Gorilla Trekking in Uganda and Rwanda: What is the different?
Gorilla Trekking in Uganda and Rwanda: What is the difference? These two top mountain gorilla destinations will offer you opportunities to explore the world of primate paradise in Africa, particularly mountain gorillas and chimpanzees in their natural setting. If you are planning a gorilla trekking adventure, this article will help you compare the two countries based on accessibility, cost, and altitude. Uganda is better for budget-friendly and extensive trekking experiences, while Rwanda offers a more upscale experience with fewer treks. Understanding these key differences is important to make an informed decision about gorilla trekking and the natural habitats of these animals.
The Mountain Gorillas
Mountain gorillas are critically endangered and live only in Rwanda, Uganda, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. An African gorilla safari is special because these gorillas cannot live in captivity outside their natural homes. The Virunga Conservation Area, near the Virunga mountains where about 50% of these gorillas are found, suffered from civil wars in Rwanda in the 1990s and other political problems in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, leading to habitat destruction due to hunting and poaching by refugees.
Track the progress of the Mountain gorilla population
Gorilla permits, which boost ecotourism and aid in mountain gorilla conservation, cost $1,500 in Rwanda and $800 in Uganda. The conservation of gorillas in both countries depends on these permissions. Only 242 mountain gorillas remained in 1981, putting them in danger of going extinct. But in the Virunga Conservation Area, which encompasses parks in Rwanda, Uganda, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, their numbers increased to roughly 480 by 2010. Positive increase was seen by 2018, when the population, including those in Uganda’s Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park, topped 1,000 individuals.
Where to see gorillas in Rwanda and Uganda?
The world’s mountain gorillas reside in the Virunga Conservation Area. Rwanda and Uganda are the ideal destinations for gorilla trekking if you want to witness these gentle giants and contribute to the preservation of their habitat. The mountain gorillas can be found in North West Rwanda, Southwest Uganda, and the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo. The primary gorilla trekking destinations are Rwanda and Uganda because of safety concerns in the DRC. Visit Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda and either Mgahinga Gorilla National Park or Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in Uganda.
Volcanoes National Park
Rwanda’s recovery has been greatly aided by tourism, which is centred on mountain gorillas. All of Rwanda’s mountain gorillas live at Volcanoes National Park, the country’s sole gorilla park. To get to Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda, travellers only need to drive two to three hours northwest after landing at Kigali International Airport. Even if the travel is brief, it is usually advisable to use a reputable, licensed tour operator that knows the area and the highways.
The mountain gorillas of Uganda
Beautiful natural features such as savannah, massive lakes, snow-capped mountains, dense forests, volcanoes, and plains can be found in Uganda, which is also home to a diverse range of species. The two gorilla parks in the country, Mgahinga National Park and Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, each provide a unique gorilla trekking experience.
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
With 23 habituated gorilla groups and more than 459 individuals, nearly half of the world’s remaining mountain gorilla population calls Bwindi home, and a top destination for mountain gorillas in Africa. The word “impenetrable” comes from the stunning beauty of this UNESCO World Heritage Site, which is dominated by montane, mist, and deep forest with mountain topography. Alternatively, Mgahinga is a great place to combine gorilla and golden monkey trekking experiences in Uganda, as we go into more detail below. It is also a great place to hike some difficult summits, like the stunning mountain Sabinyo, which is situated at the borders of Rwanda, Uganda, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Gorilla Trekking in Uganda and Rwanda: What is the difference?
Accessibility
Following gorilla trekking in Uganda and Rwanda, Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda is easier to access than Uganda’s parks for gorilla trekking. It is close to Kigali International Airport, making Rwanda a better choice for brief trips. Visitors can complete a gorilla trek in one night, starting in the early morning and finishing by midday, allowing time to return to Kigali by late afternoon. In contrast, Uganda’s Bwindi and Mgahinga parks are over 500 km from Kampala, with rough roads leading to them, requiring 9 to 10 hours of driving. Travelers are advised to go with someone familiar with the area. Alternatively, short flights from Entebbe to Bwindi are available, but driving is cheaper, especially in a tour group.
Accommodation
Especially in the vicinity of Volcanoes National Park, which is home to numerous upscale lodging options, Rwanda offers a more luxurious lodge experience than Uganda. Rwanda is a better option if you are looking for a luxurious gorilla trekking vacation because it has more four- and five-star accommodations that are of higher quality than those in Uganda. Rwanda prioritises more affluent tourists, as seen by the almost twofold increase in gorilla trekking permits compared to Uganda. Celebrities like Ellen DeGeneres also like travelling to Rwanda.
Safety
CS Lewis famously remarked, “Isn’t it funny how nothing changes day by day, but when you look back, everything is different?” Nobody predicted in the 1990s that Rwanda would emerge as one of Africa’s top travel destinations, known for its tourism, cleanliness, and technological innovation. It is said that Kigali is Africa’s cleanest capital. Even though there has been some recent instability, Uganda is safe for tourists. Because of the regular ranger patrols, gorilla parks in both countries are extremely secure. Rwanda outperformed many popular tourist locations with a score of 2.05, above Uganda’s 2.30 on the 2023 Global Peace Index.
Cost
Rwanda’s gorilla permits are much more expensive than Uganda’s, with Rwanda charging $1,500 and Uganda $800. This price difference attracts more budget tourists to Uganda, even though the gorilla trekking experience is similar in both countries.
Gorilla Population
Uganda has a more accessible trekking permit system for mountain gorillas than Rwanda due to its larger gorilla population. Only acclimated groups can be visited, and each group can only take eight trekkers daily to minimize disturbances. Uganda issues about 80 permits a day, while Rwanda issues 56. Reservations are recommended.
Wildlife and adventurous activities
Beyond Rwanda, Uganda has an abundance of wildlife and exciting activities, such as boat excursions, forest canopy hikes, chimpanzee and golden monkey treks, and big game safaris. Due to its size, Uganda provides more opportunities, such as hiking the Rwenzori mountains, chimpanzee and golden monkey trekking, boat cruises, game drives in Kidepo, Murchison Falls, and Queen Elizabeth National Park, tree-climbing lions, canoeing on Lake Bunyonyi, abseiling down a cliff at Sipi Falls, and visiting the Nile River’s source. Due to Uganda’s amazing and exciting Scenery, diverse wildlife species, vibrant culture, and civilizations, Sir Winston Churchill referred to Uganda as the “pearl of Africa,”.
For anyone planning to visit the two mountain gorilla destinations in Uganda and Rwanda, choosing the best destination will depend on one’s preference and travel plan, since both destinations provide the same gorilla trekking experiences. However, the key aspects to consider include accessibility, cost of the experience, safety, and the terrain, among others. However, Uganda is always affordable and also provides a broader experience, while Rwanda offers a luxurious and limited experience.