Gorilla trekking is a most popular and wanted activity done in Africa which involves visiting the Shy endangered Mountain Gorillas in the Mist and share with them.
It is mostly known that mighty Gorillas are only found in the Eastern part of African continent in countries named, Uganda, Rwanda and DR Congo with Uganda hosting the most part of World’s Gorilla Population.
If you are planning to visit Gorillas the only option is mostly Uganda, Rwanda or DR Congo therefore let’s compare Uganda and Rwanda’s Gorilla trekking.
Where to go for Mountain Gorillas in Uganda & Rwanda?
Rwanda is popularly known for Mountain Gorillas and if you wish to visit them you can not find them in Nyungwe Forest National Park or Akagera National Park but Volcanoes National Park is the right place to see these shy endangered Mountain Gorillas which is about 2-3 hours drive from Kigali city up to Ruhengeri Province where this park is located or gazetted.
For Uganda the Pearl of Africa if you wish to see these shy endangered Mountain Gorillas out of its top ten National Parks gazetted Mountain Gorillas are found only in two National Parks since it holds the most part of Gorilla Population and these are Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga National Park also located in the Virunga Massif.
Bwindi Impenetrable has the most part of Uganda’s Gorilla Population which are grouped in four sectors; Nkuringo, Buhoma, Ruhija and Rushaga sector and among these sectors apart from Nkuringo sector the rest have not less than two Gorilla families for trekking.
Mgahinga National Park is another Gorilla hosting destination in Uganda with best and Quality Gorillas to visit but for it has only one Gorilla family for trekking by the names of the Nyakagezi Family.
How many Gorilla Families in Uganda and Rwanda?
Since Uganda has the most part of World’s Gorilla population it has more Gorilla families which comes to a total of 14 Gorilla families than Rwanda which are found in Bwindi Impenetrable and Mgahinga National Park.
Mountain Gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable National park are grouped in four sectors with each sector having its own Gorilla families as listed below.
Rushaga Sector has the higher Gorilla families to trek like Nshongi Gorilla family, Mishaya Gorilla Family, Kahungye Gorilla Family, Bweza Gorilla Family, Busingye Gorilla Family and more.
Ruhija Sector has Gorilla Families named; Bitukura Gorilla Family, Kyaguriro and Oruzogo Gorilla Family.
Buhoma Sector has Gorilla Families named; Mubare Gorilla Family, Habinyanja and Rushegura Gorilla Family, Nkuringo Sector has only one Gorilla Family named; Nkuringo Gorilla Family.
Mgahinga National Park the next Gorilla hosting destination in Uganda has only one Gorilla Family to visit in the Jungle named the Nyakagezi Gorilla Family.
Rwanda mostly known for Mountain Gorilla Trekking in Volcanoes National Park has over 12 Gorilla families but two of the Gorilla families are Research purposes mostly visited by researchers and the rest are habituated for trekking.
The Habituated Gorilla families in Volcanoes National Park are;- Susa, Umubano group, Sabyinyo group, Agasha group, Hirwa group, Kwitonda group, Amahoro group, Bwenge group, Ugenda group and Karisimbi group all gazetted for trekking activities which usually allows a group of eight people visit per Gorilla family.
How Shorter is trekking Mountain Gorillas in Uganda and Rwanda?
When it comes to gorilla tours in Uganda and Rwanda the distance covered to reach Volcanoes National Park from Kigali is shorter than that of Uganda where by the distance from Entebbe to Bwindi Impenetrable or Mgahinga National Park is a bit longer when compared.
When your travelling from Kigali its about 2- 3 hours drive to Volcanoes National Park and that of Uganda from Kampala to Bwindi Impenetrable National it’s about 8-9 hours drive, doing a one day gorilla tour in Rwanda is very easy but for that of Uganda goes for a three days gorilla tour unless you use another option of crossing from Rwanda up to either Bwindi or Mgahinga National Park and this goes for a two days gorilla tour in Uganda.
What is the price for Gorilla Permits in Uganda and Rwanda?
Since gorilla trekking is the most wanted activity in Uganda and Rwanda due to their uniqueness to visit them you must buy a permit which issues you permission for the trekking and this money part is contributed towards the conservation of their lives through funding conservation organizations like Gorilla Doctors.
Gorilla Permits in Uganda cost $600 USD per person in the peak season and $450 USD per person in the low season but this $450 USD promotion is ending this year 2017 starting with 2018 the permit for Uganda will cost $600 USD per person for all seasons.
Gorilla permits in Rwanda were costing $750 USD per person but on 6th May 2017 were increased from $ 750 USD to $1500 USD per person by the Rwanda Development Board and once this money is paid it’s non refundable and no one is allowed to use someone’s permit so if you miss to use your permit or you fail to turn up it is considered as invalid.
