What is the Cheapest Gorilla Trekking

Are you interested in visiting Gorillas in Africa and you want to know What is the Cheapest Gorilla Trekking in Africa? Gorilla trekking can be an expensive activity due to the costs associated with permits, guides, accommodation, and transportation, among other factors. However, some destinations offer more affordable options compared to others. As of January 2024, the most affordable gorilla trekking is in DR Congo where the gorilla trekking permit costs $400 per person per trek, but given the fact DR Congo is facing insecurities and the tourism facilities are not well developed yet it makes the whole package expensive despite the gorilla permit being cheap.

To find the cheapest option for gorilla trekking, it’s essential to research current prices, compare permit costs, and consider additional expenses such as accommodation, transportation, and visa fees. Additionally, keep in mind factors such as safety, conservation efforts, and the overall quality of the experience when choosing a destination for gorilla trekking.

Available Gorilla Trekking Discounts for gorilla trekking in Rwanda

For a Foreign resident in any African country, you will only need to have a passport or resident work permit or visa valid for a minimum of 4 consecutive months for us to secure for you the Discounted Gorilla Permits in Rwanda. For the citizen, you will need to have a valid National ID, passport and a birth certificate. From June to October 2024, we will need 72 hours in advance to purchase these discounted permits so you need to book and pay in advance. Rwanda Discounted Gorilla Permits offer extended to end of 2024.

Discounted Gorilla Trekking Permits in in Rwanda, Uganda and DR Congo

• African citizens outside East Africa – $500 will be applied for mountain gorilla trekking.
• Foreign Residents in Africa – $500 will be applied for mountain gorilla trekking.
• Rwanda Nationals and East African Citizens – $200 per person per trek
• Rwanda and East African Foreign residents – $500 per person per trek

You need a minimum of 2 days and a maximum of 3 Days to trek and see Mountain Gorillas in Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda starting and ending your trip in Kigali

Other Discounted Gorilla Permits in Rwanda during Low Season month from 1^st November to 31^st May every year

What is the Cheapest Gorilla Trekking. For those planning to visit Rwanda and trek mountain gorillas in Volcanoes National Park between the months from November to May you pay $1050 per permit which is a 30% discount on the normal gorilla permit. For one to benefit from the discounted gorilla trekking permits for Rwanda and pay $1050 instead of $1500 per person per trek in Volcanoes national park, one must book extra or other days in one of the Rwanda national parks and thus the minimum days for you to befit from this offer is 3 and other more days that you spend on the Rwandan soil the better for you to enjoy this wonderful offer. There are other national parks in Rwanda where one can spend other days and these include the Akagera national park that offers the big 5 animal game viewing, Nyungwe Forest National Park where visitors can go for chimpanzee tracking as well as canopy walks. Nyungwe National Park is also a destination for wonderful bird species and therefore you can go and enjoy the bird-watching activities. This means that visitors spending the day at Akagera National Park or Nyungwe Forest National Park, will get a chance of paying USD1050 for the gorilla trekking permit to Volcanoes National Park to trek the endangered Mountain gorillas during the low season.

Cost for Gorilla Trekking permits in Uganda, Rwanda and Democratic republic of Congo

Gorilla trekking is much cheaper in Congo compared to Uganda and Rwanda. This issue of price difference is basically out of policy differences between these three countries Congo, Uganda and Rwanda. Rwanda wants to promote itself as a Luxury destination while Uganda wants to market itself as an affordable destination. Congo is trying to promote its gorilla tourism to attract more travelers after a long turmoil in the region that caused a lot of insecurity.  Whereas Uganda is promoting it’s self as the preferred best affordable destination for gorilla trekking among the 3. The experience and duration spent with gorillas is still the same in the all the 3 countries? However, there are different factors that make a difference in various terms as explained below;

The Gorilla permit in Uganda Costs $800 Per person per trek for the Foreign nonresidents, $700 Per person for residents and $500 for rest of Africa, Ugx 300,000 for East African Citizens (Uganda, Rwanda, Tanzania, Kenya, Burundi and South Sudan), this gives you an opportunity to spend one-hour encounter with the mountain gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park.

The Gorilla permit in Rwanda Costs $1500 Per person per trek for the Foreign nonresidents, $500 Per person for foreign residents and $200 for East African Citizens (Uganda, Rwanda, Tanzania, Kenya, Burundi and South Sudan), this gives you an opportunity to spend one hour encounter with the mountain gorillas in Volcanoes National Park.

