Pros and cons of booking Uganda gorilla tours from Kigali, Rwanda

The advantages and disadvantages of booking Uganda gorilla tours from Kigali, Rwanda. Booking Uganda gorilla safaris through Kigali is a route picking momentum, and many find it more convenient because Rwanda is just that neighbor next door. To cross into Uganda from Kigali in Rwanda, you go either through the Gatuna or Cyanika border to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park or Mgahinga National Park. This route takes about 5 to 6 hours compared to the drive from Entebbe or Kampala to Bwindi or Mgahinga National Park, which lasts approximately 8 to 9 hours.

Most Popular Safaris

4 Days Gorillas and Golden Monkey Safari

2 Day Bwindi Gorilla Safari through Kigali

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5 Day off season Gorilla and Chimp Safari

5 Day Gorilla and Chimp Tracking Safari

16 Days Uganda Primates & Wildlife Safari

5 Day Gorilla & Chimp Tracking Safari

5 Day Low season Uganda Gorilla & Chimp Safari

5 Day Uganda Gorillas & Game Safari via Kigali

5 Day Gorilla Habituation & Chimps

Uganda has two gorilla tour destinations, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga National Park, and both can be accessed through Kigali. Uganda has celebrated over 21 gorilla trekking families and two gorilla habituation experience families.

For any gorilla safari in Uganda, whether gorilla trekking or gorilla Habituation experience, you must possess a gorilla permit from the Uganda Wildlife Authority.

As for some cons of booking Uganda gorilla tours through Kigali, you must obtain double visas in Uganda and Rwanda. The East Africa visa is available, allowing you to visit at least two East African countries where Uganda and Rwanda are members.

Suppose you are planning the gorilla tour and traveling through Kigali, Rwanda. In that case, you need to organize the logistics to accompany your gorilla safari in Uganda, like accommodations and a driver guide, which is quite taxing.

What are the pros for Booking Uganda Gorilla Tours through Kigali?

Timesaving

The drive from Kigali to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park or Mgahinga National Park is shorter than 5 to 6 hours. The drive from Entebbe Airport to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is about 8 to 9 hours.

If you embark on a long international flight into Kigali, Rwanda, but expect to start the drive to Bwindi or Mgahinga National Park immediately, you would like to take a shorter time on the road to these gorilla safari destinations because of jet lag. 

Double safari opportunity to see both Rwanda and Uganda 

Going through Rwanda to do gorilla safaris in Uganda gives you a double chance to glimpse into Rwanda and its environs and then the environment of the southwestern part of Uganda. Kigali airport and Kigali city are in the heart of Rwanda, so going through them gives you the feel of almost the entire country.

 Before proceeding to Uganda, you can go around to enjoy the beauties of the Land of a Thousand Hills, Rwanda. While in Rwanda, you may engage in Gorilla trekking, which may even be one one-day Rwanda gorilla safari, Kigali city tour, visit Akagera National Park, enjoy the Rwanda commercial center, and so much more. You can make memories on your East African safari with prior arrangements and a well-tailored Rwanda itinerary.

Opens Quicker access to other Uganda safari destinations In the Western region

Other than gorilla trekking in Uganda, the route going through Kigali into Uganda opens shorter access to other Uganda safari destinations in the western part of Uganda. A case in point is from Buhoma in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park to the Ishasha sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park, a 64-kilometer drive.

The drive from Queen Elizabeth National Park to Kibale National Park is about one hour and much more. Driving from Kigali into Bwindi Impenetrable National Park to Queen Elizabeth National Park to Kibale National Park for chimpanzee trekking opens quicker access to more Uganda safari destinations.

Apply for one visa.

If you must have a visa to enter Uganda and Rwanda, using the East Africa visa as a single document saves time. The East African visa allows entry into countries where Uganda and Rwanda are members.

The East Africa visa saves you from double purchasing a visa for either Uganda or Rwanda, as it’s a draining experience sometimes.

What are the cons of booking Uganda gorilla tours from Kigali, Rwanda

Miss route Uganda safari activities

From Entebbe or Kampala, en route to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park or Mgahinga National Park, you can stop at the Equator, where you can simultaneously take photos standing on both sides of the earth. Do the water experience at the Equator before proceeding to the gorilla safari destinations.

Taking a detour to Lake Mburo National Park is possible from Kampala or Entebbe to Bwindi or Mgahinga National Park. Lake Mburo National Park is known for its large population of mainly ungulates. Some wild animals in Lake Mburo National Park include impalas, elephants, zebras, waterbucks, reedbucks, bushbucks, Uganda Kobs, Elands, cape buffaloes, and many others. You may stop at Lake Mburo National Park as a break from the long journey or go through the park to the gorilla safari destinations.

Uncertain about the gorilla permit from the Uganda Wildlife Authority

Suppose you are self-booking the gorilla safari in Uganda through Kigali. In that case, you need to secure a Uganda gorilla permit, which you cannot find at the destination because these permits are only issued at Uganda Wildlife Authority offices in Kampala. The fate of your gorilla permit lies in limbo.

To access Uganda gorilla safari activities, present a valid gorilla permit at the briefing point and then register for verification. To access the gorilla permits without collecting the gorilla permit card from the Uganda Wildlife Authority, you need to use the assistance of another person to help deliver the card. This is quite an exhausting and taxing process since you have to make plans for other safari logistics.

