How to Budget for Your Gorilla Trekking Safari in Uganda, Rwanda and Congo: Most visitors employ a tour operator, who will arrange for a driver guide to accompany them during the journey. Typically, the driver will greet you at the airport, transport you to your resort, and accompany you to the gorilla trekking start site. The bulk of guests will continue their journey for many days with the same car and driver.
Because the gorilla hike begins early in the morning, you’ll want to stay near the national park entrance. It is advised that you arrive at your lodge the day before your trip and spend the night there again. The majority of lodging choices include full board.
Where to do Gorilla Trekking from?
When planning your gorilla trekking safari, you will have to consider which country you will be tracking mountain gorillas from. In Uganda, gorilla trekking takes place in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park which hosts half the population of the world’s Mountain Gorillas; and also, in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park.
In Rwanda, gorilla trekking safaris are conducted in Volcanoes National Park which is located in the northeastern part of the country in the province of Ruhengeri. And for visitors planning to do gorilla trekking in the Democratic Republic of Congo, you will have to visit Virunga National Park located in Goma in the eastern province of Congo.
Book a Gorilla Permit in Uganda, Rwanda or DR Congo.
When planning for a gorilla trekking safari, you will need to know the cost of a gorilla permit in Uganda, Rwanda or the Democratic Republic of Congo depending on which gorilla tracking destination you are traveling to, How to Budget for Your Gorilla Trekking Safari .
A gorilla permit in Uganda costs $700 per person whether you are doing gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable national park or Mgahinga Gorilla national park.
If you are planning to do gorilla trekking in Rwanda’s Volcanoes national park, then you will purchase a gorilla permit at a fee of $1,500 per person. For those doing gorilla trekking in Virunga national park in Congo, you can purchase a gorilla permit at a fee of $400 per person.
Availability of Gorilla Trekking Permits in Uganda, Rwanda and Congo.
Rwanda provides a total of 96 gorilla permits per day for visitors doing gorilla trekking in Volcanoes national park. In Uganda, a total of 144 gorilla permits for visitors looking to trek gorillas in Bwindi or Mgahinga national parks. For visitors planning to track gorillas in Congo’s Virunga national park, there are 64 gorilla permits available daily.
However, we usually recommend visitors planning gorilla trekking safaris in Uganda, Rwanda or Congo to book your gorilla permits at least 6 months in advance to avoid any disappointments that come with booking late.
Plan for your accommodation.
Rwanda markets itself as a high-end gorilla trekking destination, which is reflected in the higher permit price and a wider variety of top-tier hotels. Rwanda offers some spectacular luxury properties as well as a handful of pricey mid-range villas, so book with caution. Accommodation options in Rwanda include; One&Only Gorilla’s Nest, Muhabura Hotel, Songa Lodge, Bisate Lodge, Tiloreza Eco Lodge, Le Bambou, Five Volcanoes Boutique Hotel, and Virunga Inn Resort& Spa Hotel among others. Accommodation prices in Rwanda can range from $30-$3,000 per person per night based on two sharing, How to Budget for Your Gorilla Trekking Safari .
Uganda features more low-cost and mid-range lodging alternatives than Rwanda, as well as a number of great luxury resorts. Gorilla lodges in Uganda include Buhoma Community Rest Camp, Buhoma Haven Lodge, Buhoma Lodge, Mahogany Springs, Cloud’s Gorilla Lodge, Sanctuary Lodge, 4 Gorilla Height’s Lodge, Rushaga Gorilla Haven Lodge, Ichumbi Lodge, and Lake Mulehe Lodge among others. Accommodation prices in Uganda range from $50-$3,000 per person per night based on two sharing.
For those doing gorilla trekking in Virunga national park in Congo, you will find accommodation at Mikeno lodge or Kibumba Tented Camp. With gorilla trekking in Congo, gorilla safaris are sold as a whole package so visitors can not book the permit or accommodation alone.
Rwanda’s gorilla trekking safari park is approximately two hours from Kigali, making the gorillas much more accessible than in Uganda’s Bwindi Impenetrable national park. In principle, this implies you can save money on transportation and lodging by taking a shorter trip. A one-day gorilla trip in Rwanda starts at roughly $1,700 per participant. A two-day gorilla trip begins at $1,900. A three-day luxury gorilla safari might go between $2,300 and $5,000 per person. One gorilla tracking permit, private transportation, an English-speaking guide, a hotel, and meals are all included in the tours. Charter plane and helicopter transports are also available, How to Budget for Your Gorilla Trekking Safari .
The most affordable three-day gorilla expedition costs roughly $1,200 per person and includes one gorilla tracking permit, private transportation, an English-speaking guide, lodging, and food. A three-day luxury gorilla safari might cost more than $3,000 per person. Tours with a higher price tag may include flights to one of the local airstrips around a half-hour drive from the gorilla tracking area.
