Kigali to bwindi gorilla trekking

Uganda gorilla trekking from Kigali

Gorilla trekking Uganda from Kigali – The main factor why Rwanda has been getting more travelers for mountain gorilla trekking compared to Uganda which is a home to the highest population of these endangered gentle primates is the short distance from Kigali international airport to Volcanoes national park which takes about 4 hours. In Uganda, it takes 8-10 hours to drive from Entebbe international airport in the central region to the gorilla trekking destinations Bwindi and Mgahinga national parks located in the southwestern part. Mgahinga national park is situated at the border of Uganda with Rwanda and Bwindi is also close to the same border and the distance from Kigali international airport to these parks is shorter compared to that from Entebbe international airport. Since Rwanda increased the price of gorilla trekking permit from US$750 to US$1500 yet that of Uganda is still at US$700, the number of tourists to Uganda has increased because visitors get the same experience at a lower price in the Pearl of Africa. In addition, it is very possible, easier and faster to travel through Rwanda by flying to Kigali international airport and our driver guide transfers you to Bwindi impenetrable national park or Mgahinga national park and back to Kigali after the tour or engage in other wildlife tours in Uganda. For example, linking to Queen Elizabeth national park for the tree climbing lions, Kibale national park for Chimps and Murchison Falls national park to view the strongest waterfalls in the world.

Uganda hosts over 480 mountain gorillas in Bwindi impenetrable national park and Mgahinga national park. Bwindi has 12 gorilla families while Mgahinga has 0ne family totaling up to 13. Trekking in Bwindi is more reliable than in Mgahinga because of the presence of more gorillas.

Connecting from Kigali international airport to the home of the largest number of mountain gorillas Bwindi takes about 4 hours the same time spent when transferring form Kigali to Volcanoes national park yet once will enjoy the experience at a cheaper price. Bwindi has 4 sectors where gorilla trekking takes place; Rushaga and Nkuringo in the southern part of Bwindi and Buhoma and Ruhija in the northern part. From Kigali to the sectors in the southern part, you pass via Chanika border to Kisoro and connect to the park and you’ll go through Katuna border to link to the sectors in northern part.

You do not have to worry about applying for multiple visas for the different countries, there is an East African Tourist Visa that costs US$100 and is valid for 90 days. This is a single visa which you can use to access Uganda and Rwanda on your gorilla trekking safari. It serves in three countries; Uganda, Rwanda and Kenya and saves you from applying for multiple visas.

A gorilla trekking permit in Rwanda costs US$1,500 and US$700 in Uganda while US$1500 enables you to obtain a gorilla habituation permit where you get a closer interaction with the gorillas with the researchers. You can therefore opt to have a more thrilling experience of gorilla habituation in Bwindi for half a day other than trekking in volcanoes national park at that same price. Gorilla habituation takes place in Rushaga sector where there ae 2 gorilla families being habituated and 4 permits are available daily for tourists to join the researchers who visit these giant primates and spend half a day interacting with them.

Gorilla trekking Uganda from Kigali – Rwanda is also favorable for budget travelers whereby one would spend less than US$1,500 for a 2 day gorilla trek in Uganda. This will include the gorilla trekking permit at US$700, accommodation, transport and other activities such as Batwa visit. The Batwa are also an endangered group of people who lived in the forests with gorillas and other forest residents before they were evicted and spending a little time with them exposes you to the way they lived in harmony with the forest. They also entertain you with their traditional dances. You can therefore utilize this opportunity to see the endangered gorillas at a less price yet more interesting.

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