Gorilla Trekking Rwanda Vs Uganda Vs Congo

Gorilla Trekking Rwanda Vs Uganda Vs Congo Comparing Best Gorilla Safaris in Africa; They include; Gorilla Trekking Experience, Prices, Distance, Hardness, and other Activities. Overall, Mountain gorillas are only found in Rwanda, Uganda, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Therefore, they can trek in four National Parks found in these three countries; Volcanoes National Park ‘’Rwanda’’ Virunga National Park ‘’Congo’’, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park both found in Uganda destination.

You must get enough information concerning the comparison of whether to trek gorillas in Rwanda or Uganda or DR Congo. Below is the comparison based on gorilla destination;

Gorilla Trekking in Uganda

Trekking gorillas in Uganda mainly occur in two national parks Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and   Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. While Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is part of the Virunga Massif together with the other two parks, Volcanoes and Virunga National Parks. Each national parks have its number of habituated gorilla families.

However, Uganda hosts about 650 mountain gorillas which are half of the world’s remaining number of these endangered species. There are 22 habituated gorilla groups to trek splinted in ‘’4’’ four gorilla sectors that are; Buhoma, Rushaga, Ruhija, and Nkuringo.

In Uganda, the cost of one gorilla trekking permit is far more costly than in Rwanda at only USD700 per day. With this comparison, in most cases, the gorilla permit affects the decision of the visitors concerning where gorilla trekking is done. For that reason, they end up choosing Uganda as their destination. However, one to be able to access gorillas in Uganda much be fit in the body because it’s harder to trek gorillas in Uganda than in Rwanda.

Visitors can also enjoy Gorilla Habituation, which involves spending about 4 hours with the gorillas unlike the 1-hour experience spent whereas trekking gorillas.

Note; The gorilla habituation permits cost USD1,500 per person per day which is better and worth than paying USD1,500 in Rwanda –a gorilla trekking for 1 hour only.

Besides visiting the gorillas, Uganda has other 9 National parks to enjoy compared to Rwanda’s four national parks.  You can opt to combine your gorilla safari trip with a visit to Kibale National park which ranks the highest concentration of chimpanzees in Africa, or you can visit the Murchison Falls, do a climbing trek on Rwenzori and Mountain Elgon, go rafting on the Nile or do cultural tour among others.

Bwindi Impenetrable National park lies far from Entebbe International Airport. Therefore, the journey is tiresome, which is approximately a 9 to 10 hours drive from Entebbe or Kampala to Bwindi.  If you’re not interested in long drives you could take a scheduled flight to the Park.  Most visitors who want to enjoy gorilla trekking in Uganda usually fly into Kigali and drive 4 hours to Bwindi which is much easier.

Gorilla Trekking in Rwanda

Rwanda –Mountain gorillas are found in Volcanoes National Park which is located 113.1 kilometers from Kigali International Airport estimated to be 2 hour and 30 minutes drive. Volcanoes National Park is located in the Northwestern part of the country at the border with Uganda and DR Congo.

Due to the short distance and less time spent while traveling to the home of mountain gorillas. This has become the easiest option for travelers especially those that want to spend one night with lesser activities to do while on safari.

Volcanoes National Park is home to about 500 habituated gorillas which are divided into 10 gorilla families among others in the wild.  And every day 96 gorilla trekking permits are issued to visitors.

Rwanda it’s where popular Dian Fossey’s work of conservation and primatology was taken and later on, after she was forced to cross the country’s border after the civil war in DR Congo thus the oldest gorilla groups are found here.

Gorilla permits in Rwanda cost USD1,500 per person per day. Rwanda’s permits might cost the highest but sounds like the best option if you have limited time on your African Safari.

Accommodations; Volcanoes National Park has got quality and excellent lodges ranging from Luxury, Mid-range, and Budget, all designed with good amenities, Gorilla Trekking Rwanda Vs Uganda Vs Congo

Note; The prices are higher but they come with higher standards and unforgettable life experiences.

Gorilla Trekking In The DRC/Congo

Despite the challenges related to the Goma political unrest. Trekking gorillas in Virunga National Park is cheaper than it is in Uganda and Rwanda. Gorilla trekking in Congo costs USD400 per person per day for foreigners while Congolese pay USD150 per person per trek.

Virunga National Park is renowned as one of Africa’s oldest parks and is endowed with the highest biodiversity. More so, the park stands as one of Africa’s most unique safari destinations with various breathtaking features such as ‘’the active volcanoes’’, Nyiragongo which can be hiked in one day, and the Nyamuragira Volcano which last erupted in 2011.

There are more than 8 gorilla families in Virunga though the numbers change with new gorilla families added as even a group of a gorilla can move from Rwanda in the southeastern region of the park. More about, the park It’s also home to habituated chimpanzee groups which you can visit.

Factors that affect decision-making when choosing where to trek mountain gorillas;

The prices of gorilla permits can’t give you the full picture of what it is like. Since the comparison is between Uganda, Rwanda, and DR. Congo. However, we need also to consider other factors like; the airport to fly to, the location where gorilla trekking begins, the gorilla family assigned to trek, accommodation options, weather conditions, and safety among other activities to do.

Cheapest Safari

If you want to do the cheapest Gorilla Safari, DR Congo would be the best country to visit. It is relatively affordable and easy to get to Virunga since you fly to Kigali and drive 3 hours to cross to Goma. Though there are several safety challenges in DR Congo.

On a visit to Congo Gorilla Safaris, you can choose to do chimpanzee trekking or climb Mount Nyiragongo to wrap up your trip with the Congo, among other activities to do after trekking.

Second Affordable Option

The second most affordable option is gorilla trekking in Uganda. An Uganda gorilla permits cost USD700 per person per day.

The accommodation options are affordable and perfect lodges range from Luxurious to budget facilities depending on which region you will trek from, Gorilla Trekking Rwanda Vs Uganda Vs Congo

 One to access Bwindi Impenetrable National Park can fly from Entebbe to the park’s nearest airstrip using a domestic flight if they don’t want to go for the long drive of 9 hours.

Many travelers prefer Uganda gorilla tours to Rwanda, this is because Rwanda’s gorilla trekking permits are too expensive ‘’USD1,500 compared to Uganda which is ‘’USD700 per person per trek. Therefore, you are required to make your booking earlier to avoid inconveniences or disappointment.

On a visit to Uganda’s Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, you can combine with other activities through visiting other Uganda national parks after the gorilla trek including; Game drive in Queen Elizabeth National Park’ the most visited park on Uganda Safaris’’ home to rare tree climbing lions, Pygmy visits enjoy traditional dances and visiting the locals as well as visiting Lake Bunyonyi for relaxation and canoe ride to beautiful Island for birding, Gorilla Trekking Rwanda Vs Uganda Vs Congo

Luxury Traveler

Travelers wishing to do Luxury Gorilla Safari and get more exclusive and intimate experiences? Rwanda is worth it. The Lodges around Volcanoes National Park are luxurious and affordable and their names are famous.

Despite this fact, Rwanda’s gorilla permits are the most expensive than Uganda’s and DR Congo’s ‘’sold at USD1,500 per permit’’ and Uganda’s are sold at USD700 per person per day. More so, Uganda boosts with a total of 10 national parks compared to Rwanda’s 4 parks Thus making Uganda and Rwanda the most well-organized and safest places to trek gorillas.