Gorilla Trekking is among the most rewarding wildlife experiences that adventure seekers look for in Africa. With just as few as 1060 mountain gorillas remaining in the whole world, meeting the gorillas in their natural wild within the misty rain forests of East – Central Africa is a great expedition that any wildlife enthusiast would not miss in the wild. Today the two most popular destinations for gorilla trekking are Uganda and Rwanda. With well developed tourism based on the guidelines of sustainability, these two countries draw tourists from all the corners of the world to the remote impenetrable jungles within the Virunga and Bwindi Forests.
One of the problems that travel seekers encounter during their planning stage is choosing between Uganda and Rwanda. Today, one of the best travel experts from Gorilla Encounters tries to give a comparison about these two destinations;
Uganda and Rwanda, Which Country Provides the Best Option for Gorilla trekking?
Uganda and Rwanda are two known destinations offering travelers with opportunities to enjoy gorilla trekking in Africa. However many travelers ask about the best place to choose for a gorilla trek in Africa. This is quite a tricky question since both countries offer an amazing experience to see the endangered mountain gorillas living in the forests.
Accessibility
When it comes to accessibility, Rwanda is the best choice! Gorilla Tracking is done in the Volcanoes National Park, a forested park in northern Rwanda. Part of the large Virunga Conservation Area, the Volcanoes National Park is located in Musanze District (Northern Province) and the park is well connected by a tarmacked road. Travels to Volcanoes National Park from Kigali takes just 3 hours!
On the other hand, the Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is located in South Western Uganda. The park can be accessed from both Kigali and Kampala. Though most gorilla tours start from Kampala, it takes 10 hours to drive from Kampala to Kigali. From Kigali, it takes 6 hours to reach the Southern part of the park.
Size
In terms of size of the park, Bwindi is a very large tract of rain forest! Its sheer size led to the division of the park into four different sectors. Within each sector, there are more than 3 habituated gorilla groups. In total there are 14 habituated gorilla groups within the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest and thus the park offers 112 gorilla permits everyday. Uganda also hosts the endangered mountain gorillas in the Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, the Ugandan part of the Virunga Conservation Area. In total Uganda has 15 habituated gorilla groups available for tracking every day.
On the other hand, gorilla tracking in Rwanda is conducted from one location; ie Volcanoes National Park. There are no sectors and all travelers assemble at the park headquarters to get allocated to what group they are to visit! Currently there are 12 gorilla groups that have been habituated and thus 96 gorilla permits are available per day.
Wildlife
When it comes to addons on Uganda gorilla tours, Uganda offers many other exciting adventure activities. From chimpanzee tracking to hiking the Rwenzori Mountains, there are lots of exciting things that you can include in your trip itinerary. For an adventure seeker who would like to enjoy wildlife viewing Uganda offers a very rewarding experience given that Uganda has more wildlife than Rwanda. Uganda has 10 protected national parks and some of the best wildlife parks include Queen Elizabeth National park, Murchison Falls National Park, Kidepo Valley National Park, Lake Mburo National Park, Semuliki National Park, Kibale National Park among others. Rwanda protects its wildlife in three national parks that include Nyungwe Forest National Park, Akagera National Park and Volcanoes National Park- the above justifies that Uganda Gorilla trekking is better if supplemented by other wildlife viewing experience.
Besides the mountain gorillas, you can visit other national parks or see other primates in Kibale Forest National Park.
Pricing
For more information, Rwanda Gorilla permits are a bit expensive that those of Uganda at US$ 1500 and US$800 respectively. The gorilla permit offers you one hour with the mountain gorillas in a group of 8 people. In case you are threatened by the price look at it in this point of view that you are contributing to the conservation of mountain gorillas and as a form of thank you, you will be rewarded with an hour in the midst observing and enjoying their company. Keep in mind that just 80 people are allowed to see the gorillas in their natural habitat each day. Because their habitat is very fragile, every time you walk in this forest you leave a footprint.
Not only in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park, Mgahinga is another park where gorillas can be found- though only one gorilla group; Nyakagezi is found. Meeting Nyakagezi Gorilla group in their natural habitat is not a sure deal because of its mobility to Volcanoes National Park (Rwanda) or Virunga National Park in Democratic Republic of Congo. However, rangers in Mgahinga keep on updating about the presence or absence of this gorilla group. It should be noted that if you book Nyakagezi Gorilla group and unfortunately cross to Rwanda or Congo before the actual visiting day, the Uganda Wildlife Authority official can substitute with another group in Bwindi Impenetrable national Park or refunded your money.
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