Comparison of 2017 Gorilla Tracking in Uganda and Uganda – Which is the best place to do a gorilla trek – Uganda or Rwanda? Which is more viable or cheaper: Bwindi or Volcanoes National Park, Which is more easy to access, Is tracking Rwanda better than Uganda?
The exhilaration attached to the first setting eyes on a wild mountain gorilla is difficult to describe. Yet in the same sense, that magical one hour spent with the gorillas does not come cheaply considering that a permit goes for US$1500 in Rwanda and $600 in Uganda – but it is unusual to find someone who regretted the financial outlay.
Mountain gorillas live in families similar to those of humans. Although the current mountain gorilla population is about 848, gorilla tracking can only be done on the habituated mountain gorilla families. 13 of the habituated families live in Rwanda’s Volcanoes NP, another 14 habituated mountain gorilla families live in Uganda (13 in Bwindi Impenetrable NP, 1 in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park) and 1 in D.R.Congo’s Virunga NP.
A maximum of 8 persons can visit a given gorilla family per day.
All else being equal, Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park has a slight edge over the rest because its gorillas are the most wholly habituated, and they are often found in bamboo than the dense forest which makes photographing easier.
The major challenge with tracking gorillas in Rwanda is certainly the price of the gorilla permit at US$1500 compared to Uganda’s US$600 per permit. However, Rwanda’s pride is in the ability for one to do the gorilla trek even in one day and fly back home which is impossible for Uganda. Volcanoes National Park is located 116 km from Kigali and can be driven in just 2 hours. On the other hand, Bwindi is located 500 km from Kampala/ Entebbe Airport and a drive can take 8 hours plus. In that sense, you will spend at least 3 days for your gorilla trek tour – one travelling to Bwindi, another doing the gorilla trek, and the other driving back to Kampala/Entebbe. If a tour operator is making you a tour package, they shall definitely have to consider this cost and include it in your tour cost.
With the on coming of daily scheduled flights to Bwindi, operators now can have 3 days flying packages to Bwindi.
In real practice though, the one-day gorilla trek tour is not recommended because of the pressure it exerts on the trekker. For those limited on time, we would suggest the 2-days gorillas package.
However, the long drive to Bwindi is quite enchanting with great sceneries all through like the Equator, Lake Mburo National Park ( for some Queen Elizabeth National Park with abundant wildlife), terraced mountains with flowing rivers, and a lot of rural Africa. This is not so really the case for the drive from Kigali to Volcanoes National Park.
You will certainly need spend more on transport and time to track the mountain gorillas in Uganda than it’s for Rwanda although this cost is compensated for by a cheaper gorilla permit.
Besides, some sections of the roads to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park are not so comfortable to drive on yet in the case of Rwanda, you drive on smooth tarmac at least up to the Volcanoes National Park head office. Not to mention though, the roads leading from Volcanoes park office to the gorilla trek trail-heads can only be accessed with a raised 4x4 vehicle.
Comparison of The Gorilla Trekking Experience
Of course you can get this in Uganda in evenings (at a fee) from the various traditional cultural groups that are near the park. However, the drive from Kampala to Bwindi is a very fabulous one traversing at least another national park (either Kibale or Queen Elizabeth National Park famous for tree climbing lions and many other big mammals, or Lake Mburo National Park) and not to miss- the Equator. In a way, even before you arrive Bwindi you have had a bit of the ‘Pearl of Africa’ as is fondly known. To many, driving along paved eucalyptus avenues to the gorillas in not the best deal. Indeed many to purchase tour packages combining both Rwanda and Uganda, first doing Gorillas in Rwanda and then crossing to Uganda to visit Queen Elizabeth National Park for the BIG 5 safaris and chimpanzee tracking among other tours.
Lets compare the tour costs in general.Because of the long drive one endures from Kampala to Bwindi, the general cost is increased (even when you travel by public buses). It even increases more because you have to travel 2 days (to and from Bwindi). However, the increased cost is countered by the low cost gorilla permit of US$600 ($450 in April and May, November 2017). A low budget 3 days gorilla trek tour in Uganda goes for about $1250 (with gorilla permit, accommodation, and transport) for one person on tour. The two days Rwanda gorilla trek costs about $1220 ( with gorilla permit, accommodation, and transport) and a three days Rwanda gorilla tracking tour costs is about $2030 (with gorilla permit, accommodation, and transport) . Costs samples got from Gorillas and Wildlife Safaris website effective Jan 2017.
