Gorilla trekking Rwanda vs Uganda

Gorilla trekking Rwanda vs Uganda, these are the two countries of the three countries where mountain gorilla is tracked in the world. The other last and the third country where mountain gorillas are found is Democratic republic of Congo. Many travelers who would wish to travel to East Africa or entire Africa come to enjoy the wilderness experiences like Wildebeest migration, Gorilla trekking, hiking and many more. The travelers however sit down to ask his or herself which country should I go for Gorilla trekking among the 3 countries hence raising comparison of gorilla trekking Rwanda vs Uganda. This is the most asked questions by tourists who would like to come to Africa for Mountain gorillas experience.

This article answers many questions like: What is the best Gorilla trekking country? Through comparing Gorilla trekking in Uganda and Gorilla trekking in Rwanda. Follow it well and it will help you make good decision on which country to choose to do Gorilla trekking from. We have laid different factors to be taken in to consideration when choosing the best country to do Gorilla trekking from. All the gorilla trekking experience in both countries is extra ordinary full of joy and unique experience. The mountain gorillas in both countries are the same. The countries have made the experience different from the way they handle their guests.

The key elements to be taken into considerations are:

Mountain Gorilla permit cost

This is one of the factors that makes a big difference when comparing gorilla trekking Rwanda vs Uganda. Most guests consider Rwanda gorilla trekking as luxury experience compared to Uganda due to the price tag tughat is on the Gorilla permit. Ugandan Gorilla permit costs 600usd currently though by July 2020 it will be 700usd. On the other hand Rwanda Gorilla permit costs 1500usd. Every traveler wants to get the best safari experience under budget friendly costs. Prices with experience go hand in hand with each other making it easy for the budget of the guest to make simple decision which country to go after making budget for the safari.

However much the difference is the gorilla permit cost is double the other but the experience is always the same. You will take a step to choose any of the two countries basing on your planned budget for your gorilla trekking safari.

Accessibility of the Gorilla trekking points

This is also one factor one can consider when comparing gorilla trekking Rwanda vs Uganda. How far is the gorilla trekking park from the nearest international airport as some guests donot want to endure African long bumpy roads.  It takes 9 hours drive from Entebbe international airport to Bwindi Impenetrable forest national park or Mgahinga national park. The only added advantage is that Uganda has chattered domestic airlines that operate daily from Kajjansi or Entebbe international airport to Kisoro airstrip or Kihihi airstrip though at an extra cost. This will save you from long drive of Kampala Bwindi.

On the other hand, it only takes 2 hours drive from Kigali international airport to Volcanoes national park. You can access Uganda Bwindi impenetrable forest from Kigali taking only 4 to 5 hours drive hence making it possible to do Gorilla trekking in Uganda from Kigali. The distance matters though the advantage is that the drive is more scenic with great stop points as one continues to enjoy the safari experience of Africa.

Gorilla Habituation

Its only in Uganda that mountain Gorilla habituation is done, the habituation is great experience where guests spend four hours with the gorillas. If one wants to do gorilla habituation, then Uganda will be the best and the only option for the traveler.

Gorilla families

This determines how many gorilla permits are sold on daily basis. This is one of the other factors one has to consider while comparing gorilla trekking Rwanda vs Uganda. The more the gorilla families the more gorilla permits sold per day hence easily availability of the Gorilla permits. Uganda has more Gorilla families which are distributed in four sectors in Bwindi impenetrable forest and one gorilla family in Mgahinga national park. However there is a new gorilla family that has joined Uganda from Rwanda with 20 gorillas in the family. The family is currently settled in Mgahinga national park.

Gorilla trekking experience

Uganda gorilla trekking is done in two national parks that is Bwindi impenetrable forest national park and Mgahinga national park. Gorilla trekking in Rwanda is done only in Volcanoes national park. The trek in both countries starts from 7:30 am with briefing by the park rangers before guests are subdivided in to the groups of 8 people. The trekking takes from 1 hour to 8 hours depending on the movement of the gorillas. In Rwanda there are some gorilla families that are very near and easily tracked with less physical fitness required. They also have gorilla families like karisimbi that are found up on the slopes of Mt Karisimbi making it hard for the guests to access with low physical fitness.

Rwanda takes more low and easy gorilla trekking parts compared to Bwindi especially on the Nkuringo side that needs good physical fitness for one to successfully enjoy Gorilla trekking. The thick ever green rainforest makes the true definition of Gorilla trekking while in Bwindi. If you need good challenging gorilla trek then directly go to Bwindi and experience the challenge.

Lodging

Guests also compare gorilla trekking Rwanda vs Uganda on the side of the lodging. Its fortunate that all the two countries have good accommodations that cater for all categories of the guests. The lodges are located closer to the national parks where Gorilla trekking is done while in Bwindi some accommodations are inside the park. The accommodations are built to give unique experience facing the forests for the best views of the forests. The type of accommodation directly affects the cost of the gorilla trekking safari.

Viewing and photography

Bwindi impenetrable is more thick and natural making the viewing positions of the gorilla some time harder compared to Volcanoes national park which is occupied by the Bamboo forests. The darkness inside the forest makes the photographers suffer more with capturing clear pictures without using flash lights.

In volcanoes the capturing of the pictures is good since the forest is open and the sun penetrates inside the park. The vegetation is low compared to that of Ugandan national park

Its not easy to choose the best but our guide can give you the highlights to base on. All the Gorillas in Rwanda and Uganda are Mountain Gorillas. The trekking rules and regulations together all the procedures remain the same in both countries. The slight differences does not affect the gorilla trekking experience in any of the countries.

The only determinant part in Gorilla trekking experience one has to get reputable local operators who can give you details and advise depending on your budget, age, time available and other factors to be considered.