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Why do Uganda gorilla trekking from Kigali- The land of a thousand hills? Uganda gorilla safaris Bwindi from Kigali are becoming popular gorilla tours as they are affordable and allow you to travel a short distance!
Bwindi impenetrable park ranks as the best site for African gorilla tours. This great park protects almost 50% of the only remaining population of Mountain gorillas on Earth.
Apart from Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park, other national parks to enjoy gorilla tours from include Uganda’s Mgahinga Gorilla NP as well as Virunga National Park and Kahuzi Biega National Park in the Democratic Republic of Congo in Central Africa.
A Uganda gorilla safari trip from Kigali to Bwindi offers the best gorilla tracking experience! It allows you to save money and it offers an amazing experience for short-time travelers interested in African gorilla safaris.
Travelers with long Rwanda Uganda gorilla safari trips can also get a chance to undertake other thrilling adventures apart from gorilla treks. Prominent includes chimpanzee trekking and canopy forest walk in Nyungwe Forest, Rwanda city tour, golden monkey trekking in Volcanoes National Park, etc.
On top of your Uganda gorilla safari, you can also enjoy classic wildlife safaris in iconic parks. Among these includes Queen Elizabeth National Park- home to the rare tree climbing Lions. Chimpanzee trekking in Kibale Forest as well as boat cruises on Lake Bunyonyi are a must not miss adventure!
Below Let's Explore More About Uganda Gorilla Tours from Kigali
Uganda gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is considered the best when compared to Rwanda’s Volcanoes Park!
Situated in southwestern Uganda, Bwindi Park is home to over 459 Mountain gorillas. This total of Mountain gorillas is estimated to be almost 50% of the only Mountain gorillas living on Earth! Over 19 habituated Mountain gorilla family groups are open for day Uganda gorilla trips in Bwindi.
Bwindi gorilla expeditions are done in 4 sectors including:
Please note that most of the gorilla trekking from Kigali in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is done in the Rushaga sector as it’s the nearest to Cyanika Border.
All gorilla treks in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park start with the briefing at 8 am. A ranger guide will share with you the park history as well as the do’s and don’ts to follow during the gorilla trek.
After, you’ll get divided into a group of 8 and get allocated a gorilla family to trek! You’re free to ask for a nearby gorilla family. Then, you’ll enter the lovely jungle to track the gorilla family! You’ll enjoy the beautiful forest walks!
Finally, on encountering Mountain gorillas in their natural habitat, you’ll be allowed to spend one hour with these gentle giants of the forest. Among others, the giant size of these great humanlike primates will amaze you!
For an amazing experience, don’t forget to come with a camera, and hiking boots on your day Uganda gorilla tour in Bwindi.
The cost of a gorilla trekking permit in Bwindi is charged is charged differently for example:
The above rate also applies to Mgahinga Gorilla NP!
Uganda gorilla tours are cheaper (sold at cheap fares) than gorilla treks in Rwanda- The land of a thousand hills! That’s to say a gorilla trekking permit in Uganda costs $700 for foreign non-residents while Rwanda’s gorilla trek in Volcanoes National Park costs $1500.
Undertaking gorilla tours in Bwindi or Mgahinga Gorilla National Park (all in Uganda) means saving $700 than going for a gorilla trek in Volcanoes Park.
Just like Uganda gorilla adventures, Rwanda’s Mountain gorilla licenses are also charged differently, for example:
Please note that the above blow came in 2017 as Rwanda Development Board announced a 100% increment on its gorilla permits. This was from $750 to $1500!
Ever since then, many travelers prefer to trek gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park as they’re not willing to pay the huge amount of gorilla licenses in Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park.
A 1-day gorilla trek Rwanda in Volcanoes National Park costs around $1,700 per person while a 2 day gorilla tour in Volcanoes National Park starts at around $1,900. If interested in a 3 day luxury gorilla safari in Volcanoes Park plan around $2,000 to $5,000 per person.
The above rate is much affected by your travel style! But, it includes your tracking permit, transportation fees, a private tour guide as well as accommodation.
