Cheaper Country for Gorilla Trekking, Is it Uganda or Rwanda?
Cheaper Country for Gorilla Trekking, Is It Uganda or Rwanda?
Cheaper Country for Gorilla Trekking. It is much cheaper to see Mountain gorillas in Uganda in Bwindi and Mgahinga than in 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.
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The cost of the gorilla permit is mainly the reason why Uganda is cheaper than Rwanda. Additionally, some tourists would rather go for a gorilla habituation experience to spend 4 hours with the primates. This is more satisfying than a single hour in Volcanoes National Park at the same cost.
Factors that Determine the Cheaper Country for Gorilla Trekking
The gorilla trekking permit
Uganda’s gorilla permit is cheaper than Rwanda’s gorilla permit. Even after a change in the cost, it costs $800 for foreign non-residents and $700 for foreign residents. A Uganda gorilla permit also costs $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. The same permit costs $1500 for foreign non-residents and $1000 for foreign residents. Also, it costs $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. The permit also costs $200 for East African citizens and $500 for foreign residents.
The cost of the permit is per person per day. You have to pay for it in advance to be able to participate in the gorilla trek.
Gorilla trekking experience
Cheaper Country for Gorilla Trekking- The experience in both countries. In terms of gorilla trekking experience in Uganda and Rwanda, there is no big difference. Both countries offer an unforgettable gorilla trek safari and in each country, you have a 99% chance of spotting the gorillas throughout the year. All trekkers have an hour with the primates after finding the gorilla family they are looking for. Meanwhile, Uganda has an offer where you spend 4 hours under the habituation experience. The process takes place in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park at $1500 for foreign non-residents. The gorilla trekking rules in Uganda are similar to the rules in Rwanda. Therefore in both countries, tourists have to follow all the rules to conserve these species.
Distance in Uganda VS Rwanda
Cheaper Country for Gorilla Trekking- distance to gorilla trekking destinations. In terms of distance to trek and see gorillas, Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda is closer to the city center. The drive to Volcanoes NP takes you about 2 to 3 hours from Kigali. The short distance greatly reduces the cost of transport which is not the same case with Uganda. Bwindi and Mgahinga are a bit far from the city center, so the transport costs will be higher as the journey takes about 8 to 9 hours. However, there’s a way to reduce the distance. You can land in Kigali, and then drive to these 2 destinations within 4-5 hours. Alternatively, you can charter a flight from Entebbe to Kisoro or Kihihi Airstrips. This will see you reach these two destinations within 1.5-2 hours.
Accessing Bwindi and Mgahinga National Parks through a chartered flight
Accommodation in Uganda VS Rwanda
Uganda has three categories of accommodation. These include basic/budget-friendly, mid-range, and luxury accommodation facilities. You can find them in different safari destinations across the country. When planning on the type of accommodation to use, make sure that it fits your budget. Also, it should be able to provide the necessary services that you are comfortable with. Engage your safari operator to help you make the best decision when it comes to accommodation. This is 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 into consideration. However, prepare to spend more on accommodation in Rwanda as compared to Uganda.
Uganda offers a better range of affordable accommodation facilities in comparison with 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.
When to visit Uganda and Rwanda for a safari
Uganda and Rwanda have the same weather patterns due to their proximity along the equator. They both have two seasons: the dry and wet seasons. When deciding on which country to visit first, it becomes hard. Both countries’ dry season is from June to September and December to February. Their wet season is from March to May and October to November. The two seasons are a parameter to which activities to best carry out in each country. For example, you can best do game drives, gorilla and chimpanzee trekking, boat cruises, and guided nature walks in the dry season. Meanwhile, it is better to do bird watching and photography safaris in the wet season. Irrelevant of the seasons, you can visit Uganda and Rwanda all year round and all you have to do is plan well.
Traveling through the wet season has its advantages. There are fewer tourists during this period, and accommodation costs are less. Hence, this reduces the cost of the gorilla safari in both countries.
Gorilla trekking in Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park
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. Tourists have to follow them during the trek and when with or before the Mountain gorillas. The rules are one way to protect and conserve the Mountain gorillas. This ensures that all future tourists have a gorilla safari in Rwanda and Uganda. Some of the rules include;
The minimum trekking age is 15 years and anyone who is above 15 can participate in the exercise.
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 do not participate in the trekking exercise.
When with the gorillas, turn away from them and cover your mouth when you need to sneeze or cough.
The park prohibits Feeding the Mountain gorillas.
You should not get close to the Mountain gorillas. You need to leave 7 meters between you and the Mountain gorillas.
Never feel tempted to touch the Mountain gorillas as you may not know how they’ll react.
Taking photos of the Mountain gorillas when the camera flash is on is an offense.
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. You should take out all the rubbish that you bring into the forest.
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. Here’s 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. 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, especially when it rains.
- 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. 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. Also, 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. They’ll 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. This is irrelevant to the season you have traveled. Gorilla trekking starts early in the morning with briefings from the guides about rules and regulations. You also learn what to expect when trekking, and know the gorilla family to trek. You’ll then head out to the forest to start tracking the family the rangers will have assigned to you. You will form groups of 8 before the trek starts to limit the number of people per group. This helps to not 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. It does not matter which country you visit because you will still have a wonderful experience during the trek.
Cheaper Country for Gorilla Trekking. Gorilla trekking can be affordable if you consider the different factors of accommodation, season, and transport. Affordability also depends on the number of days you spend 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 through which you can reduce the safari costs. If you consider these factors, 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 by filling out the form below. We’ll organize an affordable gorilla trekking safari in Uganda and Rwanda.
