Gorilla Trekking Uganda vs Rwanda

Gorilla Trekking Uganda vs Rwanda – Comparing 2 Experiences

Gorilla Trekking Uganda vs Rwanda is a comparison and contrast a prospective tourist needs to understand to choose which country offer the best gorilla trekking experience. experiences on a weighing scale, each has its own strengths. Uganda and Rwanda are gifted with endangered mountain gorillas in their different gorilla parks where gorilla trekking is the the major tour activity. In Uganda, Gorillas live in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest and Mgahinga Gorilla National Parks. In Rwanda, they live the Volcanoes National Park. Both countries are the best gorilla trekking destinations in the world. Congo has gorillas in the Virunga National Park but security conditions are very unpredictable. The comparison in the two countries is between trekking gorillas in Bwindi forest and Mgahinga versus Volcanoes National Park.

Clearly considered the best safari adventure in Africa, undertaking gorilla safaris in Uganda and Rwanda is a lifetime unique experience. Experiencing the lady Apes flourishing in the lavish of their natural surroundings subsequent to crossing uneven forested scenes is a ponder that can’t be recorded as conventional.

However, since these are two gorilla tracking destinations, any tourist inspired by taking a gorilla safari needs to choose between the two destinations. And then after travel to one although others may want to trek in both two countries. Gorilla trekking experience in Uganda and Rwanda covers a scope of view points.

Comparing the Gorilla Trekking Experience in the 2 Countries

One of the major aspects is the cost for a gorilla trekking permit. Uganda offers a gorilla permit at $700 well as Rwanda offers a gorilla permit at $1500 hence making difference of $800. Moreover to note is that Uganda additionally offers marked down gorilla grants amid the low season months of April, May and November to $450 something that is not in Rwanda.

Further more to note on the gorilla allow cost is that Rwanda has not yet had a solitary cost for the subjects of the East Africa Community Citizens something that Uganda has accomplished and the natives of the accomplice states pay a similar charge like the Ugandans pay which is 250,000/= in the high season and if the rebate is expanded particularly in the low season, the licenses are put at 150, 000/= empowering the Uganda gorilla safari funeral directors from East Africa to have a mystical involvement with the gorillas requiring little to no effort.

The second perspective is transportation and travel distance. It can be noticed that Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is longer distance from Kampala around 527 km while Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is 519 km from Kampala. These excursions take at least 10 hours though the Volcanoes National Park in the goal Rwanda is 116 km from Kigali a trip that can’t surpass 3 hours holding different elements consistent. Be that as it may, notwithstanding the long separation, Uganda exhibits a beautiful farmland and a scope of components that offer great on the way stops that make the taxing day exchange compensating adding to the recollections of gorilla safari in Uganda.

Going from the Equator site at Kayabwe where the world’s primary scope crosses the nation to the customary range grounds of Ankole where Lake Mburo National Park is situated with heap untamed life like Rothschild Giraffes, the Topis, the Cape Buffaloes, the Impala, the Burchell’s Zebra, the warthogs, the Deffasa Water bucks, the panthers, the Bush buck alongside aquatics in Lake Mburo like the Nile Crocodiles the second biggest in all the world’s reptiles and the colossal Hippos not overlooking the near water flying creatures like African blade foot and the African Fish falcon, Uganda is a bunch of miracles.

There is likewise Igongo Cultural Center that elements a social gallery with accumulations of the considerable number of tribes of south western Uganda, a conventional eatery, social town and rich gardens, the Mbarara town which is the biggest in the sub locale and in the end the enchanted Kigezi Highlands after which you touch base in Bwindi. It is an entire day of exchange however a day voyage through itself. In Rwanda, one can be hypnotized by the slopes and the settlement which are fleeting as he/she soon touches base in Volcanoes. As to streets, Uganda highlights smooth landing area to the close-by towns that are near the recreation center and the explorers would drive through testing areas on their last associating streets to the recreation center consulting through moving slopes which is its very own affair yet Rwanda offers a smooth exchange all through making openness less demanding for those on gorilla safaris in Rwanda.

The third aspect is the gorilla trekking excursion. Uganda features a rugged territory in the gorilla natural homesteads that is Bwindi and Mgahinga. In Bwindi, the timberland is thick with thick undergrowth, tall trees with overhang and is roosted on rough landscape which now and again makes it testing and perfect for the daring voyagers.

The gorillas can be found in the two goals yet now and again in Bwindi, the term has a tendency to be stretched out as the trekkers climb the inclines here and there looking for the forceful chimps getting a charge out of the feathered creature sounds and sights since Bwindi is Africa’s main birding site and appreciating lavish vegetation which gives more an incentive for cash contrasted with Volcanoes Rwanda where on occasion the trekkers have possessed the capacity to come to locate with gorillas in 30 minutes of their trek. Despite the fact that by and large the gorilla trekking term is not anticipated in any of the two nations, encounter demonstrates that it is probably going to be shorter in Rwanda than in Uganda. Also, the gorilla seeing background now and again shifts. The Volcanoes highlight short vegetation and the gorillas are plainly observed and the open doors for photograph taking are all the more clear though Bwindi has a thick wilderness and the trekkers are on occasion frustrated by the climbers, tree supports and the short greenery from increasing clear perspectives of the gorillas however it is captivating to tail them in the wilderness move with the thick vegetation and keep with them as they search.

