As Uganda emerges out as one of the thought after tourist destination in East Africa, it is true that developments in Rwanda are promoting gorilla tourism in Uganda. Rwanda is promoting Uganda gorilla tourism in several ways that rely need to be looked into. It should be noted that mountain gorillas are located in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Mgahinga National Park, Volcanoes National Park and Virunga National Park. Bwindi and Mgahinga National Park are very close to Rwanda compared to Entebbe and as such, tourists have found it convenient to use Kigali Airport to visit Mgahinga and or Bwindi Impenetrable National Park instead of flying through Entebbe International Airport.

This is how Rwanda is promoting Uganda gorilla tourism

Rwanda is promoting Uganda gorilla tourism due to the fact that the drive time from Kigali Airport to Mgahinga or the southern part of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is about 4-5 hours compared to 8-9 hours from Entebbe international Airport. This therefor means that tourists can even do a two day gorilla tour in Uganda via Rwanda something that cannot be possible if one uses Entebbe International Airport. With this, its indeed true that Rwanda is promoting Uganda gorilla tourism indirectly.

Rwanda increased the price of its gorilla permits from USD750 to USD1500.00 in order to bland the country as a luxury destination. While this is a good initiative for the future, Uganda has benefited from the increased inflow of tourists who prefer trekking Uganda mountain gorillas due to the affordability of gorilla permits in Uganda still at USD600.00 per person per trek. Even when someone is willing to part with USD1500.00, he/she would rather book a gorilla habituation experience in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park where he/she can spend up to four hours with mountain gorillas instead of the one hour with mountain gorillas in Volcanoes National Park. If one says that Rwanda is promoting Uganda gorilla tourism indirectly, he/she should not be quoted wrongly. The high price for gorilla permits in Rwanda has also forced Rwanda tour operators to Mgahinga and Bwindi Impenetrable National Park located in Uganda.

Encounter Africa Safaris operates gorilla safaris to Uganda and Rwanda and premiers in booking budget, midrange and luxury safaris in both countries. Contact our experienced staff and benefit from our great offers for 2018 and 2019.