Comparison of 2015 Gorilla Tracking in Uganda and Uganda – Which is the best place to do a gorilla trek – Uganda or Rwanda? Which is more viable or cheaper: Bwindi or Volcanoes National Park, Which is more easy to access, Is tracking Rwanda better than Uganda?
Call it gorilla trekking or tracking or whatever, but it’s one of those really thrilling, lifetime experiences you should take time for before you leave planet earth.
The exhilaration attached to the first setting eyes on a wild mountain gorilla is difficult to describe. Yet in the same sense, that magical one hour spent with the gorillas does not come cheaply considering that a permit goes for US$750 in Rwanda and $600 in Uganda – but it is unusual to find someone who regretted the financial outlay. gorilla-permit-discount-uganda-2015-at-350
Only 8 persons can visit a given gorilla family per day. In Uganda, ten families have been habituated in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest NP, and so can host 80 persons tacking the mountain gorillas on any day.
Rwanda can also take 80 persons per day. All else being equal, Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park has a slight edge over the rest because its gorillas are the most wholly habituated, and they are often found in bamboo than the dense forest which makes photographing easier.
The major challenge with tracking gorillas in Rwanda is certainly the price of the gorilla permit at US$750 compared to Uganda’s US$600 per permit. However, Rwanda’s pride is in the ability for one to do the gorilla trek even in one day and fly back home which is impossible for Uganda. Volcanoes National Park is located 116 km from Kigali and can be driven in just 2 hours. On the other hand, Bwindi is located 500 km from Kampala/ Entebbe Airport and a drive can take 8 hours plus. In that sense, you will spend at least 3 days for your gorilla trek tour – one travelling to Bwindi, another doing the gorilla trek, and the other driving back to Kampala/Entebbe. If a tour operator is making you a tour package, they shall definitely have to consider this cost and include it in your tour cost.
However, the long drive to Bwindi is quite enchanting with great sceneries all through like the Equator, Lake Mburo National Park ( for some Queen Elizabeth National Park with abundant wildlife), terraced mountains with flowing rivers, and a lot of rural Africa. This is not so really the case for the drive from Kigali to Volcanoes National Park.
Some tourists have also opted for flying over from Entebbe to towns near to Bwindi (Kihihi and Kisoro) to track the gorillas. A round flight ticket costs $250 with AeroLink Uganda. In that case you will need to arrange your transfer from the airstrip to Bwindi, and back as well. (Talk to our preferred agents for assistance to organise this please).
You will certainly need spend more on transport and time to track the mountain gorillas in Uganda than it’s for Rwanda although this cost is compensated for by a cheaper gorilla permit.
Besides, some sections of the roads to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park are not so comfortable to drive on yet in the case of Rwanda, you drive on smooth tarmac at least up to the Volcanoes National Park head office. Not to mention though, the roads leading from Volcanoes park office to the gorilla trek trail-heads can only be accessed with a raised 4x4 vehicle.
help_booking_gorilla_treks
Comparison of The Gorilla Trekking ExperienceA tree climbing lion perched in a fig in Queen Elizabeth Natonal Park along the way to Bwindi
Rwanda-SACOLA-traditional-dancers-perfom-before-gorilla-trackingIn general, the experience can only be different due to the way a particular gorilla family behaves in front of the trackers, how long and tough one has to track before reaching the gorillas and the way the park staff conduct the exercise. Personally, I found the Rwanda gorilla tracking package more charming that the Ugandan one on the tracking day. Should we say that this’ because of the gorilla permit price difference? Anyways, on your gorilla tracking day in Rwanda, you will definitely get more than that. At about 7:00 AM, tea/ coffee dispensers with cups are laid for visitors going for the trek. You are free to take as much as you wish. As visitors are enjoying the tea/ coffee, they are entertained by the lively traditional dance troupe (SACOLA Traditional Dancers) who bring on a wholesome Rwanda traditional cultural experience all visitors enjoy.
Of course you can get this in Uganda in evenings (at a fee) from the various traditional cultural groups that are near the park. However, the drive from Kampala to Bwindi is a very fabulous one traversing at least another national park (either Kibale or Queen Elizabeth National Park famous for tree climbing lions and many other big mammals, or Lake Mburo National Park) and not to miss- the Equator. In a way, even before you arrive Bwindi you have had a bit of the ‘Pearl of Africa’ as is fondly known. To many, driving along paved eucalyptus avenues to the gorillas in not the best deal. Indeed many to purchase tour packages combining both Rwanda and Uganda, first doing Gorillas in Rwanda and then crossing to Uganda to visit Queen Elizabeth National Park for the BIG 5 safaris and chimpanzee tracking among other tours.
Lets compare the tour costs in general.