Uganda gorilla safaris are considered more affordable in East Africa! The Uganda gorillas permit is at $700 while that of its neighbor Rwanda is at $1500.
However, note that the Democratic Republic of Congo gorilla permits in Virunga National Park- Central Africa are the cheapest at $450. However, travelers rarely visit this county due to insecurity.
Undeniably, gorilla expeditions in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Mgahinga national park, Volcanoes NP as well as in Virunga National Park are worth the money!
The revenue collected as you trek gorillas is used to conserve the threatened habitats of the endangered Mountain gorillas. Also, it’s used to pay rangers that monitor these giant apes in the forest.
More still, 10% of the revenue from the gorilla permit is given back to develop the adjacent communities around gorilla parks, for example, Bwindi park, Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, etc.
Lastly, gorilla expeditions are considered one of the most memorable African safaris, it’s worth undertaking!
Booking a Uganda gorilla safari from Kigali to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park saves you a lot! If you’re to visit Bwindi Impenetrable National Park or any safari destination in Southwestern Uganda like Queen Elizabeth National Park, consider traveling this way.
It’s easier to travel from Kigali International Airport to Southwestern Uganda than to transfer from Entebbe International Airport.
Below are the benefits of undertaking Bwindi gorilla expeditions from Kigali:
Undertaking Bwindi Uganda gorilla trekking safari from Kigali International Airport saves you from the long drive from Entebbe International Airport.
It’s about 4-5 hours drive from Kigali International Airport to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. Driving from Entebbe International Airport to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park normally takes over 8-9 hours.
The permit for a gorilla trek in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park costs $700 while that of Rwanda gorillas in Volcanoes National Park is at $1500. Therefore, undertaking Uganda gorilla safaris in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park allows you to save money.
Trekking gorillas in Bwindi Forest from Kigali is ideal for time-bad travelers! It allows short trips, for instance, 2 days Bwindi gorilla tour from Kigali.
When you book a gorilla tour in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park from Kigali, you’ll have a golden chance to undertake other memorable adventures in Rwanda. This can be done on the first and last night before crossing to Uganda.
Among these includes the Kigali city tour where you’ll visit the Kigali Genocide Memorial Site which can be visited on the same day as you connect to Bwindi.
Also, on the same day you’ll cross to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, you can opt for golden monkey trekking, or Volcano hiking in Volcanoes NP. Chimpanzee trekking or a canopy walk in Nyungwe Forest is possible. You can also go for game drives in Akagera National Park.
Traveling from Kigali to Bwindi park is about 164.4km via Kyanika Border- the common route. This drive from Kigali to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park takes about 4-5 hours.
Note that, there are no direct flights from Rwanda to Bwindi park, the transfer is only by road!
Is Uganda or Rwanda better for gorilla trekking? Both countries are great sites for African gorilla tours. However, your tastes and preferences will decide which country you’ll visit for a gorilla trek.
Below, we have brought for you gorilla trekking Uganda Vs Rwanda! It will help you choose the most preferred destination for gorilla safaris in Africa.
Rwanda’s Volcanoes Park is easily accessed from Kigali International Airport, it’s about 2 hours drive.
Uganda’s Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park are very far from Entebbe International Airport and Kampala. The drive can take about 8-9 hours drive.
Also, note that you can easily access Bwindi or Mgahinga national park from Kigali than from Entebbe International Airport.
Bwindi Park holds a lower altitude than the mountainous Volcanoes NP. Therefore, a gorilla trek in the Bwindi Forest is easier as the terrain is friendly.
Please note that Volcanoes NP is part of the Virunga Conservation Area which spans the Virunga Mountains, for instance, Mt. Bisoke, Mt. Karisimbi, Mount Muhabura, and Sabyinyo, etc.
Volcanoes Park is almost 90% mountainous just like Uganda’s Mgahinga park and Congo’s Virunga National Park.
The permit for a gorilla trek in Uganda costs $700 while a gorilla permit in Rwanda is at $1500. Thus, gorilla licenses in Rwanda Kigali are more expensive than those in Uganda.
