Gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park with Park rangers
Visiting the Twin Lakes of Ruhondo and Burera in Rwanda
Are you interested in visiting Mountain Gorillas in Africa and you are looking for the most economical Gorilla trekking tour, you will need to focus on a few key factors: location, gorilla permit costs, and tour operators. Here are some tips to help you find the most economical Gorilla trekking tour option:
1. Location:
- Uganda: This is often considered the most budget-friendly option. The Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park are popular trekking destinations.
- Rwanda: Gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park is another option, but it tends to be more expensive than in Uganda.
- DR Congo: Virunga National Park offers the least expensive permits, but the region may be less stable.
2. Permit Costs:
- Uganda: Gorilla trekking permits cost $800 USD per person valid from 1st July 2024 to 30th June 2026.
- Rwanda: Gorilla permits cost $1,500 USD per person.
- DR Congo: Permits are around $400 USD per person, but check for current conditions and safety advisories before visiting.
3. Tour Operators:
Look for reputable but affordable tour operators. Some offer budget tours that include permits, accommodation, and transport. Here are a few options:
- Eco Adventure Safaris: Known for offering budget tours in Uganda and Rwanda.
- Gorilla Trekking in DR Congo: Offers affordable trekking packages in DR Congo.
Sample Budget Tour Itinerary for Uganda:
- 3-Day Budget Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park:
- Day 1: Arrival in Entebbe/Kampala/Kigali, transfer to Bwindi.
- Day 2: Gorilla trekking experience.
- Day 3: Return to Entebbe/Kampala/Kigali.
- Inclusions: Gorilla permit, accommodation (budget lodges or campsites), meals, transportation, and guide services.
- Approximate Cost: $1,200 – $1,500 USD per person (including permit).
Tips to Save Money:
- Travel During the Off-Season months of March to May and October to November: Prices for accommodation and tours may be lower.
- Join Group Tours: Sharing costs with other travelers can reduce expenses.
- Book in Advance: Securing permits and accommodations early can sometimes result in discounts.
- Stay in Budget Accommodation: Opt for budget lodges, hostels, or campsites.
Additional Considerations:
- Health and Fitness: Ensure you are fit for the trek; it can be physically demanding.
- Travel Insurance: Get insurance that covers adventure activities.
- Local Guides: Hiring local guides can be more economical and supports the local economy.
By focusing on these factors, you can find the most economical Gorilla trekking tour that fits your budget and ensures an unforgettable experience.
Here’s a suggested itinerary for the most economical Gorilla trekking tour adventure in Uganda:
Day 1: Travel from Kigali to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park
- Start your day early and depart from Kigali, Rwanda. The drive to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park in Uganda takes around 4-5 hours, depending on the border crossing and road conditions.
- Enjoy the scenic drive through the beautiful landscapes of Rwanda and Uganda.
- Arrive at Bwindi Impenetrable Forest and check-in at your accommodation.
- Spend the rest of the day relaxing and preparing for your gorilla trek the next day.
Day 2: Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park
- After an early breakfast, head to the park headquarters for a briefing by the park rangers about gorilla trekking rules and regulations.
- Once briefed, you’ll be assigned a gorilla group to track based on your fitness level and preferences.
- Begin your gorilla trekking adventure, led by experienced guides and trackers. The duration of the trek can vary depending on the location of the gorilla group you are assigned to, but it usually takes between 2 to 6 hours.
- Once you find the gorilla group, you’ll spend a maximum of one hour in their presence, observing and taking photos while respecting their natural habitat.
- After the trek, return to your accommodation and spend the evening relaxing.
Day 3: Return to Kigali
- Enjoy a leisurely breakfast and take some time to explore the surroundings of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest.
- Check out from your accommodation and start your journey back to Kigali.
- Arrive in Kigali and depending on your schedule, you can explore the city, visit cultural sites like the Kigali Genocide Memorial, or simply relax before your departure.
How to book a 3 Day quick gorilla trek in Uganda from Kigali?
A budget gorilla tour can be inclusive of various tourism destinations and activities and sometimes can only have gorilla trekking or gorilla habituation. Eco Adventure Safaris will help you book all permits and services and make it as cheap as possible to meet your expectations. Booking a gorilla safari can be done via email to keep records and also through WhatsApp for quick communication.
