Why you should choose Uganda over Rwanda for your gorilla trekking safari. Imagine making up your mind to go gorilla trekking in Africa, but you can’t decide on where to go to do it. Well, this is understandable. Considering our decades of experience and expertise in organising gorilla trekking safaris, we often notice that the most challenging task visitors encounter is selecting the right destination to visit for gorilla trekking. You see that Uganda and Rwanda all stand out as premier destinations in Africa for gorilla trekking safaris. However, one thing sets each aside. That is what will guide you to make the right choice. It could be the reason why you should choose Uganda over Rwanda for a gorilla trekking safari. Below, we provide a detailed guide on why you might choose Uganda over Rwanda for gorilla trekking.
Reasons why choose Uganda over Rwanda for gorilla trekking
The first reason to choose Uganda over Rwanda for your gorilla trekking adventure is that Uganda is a budget-friendly destination. Uganda has more places to visit with many habituated gorilla groups to trek. Additionally, Uganda offers affordable accommodations, diverse primates, numerous destinations to explore beyond those for gorilla safaris, and amazing en-route experiences, among other attractions.
Uganda is a budget/affordable destination
If you are looking for an affordable budget destination to see mountain gorillas in Africa, Uganda is the best choice. This shouldn’t even be debated. Rwanda is the best fit for high-end gorilla trekking experiences. We have delved into the details of this budget-friendliness by comparing the costs or prices of gorilla permits in Uganda and Rwanda. A visitor who opts for a gorilla trekking tour in Uganda can book a gorilla permit for USD 800 under the non-resident category.
The breakdown of gorilla permit costs covers even foreign residents who book at USD 700. Ugandans and nationals, as well as other East African citizens (Tanzanians, Kenyans, Rwandans, South Sudanese, and Burundians), buy Uganda gorilla permits at UGX 300,000. If you fall under the new category, “The Rest of Africa”, a gorilla permit in Uganda goes for USD 500. When you compare the cost of Uganda permits to that of Rwanda, you notice a significant amount to save. Visitors secure Rwanda gorilla permits at USD 1500 per person. This means you have a difference of USD 700 saved on a gorilla permit alone. This alone makes Uganda a more attractive destination for exploring gorilla trekking than Rwanda.
Chances of finding a gorilla permit –Uganda Vs Rwanda
With a valid gorilla permit, which is required for any gorilla trekking session in Uganda or Rwanda, obtaining one is a must. However, what are the chances of getting one? Uganda surpasses Rwanda in the number of gorilla permits. Uganda has the capacity to issue up to 200 gorilla permits to visitors. This means that over 200 people have the opportunity to trek with the mountain gorillas in Uganda. Rwanda, on the other hand, is slightly restrictive given the number of gorilla permits and the number of gorilla groups. Looking at the 13 habituated gorilla groups in Rwanda, this translates to approximately 104 gorilla permits issued per day.
Choice of destinations to visit for gorilla trekking –Uganda Vs Rwanda
Gorilla trekkers on a Uganda safari have the opportunity to choose the best destination to explore mountain gorillas. This is not the case with Rwanda. Uganda is home to two gorilla safari destinations. Each presents an excellent opportunity for visitors to participate in a trek to see gorillas in their natural habitat. The two special destinations for you to choose from include Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. On the Rwanda side, there is only Volcanoes National Park in Musanze, where you can consider gorilla trekking.
Over half of the world’s mountain gorillas live in Uganda
Approximately 1,063 mountain gorillas remain in the wild, with over half of them concentrated in Uganda. At the same time, Rwanda is home to about a third of the world’s endangered mountain gorillas. While in Uganda, it is possible to encounter different gorilla families at various sectors or trailheads. These include the Ntebeko sector in Mgahinga, Rushaga, Buhoma, Nkuringo, and Ruhija in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park. This is why Bwindi was declared a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Top gorilla families to explore on Uganda gorilla trekking tour include Nshongi, Mubare, Mishaya, Kutu, Nkuringo, Bikingi, Katwe, Mucunguzi, and more. If you spend more days in Uganda, you can have a chance to explore as many gorilla groups as possible.
Some of the amazing gorilla groups to visit in Rwanda include the Bwenge, Umubano, Sabyinyo, Amahoro, Kwitonda, Umubano, Titus, Susa A, and Agashya, etc. Note that you can visit the Rwanda or Uganda gorilla groups, provided you are above 15 years old and have a valid gorilla trekking permit.
Experience more than the usual gorilla treks in Bwindi alone.
Uganda is the answer to visitors’ questions, especially when it comes to spending more time with mountain gorillas. While in Uganda, you can opt for a gorilla habituation experience where you have a chance to stay for 4 hours face-to-face with a group of gorillas. The standard gorilla treks in Rwanda don’t offer this unique opportunity, except when you book about four gorilla trekking slots, because each session gives a maximum of 1 hour for a magical encounter.
Why not strike a deal with just a single visit to the Rushaga sector in Southern Bwindi and experience the best of mountain gorilla habituation? Then, have all four hours to interact with these large apes for yourself. It is easier to achieve this, and all you need is a valid permit. The costs are as follows: USD 1,500 per visitor for foreign non-residents, USD 1,000 for the Rest of Africa and foreign residents, and UGX 750,000 for East African citizens.
Other places and experiences to appreciate in Uganda Vs Rwanda
Uganda surpasses Rwanda in terms of additional experiences. While in Uganda, you can have chimpanzee tracking. This is done in some of East Africa’s premier destinations, including Budongo Forest, Kyambura Gorge, and Kibale National Park. Even if you desire to spend more time with chimpanzees beyond the standard 1 hour, there is a chance that it will be a chimpanzee habituation experience in Kibale National Park or Budongo Forest.
Game drives are available in the country’s diverse destinations, including Kidepo, Murchison Falls, Lake Mburo, and Queen Elizabeth national parks. When you look at en-route options, expect to have great moments at the Uganda Equator crossing. And if you connect to Bwindi through the Ishasha sector (the southern end of Queen Elizabeth National Park), expect to witness the rare tree-climbing lions.
Overall, Rwanda has 4 Parks. When you exclude Volcanoes National Park for gorilla trekking, you have only Akagera National Park to explore for all savanna game viewing tours. Chimpanzee tracking excursions are more vibrant in Nyungwe National Park. However, you should be prepared for an altitude challenge as you look for chimpanzees. The terrain in Nyungwe is slightly more challenging than that of Uganda’s chimpanzee trekking destinations, such as Kibale or Budongo Forest.
