Is Gorilla Trekking Better In Uganda or Rwanda 

Uganda and Rwanda are the best destinations in the world for gorilla trekking hikes, because of this. Making a decision when choosing the destination for your gorilla trekking experience hard, when making a decision there are several factors to consider such as location and accessibility, prices and safety. 

Where to go gorilla trekking in the world. 

In the whole world, mountain gorillas are found in in the Central and East Africa in the Virunga Mountains and they are in two populations, one population in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park (the highest gorilla group) and the second population in Virunga Conservation Area made up of Virunga National Park in Democratic Republic of Congo, Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park in Uganda.  While making a choice between Rwanda or Uganda, here is the full detailed information to help you make a perfect choice 

Rwanda’s Mountain Gorillas 

Rwanda dubbed as the land of a thousand hills is a tiny nation in East Africa with a population of about 13 million people, in French this beautiful country is known as “des mile collines”. Kinyarwanda is a widely spoken language in Rwanda as it is the local language and English, French and Swahili are the official languages.  Rwanda is a true definition of a phoenix rising from the ashes, the country rose from the horrific genocide in 1994 to become one of the Great Successful stories in Africa. The capital city of Rwanda is Kigali City which well – known for its beauty and cleanliness. 

Volcanoes National Park 

Mountain gorilla trekking in Rwanda is done in only one destination that is Volcanoes National Park, tourism most especially gorilla trekking has played a great role in the development of Rwanda as a country and its economy.  Volcanoes National Park is home to 56 mountain gorillas with 12 habituated gorilla families which are open for gorilla trekking tourism.  Since Rwanda is a tiny country, traveling from Kigali International Airport – the main gateway into Rwanda found in Kigali City. Traveling to Volcanoes national park is very easy, travelers have to fly to Kigali International airport and drive to Volcanoes national park which is a journey of around 3 hours northwest of the city.  Volcanoes National Park’s closeness to an international airport – Kigali International Airport is an advantage to Rwanda’s mountain gorilla tourism sector.

Uganda’s Mountain Gorillas 

Uganda is a landlocked country endowed with vast plains, volcanoes, snow-capped mountains, dense forests, savannah plains, large lakes and unique wildlife among others which is a reason to why it is nick named – The Pearl of Africa.  Uganda has a population of over 43 million people with more than 40 languages, Ugandans are known for their friendliness and kindness. Most of the people speak English which is the official language and an advantage to Uganda’s tourism as it makes communication easier.

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is ranked as the best gorilla trekking destination as it hosts a full gorilla population which is the biggest and half of the world total of mountain gorillas remaining in the world.  Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is dominated by tropical rainforests that rang in elevation from 1,160 to 2,607 meters above the sea level.  Bwindi Impenetrable National Park hosts a huge bio-diversity and because of this, it has been recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.  Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is located in the extreme southwest corner which is a long journey of about 9 to 10 hours from Kampala – the capital City and Entebbe International Airport the main gateway.   If you are not fun of driving long distances, you can fly to Bwindi on flight of 1 hour and connect to the park on a drive of 3 hours from Kisoro or Kihihi Airstrips. 

Cost of Gorilla Trekking in Uganda and Rwanda 

When choosing the better gorilla trekking destination between Uganda and Rwanda, the cost of gorilla trekking permits is a major factor to consider.  Rwanda executes a low tourism strategy with a significant effect, thus gorilla trekking permit costs $ 1,500. In Uganda a gorilla trekking permit costs $ 700 per person per trek.  Gorilla trekking in Uganda significantly reduces the cost of gorilla trekking, Rwanda is a more of a luxury destination with a wide range of luxury accommodation options. Uganda on the other hand has a variety of mid-range and premium accommodations. 

Accessibility of Gorilla Parks in Rwanda and Uganda 

Volcanoes National Park is situated in close proximity to the Airport that is Kigali International Airport which is why it is a more preferred choice for gorilla trekking destination for travelers for have a quick layover to do gorilla trekking.  Volcanoes National Park is a more preferred destination for travelers in route to another location or arriving from a nearby nation.  Because of the high cost to visit East Africa for a safari, most of the Western visitors prefer to undertake additional safari activities such as climbing Rwenzori Mountains which makes Uganda a better alternative since it has more to offer. 

Conditions for gorilla trekking in Uganda and Rwanda 

Comparing trekking paths in Uganda’s Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, trekking paths in Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park are regarded more open and less steep and slippery. However, Volcanoes National Park is far higher in elevation than Bwindi Impenetrable National Park which might make the walk more difficult. 

Uganda has a greater number of habituated gorilla facilities 

Although Rwanda’s mountain gorillas are easier to approach, Uganda has more habituated mountain gorillas and thus accepts more hikers every day. Visitors to Uganda’s gorillas are limited to 80 per day and in Rwanda only 56 tourists are permitted every day, this makes obtaining a gorilla trekking permit in Uganda easier than obtaining one in Rwanda especially if do not book too far in advance.

Uganda Gorilla Habituation Permits 

Gorilla habituation can only be offered in Uganda’s Bwindi Impenetrable National Park allowing visitors to spend four hours with a semi-habituated gorilla ground in the Southern sector of the park, a habituation permits costs $ 1,500 which is the same cost of a Rwanda gorilla trekking permit allowing visitors to stay one hour in presence of the gorillas.  Gorilla habituation experience allows visitors to spend extra time in the presence of mountain gorillas, only two gorilla families have been designated for gorilla habituation experience thus eight (8) habituation permits are issued every day.  Note: If you want to do gorilla habituation experience, you must book for the gorilla habituation permit in advance.  On this experience, visitors participate in habituation activities like making calls, gathering specimens and identifying specific gorillas providing you with a unique, once in a lifetime experience.   With the above information, hope you now have the answer to the question “Is Gorilla Trekking better in Rwanda or Rwanda”.