Other things in addition to the actual gorilla tracking
Lastly, if you are not travelling just to see the mountain gorilla, and you want to include other activities in your visit, Rwanda may not be the best choice. Many tourists have continually had to cross to Uganda after their Rwanda gorilla trek to tour other reserves like Queen Elizabeth National Parks so endowed with abundant wildlife one cannot see in Rwanda. This is why probably folks continue enduring the long drives to Bwindi yet there is an easy way out.
At the end of the day – the ultimate jury are those who are looking as to which country to visit in order to track Gorillas – it is not Rwanda, not Uganda, not the Democratic Republic of Congo but where their pockets and hearts choose. If you precisely want the mountain gorillas and nothing else, go for a one-day gorilla trek but if you are a one who wants it and all of it, go for the long drive – you won’t regret…
Have you been on a gorilla trek in Rwanda or Uganda? What was your experience? What have you had about tracking gorillas in Rwanda Vs Uganda? Let me hear you views.
from the Rwanda/Uganda border post in Chanika .
Related articles:
My mountain gorilla tracking experience in Bwindi's Oruzogo gorilla family
How To Book Gorilla tracking & Trek Permits in Uganda and Rwanda
Affordable Private Road Transfers to Bwindi
Mountain Gorilla Trekking Tour Packages in Rwanda and Uganda
3 days Uganda Gorilla tour
4 days Rwanda Gorilla Tour -
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3 day Gorilla tracking Rwanda with tour price
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Bwindi Mountain gorilla with baby gorilla - Uganda
Trekking mountain gorillas in Uganda’s Bwindi (Ruhija Sector)
Mountain gorillas live in families similar to those of humans. Although the current mountain gorilla population is about 848, gorilla tracking can only be done on the habituated mountain gorilla families. 13 of the habituated families live in Rwanda’s Volcanoes NP, another 14 habituated mountain gorilla families live in Uganda (13 in Bwindi Impenetrable NP, 1 in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park) and 1 in D.R.Congo’s Virunga NP.
A maximum of 8 persons can visit a given gorilla family per day.
All else being equal, Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park has a slight edge over the rest because its gorillas are the most wholly habituated, and they are often found in bamboo than the dense forest which makes photographing easier.
The major challenge with tracking gorillas in Rwanda is certainly the price of the gorilla permit at US$1500 compared to Uganda’s US$600 per permit. However, Rwanda’s pride is in the ability for one to do the gorilla trek even in one day and fly back home which is impossible for Uganda. Volcanoes National Park is located 116 km from Kigali and can be driven in just 2 hours. On the other hand, Bwindi is located 500 km from Kampala/ Entebbe Airport and a drive can take 8 hours plus. In that sense, you will spend at least 3 days for your gorilla trek tour – one travelling to Bwindi, another doing the gorilla trek, and the other driving back to Kampala/Entebbe. If a tour operator is making you a tour package, they shall definitely have to consider this cost and include it in your tour cost.
With the on coming of daily scheduled flights to Bwindi, operators now can have 3 days flying packages to Bwindi.
In real practice though, the one-day gorilla trek tour is not recommended because of the pressure it exerts on the trekker. For those limited on time, we would suggest the 2-days gorillas package.
 |
| Tree climbing lions often sighted in Ishasha sector of Queen Elizabeth NP on your way to track the mountain gorillas in Bwindi safari |
You will certainly need spend more on transport and time to track the mountain gorillas in Uganda than it’s for Rwanda although this cost is compensated for by a cheaper gorilla permit.
Besides, some sections of the roads to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park are not so comfortable to drive on yet in the case of Rwanda, you drive on smooth tarmac at least up to the Volcanoes National Park head office. Not to mention though, the roads leading from Volcanoes park office to the gorilla trek trail-heads can only be accessed with a raised 4x4 vehicle.
