Uganda vs Rwanda Gorilla Trekking | Luxury Gorilla Safaris.

Mountain gorilla trekking is Africa’s extraordinary wildlife encounter, attracting visitors from all parts of the world. Gorillas are found in Uganda’s Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga National Park in the western part of the country, while in Rwanda they can only be found in the Volcanoes National Park to the North of the country. Both countries offer a chance to meet the critically endangered species in their natural habitats, each having a distinct experience in terms of costs, nature scenery, trekking difficulty, and accessibility. Here are some of the key differences and similarities of trekking Mountain gorillas in both Rwanda and Uganda

The gorilla rules are the same for both countries, including maintaining a 7-meter distance rule, smoking and eating while with the gorillas is not allowed, flash photography is not allowed, and littering in the forest is prohibited. Guests with a cough or flu are considered unfit to track, and an hour is allowed to interact and enjoy the gorillas. The gorilla rules and regulations have been put in place by the respective government bodies (Rwanda Development Board and the Uganda Wildlife Authority) for the protection of both Mountain gorillas and guests.

The distance of getting to the conservation areas is different in both countries; in Rwanda, it takes approximately 2 hours by road to get from the Kigali International Airport to Volcanoes National Park. Charter flights can easily be arranged by Akagera Aviation, taking approximately 30 minutes to the airstrip. In Uganda, by road it takes about 9 hours drive to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park or Mgahinga National Park from the Entebbe International Airport, or 6 hours drive from the Kigali International Airport, when guests choose to fly charter or scheduled flights can be arranged to the Kihihi Airstrip in northern Bwindi or Kisoro Airstrip in the southern part of Bwindi, there after ground transfers are arranged to the destination.

The price of the gorilla permit differs in Uganda and Rwanda, in Uganda the gorilla permit is determined the Uganda Wildlife Authority, this year the permit costs $800 per person foreign residents, $700 foreign non residents and 300,000shillings for east African citizens, while in Rwanda the gorilla permit is more expensive compared to Uganda, this costs $1,500 pr person foreign non residents and is set by the Rwanda Development Board (RDB). It is advisable to purchase permits in advance within 14 days of confirmation due to availability. Both countries have different approaches to conservation and guest visits.

The number of people and the tracking time are the same in Uganda and Rwanda. Gorilla trekking starts in the early morning at 7:00 am with a briefing from the park rangers on how to conduct yourself during the tracking process. It takes 2-8 hours to find the gentle giants, and an hour is allowed to enjoy, take pictures, and interact with the gorillas. Each of the gorilla families is strictly tracked by a group of 8 people per day to minimize the footprint.

Gorilla habituation happens only in Uganda’s Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in the Rushaga sector. It involves following non-habituated gorilla families to get used to human presence; it is done by only 4 people for 2-6 hours, led by game rangers, guides, and researchers. The permit this year costs $1,500 per person for foreign non-residents, $1,000 for foreign residents, and 750,000 shillings for East African Citizens.

What to pack for gorilla trekking includes long-sleeved shirts and trousers, waterproof hiking boots, waterproof covers for phones and cameras, ponchos, raincoats, insect repellents, gaiters, hand gloves, sandals for evening hours, sunscreen, and any other important items of personal items.

In conclusion, gorilla trekking in Uganda vs Rwanda is more similar than different in comparison.