Uganda or Rwanda, which country is cheaper for gorilla trekking

It is much cheaper to see Mountain gorillas in Uganda in Bwindi and Mgahinga as compared to Rwanda in Volcanoes National Park. The policy between the two countries is basically what leads to the difference in the cost of the gorilla trekking safari in both countries. Rwanda has marketed and promoted itself as a luxury destination whereas Uganda has always marketed itself as an affordable safari destination.

Most Popular Safaris

8 day Uganda safari via Kigali

5 days gorillas and chimp safari

8 days gorilla tracking tour

19 day best of Uganda safari

15 days Uganda Rwanda safari

18 day Uganda Ultimate Safari

16 day primate game and culture

11 days gorilla tracking safari

5 days gorilla and Nile river source

17 day Uganda birding and wildlife

The cost of the gorilla permit is mainly the reason as to why Uganda is cheaper than Rwanda and some tourists would rather go for a gorilla habituation experience to spend 4 hours with the primates instead of an hour in Volcanoes National Park at the same cost.

There are a lot of factors that are used to determine which country is cheaper when it comes to gorilla trekking and these include the following;

The gorilla trekking permit:

Uganda's gorilla permit is cheaper than Rwanda's even after a change in the cost and it costs $800 for foreign non-residents, $700 for foreign residents, $500 for African citizens, and UGX 300, 000 for East African citizens. When it comes to gorilla habituation, the cost of the permit is UGX 750, 000 for East African citizens, $1500 for foreign non-residents $1000 for foreign residents, and $1000 for African citizens (who are not part of East Africa).

The cost of the gorilla permit in Rwanda is $1500 per trek for foreign non-residents, $200 for East African citizens, and $500 for foreign residents.

The cost of the permit is per person per day and it has to be paid in advance for one to be able to participate in the gorilla trek.

Gorilla trekking experience:

In terms of gorilla trekking in Uganda and Rwanda, there is no big difference when it comes to gorilla trekking experience. Both countries offer an unforgettable gorilla trek safari and in each country, you have a 985 chance of spotting the gorillas throughout the year. All trekkers have an hour with the primates after finding the allocated gorilla family although Uganda has an offer where you spend 4 hours under the habituation experience carried out in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park at $1500 for foreign non-residents. The trekking in Uganda is similar to the rules in Rwanda and tourists have to follow all the rules to conserve the endangered species. 

Distance: Uganda VS Rwanda

In terms of distance to trek and see gorillas, Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda is closer to the city center taking you about 2 to 3 hours from Kigali. The short distance greatly reduces the cost of transport which is not the same case when it comes to Uganda. Bwindi and Mgahinga are located from the city center which means that the transport costs will be more as the journey takes about 8 to 9 hours.

Accommodation: Uganda VS Rwanda

Uganda has three categories of accommodation including basic/budget-friendly, mid-range, and luxury accommodation facilities and these can be found in the different safari destinations across the country. When planning on the type of accommodation to use, make sure that it fits your budget, and provides the necessary services that you are comfortable with. Engage your safari operator to help you make the best decision when it comes to accommodation because it is an important aspect of an enjoyable safari. The accommodation in Uganda caters to all types of tourists and irrelevant of your travel budget, you are assured of getting something comfortable.

Rwanda on the other hand is a luxury destination however the accommodation is also categorized into mid-range, luxury, and a few basic facilities located within or near the tourist destinations. The tour operator will help you choose the best option for you putting your budget in consideration but be prepared to spend more on accommodation in Rwanda as compared to Uganda.

Uganda offers a better range of affordable accommodation facilities as compared to Rwanda. When choosing the right and best accommodation facilities during a gorilla trek in both Rwanda and Uganda, you will need to look for one that is within the sectors where you are tracking from if you are in Uganda and Rwanda the key is to get accommodation closer to the trek destination.

Transport: Uganda VS Rwanda

Uganda safari destinations are mostly located in remote areas hundreds of kilometers away from the city center and the traveling costs a lot more as compared to Volcanoes National Park which is located just 2 to 3 hours from Kigali city. Bwindi and Mgahinga are 9 to 10 hours away from Kampala and because of the long journey and hiring of 4x4 safari vehicles; the gas/fuel used is more. 

Uganda also has bad roads which make the journey longer and the need to hire safari vehicles that can manage the bad roads whereas Rwanda has better infrastructure. When it comes to transport to the gorilla trekking destinations, Rwanda is cheaper.

When to visit Uganda and Rwanda for a safari

Uganda and Rwanda have the same weather patterns due to their proximity along the equator and have two seasons: the dry and wet seasons. When deciding on which country to visit first, it becomes hard since they both have the dry season from June to September and December to February and the wet season, from March to May and October to November. The two seasons are a parameter to which activities are best carried out in each for example game drives, gorilla and chimpanzee trekking, boat cruises, and guided nature walks are best carried out in the dry season and bird watching and photography safaris are best carried out in the wet season. Irrelevant of the seasons, Uganda and Rwanda can be visited all year round and all you have to do is plan.

