What time does Gorilla Trekking start and end in Rwanda
How safe is Uganda and Rwanda right now
Cancellation and Refunding a Gorilla Permit in Uganda and Rwanda. If you need to cancel a gorilla trekking permit and request a refund, the process and policies may vary depending on the country where the permit was issued. Here’s a breakdown for Cancellation and Refunding a Gorilla Permit in Uganda and Rwanda:
1. Uganda (Uganda Wildlife Authority – UWA)
- Refund Policy
Uganda’s Wildlife Authority has a tiered refund system based on how far in advance you cancel: - 14 Days before the trekking date no refund
- 15 to 45 days before the trekking date 25% refund
- 46 to 60 days before the trekking date 50% refund
- 61 days and more before the trekking date 75% refund
2. Rwanda (Rwanda Development Board – RDB)
- Refund Policy:
- Generally, Rwanda’s gorilla trekking permits are non-refundable except in extreme circumstances (e.g., medical emergencies, and natural disasters).
- For special considerations, you may have to provide valid documentation, and any decision would be at the discretion of the Rwanda Development Board.
Which is better for gorilla trekking Uganda or Rwanda
Are you finding it hard to choose between trekking gorillas in Uganda or Rwanda, this is always hard for travelers interested in gorilla trekking to choose where to do their trek between Uganda and Rwanda. Reasons to book your gorilla trekking in one of the countries are many and the main one is the price difference of the gorilla trekking permit the gorilla permit in Uganda costs USD700 per person per trek compared to Rwanda which is USD1500 both charges giving you a one hour encounter with the endangered mountain gorillas in Bwindi Forest National Park and Volcanoes National park respectively. Gorilla tracking is done only in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park and Mghinga Gorilla National Park in Uganda, Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda and Virunga National Park in DR Congo.
Where to go gorilla trekking: Rwanda vs. Uganda and the Cancellation and Refunding a Gorilla Permit
The whole truth is that both Uganda and Rwanda have mountain gorillas and there is no big difference when it comes to the experience obtained at the end of your gorilla trek. The only difference is that Rwanda Mountain Gorillas are in the Virunga ranges with mainly bamboo as the main vegetation while in Uganda these mountain gorillas are in a rain forest with varieties of trees and plants. The chances of seeing gorillas in Uganda and Rwanda are 99% so which ever country you visit you will be able to see these great endangered apes in their natural environment. It is however believed that Rwanda gorillas are easy to see because of the vegetation but this is in the mind set of people gorilla tracking in Uganda and Rwanda is a well-organized activity the trek are always great no matter which country you trek in.
Gorilla Trekking Experience in Rwanda vs Uganda
Which is better for gorilla trekking Uganda or Rwanda, this is a very tricky question but people say Rwanda is better option than Uganda, reasons to support this is that Volcanoes National Park is 2-3 hours drive from Kigali compared to 8-9 hours from Entebbe to Bwindi. People used to avoid gorilla trekking in Uganda because of this long drive but now we arrange tours to Bwindi via Kigali which then becomes 4-5 hours drive only with this is why you should now choose to book gorilla trekking in Uganda so that you save off by paying USD700 compared to USD1500 helping you save USD800. With this you will land in Kigali use the East African Visa allowing you to visit both Rwanda and Uganda at an affordable price. Contact here for more details
How much is a Gorilla trekking in Uganda?
Gorilla trekking in Uganda costs depends on the range of travel that is luxury, Mid-range or budget, itinerary and days of travel. The biggest cost on a Gorilla tracking Safari in Uganda is the Gorilla tracking permit which costs USD800 per person per trek for Foreign Non-Residents, USD700 for East African Residents and Uganda Shillings 300,000 for East African Citizens, other costs include accommodation ranging from Budget USD100 Mid-range USD200 and Luxury USD300-USD700, Transport among other services the most common travel itineraries for Gorilla tracking in Bwindi is 3 Days Gorilla Tracking Budget Safari which costs USD1600 for a solo traveler, USD1190 per person for 2 people sharing, USD1170 per person for 3 people sharing, USD1150 per person sharing for 4 people this price is all inclusive including a Gorilla tracking permit, accommodation (Budget range), transport in a 4×4 Safari Van, English speaking Driver guide and Drinking water, this excludes Tips, Uganda Visa, Flights and Alcoholic drinks. Contact us here and we will help book for you gorilla tracking experience in Bwindi accordingly.