Comparison of The Gorilla Trekking Experience
Of course you can get this in Uganda in evenings (at a fee) from the various traditional cultural groups that are near the park. However, the drive from Kampala to Bwindi is a very fabulous one traversing at least another national park (either Kibale or Queen Elizabeth National Park famous for tree climbing lions and many other big mammals, or Lake Mburo National Park) and not to miss- the Equator. In a way, even before you arrive Bwindi you have had a bit of the ‘Pearl of Africa’ as is fondly known. To many, driving along paved eucalyptus avenues to the gorillas in not the best deal. Indeed many to purchase tour packages combining both Rwanda and Uganda, first doing Gorillas in Rwanda and then crossing to Uganda to visit Queen Elizabeth National Park for the BIG 5 safaris and chimpanzee tracking among other tours.
Lets compare the tour costs in general.Because of the long drive one endures from Kampala to Bwindi, the general cost is increased (even when you travel by public buses). It even increases more because you have to travel 2 days (to and from Bwindi). However, the increased cost is countered by the low cost gorilla permit of US$600 ($450 in April and May, November 2017). A low budget 3 days gorilla trek tour in Uganda goes for about $1250 (with gorilla permit, accommodation, and transport) for one person on tour. The two days Rwanda gorilla trek costs about $1220 ( with gorilla permit, accommodation, and transport) and a three days Rwanda gorilla tracking tour costs is about $2030 (with gorilla permit, accommodation, and transport) . Costs samples got from Gorillas and Wildlife Safaris website effective Jan 2017.
Other things in addition to the actual gorilla tracking
Lastly, if you are not travelling just to see the mountain gorilla, and you want to include other activities in your visit, Rwanda may not be the best choice. Many tourists have continually had to cross to Uganda after their Rwanda gorilla trek to tour other reserves like Queen Elizabeth National Parks so endowed with abundant wildlife one cannot see in Rwanda. This is why probably folks continue enduring the long drives to Bwindi yet there is an easy way out.
At the end of the day – the ultimate jury are those who are looking as to which country to visit in order to track Gorillas – it is not Rwanda, not Uganda, not the Democratic Republic of Congo but where their pockets and hearts choose. If you precisely want the mountain gorillas and nothing else, go for a one-day gorilla trek but if you are a one who wants it and all of it, go for the long drive – you won’t regret…
Have you been on a gorilla trek in Rwanda or Uganda? What was your experience? What have you had about tracking gorillas in Rwanda Vs Uganda? Let me hear you views.
from the Rwanda/Uganda border post in Chanika .
Related articles:
My mountain gorilla tracking experience in Bwindi's Oruzogo gorilla family
How To Book Gorilla tracking & Trek Permits in Uganda and Rwanda
Affordable Private Road Transfers to Bwindi
Uganda Cuts Gorilla Trek Permit Prices to $450
Mountain Gorillas Aside, Why Does Earth need Bwindi so badly?
Mountain Gorilla Trekking Tour Packages in Rwanda and Uganda
3 days Uganda Gorilla tour
4 days Rwanda Gorilla Tour -
2 days Gorilla tracking Rwanda with tour price
3 day Gorilla tracking Rwanda with tour price
5 days Gorillas trek Rwanda and Safari in Queen Elizabeth National Park Uganda
5 days Rwanda, Uganda Gorillas
6 days gorilla tracking, wildlife safari
14 daysUganda Rwanda Safari
7 days Uganda Gorilla Safaris
9 days Gorillas, primates wildlife
8 days Uganda Gorilla Game safari
7 days Gorillas, chimpanzee, wildlife -
The difference between the two is how they are organised - in Uganda you are allocated a group with your permit and this may be difficult to change. Our guide sorted out a change for us (to get us onto a group that didn't involve a drive to the start point) but this was only possible because of the off-peak season. So allocation of group has nothing to do with fitness. In Rwanda groups are allocated on arrival - your guide will enter into a bit of negotiation and get you on the group to suit you depending of course on everyone elses requirements. Saying that though it does depend on the gorillas - in rwanda we went for a group that was a bit further away usually as we fancied a bit of a walk but in the course of the morning the gorillas had made their way from the top of the mountain to the bottom - so much for stretching the legs!