Travelling through the wet season has its pros and these are: there are fewer tourists during this period, and accommodation costs are reduced hence reducing the cost of the gorilla safari in both countries.

Trekking rules and regulations in Rwanda and Uganda

The gorilla trekking exercise in Volcanoes National Park and Bwindi Impenetrable National Park has trekking rules and regulations that tourists have to follow during the trek and when with the Mountain gorillas. The rules are one of how the Mountain gorillas are protected and conserved to ensure that all tourists have a gorilla safari in Rwanda and these include the following:

• The minimum trekking age in Rwanda is 15 years and anyone who is above 15 can participate in the exercise.
• The minimum trekking age for gorilla trekking in Rwanda is 12 years.
• Tourists have to spend a maximum of one hour with the Mountain gorillas after tracking them.
• A maximum of 8 people trek a gorilla family per session and this is to protect the primates.
• All tourists who are sick will not be allowed to participate in the trekking exercise.
• When with the gorillas, turn away from them and cover your mouth when you need to sneeze or cough.
• Feeding of the Mountain gorillas is prohibited.
• You are not allowed to get to the Mountain gorillas and need to leave 7 meters between you and the Mountain gorillas.
• You are not supposed to touch the Mountain gorillas.
• Taking photos of the Mountain gorillas when the camera flash is on has been prohibited.
• Avoid making noise when with the gorillas because this forces them to retreat further deep into the forests.
• Never litter the national parks to conserve the environment. All the rubbish that you bring into the forest should be taken out.
• Dig a hole of 30cm deep to use a toilet in case of emergencies. But you need to cover it up well after to protect the gorillas.

What to bring for your gorilla safaris in Rwanda and Uganda

Packing for a gorilla safari in Rwanda and Uganda is very important and that is why we have come up with a list of things that you need for the gorilla safari.

• Long-sleeved neutral-colored shirts, offer protection from insect bites, sun, and scratches from the trees during the trek and also keep you warm during the cold weather. They should be in neutral color because you easily blend in with the forest and the other brightly colored clothes attract too much attention and blue is associated with attracting tsetse flies.
• Neutral colored long pants which are well-fitting and not jeans. Jeans get heavy when trekking and will slow you down during the trek.
• Knee-length hike boots that are fitting and waterproof
• A refillable and foldable water bottle
• Snacks for when you get hungry but note that you will not be able to eat when with the gorillas but there are designated areas where you can stop for snacks when hungry.
• Garden gloves are a necessity. When trekking gorillas, you will be holding onto different shrubs and trees and the garden gloves will protect your hands from all that including thorns, scratches, and hand blisters.
• Thick socks will keep you warm throughout the trek and they are also used to protect you from insect crawls by tucking your trousers into the socks.
• A camera including other camera equipment and essentials like extra batteries, memory, extra lenses, and a tripod where you can
• Binoculars to help you spot gorillas and other wildlife in the national parks
• A first-aid kit
• Cash for shopping and tipping of the staff that help you around during the trekking exercise
• Adjustable gaiters
• A waterproof rain jacket to protect yourself from the rain during the trek
• A warm sweater or fleece for the cold weather.

Is gorilla trekking in Uganda and Rwanda safe?

Yes, gorilla trekking in Uganda and Rwanda is safe and this is because of the many measures that have been put in place for tourists to feel safe when tracking Mountain gorillas. There has been a set of rules and regulations that have been put in place to protect the gorillas, there are security checks at the park entrance, the number of people trekking gorillas is limited to 8, and armed rangers will follow you around during the trek to ensure that you are safe and the national parks have 24/7 security from encroachers and poachers.

The experience of gorilla trekking in both Uganda and Rwanda

Although Uganda is cheaper than Rwanda when gorilla trekking, both countries offer good trekking experiences irrelevant of the season you have traveled. Gorilla trekking starts early in the morning with briefings from the guides about rules and regulations and what to expect when trekking, you will also be assigned gorilla groups before heading out to the forest to start tracking the family you have been assigned to. Gorilla trekking families are assigned during the briefing and if you have any requests, this is the best time to do it. You will be put in groups of 8 before the trek starts to limit the number of people per group so as not to tire the gorillas with large crowds. Also, smaller crowds are easier to control when trekking gorillas.

Both Uganda and Rwanda offer unique gorilla trekking experiences and it does not matter which country you visit because you will still have a wonderful experience during the trek.

Gorilla trekking can be affordable if you consider the different factors of accommodation, season of travel, transport, number of days spent on a gorilla trek, and the size of the group. The more days that you get to spend on the safari greatly affect the cost of the gorilla safari for example the more days that you spend on your safari, the higher the cost of the gorilla safari. There are so many ways that safari costs can be reduced and if you put these factors into consideration, you will be able to have an affordable gorilla trekking safari.

In conclusion, Uganda gorilla trekking is cheaper as compared to gorilla trekking in Rwanda. Contact us for more information and let us organize an affordable gorilla trekking safari in Uganda and Rwanda.