek. This is because you cannot predict when the trek will end so a second night is always ideal. Most lodges booked for you by Encounter Africa safaris are normally on full board covering all your meals.

Many Lodges in Bwindi and Volcanoes national Park are independently owned and run by either international or local business men and provides a variety of options for your to choose depending on your interest and budget. High end, Midrange and Budget lodges are spread all over and Encounter Africa safaris will advise where and what to book for your overnight accommodation while in Bwindi and or Volcanoes National park.

Generally speaking, Lodges owned by locals are slightly cheaper compared to high end lodges run by international chains of Hotels. That said and done, internationally owned establishments often have more years in business and thus offer an overall better experience at a price.

Further note that while your gorilla trekking permit includes one hour with habituated mountain gorillas in the wild, services of a ranger guide as well as park entry fees, it excludes tips of around $10-20 which are greatly appreciated. It is also recommended that you hire a porter to assist you during your trek at an extra fee. For more information about this, kindly contact us on phone or email.

Cost of Rwanda gorilla trekking permit

In Rwanda, a gorilla trekking permit ordinarily costs US$1500 for international foreign nonresidents and can be booked by Encounter Africa safaris on your behalf. This fee includes one hour with habituated mountain gorillas, services or a ranger guide as well as entrance fees for Volcanoes National Park.

Checking Volcanoes NP gorilla permit availability

A total of eighty gorilla permits are available daily due to the fact that Rwanda has 10 habituated gorilla families for gorilla trekking and each is visited by a maximum of 8 people. Encounter Africa safaris will check, reserve and secure your gorilla permit as long as you contact us. It is advised to book your gorilla permit a year or two in advance to avoid missing out. Much as Rwanda gorilla treks are the most expensive, gorilla permits tend to sell out quicky. All gorilla permits are handled by Rwanda Development board and are issued on first come first serve basis.

Accommodation costs in Rwanda

Rwanda has positioned herself as a high end luxury gorilla trekking country which is reflected in the higher price for gorilla permits trekking gorillas in Volcanoes National Park. Because of the mode of marketing, most Lodges are high end and highly priced. There some mid-range lodges as well as budget ones.

Lodge/accommodation cost estimates in Rwanda

Budget : $30 – $50 per person per night based on two sharing

Mid-range: $80 – $250 per person per night based on two sharing

Luxury: $300-$3,000 per person per night based on two sharing

Rwanda’s volcanoes National Park located in Ruhengeri is only two hours’ drive from Kigali the capital city, making the gorillas far more accessible than in Uganda’s Bwindi impenetrable National Park. In theory this means you can save on transport and accommodation by doing a shorter. It’s possible to do a one-day gorilla trek in Rwanda from around $1,800 per person. A two-day gorilla tour will start from £2000. A three-day luxury gorilla safari may cost $2,000 to $5,000 per person. Tours include one gorilla tracking permit, private transport, English-speaking guide, accommodation and meals. Charter plane and helicopter transfers are additional options.

Uganda gorilla trekking permit costs

A gorilla trekking permit in Uganda to see mountain gorillas in Bwindi impenetrable National park is US$700 per person for foreign non-residents, US$600 for foreign residents with working permits and UGX250,000 for East African citizens.

Checking Uganda gorilla trekking permit availability

Bwindi impenetrable National park has about 19 habituated gorilla families ready for gorilla trekking. Each gorilla family is visited by 8 people meaning that approximately 152 gorilla permits are available on a daily to see mountain gorillas in Bwindi. As long as we have your dates, we at Encounter Africa safaris are able to check availability online, reserve and secure them after making payment.

We advise you to book your gorilla trekking permit 3-4 months or even a year in advance to avoid missing out. Bwindi gorilla trekking permits tend to sell out quickly during high season so endeavor to secure your gorilla permit in advance.

Accommodation costs in Bwindi National Park, Uganda

Bwindi impenetrable National Park has more mid-range and Budget lodges compared to Volcanoes National Park. A number of High-end Luxury lodges exist in all the four regions of Bwindi impenetrable National Park.

Budget: $50-$70 per person per night based on two sharing

Mid-range: $80-$120 per person per night based on two sharing

Luxury: $300-$3,000 per person per night based on two sharing

The cheapest three-day gorilla trek will cost around $1,1400 per person and will include one gorilla tracking permit, private transport, an English-speaking guide, accommodation and meals. A three-day luxury gorilla safari may cost upwards of $3,000 per person. Higher-priced tours may include flights to one of the small airstrips, a half-hour drive from the gorilla tracking region.

Cost of Transport to Bwindi gorilla trekking regions

You can get to Bwindi impenetrable National Park by road and both Vans and Luxury Land cruisers are used by individuals as well as Tour Operators. A typical safari Van goes for USD$100 including a safari guide but excluding fuel of about USD$250. If you have some money to spend in order to travel comfortably, Land Cruisers come in handy at a cost of USD$200-USD$300 excluding fuel to and from Bwindi impenetrable National Park. Those interested in flying from Entebbe International Airport to Bwindi impenetrable National Park, daily scheduled and charter flights can be arranged for you.

About Encounter Africa Safaris

Encounter Africa safaris organize gorilla trekking safaris to Bwindi impenetrable National Park in Uganda and Volcanoes National park in Rwanda. All our gorilla trekking holidays are all-inclusive of gorilla trekking permits, accommodation and transport. We have been in operation for the last 12 years and as years go by, we keep growing our level of service. We are highly reviewed on trip advisor and safari booking.