ReplyDeleteThings have changes in Uganda since October. You only get to choose the group you track on the tracking day. Although you can determine which sector of the park you will visit, the gorilla families are now allocated on the tracking day when you present your permit and passport to the office. You will be free to choose your preferred gorilla family at that moment.
DeleteBut over time I am coming to agree that apart from some groups in Uganda like Bitukura, Oruzogo, Mubare, the tracking in Rwanda is smoother for more groups than in Uganda.
Thanks!
DeleteThanks
DeleteI have to say that Rwandan Gorillas are generally the easier to get to. That is rule of thumb and some families, Susa etc., are quite some distance away but others are not. Of course they move around so nothing is certain. that is how it should be.
ReplyDeleteUgandan trekks are generally tougher but again part of Buhoma village normal footpaths are regularly closed off as the Gorillas are sitting there actually in the Village or even in one of the Lodges. So it hard to be certain one way or the other. The guides will normally try to allocate people according to their abilities.
Some years back I took Mrs M to see the Gorillas and due to her 'status' we opted for the 'easier' Rwandan trek for her while I did both. In Uganda I was out and back in time for lunch and guess what the Rwandan Amahoro Group were way up the Mountain.
I guess it also often depends on the gorilla family you choose or are allocated to track. And we have to agree too that the gorillas are in their own home range and one day can be nearer that the other day. Although some groups are sure to be located far like the Susa Group in Rwanda, Oruzogo Group in Bwindi's Ruhija Sector.
DeleteGorilla Trekking in Rwanda is easier than the trek in Bwindi however, the time taken to trek depends on the movement of gorillas . Our trek in Uganda was shorter than the trek we did in Rwanda - Gorillas treks are unpredictable so it is better you choose at random where to do the gorilla trekking because the chances of seeing gorillas in both national parks are 85% . I leave the 15% to the weather conditions and uncertainties that may arise but it is on rare occasions that people have not seen gorillas on their treks.
ReplyDeleteI largely can't stop agreeing with you. But I also agree that there may not be clear-cut standards? Some tourists look for a tougher hike in Bwindi and end up not getting it. Others look for a gentle hike in Rwanda and end up hiking for 3 hours +
DeleteThis comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
DeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
DeleteHi Ivan,
ReplyDeleteThank you for your review on Gorilla trekking I found it most helpful and interesting.
I was wondering, I am chasing an honest oppinion on the safety of gorilla trekking in Rwanda. I am scheduled to visit for 3 days in September. With all the current media reports back home I am a little unerved about my visit. I am staying one night in Kigali and 3 nights in Ruhengeri. No one I know is able to give me a definitive answer and it would be great to get your opinion on safety for foreign visitors if you dont mind.I am quite worried.
Hi, yes there's fighting in the neighboring Congo but there's not any effect of this in Rwanda. In fact when there you won't realise there's fighting in Congo unless somebody tells you so. The locals are not even bothered at all and everyone is going on with their business. Please go ahead with your tour without any worries.
DeleteWe just came back, we visited the Mgahinga National Park, just over the border from Ruanda, and flew in and out via Kigali. We noticed no problems at all with respect to the fighting in the Congo, although crossing the border between Ruanda and Uganda was a royal pain!!! Three hours each time! Hopefully that was just because we crossed just a few days after they changed the process...
DeleteThanks for the update Johanna!
DeleteHi, yes there's fighting in the neighboring Congo but there's not any effect of this in Rwanda. In fact when there you won't realise there's fighting in Congo unless somebody tells you so. The locals are not even bothered at all and everyone is going on with their business. Please go ahead with your tour without any worries.
ReplyDeleteThis is really an interesting blog as it focuses on the very important topic. i came to know about so many things or tips.
ReplyDeleteTop Travel Destinations
From this blog we can know the competition in Uganda and Rwanda for Gorilla Trekking.
ReplyDeletehow about using GPRS to track the Gorillas? can this help to reduce on the uncertainity of not seing them?