Gorilla permits in Congo costs $400 per person per trek for the high season months of Mid-December to mid-march then June to October and then $200 for the low season months of mid-march to mid-May and then mid-October to mid-December every year. A gorilla permit in Kahuzi Beiga National Park costs $400 for foreign nonresidents, $200 for East Africa Residents and $20 national resident. Lowland Gorilla trekking permit price in Congo Kahuzi Biega National park costs USD400 for Non Residents, East African Residents-USD200 and National Citizens of Congo-USD20

Comparing Gorilla trekking in Uganda, Rwanda and DR Congo and What is the Cheapest Gorilla Trekking

In terms of accessibility, Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park is a better option than Uganda and DR Congo. Reasons to support this is that Volcanoes National Park is a 2-3 hours drive from Kigali, that Gorillas are easily seen with a short drive time possible even in one day. This is indeed very true and no one can run away from it. People used to avoid gorilla trekking in Bwindi because of the 9-10 hours drive from Entebbe International Airport to Bwindi but now we arrange tours to Bwindi via Kigali which then becomes 4-5 hours drive only. With this, you land in Kigali, use the East African Tourist Visa (which allows you to visit both countries at ago) and then trek gorillas in Uganda at an affordable price. Because of this, even Rwanda tour operators are selling Bwindi instead of their country.

In terms of Lodges, Both Countries have Budget, mid-range and Upmarket Lodges where you could choose to stay during your trek. Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda is the best place for gorilla trekking for those interested in staying in super luxury lodges on international standards compared to Bwindi. These lodges offer great and luxury services some are ranked among the best in Africa and the country at large for example Bisate Lodge and Singita Kwitonda Lodge in Volcanoes National Park. However for those looking for much budget offers then Uganda and Congo is best option for you given the fact there are many options to choose from where to stay ranging from $30 to $100 as per your booked package.

In terms of Gorilla families, Uganda has more gorilla families open for trekking than Volcanoes National Park. Bwindi has 20 habituated gorilla family groups this means 160 Gorilla permits are available every day for gorilla trekking in Bwindi. Volcanoes National Park has 12 Gorilla families hence 96 Gorilla permits are available each day for gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park and Congo has 10 gorilla families that is 8 in Virunga National Park and 2 in Kahuzi Beiga National Park. This makes it more flexible to get gorilla trekking permits in Uganda compared to Rwanda and Congo especially during the peak season months.

In terms of the best gorilla trekking experience, the whole truth is that Uganda, Rwanda and DR Congo have gorillas and there is no big difference when it comes to the experience obtained at the end of your trek. Chances of seeing gorillas in all countries are 98% so which ever country you visit you will be able to see these great apes in their natural environment. However Uganda is unique given the fact you an option to spend more time with the mountain gorillas through Gorilla habituation experience which is only done in Bwindi forest, a gorilla habituation permit costs $1500 per person giving you an opportunity to spend 4 hours encounter with the semi habituated mountain gorillas under the guidance of trackers and researchers as opposed to one hour for the normal trekking. Congo as well gives you a unique opportunity to see the Eastern Lowland gorillas which are found in Kahuzi Beiga National Park.

In terms of distance to see Gorillas in Uganda, Rwanda and Democratic republic of Congo, The issue of walking longer or short distance depends on the given gorilla family allocated to you on the day of trekking at of the national park in the country you choose to go for gorilla trekking. In all the 3 countries gorilla families are allocated depending on the interest and physical fitness of given individual. If for example, you want a shorter trek, you will have to inform the park authorities on the very day of trekking so that you are allocated such family. If you want a medium or longer trek, then you do the same. It should be noted that while they will try to give you a family that requires shorter walks, the behavior of gorillas might affect the experience if for example gorillas decide to move further as you look for them you will need to move a longer distance still.

Best time for gorilla trekking in Uganda, Rwanda and Democratic republic of Congo

How to Visit Gorillas in Uganda, Rwanda and Congo at once, Gorilla trekking in Uganda, Rwanda and Democratic republic of Congo is done and is possible all year round. The best months to track gorillas include; June to August and December to February since they receive the lowest rainfall and the forest is less slippery. On the other hand, when you happen to travel during March to May and November there are chances of higher rainfall, you will be able to get discounts from some lodges for your accommodation.

Why book Visiting Gorillas in Uganda, Rwanda and Congo at once with Eco Adventure Safaris

Eco Adventure Safaris is a Local tour operator based in Uganda with its head offices in Entebbe. Eco Adventure Safaris is run and owned by Ugandans. We specialize in life-changing experiences and sustainable tours and holidays to all East African countries. We are members of AUTO (Association of Uganda Tour Operators) and are registered by UTB (Uganda Tourism Board). We have a good and long working relationship with UWA (Uganda Wildlife Authority) making it easy to book your gorilla permits and gorilla trekking safari. Eco Adventure Safaris is highly reviewed on trip advisor. Please contact us here about What is the Cheapest Gorilla Trekking.