Rwanda Gorillas Vs Uganda Gorillas
While trekking Gorillas can be done in two countries in East Africa which are the neighboring Rwanda and Uganda as well as in the Democratic Republic of Congo, the most preferable and popular destinations to see the mountain Gorillas are mainly Uganda and Rwanda, there are several reasons why most tourists come to trek gorillas in Rwanda or choose to trek gorillas in Uganda. Although both Rwanda and Uganda offer exceptional and excellent gorilla trekking experiences, there is still a comparison between Rwanda Gorillas Vs Uganda Gorillas and it will give you a better understanding of which country you should visit for your gorilla trekking safari that really fits your interests, budget and expectations.
Distance to Get to the Park
In Rwanda, it is only one national park where visitors can come to see the Gorillas and enjoy the Remarkable Rwanda gorilla trekking experience, Rwanda gorillas can only be found in the Volcanoes National Park located in the northern province of Rwanda in Musanze district, it is roughly a two hours’ drive to reach to the park from Kigali on well-maintained roads and this makes it easy and possible for tourists who wish to do the very shortest 1 day Rwanda gorilla trekking tour.
However in Uganda there are two National Parks that inhabit the mountain gorillas, the most popular is Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, has the highest population of gorillas in its four different gorilla trekking sectors and also gorilla trekking in Uganda can be done in Mgahinga National Park which has just one habituated gorilla group.
Both national parks are located in the south western region of Uganda near the border with Rwanda and the distance to get to either Bwindi National Park or Mgahinga National Park is much longer and takes roughly 9 to 10 hours driving on road from Kampala or Entebbe. This makes it difficult for people who wish to do gorilla trekking in 1 day and thus usually the shortest time to see Uganda gorillas is on a 3 days Uganda gorilla trekking tour coming from Kampala or Entebbe. However tourists are still able to do short Uganda gorilla trekking trips with our combined Rwanda – Uganda tours where it is possible to do a 1 day or 2 days Uganda gorilla trekking from Rwanda.
Easy to trek
Comparing Rwanda Gorillas Vs Uganda Gorillas, although gorillas in all national parks in the different countries mostly inhabit in the higher altitudes of the montane and mist covered rain forests, it is easier to trek Rwanda gorillas since most tourists usually find these endangered mountain gorilla species quicker because of easier trekking trails that are not as steep and slippery compared to Uganda gorillas which tend to be found very far and the trekking trails tend to be slippery and difficult to hike, however still a reasonable degree of fitness is required for anyone trekking the gorillas.
Although gorillas in Uganda are difficult to trek, there are many gorilla groups, visitors who are not able to do much hiking to see the gorillas, can be granted the opportunity to trek the easiest gorilla families upon request form the park officials.
Many Gorilla Groups
Also to compare Rwanda Gorillas Vs Uganda Gorillas, Uganda is known for harboring half of the world’s mountain gorillas with the highest population living in the impenetrable forests of Bwindi National park and thus has the highest number of habituated gorilla groups allowed for visitors to trek compared to the number of habituated Gorilla groups in Rwanda. There are four different gorilla trekking sectors in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park i.e. Buhoma, Rushaga, Ruhija and Nkuringo, each has more than three habituated gorilla families that are allowed to be trekked and thus there is a greater chance of getting availability of gorilla permits in Uganda than Rwanda especially during the high season when there is always high demand.
We recommend if you are to trek gorillas in either Rwanda or Uganda especially during the high season of June to October to secure your gorilla permits in advance to avoid any inconveniences that may be caused because of no availability.
Difference in cost of Gorilla Permits
The cost of gorilla permit in Rwanda is totally different from the cost of gorilla permit in Uganda, and this brings a difference in trekking Rwanda Gorillas Vs Uganda Gorillas, for Rwanda Gorilla trekking, visitors need to pay 1500$ for a gorilla permit per person however to do gorilla trekking in Uganda, tourists need to pay only 700$ for a gorilla permit per person. This makes meeting Uganda gorillas in their natural habitat cheaper than Rwanda gorillas.
Gorilla Habituation only done with Uganda Gorillas
Another difference between Rwanda Gorillas Vs Uganda Gorillas is the unique and more rewarding Gorilla habituation experience which can only be done in Uganda. Gorilla habituation is the process where tourists join together with gorilla habituators and researchers in the day’s process of training the wild mountain gorillas to become used to the sight and presence of humans, for trekking and conservation purposes.
This gorilla habituation experience is quite different from the gorilla trekking experience since gorilla trekking usually takes just an hour to be with the gorillas after finding them in their natural habitat however Gorilla habituation, visitors can either spend half day or full day with the gorillas being habituated and they get to observe and learn of the entire activities done through their habituation process. This is so rewarding and an exciting experience you can choose to do after your gorilla trekking adventure in Uganda. In Rwanda gorilla habituation experience is not yet introduced and thus can only be done in Uganda.
With the above different comparisons, you now can choose whether to trek Rwanda gorillas or Uganda gorillas and thus get in touch with us on email at info@rwandaeocompany.com to arrange for you and your loved one or family an authentic and life time gorilla trekking experience that will create for you unforgettable memories.