ReplyDeleteThe first group of trackers (the advance team) normally have GPRS equipment. This team will go very early in the morning before the usual tracking guests and will let the other team know when/where they find the gorillas. Using GPRS with the gorillas themselves may however face a lot of resistance from conservation guys here. And also, how would the gorillas react to human visitors when they realize the humans have employed this new thing on their bodies? Obviously they become more vigilant, certainly more aggressive behaviour is going to be displayed when humans show up next. And then there would be no more gorilla tracking in Bwindi, or it would at least become very risky to track the gorillas in Bwindi.
DeleteThis blog is very well written and I appreciate your efforts.. Keep up the good work w it is rally great fun and entertainment.:)
ReplyDeleteThanks Rekha.
DeleteGreat information and very useful. http://www.katonatours.com
ReplyDeleteNot to mention though, the roads leading from Volcanoes park office to the gorilla trek trail-heads can only be accessed with a raised 4x4 vehicle.
ReplyDeleteluxury safari
Hello, does anybody know a good travel guide (book) to explore or to be informed about uganda and the gorillas? Thanks
ReplyDeleteHello, does anybody know a good travel guide (book) to explore or to be informed about uganda and the gorillas? Thanks
ReplyDeleteHello, does anybody know a good travel guide (book) to explore or to be informed about uganda and the gorillas? Thanks
ReplyDeleteHello,
ReplyDeleteI am considering the gorilla trek for this year. What i would like to know, as a 2016 update are the following:
- Which one (Rwanda or Uganda) has the higher probability of seeing a gorilla?
- Safety in both Uganda and Rwanda?
- When is the best time to visit both and see gorilla's?
- I am travelling alone- is there a penalty for this? eg. single person supplement?
Thank you for the update
Rebecca
Hello
DeleteBoth destinations offer the same chances for sighting the mountain gorillas. They are the same mountain gorilla species living in the one Virunga Conservaiton area which spreads across the borders of Rwanda, Uganda, and Congo (DRC). So either you face the same gorillas but just in different parks and the chances of seeing them are exactly the same.
Both countries are absolutely safe, none is safer than the other. Not a single incident has happened to a gorilla tracking guest in since 1999.
Gorillas can be tracked anytime throughout the year. Most guests prefer the drier months of June-October and Dec-March. But during these months, the gorillas tend to be more mobile looking for scarcely available food, so you are most likely to track longer to the gorillas; yet in the wetter months of April/May/Nov there's plenty of gorilla food and the gorillas' mobility is lower thus making most tracking shorter.
Also, for the wetter months, Uganda discounts their prices to $450 from $600 and many lodges also lower their prices.
Of course of you are travelling alone, you bare the cost alone.
There are actually 14 gorilla families in Uganda. There are families in Buhoma, Rushaga, Ruhija and Nkuringo, so the visitors are taken nearer to the gorillas all the time. There is also more interaction with the local population that will have tracking sticks, gorilla carvings etc that you may want to buy as souvenirs. For a once a lifetime experience Uganda offers a more wholesome product with the ability to visit neighbouring national parks that have plenty of wildlife
ReplyDeleteThank you Dr. for the information. We have updated the article accordingly.
DeleteAre there East African residents rate offered for the Rwandan tours?
ReplyDeleteThanks for the great blog! I am planning to visit the gorillas in one of the countries. I am a resident of Kenya and will be driving my Kenyan registered vehicle. Do you know if resident fees in Rwanda and Uganda are applied in my case? Also, will I have to pay for the vehicle entry as well or do the trail heads start at the gates?
ReplyDeleteCheers,
Aaro
Good morning Brother.
ReplyDeleteYou are doing a great job.
I am coming again to Uganda with clients for the Gorilla Safari and we will meet.
Kindly, call me on:
+254 721 955202.
Thank you.
Get information on most popular websites from the reliable portal of ebusiness information guide.
ReplyDeleteNice Blog
ReplyDeleteThanks for shairing nice information.
uganda safaris tours operator
I am planning a trip to Rwanda in two years to do a trek to see the mountain gorillas. While I am in the general area I want to visit Masai Mara, Ngorongoro crater, see Kiliminjaro and to to Zanzibar Island. Does anyone know a tour company that can put together a trip like this?
ReplyDeleteWhen you get time, you should consider giving a most recent article with updated pricing and other factors for the gorilla trekking tours in Rwanda and Uganda.
ReplyDelete