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Gorilla Trekking in Uganda vs. Rwanda.

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Gorilla Trekking in Uganda vs. Rwanda.

Gorilla trekking in Uganda and Rwanda offers incredible opportunities to see the majestic apes within their natural habitat. Here are some of the key differences to consider when choosing your destination for gorilla trekking.

● Cost.

Gorilla trekking in Rwanda is costly compared to gorilla trekking in Uganda which makes Uganda a cost-friendly destination.  Gorilla permits in Rwanda cost USD 1,500 while in Uganda, gorilla permits cost USD700.

● Nature of trekking.

Uganda’s Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is known for its challenging and demanding hike with steep terrain while Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park tends to have a somewhat easier nature of trekking conditions.

● Gorilla habituation experience.

Only Uganda provides an opportunity to encounter gorillas that are still in the habituation process. Gorilla habituation is a long term process of training gorillas to get used to human beings which prepares them for daily trekking activities.

● The number of gorilla national parks.

Uganda has two destinations where one can go gorilla trekking that is Bwindi impenetrable and Mgahinga gorilla national parks located in the southwestern part while Rwanda has only one destination offering gorilla trekking experiences known as Volcanoes National Park

● Population of gorillas.

Uganda has two destinations for gorilla trekking, Bwindi alone hosts almost half of the world’s remaining gorillas but when you combine them with the Mgahinga gorilla population, the total is about 459 gorillas while in Rwanda, the gorilla population is about 320 individuals.

● Accessibility

In Rwanda, Volcanoes National Park is near the capital city Kigali making it more accessible in terms of time taken to travel and get there, but in Uganda both Bwindi and Mgahinga National Parks are far from the capital city Kampala hence require a lot of time to cover the long distance time.

Gorilla trekking similarities in Uganda and Rwanda.

● Regulations

Both countries have strict regulations that are in place in order to protect gorillas and their natural habitat. These regulations are usually told to tourists at the park headquarters before they head for gorilla trekking, you are required to observe each and every rule such as not feeding gorillas, maintaining a safe distance between you and gorillas, not chewing or eating in the presence of gorillas and not taking photos of gorillas while the flashlight is on.

● Gorilla permits.

In both Uganda and Rwanda, in order to carry on with trekking, you are required to have booked with the tourism body and obtained a document that allows you to be in the presence of gorillas known as a gorilla permit. You are supposed to carry this document on your day of trekking otherwise you cannot encounter gorillas without the document.

● Limited permits.

In both countries, the number of gorilla permits issued per day is limited and this helps to decrease overcrowding in the habitant of the gorillas and only maximum of 8 members are allowed to encounter these primates in a 24-hour period.

 

You are advised to always book in advance and secure your permit so that you are able to trek your favorite family within their sectors without any disappointments. Last-minute booking is strictly not advised.

● Guided tours.

In Rwanda and Uganda, gorilla trekking is done under a guide. Experienced and knowledgeable tour guides accompany groups of tourists through the national parks and help them encounter and identify their assigned trekking gorilla family in the respective sector, especially in Uganda’s Bwindi impenetrable national park which has over four sectors with different gorilla families.

 

These guides help to provide information and educate you about the different behaviors of gorillas and how they go about their day within the jungle.

● Tracking duration.

Gorilla trekking can take about 2 to 3 hours depending on where these primates will be found within the national parks of both countries and once you get to encounter them, you are given one hour to be in their presence as you observe them do different activities of their day.

● Wildlife diversity.

In both countries, during gorilla trekking, you not only get to see gorillas but encounter other different animal species along the trekking process. You are able to encounter different primates, animals, bird and butterfly species.

● Prerequisites

Both countries require one to be physically fit and free from contagious diseases to be able to trek the gorillas. This is done to protect gorillas from acquiring such diseases which may lead to their death.

● Gorilla groups.

In both Uganda and Rwanda, at the park headquarters, you are divided into different groups of 8 people to trek each gorilla family. This is done to reduce overcrowding in the presence of gorillas and you are always advised to stay in your group till the end of the trekking session.

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