The last viewpoint is what else to see after the gorillas. The vast majority of the tourists have more days for their vacation which would remain underutilized on the off chance that they track gorillas alone. In this manner the topic of what else to see after gorillas conveys weight when searching for which destination to track gorillas from. It can be noticed that Uganda includes more to see after gorillas contrasted with Rwanda. Uganda is supplied with rich untamed life in her broad Savannah environments of Queen Elizabeth, the Lake Mburo National Park, Murchison Falls, Toro Semuliki and Kidepo Valley National Park including the huge five alongside other great amusement. The nation highlights a scope of water bodies including lakes like Bunyonyi the second most profound in Africa with 29 Islands which offers an otherworldly night unwinding after the gorillas, the Kazinga Channel joining Lakes George and Edward in Queen Elizabeth National Park offering mysterious pontoon travels, the recorded River Nile which is the longest on the planet which additionally includes the enchanted Murchison Falls which is the effective water fall on worldwide scale and the Lake Victoria which is the biggest in Africa and the second biggest with new water on the planet.

Uganda additionally highlights the incredible Rwenzori Mountains which is the third most astounding in Africa ascending to 5,109m above ocean level with snow on its top alongside the Elgon Mountain which is the fourth most noteworthy in the East of Africa ascending to 4321m with the biggest volcanic mountain caldera 42km2 and the biggest Volcanic base 4,000km2. In spite of the fact that Rwanda still has what to offer, it would be somewhat constrained to genocide, Dain Fossey site, the move to the any of the Volcanoes with the most astounding taking 2 days, unwinding on Lake Kivu, untamed life seeing in Akagera National Park and shade stroll in Nyungwe. Along these lines, the greater part of the explorers that track gorillas in Rwanda have constantly crossed to Uganda for enchanted untamed life seeing. The two nations offer chimpanzee trekking in Kibale for Uganda and Nyungwe for Rwanda and the brilliant Monkey Tracking in Mgahinga for Uganda and Volcanoes for Rwanda.

The matter of accommodation is no longer an issue since the gorilla parks now boast of decent accommodation facilities that suit travelers of all classes whether on gorilla safaris in Uganda and Rwanda or doing wildlife tours.

Gorilla Trekking Uganda vs Rwanda  – Which country to visit for Gorilla Trekking?

There are around 720 mountain gorillas remaining on the globe and are found in only three countries of Rwanda, Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Owing to the security problems in the eastern DR Congo forests, many gorillas fled to Uganda and Rwanda. This explains the reason why half of the gorilla populace is found in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in Uganda and also bigger numbers being in Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda. It implies that visitors to the area to track the endangered primate species find themselves in a situation where they have to choose whether to visit Bwindi Impenetrable National park in Uganda or Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park.

Some travelers have nonetheless trekked gorillas in both national parks and over and over again tend to match which safari in either parks have a better experience and worth for the money.
Therefore, let us compare Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Volcanoes National Park depending on tourist pre-trekking experience, distances plus ease of access to the national parks, gorilla safari experience, the people nearby these national parks, accommodation services and the gorilla trekking permit prices. 

Accessibility and Distance to the two national parks

  • Volcanoes National Park is easily accessible from Kigali. Rwanda being a geographically smaller country, it takes about 3 hours to from its capital city to the Park in Ruhengeri. This means, one can undertake a one-day, two-days or maximum three days gorilla tour in Rwanda.
  • Trekking gorillas in Bwindi going through Kigali is easier than tracking the same gorillas going through Entebbe Airport/Kampala. When use Kigali route to trek in Uganda, a minimum if two days are enough as day 1 is for driving to there and day 2 is for gorilla tracking and returning to Kigali.
  • Whereas in Bwindi it is different. The park is around 600 kilometres from Kampala city and takes between 8 to 10 hours to reach the park. But on the other hand, there are scheduled flights between Entebbe International Airport to Kihihi, Kisoro or Ishasha airstrips, all not far from the various gorilla groups of Bwindi. Visitors can then be transferred from the airfields to Bwindi. With Aero link Uganda, a return flight to Bwindi Forest costs around USD 450.

Gorillas in Rwanda: The Pre-tracking experience

In Rwanda, this kind of experience is limited since it only would take 3 hours to the park. This is fine for visitors interested in having shorter vacation time in Rwanda. In the volcanoes park, tourists have bigger chances of driving to Gorilla Park the same day of their entrance minus getting fatigued.

