Compare gorilla trekking in Rwanda and Uganda gorilla trekking Vs gorilla habituation experience

Compare gorilla trekking in Rwanda and Uganda gorilla trekking Vs gorilla habituation experience :Rwanda and Uganda offer the best gorilla trek in the world and you wish to have an encounter with the endangered mountain gorillas that is standing a few feet from them in their forest habitat, these Rwanda and Uganda are the best destinations to visit.

Normally visitors find it hard to decided which country to visit for an encounter with mountain gorillas and which activity to participate in, one can encounter mountain gorillas on gorilla trekking experience and gorilla habituation experience.

This article gives you all the information you need to know about gorilla trekking in Rwanda and Uganda, gorilla habituation experience, costs, about the gorilla and other important information.

Mountain gorillas that visitors trek are habituated to the human presence, this process takes approximately 2 years for the gorillas to get used to the presence of humans. Though the gorillas are used to human presence, there are strict rules and regulations put in place to ensure that the human interference with their habitat and way of life is as little as possible.

Where to go gorilla trekking

In the whole world, mountain gorillas live in two populations that is in the Virunga Mountains of Central and East Africa and Bwindi impenetrable national park that is in Uganda, Rwanda and Democratic Republic of Congo.

In Uganda, mountain gorillas are trekked in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park which is also part of the Virunga Conservation Area.

In Rwanda, mountain gorillas are trekked in Volcanoes National Park.

There are many factors that are based on when deciding whether to go gorilla trekking in Rwanda or Uganda, or do either gorilla trekking or gorilla habituation.

Mountain Gorillas of Rwanda

Rwanda “the land of a thousand hills” is a relatively small and mountain country in East Africa, in French this beautiful country is referred to as “pays des mille collines”.

In Rwanda, mountain gorillas are found in Volcanoes national park which is the tourism capital of the country, from Rwanda’s main gateway Kigali International Airport it is a drive of about 2 hours and a half northwest of Kigali City.

Volcanoes National Park covers an area of about 16,000 hectares is located in northwestern part of Rwanda, the park consists of afro-montane forests, bamboo forests, savannah grasslands, vast swamps and 5 volcanoes of Virunga that is Bisoke, Gahinga, Muhabura, Sabyinyo and Karisimbi.

In the forests of Volcanoes National Park, there are about 56 mountain gorilla troops with 10 habituated gorilla families and these include Sabyinyo, Susa, Karisimbi, Umubano, Amahoro, Kwitonda, Hirwa, Bwenge, Agashya, and Ugyenda.

Mountain Gorillas of Uganda

Uganda dubbed as “The Pearl of Africa” by Winston Churchhill for its incomparable diversity and beauty is the best place in the world to see mountain gorillas, the country is home to half of the world’s mountain gorilla population found in two destinations that is Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park hosting over 21 gorilla families.

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park – the park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site located in Western Uganda and sitting between 1,160 m and 2,607 m above sea level, Bwindi impenetrable national park is dominated by thick forests which are home to a huge numbers of mountain gorillas.

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is home to 20 gorilla families including Mubare Gorilla Family, Habinyanja Gorilla Family, Rushegura Gorilla Family, Bitukura Gorilla Family, Oruzogo Gorilla Family, Nkuringo Gorilla Family, Nshongi Gorilla Family, Mishaya Gorilla Family, Kahungye Gorilla Family, Bweza Gorilla Family, Busingye Gorilla Family, Kyaguriro Gorilla Family, Christmas Gorilla Family, Binyido Gorilla Family, Kutu Gorilla Family and Katwe Gorilla Family.

Mgahinga Gorilla National Park – is the second beautiful gorilla trekking destination in Uganda also located in the South Western Uganda, Mgahinga is the smallest park in Uganda and is part of the Great Virunga Conservation Area.

Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is home to one gorilla family that is Nyakagezi gorilla family.

Trekking Prices in Rwanda and Uganda

There are different gorilla trekking prices in Rwanda and Uganda, a gorilla permit in Rwanda costs US$ 1,500 and in Uganda a permit costs US$ 700.

Note: When booking a gorilla permit in Ugamda most especially in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, you have to book for a gorilla sector which is near to your safari lodge. Bwindi impenetrable National Park has 4 gorilla trekking sectors including Buhoma, Rushaga, Ruhija and Nkuringo sectors. These sectors have a variety of accommodation ranging from budget, midrange to luxury accommodations.

Accessibility of gorilla parks in Uganda and Rwanda

Volcanoes national park of Rwanda is situated in close proximity from Kigali International Airport in a drive of approximately 2 and a half hours, putting accessibility consideration Rwanda is the better country to go gorilla trekking.

Uganda’s gorilla national parks that is Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park are located in the remote southwestern region of the country, from Entebbe International Airport the main entry point of Uganda is a drive of 8-9 hours which is a journey of a full day.

The drive might be long but very rewarding mostly for adventurous visitors, there is an option of flying to either Bwindi or Mgahinga for visitors who are not fun of long drives. Uganda  is home to half of the world’s gorilla population which make it the best country to go gorilla trekking, also the country has more safari activities to offer making it the best country to visit.

Gorilla Trekking Conditions in Uganda and Rwanda

Rwanda’s gorilla trekking routes are considered more open and not as steep and slippery compared to Bwindi and Mgahinga in Uganda, however volcanoes national park is situated at a much higher altitude than Bwindi Impenetrable National Park which makes the trek more challenging.

It is easier to reach Rwanda’s Mountain gorillas.

Uganda has more habituated mountain gorillas and accommodates more trekkers per day, about 80 people a day are allowed to visit Uganda’s mountain gorillas. In Rwanda, 56 visitors are allowed to visit mountain gorillas.

Because of more habituated gorilla troops in Uganda, it is a bit easier to obtain a gorilla trekking permit than in Rwanda. Remember that booking in advance is very important.

Gorilla Trekking Vs Gorilla Habituation Experience 

Gorilla Habituation Experience offers visitors more time in the presence of mountain gorillas that is 4 hours with the gentle giants, unlike mountain gorilla trekking which offers visitors one hour with the gorillas.

Gorilla Habituation Experience is only available in Rushaga sector in the Southern part of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.

A standard gorilla trekking permit costs US$ 700 while a gorilla habituation experience costs US$ 1,500.

Gorillas visited on gorilla habituation experience are less used to human presence than the gorillas visited on gorilla trekking, the gorillas are still being habituated and the experience is still completely safe.

Gorilla habituation experience offers visitors a more understanding about mountain gorillas, their behaviors and social dynamics, also capture incredible photographs and videos without being rushed. In the span of 4 hours, visitors get to observe mountain gorillas up-close as they interact with each other in their small familial groups.

Visitors can take part in several habituation activities like collecting specimens and even  sometimes naming the individual gorillas which makes it once- in – a lifetime adventure.