What is the best time to go for Gorilla trekking?
Gorilla trekking in Uganda and Rwanda can be done any time throughout the year given the fact this is a well organized activity in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park, the best time to do a gorilla tracking safari in Uganda is during the drier months of January, February, June to early September, this is makes it easier to travel to the park and gives a clear view of gorillas given the vegetation cover is not too much high grown, however as well sometimes, the rainy season is considered better to go for a Gorilla tracking experience as there is a lot of food growing because of rain and gorillas can clearly be spotted in the forest with a short walk given the fact they tend to move shorter distances looking for food.
Where to Stay on a Gorilla tracking Safari in Uganda
Gorilla tracking Safari in Bwindi Forest National Park is done in the northern part that is Buhoma and Ruhija and in southern part that is Rushaga and Nkuringo sectors. In Rushaga, you can stay at Rushaga Gorilla camp, Four Gorillas Lodge, Rushaga Gorilla Havens Lodge, Nsongi Camp, Icumbi Gorilla Safari Lodge, Gorilla Safari Lodge, Gorilla Valley Lodge and Karungi Camp. In Nkuringo you can stay at Nkuringo Bwindi gorilla lodge, Clouds Mountain gorilla lodge or Lake Mutanda Resort, all these lodges are close to the start point of Gorilla Habituation.
In the northern part, in Buhoma sector you can stay at Buhoma Lodge, Bwindi Lodge, Buhoma Community Rest Camp, Ride 4 a Woman among others, In Ruhija you can stay at Trekkers Tavern Cottages, Agandi Eco Lodge, Gift of Nature Lodge, Ruhija Gorilla Safari Lodge, and Broadbill Tented Camp among others.
How to get to Bwindi Forest National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park for Gorilla tracking in Uganda?
Gorilla Tracking in Uganda is done in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park; you can get to these parks by flying into Entebbe International Airport, and start your trip from Entebbe/Kampala to southwestern Uganda through major local towns of Masaka, Mbarara and Kabale. To reach Bwindi and Mgahinga Gorilla National Parks you can use Road transport which is about 9-10 hours or fly to Kisoro Airstrip to access the southern part of Bwindi impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga or Kihihi Airstrip to the northern part of Bwindi forest National Park. You can also fly into Kigali International Airport, Bwindi forest and Mgahinga Gorilla National parks through Cyanika or Katuna Boarder which take only 4-5 hours with the time spent at immigration at the border. We always advise our visitors to acquire the East African Visa which allows multiple entries of Uganda, Kenya and Rwanda. The East African Visa fee costs USD100 which can be gotten at the Airport upon arrival or online and it is cost effective instead of buying single entry Visas. But you can as well opt to secure single Visas as well, the Rwandan Visa costs USD30 and Uganda Visa cost USD 50.
Why book Gorilla Trekking in Uganda or Rwanda with Eco Adventure Safaris?
Eco Adventure Safaris is experienced in organizing amazing gorilla trekking safari experiences to Uganda and Rwanda. We are also highly rated and reviewed on Trip Advisor. We combine gorilla trekking safaris with eco-friendly and unforgettable high-end adventure and wildlife safaris that help preserve biodiversity, conserve wildlife, and uplift local communities, these include chimpanzee trekking, Big 5 safaris and game viewing, Mountain Hiking, Boat cruises excursions, and Cultural encounters to give you a memorable and best African Safari experience including popular and great African safari destinations Tanzania, Kenya, Botswana and Namibia. Feel free to contact us about the Cancellation and Refunding a Gorilla Permit in Uganda and Rwanda.