Because of the long drive one endures from Kampala to Bwindi, the general cost is increased (even when you travel by public buses). It even increases more because you have to travel 2 days (to and from Bwindi). However, the increased cost is countered by the low cost gorilla permit of US$600 ($350 in April and May, November 2015). A low budget 3 days gorilla trek tour in Uganda goes for about $1250 (with gorilla permit, accommodation, and transport). The two days Rwanda gorilla trek costs about $1220 ( with gorilla permit, accommodation, and transport) and a three days Rwanda gorilla tracking tour costs is about $1280 (with gorilla permit, accommodation, and transport) . Costs samples got from Gorillas and Wildlife Safaris website effective Jan 2015.
Other things in addition to the actual gorilla tracking
Lastly, if you are not travelling just to see the mountain gorilla, and you want to include other activities in your visit, Rwanda may not be the best choice. Many tourists have continually had to cross to Uganda after their Rwanda gorilla trek to tour other reserves like Queen Elizabeth National Parks so endowed with abundant wildlife one cannot see in Rwanda. This is why probably folks continue enduring the long drives to Bwindi yet there is an easy way out.
At the end of the day – the ultimate jury are those who are looking as to which country to visit in order to track Gorillas – it is not Rwanda, not Uganda, not the Democratic Republic of Congo but where their pockets and hearts choose. If you precisely want the mountain gorillas and nothing else, go for a one-day gorilla trek but if you are a one who wants it and all of it, go for the long drive – you won’t regret…
Have you been on a gorilla trek in Rwanda or Uganda? What was your experience? What have you had about tracking gorillas in Rwanda Vs Uganda? Let me hear you views.
from the Rwanda/Uganda border post
Comparison
of 2015 Gorilla Tracking in Uganda and Uganda – Which is the best place
to do a gorilla trek – Uganda or Rwanda? Which is more viable or
cheaper: Bwindi or Volcanoes National Park, Which is more easy to
access, Is tracking Rwanda better than Uganda?
Call
it gorilla trekking or tracking or whatever, but it’s one of those
really thrilling, lifetime experiences you should take time for before
you leave planet earth.
Only
8 persons can visit a given gorilla family per day. In Uganda, ten
families have been habituated in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest NP, and so
can host 80 persons tacking the mountain gorillas on any day.
Rwanda can also take 80 persons per day. All else being equal, Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park has a slight edge over the rest because its gorillas are the most wholly habituated, and they are often found in bamboo than the dense forest which makes photographing easier.
The major challenge with tracking gorillas in Rwanda is certainly the price of the gorilla permit at US$750 compared to Uganda’s US$600 per permit. However, Rwanda’s pride is in the ability for one to do the gorilla trek even in one day and fly back home which is impossible for Uganda. Volcanoes National Park is located 116 km from Kigali and can be driven in just 2 hours. On the other hand, Bwindi is located 500 km from Kampala/ Entebbe Airport and a drive can take 8 hours plus. In that sense, you will spend at least 3 days for your gorilla trek tour – one travelling to Bwindi, another doing the gorilla trek, and the other driving back to Kampala/Entebbe. If a tour operator is making you a tour package, they shall definitely have to consider this cost and include it in your tour cost.
Rwanda can also take 80 persons per day. All else being equal, Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park has a slight edge over the rest because its gorillas are the most wholly habituated, and they are often found in bamboo than the dense forest which makes photographing easier.
The major challenge with tracking gorillas in Rwanda is certainly the price of the gorilla permit at US$750 compared to Uganda’s US$600 per permit. However, Rwanda’s pride is in the ability for one to do the gorilla trek even in one day and fly back home which is impossible for Uganda. Volcanoes National Park is located 116 km from Kigali and can be driven in just 2 hours. On the other hand, Bwindi is located 500 km from Kampala/ Entebbe Airport and a drive can take 8 hours plus. In that sense, you will spend at least 3 days for your gorilla trek tour – one travelling to Bwindi, another doing the gorilla trek, and the other driving back to Kampala/Entebbe. If a tour operator is making you a tour package, they shall definitely have to consider this cost and include it in your tour cost.
However,
the long drive to Bwindi is quite enchanting with great sceneries all
through like the Equator, Lake Mburo National Park ( for some Queen
Elizabeth National Park with abundant wildlife), terraced mountains with
flowing rivers, and a lot of rural Africa. This is not so really the
case for the drive from Kigali to Volcanoes National Park.
Some tourists have also opted for flying over from Entebbe to towns near to Bwindi (Kihihi and Kisoro) to track the gorillas. A round flight ticket costs $250 with AeroLink Uganda. In that case you will need to arrange your transfer from the airstrip to Bwindi, and back as well. (Talk to our preferred agents for assistance to organise this please).
Some tourists have also opted for flying over from Entebbe to towns near to Bwindi (Kihihi and Kisoro) to track the gorillas. A round flight ticket costs $250 with AeroLink Uganda. In that case you will need to arrange your transfer from the airstrip to Bwindi, and back as well. (Talk to our preferred agents for assistance to organise this please).