In all countries, visitors have a 99% chance of meeting Mountain gorillas in their lovely natural habitat. However, note that Uganda has more gorilla family groups than Uganda.
Uganda has over 21 habituated gorilla families (19 in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park & 2 in Mgahinga national park). Rwanda only has 12 habituated Mountain gorilla groups in Volcanoes NP.
Both countries Rwanda Kigali and Uganda have standard accommodations however, Rwanda holds the best luxury facilities if you’re looking for a luxury gorilla tour in Africa. For example, check out Bisate Lodge.
Dry months, June to late September and December to February are the best months for gorilla tracking while on your gorilla tours in Africa. Minimal rainfall is received in these months in the rainforest thus, the trails while on the gorilla trek are drier.
More still, the dry season is ideal for nature walks as well as wildlife safaris in Queen Elizabeth National Park, Murchison Falls National Park as well as Akagera National Park. Game animals are easier to spot around water points.
Gorilla tours in Rwanda Kigali can be done all year round however, the best time to visit Rwanda for gorilla tracking is during the long dry season- June-September. It’s also possible in December-February- a short dry season. During this period, the trails are normally drier, mud free thus, easy to hike.
This is also the best time to enjoy game drives in Akagera National Park as well as Uganda’s Murchison Falls National Park.
The dry season from June to early September and December to February is the best season to take Rwanda gorilla tours.
This is also the best time for game-watching in Akagera National Park.
It’s about 105.4km from Kigali City to Volcanoes National Park. This drive can take about 2-3 hours drive. Driving from Kigali to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is about 164.4km, taking about 4-5 hours drive.
From Kigali, you can also visit Mountain gorillas in Mgahinga national park, the drive is nearly 136.3km (3-4 hours drive). During the drive, you’ll enjoy the beautiful scenery of striking volcanoes such as Mount Muhabura.
There are direct flights to all the above destinations.
Gorilla tours in Rwanda are generally safe! Every year, thousands of tourists undertake Rwanda gorilla safaris in this beautiful country, the land of a thousand hills, and all end successively.
During your gorilla trek, you’ll be escorted by trained armed rangers. More still, this adventure is done on fully habituated gorilla families are familiar to people.
As you plan to undertake a gorilla trek in Uganda as well as in Rwanda, it’s ideal you come with the following:
When trekking gorillas in Uganda Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, or Rwanda, you should put on long-sleeved shirts, long trousers, gloves, sturdy hiking shoes, as well as socks. Such clothing protects you from thorns and keeps you warm while on a gorilla trek.
This is also one of the common questions for even travelers intending to undertake Uganda gorilla safaris! Please note that, in all countries, the gorilla trek difficulty depends on one’s physical fitness level.
Every person with a moderate fitness level can undertake gorilla expeditions. This gorilla tracking adventure takes you through a thick rainforest, valleys, mountain hillsides, etc. For an amazing trip, we advise you to do some body physical exercise to fairly raise your fitness level.
There’re porters to assist you while on the gorilla trek and the rangers will always move at the pace of the slowest person. Therefore, you can undertake this adventure!
Booking your gorilla permit in this country is mostly done through tour operators however, you can also buy it directly from Uganda Wildlife Authority headquarters.
There is accommodation for every class of traveler! These lodges are classified into budget, midrange as well as luxury lodges.
The following are the:
As you plan to undertake Uganda gorillas trekking tour in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park from Kigali, it’s wise you book it with a reputable tour company.
These are the top tour companies to book with as you intend to visit Mountain gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest:
For an amazing trip, most of our gorilla tours to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park from Kigali can be tailored to suit your safari needs.
Some trips can allow you to explore the Rwanda genocide memorial site on a Kigali city tour, track Golden Monkeys in Volcanoes NP, and also wildlife safaris in Akagera National Park. Chimpanzee tracking and canopy walk experience in Nyungwe Forest are possible before crossing to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.
The following are the popular gorilla tours in Uganda Bwindi from Kigali:
If interested in a gorilla safari in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park from Kigali, feel free to contact us. This kind of trip allows you to save a lot of money. Please, don’t spend money anyhow!
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