Gorilla Trekking Uganda vs Rwanda vs Congo [Which Is Better]
Gorilla Trekking Uganda vs Rwanda vs Congo, which is better? Both are great options, but which is best depends on your needs. This is well-explained in this post. we’ll have a look at some of the differences between gorilla trekking in Uganda and Rwanda. Below are some of the main points of comparison to help you decide where to go on a gorilla trek.
Mountain Gorilla Trekking in Rwanda
When it comes to Gorilla trekking, the biggest debate is about which country between Uganda and Rwanda is better for trekking Gorillas. Comparing Gorilla Trekking in Uganda vs Rwanda is very vital and offers helpful information for tourists who want to take Gorilla safaris either in Uganda or Rwanda.
There are only three countries in the world that have mountain gorillas and these are Uganda, Rwanda, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. However, due to the instability of the latter, many travelers visit either Uganda or Rwanda for Gorilla trekking.
Rwanda’s Gorilla trekking permit is US$ 1500 whereas A Uganda Gorilla permit costs US$ 700 which makes the latter a far more affordable option if a traveler is choosing a destination primarily for Gorilla trekking.
With reference to accessibility from the national airport, Rwanda is better than Uganda. Volcanoes National Park of Rwanda is just about 2 hours from Kigali International Airport unlike in Uganda where it’s about 8 hour’s drive from Entebbe International Airport to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.
If you want to have a safari more than just Gorilla trekking then Uganda offers a better experience. Unlike Rwanda, Uganda has a total of 10 national parks as well as other sanctuaries that host several wildlife species.
Uganda has over 330 mammal species, about 20 primate species, and over 1080 confirmed bird species. The savannah parks make it an ultimate destination for wildlife safaris, chimpanzee tracking, and birding tours offer the best experiences too. Overall, Uganda is more affordable than Rwanda and as well offers a wider array of wildlife experiences.
Mountain Gorilla Trekking in Uganda
Reasons: Why trek Gorillas in Uganda rather than in Rwanda or Congo?
Uganda Gorilla trekking permits are cheaper than those or Rwanda. Rwanda Gorilla trekking permit is almost twice the price of an Uganda Gorilla trekking permit.
A Ugandan permit costs 700 USD for foreign nonresidents whereas that of Rwanda costs 1500 USD. Uganda is host to almost half of the remaining Mountain Gorillas which makes it an amazing and sure sighting destination. 19 Gorilla families have been habituated for trekking both in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park.
Mountain Gorilla habituation is only possible in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park unlike all of the other parks that have habituated all of their Gorillas.
The habituation experience offers a chance to spend more time with the Gorillas, learning their behavior and understanding how they actually behaved in the wild before getting used to human presence.
Why choose Gorilla Trekking in Rwanda?
Unlike in Uganda, in Rwanda as soon as you arrive at Kigali International Airport you are just a few hours away from Volcanoes National Park the Gorilla safari Rwanda destination.
Ellen DeGeneres on a mountain gorilla trek in Rwanda
Mountain Gorillas in Rwanda are all fully habituated and open for trekking within their natural habitat. Rwanda’s gorillas are the easiest to trek as they live on the bamboo-covered slopes of the Virunga Volcanoes and live within an easily reachable range.
Uganda or Rwanda Which is safer for Gorilla Trekking
Gorilla trekking is an activity that brings tourists up close to the jungle since it involves walking and therefore security is important. Both Rwanda and Uganda are safe to visit and so is Gorilla trekking. Yes, it is safe to trek Gorillas both in Uganda and Rwanda.
To ensure Gorilla Safaris are safe, each Gorilla trekking group is accompanied by armed park rangers to ensure the safety of each trekker. These ranger guides are familiar with the jungle and will do the needful if need be. Before each trek, tourists are advised on how to keep safe while trekking Gorillas in Uganda, you just have to follow what your guide tells you. Gorillas are gentle animals and very peaceful. Their social life is so Accommodative and can interact with humans as long as you keep a distance and treat them as wild animals.
Always follow the rules and be cautious while in the forest, the gorillas will always mind their business and you will share this amazing habitat for a while.
