Which is Better For Gorilla Trekking Rwanda Or Uganda

Gorilla Trekking Rwanda Or Uganda which is better, this could be the question roaming in your mind when you seem to have decided to undertake a Gorilla safari, but you can’t choose between two of the World’s best and most famous mountain gorilla havens: Rwanda and Uganda. Choosing between going on a gorilla safari in the land of a thousand Hills versus the Pearl of Africa can be challenging considering the wide range of advantages both countries offer. We’ve been fortunate enough to travel to both countries for these adventures and have interacted with visitors who’ve enjoyed gorilla treks in both countries. BOOK NOW

One has half the World’s highest concentration of mountain gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the other is easily accessible from the City and home to Diane Fossey, a renowned American Primatologist who dedicated many years to protecting the Giant Apes.

That’s just the tip of the iceberg. When it comes to Gorilla trekking in Rwanda and Uganda, you are spoilt for choice with the sheer spread of advantages in both countries. Therefore, if you’re looking for an answer to which is the better safari destination for gorilla trekking, there’s no clear answer.

We’ve drafted thousands of Tailormade packages for visitors over the years, and this is where it all starts. Ideally, we recommend undertaking gorilla treks in both countries to make the most of your time.  Nonetheless, if you have to choose just one, you will need to be well equipped with everything you need to know about gorilla safaris in Uganda and Rwanda, how they differ in terms of cost, accessibility, and other experiences to expect in both countries. Let’s delve into it and help you choose your nest gorilla trekking destination;

Accessibility to the National Parks

Volcanoes National Park, the only place to see mountain gorillas in Rwanda is easily accessible with a two-and-a-half to three-hour drive from Kigali City. Visitors spend less time on the road hence making trips even more seamless. Thanks to the proximity of this Conservation Area to Kigali City/International Airport, the land of a thousand hills is the better destination for visitors who only have time for a brief Vacation to enjoy gorilla trekking. A helicopter flight takes only 30 minutes.

Accessibility to Uganda’s Mgahinga and Bwindi National Parks is more time-consuming, requiring over 8-9 hours on the road. Driving over 500 kilometers from Entebbe or Kampala to the Park on an open highway makes a Uganda Gorilla safari a more adventurous experience that is worth the extra effort if time allows it. The drive to the two National Parks takes a whole year and it is recommended to travel with someone who knows the area instead of road tripping on your own. Much as it takes a short flight (one and a half hours) from Entebbe Airport to Kisoro or Kihihi, driving might be a cheaper option.

Ease of accessibility- win to Rwanda and the Volcanoes National Park.

Cost of gorilla trekking

Gorilla trekking is generally an expensive adventure but one country is more expensive than the other. Gorilla permits in Uganda cost $800 per person for foreign non-residents, $700 per person for foreign residents, $500 per person for visitors from the rest of Africa, and Shs. 300,000 for East African Community residents.

Rwanda is more expensive, and gorilla permits cost $1500 per person for all categories of visitors.

Winner: Uganda is a more affordable option.

Concentration of mountain Gorillas

Both Rwanda and Uganda offer exceptional gorilla trekking opportunities, but the concentration of these Giant Apes differs between the two countries.

Rwanda has one gorilla trekking destination with a population of about 300 mountain gorillas, representing at least 35% of the World’s population of these Giant Apes. There are currently 12 habituated gorilla families here, and because of this, 96 gorilla permits are issued each day by the Rwanda Development Board.

Uganda has two gorilla trekking destinations- Bwindi Impenetrable and Mgahinga Gorilla National Parks with more than 500 mountain gorillas, which represent more than half the World’s population of these Great Apes. There are over 25 gorilla families, which means over 200 gorilla permits are issued each day by the Uganda Wildlife Authority.

Landscapes and elevations

Rwanda (Volcanoes National Park) and Uganda (Bwindi Impenetrable National Park) have vastly different landscapes, and while there’s a variation within each destination, they broadly differ in two ways: steepness and vegetation growth.

We can point out that gorilla trekking trails in Volcanoes National Park are a bit open (in terms of vegetation) and not normally steep (altitude).

Bwindi on the other hand has rugged terrains, and steep, and has denser vegetation undergrowth. It’s undeniable that there are kilometers of forest trails in both countries and you have to hike for several hours to see the mountain gorillas, but Bwindi is steeper. For this reason, you will need to hire a porter/s to assist you while hiking.

Other safari activities besides gorilla trekking

Besides gorilla trekking, other activities you can enjoy in Rwanda are chimpanzee tracking in Nyungwe Forest or Gishwati-Mukura National Park, wildlife viewing, boat rides, and nature walks in Akagera National Park.

Uganda offers the above activities but with more options to enjoy them. However, you can also add mountaineering on Mount Rwenzori, whitewater rafting and Bungee jumping in Jinja, canoeing in Mutanda and Bunyonyi Lakes, game drives in four National Parks, and many other adventures.

In conclusion, both Uganda and Rwanda provide exceptional gorilla trekking experiences, but the right choice depends on what you’re after. If you’re looking for an easily accessible location, Rwanda is a great choice. However, if you’re drawn to cheaper and more safari experiences, Uganda might be more suitable. BOOK NOW