Stay at Mutanda Lake Resort and Trek Gorillas in Bwindi
Is it okay to travel as male friends to Uganda?
Are you interested in a trip starting from Kigali, Rwanda to Uganda to visit the gorillas and you want to know which borders to cross from Rwanda to Uganda for gorilla trekking in Uganda? To cross from Rwanda to Uganda for gorilla trekking, you’ll typically use one of the official Land border crossings between the two countries Uganda and Rwanda. The most commonly used land border crossing for travelers going from Rwanda to Uganda for gorilla trekking is the Cyanika or Katuna border post.
Which borders to cross from Rwanda to Uganda for gorilla trekking. These border crossings are well-established and commonly used by tourists and locals alike. Once you cross the border, you’ll enter southwestern Uganda, where you can access various national parks that offer gorilla trekking experiences, such as Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park.
Cyanika Border post is mostly used for those visiting and trekking gorillas in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park and those trekking gorillas in Nkuringo sector and Rushaga sectors located southern side of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park. Please note for now Cyanika Border post is only open from 7am to 9pm so you need to plan your travel in advance accordingly.
Katuna border post is open 24 hours and is mostly used by travelers visiting and trekking gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest national park, from this border you can trek gorillas in Ruhija, Buhoma, Rushaga and Nkuringo sectors of Bwindi.
Uganda Gorilla Trekking trip from Kigali
Uganda Gorilla Trekking trip from Kigali is considered the best you can start your gorilla trip from Kigali, Rwanda, compared to when you start from Entebbe because here the drive time is just 4-5 hours compared to 8-9 hours when start from Entebbe. Gorilla Trekking in Africa is one of the once in a lifetime experience that attracts many travelers to do during their visit to Africa. Despite the high costs, time and discomfort from booking to doing the hike through the forest to search for these endangered apes watching gorillas in their natural habitat in Uganda, Rwanda and Congo is one of the best wildlife experiences every traveler would do on his/her safari.
Gorilla Trekking involves hiking/walking through the forest and at some point difficult terrain, thick vegetation, crossing rivers and swamps in search for gorillas, this activity is challenging and it requires one to be fit at the time of the trek. Gorilla trekking gives you an opportunity to encounter and watch the gorillas in their natural habitat for one hour in Rwanda, Uganda and Congo. For travelers who would like to spend more time with the gorillas in their natural habitat can opt to visit Bwindi Forest for Gorilla Habituation experience which gives you 4 hours of encounter with the gorillas.
Where is Gorilla Trekking Done in Africa?
Gorilla Trekking is done in Uganda, Rwanda and DR Congo which host the four national parks that are home the only remaining mountain gorillas. These include Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National in Uganda, Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda and Virunga National Park in Congo. In Congo you as well have an opportunity to see the Lowland gorillas which are found in Kahuzi Beiga National Park. In order to trek at any of the mentioned national park a gorilla permit is required for you to be allowed to go for gorilla trekking. With this once you have you planned dates of gorilla trekking we recommend you start booking your gorilla trip immediately given the fact services and permits sell out very quickly especially if you plan to do the trek in the peak season of June to September, it is always better to book at least 5 months in advance prior traveling. Gorilla Trekking at the mentioned parks can be booked directly or through a trusted Tour Operator Eco Adventure Safaris.
Cost and Getting Gorilla permits in Uganda
From 1st July 2024 to 30th June 2026, the Uganda Gorilla permit will Cost $800 Per person per trek for the Foreign nonresidents, $700 Per person for residents, $500 for Rest of Africa and Uganda shillings 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 or Mgahinga Gorilla National Park.
Gorilla trekking in Uganda also gives 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. Getting gorilla permits in Uganda can be done directly by booking them through the Uganda Wildlife Authority or through a trusted tour operator in Uganda like Eco Adventure Safaris.
What is the age limit for Gorilla Trekking in Uganda?
The minimum age limit for Gorilla Trekking is 15 years and the maximum age depends on your fitness levels. Gorilla trekking for elders is now made possible especially in Bwindi Forest through provision of sedan chair carriers, these chairs are used to carry those who feel unfit and are unable to walk into the forest at the time of their trek, you will be carried by potters to and from the forest during your trek, hiring the sedan chair can done in advance or at the day of the trek and price ranges from 400-500 dollars.
What is the best time to do a Uganda Gorilla Trip from Kigali?
Uganda Gorilla Trekking from Kigali in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park or Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park is done throughout the year and the best time to do a gorilla trekking in Africa 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.
What to pack for a Gorilla Trip Uganda from Kigali?
During gorilla tracking you will need a comfortable, hard wearing, pair of walking shoes or boots. Conditions are generally very muddy in the forest when it is raining. There are uphill sections which may be quite steep and strenuous. It is also advisable to wear a long sleeve cotton shirt and lightweight long trousers to protect yourself from the undergrowth, stinging nettles and biting ants. Suggested Items to pack for Gorilla trekking;
• Insect Repellent
• Torch/Flashlight – and Spare Batteries
• Wet Wipes
• Water Bottle
• Camera, lenses etc
• Comfortable walking/hiking boots & socks
• Gardening gloves for gorilla tracking
• Sandals/strops/walking shoes
• Hat and Sunscreen
• Rain Jacket
• Sweater/fleece
• Swimwear
• Binoculars (game/bird watching)
Why book with Eco Adventure Safaris your Gorilla Trip Uganda from Kigali
Eco Adventure Safaris will help you book your Uganda Gorilla Trekking from Kigali in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park or Mgahinga Gorilla National Park contact us and we advise you on the booking process. We as well have different gorilla trekking safari packages ranging from budget, mid-range to luxury options that we can book for you including the gorilla permits. Feel free to checkout our trip advisor reviews and read from a community of happy satisfied clients. With us, you can be rest assured of a memorable Uganda safari holiday. We are devoted to providing excellent service and customer satisfaction. Our team of excellent tour consultants is always willing to help answer all your safari questions including Which borders to cross from Rwanda to Uganda for gorilla trekking.