Uganda, Bwindi impenetrable national park is in southwestern side of the country, about 600 km on road from Kampala. This about 10 hours on the way based on the region of the park to track gorillas. This long drive gives a tourist an opportunity to see various attractions on the way. There are stopovers at the Uganda equator for snapshots, mixing up with the exceedingly friendly Ugandans, plus a possible tour of other national parks for wildlife safaris like chimps tours in Queen Elizabeth National Park, Kibale National Park and Lake Mburo National Park. This is very ideal for tourists on lengthy holidays plus those interested in seeing Uganda’s wildlife. 

The price of Gorilla Permits

  • Gorilla trekking permits in Uganda are moderately inexpensive compared to those of Rwanda. In Uganda, a permit is at USD 700, whereas in Rwanda, its priced at USD 1500. Budget holidaymakers are consequently likely to track Ugandan gorillas and be able to save more dollars.
  • Also in Uganda, there are low-season months of April, May and November when gorilla permit prices are slashed down to USD 450 cheaper. Rwanda doesn’t have such arrangement; the prices of permits in Rwanda are maintained at USD 1500 throughout the year.

Accommodation Facilities near the Gorilla Parks

Lodges around Bwindi National Park

In areas nearby Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, there are plentiful accommodation facilities ranging from budget, mid range to luxury categories. For instance accommodation around Buhoma include Buhoma Community Rest Camp, Sanctuary Gorilla Forest Camp, Lake Kitandara Bwindi Camp, Buhoma Lodge, Silverback Lodge, Volcanoes Safaris Bwindi Lodge, Engagi lodge, Gorilla Resort, Mahogany springs camp, Bwindi Guest House, Bwindi View Bandas, Eco Marvels Gorilla Resort, Gorilla Friends Lodge and Jungle View Lodge among others.

Other accommodation facilities in Nkuringo include Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge, Nkuringo Gorilla Camp, Nshongi Camp and Chameleon Hill Lodge.

Ruhija area has Cuckoo-land Tented Lodge, Ruhija Gorilla Safari Lodge, Trekkers Tavern Cottages, Gift of Nature Lodge, Ruhija Gorilla Mist Camp, Ruhija Gorilla Resort, Ruhija Gorilla Friends Resort & Campsite, Ruhija Community Rest Camp and many others which all offer excellent services.  A vacationer here can effortlessly select and go the lodging facility of his/her preference.

Lodges and Hotels nearby the Volcanoes National Park.

In Rwanda nearby the Volcanoes National Park, there are good accommodations also ranging from Budget, Midrange to Luxury categories and offer wonderful services. These facilities include Mountain Gorillas’ Nest lodge, Sabyinyo Silver-back Lodge, La Palme Hotel, Virunga Hotel, Kinigi Guest house, and Hotel Muhabura. The list also has Five Volcanoes Boutique Hotel, Gorillas Volcanoes Hotel, Virunga Lodge, Mountain Gorilla View Lodge, Le Bambou Gorilla Village, Garr Hotel, Villa Gorilla, Red Rocks Rwanda and Home Inn among others

The Gorilla Trekking Experience

In Uganda, there are 12 habituated gorilla groups available for tourists to access. Visitors usually trek 11 groups out of 12 as one is reserved for research purpose. These groups are spread in different regions of Bwindi. Tracking through the impenetrable woodland and bumpy landscape may be challenging and tourists who are unable lift their baggage for long are recommended to seek for porters’ services. Some of the gorilla groups are interactive and visitors straightforwardly take their pictures as they pose in the dense foliage. The bushy forestry conversely occasionally makes it tough to take snaps mainly of the gorillas that are shy.

In Rwanda, there are 10 gorilla groups that can be pursued. While tracking gorillas in the Volcanoes National Park Rwanda, there are high prospects of watching them and taking snapshots since the park is on a higher altitude (2500 meters) as compared to Bwindi Forest’s highness that ranges from 1000 to 2000 meters. Volcanoes’ vegetation cover is also not as abundant as it is the case in Bwindi consequently giving trekkers an opportunity to watch several gorillas in their usual environment and easily take their photos. 

Populations around Volcanoes and Bwindi National Parks.

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park has Batwa pygmies and Bakiga. These people have distinctive cultures that attract tourists specially the Batwa community. When you visit Batwa, you may engage in activities such as the Batwa trail, forest walks, community walks, entertainment by traditional performances.

Volcanoes National Park on the other hand has local neighbors even though they don’t have much captivating to offer compared to the Batwa community in Uganda’s Bwindi National Park.

Conclusively, both Rwanda and Uganda offer great gorilla safaris that any tourist should not miss out as each form of experience is pretty different from the other. The choice therefore is based on income, available, the purpose and the need to visit other attractions in any of these countries.  Bwindi and Volcanoes are attention-grabbing and exceptional in their own appearance. Hence different people can have dissimilar consummation intensities on their value for money. So visiting either Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda or Bwindi Impenetrable Forest in Uganda for the purpose of gorilla trekking, gorillas will be seen and appreciated. Any safari choice taken is worth the money to be committed to the trip.

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