At Encounter Africa Safaris, we are always at your service to book your gorilla permits, reserve other amenities to support your safari and arrange transport from Rwanda to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Contact our safari team for any questions about gorilla safari in Uganda or Rwanda, and we will gladly get back to

Expensive visa cost (double visa)

If you must have a visa before entering Uganda or Rwanda, you must secure a visa from either country. This may be a lengthy process and frustrating at times. Alternatively, the East Africa visa can solve this problem since Uganda and Rwanda are community members. The East African access allows you entry into two East African countries.

The cost of the East Africa visa is hire, which is currently $100 per person.

When is the best Time to Go For a Gorilla tour in Uganda Through Kigali?

Gorilla safaris in Uganda are open all year, but the dry season most preferred is June, July, August, September, December, and January. The mountain gorillas are quicker to spot, and trails are more accessible to navigate since they are drier. More sunlight is let into the ground through the dense canopy.

Other forest dwellers may also be spotted from any range, like other primates, birds, and butterflies. This season, the demand for gorilla permits is high, yet a maximum of 8 gorilla trekking permits are allowed from each family. Last-minute gorilla permit availability may be hard to find because chances narrow as the high season draws closer.

The wet season, which serves as the low season, is March, April, May, and November, opening chances for last-minute gorilla permit bookings. In case you have a limited budget, you may use the low season when there are fewer bookings and events of discounted gorilla permits are open.

How long is gorilla trekking or Habituation experience adventure in Uganda?

The time taken on gorilla trekking or habituation experience in Uganda is hard to determine. Mountain gorillas freely live in the wilderness with no restrictions on where not to go. When searching for them, you Use the clues or follow the trail where they were last seen the previous day. Nobody knows when you find the mountain gorillas, but some tourists have been lucky to find them in two hours while others have spent almost three-quarters of the day.

During the briefing, tourists must be patient before finding the mountain gorillas. To keep your mind busy, open your mind to other attractions in the forest, like the monkeys, birds, beautiful highlands, and so much more.

Upon finding the mountain gorillas, only one hour is allowed during gorilla trekking and four hours of gorilla habituation experience. As you get away from the face of the mountain gorillas, do it without causing any alarm, as the mountain gorillas are very sensitive to intruders in their vicinity.

How Sure Can I Be To See The Mountain Gorillas In Uganda?

Be sure to see the mountain gorillas in Uganda because Uganda hosts the most significant mountain gorilla population among the three countries: Uganda, Rwanda, and D.R.Congo.

Uganda currently has about 21 gorilla trekking families and two gorilla-habituated families that were first habituated before opening them to public visits. The gorilla habituation process helps wild mountain gorillas get used to human presence without altering their nature. The method of gorilla habituation takes an unknown time, but until these primates are proven ready for public visits.

Each day, a team of ranger guides patrols the forest earlier than tourists to establish where the mountain gorillas may have nested and day hangout spots. These clues are what ranger guides use when leading the tourists to avoid taking too long in the forest. 

The ranger guide also asks tourists to assist in finding the mountain gorillas by following the clues left behind by the mountain gorillas, like fresh dung, freshly chewed foliage, hooting sounds, grumbling, and so much more. This is how engaging gorilla safaris are; such actions make it a memorable adventure.

Which is the best country for gorilla safaris, Uganda and Rwanda?

Gorilla tours are exciting no matter where you go because that moment when you stand before the mountain gorillas may make you forget what you may have gone through during planning. There are fewer differences between gorilla tours in Uganda and Rwanda.

The distance from Kigali in Rwanda to Volcanoes National Park is about three hours, while the drive from Entebbe to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is about 8 to 9 hours.

Rwanda gorilla trekking permit cost is $1500 per person, while Uganda gorilla trekking permit cost is $800 per person.

Uganda has more options of additional safari activities to add with gorilla safaris, while Rwanda is limited with choices of activities to add with gorilla safaris.

Uganda has more than 21 gorilla trekking families and two gorilla habituation experience families, while Rwanda currently has 15 gorilla trekking families open to public booking.

What are the Guidelines for Gorilla Tours in Uganda?

• Surrounding the mountain gorillas when you meet them is forbidden because it makes them feel ambushed by their visitors. When they get agitated, they may go into hiding.
• Suppose you catch a communicable infection like flu, COVID-19, or cough. In that case, you may need to volunteer and stay behind so as not to pass this infection to the highly susceptible mountain gorillas.
• Eating or smoking 300 meters from the gorillas is forbidden because the effect of the smoke may cause the gorillas illness as time goes on, or even the gorillas grab what you are eating and start depending on humans. They are wild animals that must search for their food.
• When you meet the mountain gorillas, only 4 hours of gorilla habituation experience and 1 hour of gorilla trekking are allowed to be with them because they are habituated to be in the presence of humans for just that time. Later, you have to leave them alone to go about their day-to-day activities.
• Littering the forest is forbidden, so it is left to thrive in its natural setting. The mountain gorillas feed on foliage throughout their lives. Throwing plastic wraps, soda cans, and others that do not decompose may alter the nature of the forest with time.
• Please do not use flash photography when taking photos because it may scare the mountain gorillas, which are usually scared of new occurrences in their vicinity. The camera must be soundproof, too, to not cause tension within the gorilla family.
• Spitting on the vegetation contaminates it, possibly infecting the mountain gorillas with human infections. It is also unhygienic.
• Provoking the mountain gorilla when you find them may agitate them and push the family into hiding. Mountain gorillas are susceptible primates that are very conscious of their surroundings.
• Eight meters from the gorillas is the distance permitted to be apart from them. This is to reduce the chances of passing an infection. If they approach you, slowly retreat without them recognizing your moves.

For more information, please contact us for more information.