Bwindi impenetrable National Park has four gorilla trekking regions namely Ruhija, Buhoma and Rushaga gorilla regions of Bwindi impenetrable National Park. Gorilla trekking means visiting the gorillas in their natural habitat in the forest, the trek in Uganda starts at 7:00am with briefing on the dos and don’ts while moving in the forest and with the gorillas. After briefing, the park guides, rangers, and trackers lead you to the forest to find the gorillas. You are allowed one hour of viewing the gorillas when found and later you return to the starting point to receive a certificate for the successful gorilla trekking in Uganda.
The gorillas are amazing to watch as they have 95% of the human DNA. Only eight visitors allowed to see gorillas per habituated family per day according to Uganda wildlife Authority policy so as to conserve the gorillas. To be allowed to do gorilla trekking, you must be aged 15 years and above as per the policy and minors are not allowed to trek since they may not easy be controlled in the forest and may easily transmit diseases to the gorillas. Uganda is good for gorilla trekking, policies and guidelines are in place for trekking and conservation which as Eco Adventure Safaris we always share with you while planning your 3 day gorilla tour to Bwindi National Park with a fair price.
What is the cost of gorilla permits in Uganda?
The gorilla permits are very essential when planning 3 Day Bwindi gorilla tour starting from Kigali to Bwindi impenetrable National Park. The Bwindi gorilla permit costs USD800 per person for Non-Foreign Residents, USD700 for Foreign Residents, USD500 for Africans and Shs.300, 000 for East African Citizens. The gorilla habituation permits costs USD1500 per person for Non- Foreign Residents, USD1000 for Foreign Residents and Uganda Shs. 750,000 per person for East African Citizens. This habituation permits allows you to view the gorillas for four hours once you find them as you see the way they move, feed, rest and live in families.
Even though Uganda has more gorilla permits, they tend to sell out so very quickly during the high season (January, February, July, August, September, and December every year. Once you contact us about your planned trek and desired dates, we shall check availability of permits online system for Uganda Wildlife Authority and if permits are available, we shall send you an invoice to make payment for the permits as they are top priority and if they are not available, you will choose other dates that have availability of permits. Once we receive payment, we shall book and secure your permits and send you copy of the receipt with booking ID to confirm your trek. Knowing the cost of the Uganda Gorilla permits is one of the things to consider when determining the approximate cost/ fair price of the 3 Day quick gorilla trek in Uganda from Kigali.
What is the cost of accommodation in Bwindi?
In Bwindi, depending on the sector where you are going to trek the gorillas, it is recommended to stay in lodges within that selected sector for ease to access the park headquarters in time. In Rushaga, you can stay at, Rushaga Gorilla Havens Lodge Rushaga gorilla camp, Gorilla safari lodge, four gorillas lodge, in Nkuringo you can stay at Nkuringo Bwindi gorilla lodge, Clouds Mountain gorilla lodge, Gorilla Heights lodge. In Buhoma sector you can stay at Buhoma havens, Buhoma lodge, Bwindi lodge, Buhoma community rest camp. In Ruhija sector you can stay at Trekkers tavern Lodge, Bakiga lodge and Ruhija community Rest camp. The lodges are very many in Bwindi but they require to be booked in advance as they can be fully booked during high season. The Luxury lodges range from USD400 -1000per person per night, the midrange lodges range from USD150-300 per person per night and Budget lodges range from USD70-100 per person per night
Why book the most economical Gorilla trekking tour Through Eco Adventure Safaris
Eco Adventure Safaris offers amazing gorilla safari experiences to Bwindi impenetrable National Park. Contact us on here for our discounted packages and also tailor made Gorilla trips from Kampala/Entebbe to Bwindi, Cultural experiences. Our magic in organizing authentic experience stems from the fact that we have overtime assembled a team mixed with young and energetic staff guided by well experienced mature managers and directors who are Ugandans and passionate about what they do. Eco Adventure Safaris is highly rated and reviewed on trip Advisor and safari bookings to help you learn on the experiences of the other travelers who have traveled. Contact us about booking the most economical Gorilla trekking tour.