You
will certainly need spend more on transport and time to track the
mountain gorillas in Uganda than it’s for Rwanda although this cost is
compensated for by a cheaper gorilla permit.
Besides,
some sections of the roads to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park are not
so comfortable to drive on yet in the case of Rwanda, you drive on
smooth tarmac at least up to the Volcanoes National Park head office.
Not to mention though, the roads leading from Volcanoes park office to
the gorilla trek trail-heads can only be accessed with a raised 4x4
vehicle.
Comparison of The Gorilla Trekking Experience
In
general, the experience can only be different due to the way a
particular gorilla family behaves in front of the trackers, how long and
tough one has to track before reaching the gorillas and the way the
park staff conduct the exercise. Personally, I found the Rwanda gorilla
tracking package more charming that the Ugandan one on the tracking day.
Should we say that this’ because of the gorilla permit price
difference? Anyways, on your gorilla tracking day in Rwanda, you will
definitely get more than that. At about 7:00 AM, tea/ coffee dispensers
with cups are laid for visitors going for the trek. You are free to take
as much as you wish. As visitors are enjoying the tea/ coffee, they are
entertained by the lively traditional dance troupe (SACOLA Traditional
Dancers) who bring on a wholesome Rwanda traditional cultural experience
all visitors enjoy.
In
general, the experience can only be different due to the way a
particular gorilla family behaves in front of the trackers, how long and
tough one has to track before reaching the gorillas and the way the
park staff conduct the exercise. Personally, I found the Rwanda gorilla
tracking package more charming that the Ugandan one on the tracking day.
Should we say that this’ because of the gorilla permit price
difference? Anyways, on your gorilla tracking day in Rwanda, you will
definitely get more than that. At about 7:00 AM, tea/ coffee dispensers
with cups are laid for visitors going for the trek. You are free to take
as much as you wish. As visitors are enjoying the tea/ coffee, they are
entertained by the lively traditional dance troupe (SACOLA Traditional
Dancers) who bring on a wholesome Rwanda traditional cultural experience
all visitors enjoy. Of course you can get this in Uganda in evenings (at a fee) from the various traditional cultural groups that are near the park. However, the drive from Kampala to Bwindi is a very fabulous one traversing at least another national park (either Kibale or Queen Elizabeth National Park famous for tree climbing lions and many other big mammals, or Lake Mburo National Park) and not to miss- the Equator. In a way, even before you arrive Bwindi you have had a bit of the ‘Pearl of Africa’ as is fondly known. To many, driving along paved eucalyptus avenues to the gorillas in not the best deal. Indeed many to purchase tour packages combining both Rwanda and Uganda, first doing Gorillas in Rwanda and then crossing to Uganda to visit Queen Elizabeth National Park for the BIG 5 safaris and chimpanzee tracking among other tours.
Lets compare the tour costs in general.Because
of the long drive one endures from Kampala to Bwindi, the general cost
is increased (even when you travel by public buses). It even increases
more because you have to travel 2 days (to and from Bwindi). However,
the increased cost is countered by the low cost gorilla permit of US$600
($350 in April and May, November 2015).
A low budget 3 days gorilla trek tour in Uganda goes for about $1250
(with gorilla permit, accommodation, and transport). The two days Rwanda
gorilla trek costs about $1220 ( with gorilla permit, accommodation,
and transport) and a three days Rwanda gorilla tracking tour costs is
about $1280 (with gorilla permit, accommodation, and transport) . Costs
samples got from Gorillas and Wildlife Safaris website effective Jan 2015.
Other things in addition to the actual gorilla tracking
Lastly,
if you are not travelling just to see the mountain gorilla, and you
want to include other activities in your visit, Rwanda may not be the
best choice. Many tourists have continually had to cross to Uganda after
their Rwanda gorilla trek to tour other reserves like Queen Elizabeth
National Parks so endowed with abundant wildlife one cannot see in
Rwanda. This is why probably folks continue enduring the long drives to
Bwindi yet there is an easy way out.
At
the end of the day – the ultimate jury are those who are looking as to
which country to visit in order to track Gorillas – it is not Rwanda,
not Uganda, not the Democratic Republic of Congo but where their pockets
and hearts choose. If you precisely want the mountain gorillas and
nothing else, go for a one-day gorilla trek but if you are a one who
wants it and all of it, go for the long drive – you won’t regret…
Have
you been on a gorilla trek in Rwanda or Uganda? What was your
experience? What have you had about tracking gorillas in Rwanda Vs
Uganda? Let me hear you views.
from the Rwanda/Uganda border post in Chanika - ivan.
- See more at: http://safariadviceuganda.blogspot.com/2012/10/where-to-do-gorilla-trekking-tour.html#sthash.KyjssmUn.dpuf