Rwanda and Uganda are the best countries for mountain gorilla trekking, both with great safari options. Rwanda limits permits to Volcanoes National Park for a conservation-focused experience. Uganda’s Bwindi Impenetrable Forest has four usual gorilla troops, but can be a more difficult trekking option. Baas acknowledged that both Uganda and Rwanda offer great opportunities for gorilla trekking.
However, she said that she preferred Rwanda personally as most of the terrain is a bit more open during gorilla trekking and therefore it is easier to get a good view. All mountain gorillas in the world live in the Virunga mountains of Central and East Africa. The two most important countries for gorilla trekking are Rwanda and Uganda. In Rwanda, you can hike to see mountain gorillas in Volcanoes National Park.
In Uganda, you can visit mountain gorillas at Bwindi Impenetrable National Park or Mgahinga National Park. The gorilla population in Mgahinga is not as large and stable as Bwindi’s, making the latter the better and most popular option. Local armed groups are still operating in the eastern part of Congo and around the Virungas, making efforts to protect the gorillas far more difficult than in Uganda and Rwanda as the security situation is unpredictable and the gorillas being hit by trophy hunters in search of bush meat. Gorilla trekking in the Democratic Republic of Congo is therefore cheaper, but also exponentially more dangerous than in Uganda or Rwanda, where safety is not an issue.
The country’s Odzala Kokoua National Park is still relatively unknown and covers 13,500 square kilometers (5,200 square miles) of undisturbed equatorial rainforest — a protected area for about 100 species of mammals and one of Africa’s most diverse primate populations. The park is known for its successful preservation of western lowland gorillas, making Congo the best place to watch these gorillas in the wild. Unlike their mountain cousins in Rwanda and Uganda, lowland gorillas are smaller and less shaggy, with softer fur, narrower faces, and rounder nostrils. But as with their larger relatives who live at altitude, it is always a pleasure to look at them..
Since this is a comparative contribution, I choose Uganda. Nothing feels as cool as a long drive to a tourist destination. The trip can give you more memories than the destination. Between the two countries, Uganda has the longest journey time to the gorilla trekking park. Second, Uganda has 2 mountain gorilla parks.
Gorilla approval also costs fairly. This makes it a bit easier to get a gorilla trekking permit in Uganda than getting one in Rwanda, especially if you don’t book very far in advance. While gorilla trekking is undoubtedly the highlight in these two Central African nations, both Rwanda and Uganda offer a wealth of other experiences. Gorilla trekking is a highly regulated activity with only a limited number of permits issued daily. So if you leave the decision until very late, the choice can be made for you.
And thanks to Uganda’s low cost of trekking permits, it’s a great choice for travelers looking for affordable options to see gorillas in Africa. We also find that some customers like to combine a Tanzania safari or Kilimanjaro climb with their gorilla trekking adventure while in the region. Trekking for gorillas in the emerald rainforests of Africa and observing the daily interactions of these endangered primates is arguably one of life’s greatest privileges.. Rwanda’s latest bet on low-impact high-end tourism has doubled the cost of gorilla trekking permits, which are now double the cost in Uganda and almost four times the cost in the Democratic Republic of Congo..
The Rwandan gorillas can be walked and seen daily as long as you have the right permits, equipment and guidance. Bwindi National Park has 88 permits for 11 gorilla groups and Mgahinga National Park has 8 permits for a gorilla group. The decision to go gorilla trekking in Rwanda or Uganda usually depends on factors such as cost and accessibility. It’s definitely worth checking to see if your travel insurance covers you for gorilla trekking as there may be an extra premium to pay for that.
You can simply land in Kigali, be driven to your lodge, hike the next day and head off to the airport the next morning so you can complete your gorilla trekking trip in five days or less. Henk Graaff, managing director of SW Africa, said gorilla trekking has always been very popular with U.. Tanzania works well in combination with Rwanda thanks to a direct flight between the capital Kigali and the Serengeti, offering guests the opportunity to combine gorilla trekking with a traditional safari experience and, if they get it right, another wildlife spectacle — the Great Migration.
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