Where to go gorilla trekking: Rwanda vs. Uganda?

Written by: Yuna Tiya, Local Expert

There are only about 1,000 mountain gorillas left on the planet. Most live in the Virunga Mountains spread across Rwanda, Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo, though a small number make their home in the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest of Uganda. Threatened by poachers, the forests that shelter these magnificent creatures are heavily protected.

While the majority of the remaining mountain gorillas live in the wild, a handful of gorilla families have been habituated by wildlife experts and can be tracked and observed by small groups of visitors under the cautious eye of park rangers.

Due to the animals’ dwindling numbers and the threat of extinction, a trip to Rwanda or Uganda to see the critically endangered mountain gorillas is on many people’s travel bucket list. But which gorilla trekking experience is better, you might ask, Rwanda or Uganda?

Where do gorillas live in Rwanda and Uganda?

In Rwanda, the mountain gorillas live in Volcanoes National Park, which is two hours’ drive from Kigali and the international airport. For a gorilla trek in Rwanda, you would need a minimum of two nights’ stay; three nights would be optimal. Rwanda has more than twice the number of habituated mountain gorilla groups than Uganda, so gorilla trekking permits are typically easier to obtain.

In Uganda, the mountain gorillas reside in both the Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga National Park. It takes two days of driving to reach Bwindi from Entebbe, usually broken up with an overnight stay halfway. Once at Bwindi, visitors are advised to stay at least three nights while gorilla trekking, before continuing on a safari around Uganda.

Which gorilla trek is easier, Rwanda or Uganda?

Both Uganda and Rwanda offer great opportunities for a gorilla trekking adventure but which trek is easier? In Rwanda, most of the terrain encountered on a gorilla trek is more open and less surrounded by jungle vegetation. This can make it easier to get a good view of these magnificent creatures. The terrain is also less difficult for tracking when compared to Uganda, although altitudes can be higher which adds to the difficulty. In Rwanda, travel distances are also relatively shorter given that Rwanda is simply a smaller country.

Uganda’s infrastructure is less developed and gorilla trekking here can be more challenging. It rains often in Bwindi, even in the dry season, so conditions may be slippery. Each gorilla family in Bwindi also covers large territories, and tracking time can vary widely from day to day, from 30 minutes up to eight or nine hours.

The vegetation can also be extremely thick, hence the name Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. Slopes are steep and there are no trails, so gorilla trekking in Uganda is not for the faint of heart.

So, while comparing gorilla trekking in these countries can be tricky, in terms of ease, at least, Rwanda wins.

What are the cost differences between Rwanda and Uganda?

The cost of a Rwanda gorilla trekking permit is now $1500 while a Uganda gorilla trekking permit costs less than half that, at $700. However, Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park is only about 75 miles from the arrival airport in Kigali, making it much easier to access by road.

For Uganda’s Bwindi, you need 8 hours to drive from Entebbe Airport and another 8 hours back to the airport. This would mean at least two days to complete your gorilla tour in Rwanda and 3 days for a Uganda gorilla tour.

So, even though the Uganda gorillas permits are cheaper, you would incur a transport cost of about $500-$600. Some visitors choose to arrive in Kigali and arrange to visit Bwindi from Kigali. In real practice though, it is not recommended that you rush your gorilla trekking tour due to the pressure it exerts on the trekker.

What’s more, the drive from Kigali International Airport to Bwindi is stunning, with abundant wildlife, terraced mountains, sweeping coffee fields, and flowing rivers. This is rural Africa at its finest.

Ultimately, you will spend more on transport and time to track the mountain gorillas in Uganda than in Rwanda, yet this cost evens out with a cheaper gorilla permit.

What else can you do in Rwanda and Uganda?

If you are planning to explore before or after your gorilla trekking experience, both Rwanda and Uganda offer plenty of options. The recent development of Akagera National Park in Rwanda and the reintroduction of the Big Five here mean that game drives are an option, as well as guided walking safaris. Fishing, birding, and cultural experiences are also all on offer in Akagera.

Uganda offers a slightly more developed safari experience for adventurous travelers. A Nile River cruise in Murchison Falls National Park or tracking tree-climbing lions in Queen Elizabeth National Park are two exciting activities in Uganda that visitors can parktake in before their gorilla trekking tour.

Another excellent experience is tracking chimpanzees for a day in Kibale Forest National Park. This is a great introduction to your gorilla trekking experience as it familiarizes you with the trekking experience. Many like to plan the gorilla safari at the end of their trip for the sole reason that seeing a gorilla up close is one of the most moving wildlife encounters you will ever experience!