Gorilla Trek in Rwanda and Uganda
Gorilla trekking ruins Africa’s acme of adventures; imagine entering the depths of the jungle with the motive of searching for the endangered manlike species. This kind of adventure is not similar to the savannah tranquil drives where guests comfortably enjoy nature when settled in their 4×4 safari vehicles. The nature of gorilla trekking safari makes it a matchless experience that can’t be found anywhere.
Gorilla trekking Rwanda or Uganda almost suggests the same experiences. However, taking the adventure is a thoroughly altered experience considering the nature of the terrain.
The gorillas are endangered species that exist in two forests in close proximity. Bwindi Impenetrable forests in Uganda are the capital of gorillas and the Virunga Conservation Areas.
The two forests are endemic habitats for mountain gorillas, which are spread among the three countries of Uganda, Rwanda, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Gorilla trekking in Rwanda vs. Uganda
Which of the two is the best country to trek gorillas? Where should you go for your gorilla adventure between the two countries? For comparison reasons, let’s see what Uganda can offer for its gorilla experience over Rwanda.
In this matter, we are going to look through gorilla parks from the two countries, discuss gorilla permits, accommodation, where to stay on your gorilla safari, and how much the permit to trek is from each country. When comparing a gorilla trek from both Uganda and Rwanda, the mentioned are important to think about.
Gorilla trek in Rwanda
Rwanda is a prime gorilla destination, though this is looked at with the upmarket trackers. The country is the most famous as far as gorilla trekking is concerned. Travelers interested in upmarket experiences have considered Rwanda the best mountain gorilla trekking destination.
However, in determining which the best is, we always plead with experience to tell. Gorilla trekking in Rwanda is superb, awesome, and incomparable to some extent. This write-up is not comparing for competition but rather letting a database about gorilla trekking in both countries.
Where to trek gorillas in Rwanda
Trekking with mountain gorillas in Rwanda means going to Volcanoes National Park. It’s an amazing tropical highland that volunteered to accommodate the largest population of mountain gorillas residing in the Virunga Conservation Area.
Volcanoes National Park has been featured several times among the amazing tourist destinations to visit on a safari holiday in Africa. As well, gorilla trekking has always featured among Africa’s most thrilling adventures to consider on a safari holiday to Africa.
The Rwanda Development Board (RDB) is responsible for all public tourist destinations and conservation areas. Gorilla permits are issued by the board, which is mainly through licensed tour operators. To have a permit in Rwanda, it’s a bit competitive, and you need to book at least three months before your trekking date.
A permit to trek gorillas at Volcanoes National Park costs $1500; this is comparably costly; however, trekking at Volcanoes National Park remains the most famous and most done.
Volcanoes National Park is characterized by highlands and valleys, but here mountain gorillas have gone to settle into the valleys. The trekking at Volcanoes National Park is about sloping into the deepest until a close-up encounter with your assigned habituated gorilla family.
Gorilla trekking in Uganda
The gorilla trekking in Uganda is a bit wide compared to experiences in Rwanda. Though Rwanda is the most famous destination to trek gorillas, Uganda is the hub of mountain gorillas. The gorilla population in Uganda amounts to half of the population in the world.
However, we have to understand that mountain gorillas are endangered species that are endemic to only two forests: the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest and the Virunga Forest.
Uganda is unique in that it has two gorilla destinations, which are Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park.
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
The world’s capital of mountain gorillas, the forest accommodates over half of the mountain gorillas in the wild. Bwindi Impenetrable is the trekker’s choice, which is fare for all kinds of capacities.
At Bwindi, it’s a unique experience as gorilla-seekers dwell in highland areas not like those of the Virunga forests, which run in deep valleys.
Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park, in the recent years since the census of 2019, has received about 15 new-born gorillas. The gorillas have found their best place to call home, since their number has to rise from over 450.
Trekking at Bwindi Impenetrable there are four trekking sectors; interesting trekking from any of the sectors; it’s all unique experiences. There are four sectors: Buhoma, Rushaga, Ruhija, and Nkuringo.
Trekking from Buhoma and Ruhija from the north and east, respectively, is not as difficult as trekking from either the Rushaga or Nkuringo sectors, where trekkers are seeking something horrible.
There are two gorilla experiences available at Bwindi: gorilla trekking and gorilla habituation. Habituation is a bit advanced, where guests spend almost a full day with the gorillas. One of the most amazing moments in the jungle
Mgahinga Gorilla National Park
This amazing park is located in southwestern Uganda; it’s in proximity to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. Being the smallest national park in Uganda, it’s one of the special tourist destinations, suggesting some of the thrillers on the African safari.
Mgahinga is attached to the central African stretchers of the Virunga Conservation Area, purely situated at the border of Rwanda and Democratic Republic of Congo. The shared volcanoes form the structure of Mgahinga, which features bamboos and tropics to habitat endangered species like mountain gorillas and golden monkeys. For this reason, the park was termed a space where gold meets silver.
In a special way, Mgahinga has only one habituated gorilla family available for trekking. So, to trek gorillas at Mgahinga, one must book their permit(s) at least three months before the trekking date.
Gorilla permits Rwanda vs. Uganda
Gorilla permits to trek in Rwanda, Uganda, and at the other partner, Democratic Republic of Congo, it’s impossible to trek gorillas without a permit. Then you should notice that, no matter the pattern of experience, the permits insist on indifference in rates. Trekking at Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park is considered upmarket, reflecting on how expensive the permit is.
The permits in Rwanda cost $1,500 per permit to trek a day; these doubles trekking in Uganda. A permit to trek from the two parks of Bwindi and Mgahinga costs $700, and for the habituation experience at Rushaga Sector Bwindi, a permit costs $1,500.
Special of trekking in Rwanda over Uganda
Rwanda is a small country, and driving from the center of Kigali to the northern side of volcanoes can last for about 4 hours. This is convenient and has been desired by many trackers who don’t find it okay to drive longer distances. However, to trek in Uganda’s Bwindi or Mgahinga, it’s a full day of driving from Kampala to any of the parks in the evening hours.
It’s to do a one-day gorilla trek in Rwanda, which is very impossible in Uganda. Trekking in Uganda requires at least three days to trek and drive back. The longer journeys that are inseparable on a trek to Uganda make it irritating for many travelers.
Flying in Rwanda and trekking in Uganda
Due to the highly rated gorilla permit to trek in Rwanda, flying in Rwanda is very easy due to Rwanda Air, which operates on the global market. And also considering the shorter distance from Kigali to Bwindi than from Kampala. So, there is an opportunity to watch the mountain gorillas when they come from Rwanda. Actually, it’s one of the most desired and well-done undertakings, which suggests the right moment in the jungle.
Driving from Entebbe to Bwindi, it’s about 9/10 hours en route, which is long, and driving from Kigali to Bwindi, it’s about 5 hours, which is considerate. So, this as well can be your other way to feature in the gorilla endemic habitats.
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