Yes, you can do gorilla tracking in Uganda from Kigali, Rwanda. In Uganda, gorilla tracking can be done in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park in the southwest. Traveling from Kigali to these gorilla destinations is much shorter and more convenient than traveling from Kampala in Uganda. This makes Kigali the ideal starting point for visitors seeking to maximize their time in the wild while reducing the journey.
How to travel from Kigali?
Road transport is the only means available for visitors from Kigali to Uganda’s gorilla tracking destinations. The distance covered on the road from Kigali to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is approximately 173 kilometers, via the Katuna border. Meanwhile, traveling by road to Mgahinga Gorilla National Park covers approximately 141 kilometers via the Kyanika border crossing. Time spent driving to Bwindi NP is 4-5 hours, while to Mgahinga NP is 3-4 hours.
When to do a gorilla trek from Kigali?
You can travel from Kigali to do a gorilla trek in Uganda on any day of the year. Bwindi and Mgahinga open their gates to visitors all year round. However, there are 2 weather seasons that you can choose for your gorilla trek. Dry season, which offers easier hiking conditions and gorilla views, or the wet season, which offers lush scenery but slippery trails. The dry season in Uganda is experienced from June to August and from December to February.
How to go gorilla trekking in Uganda?
Gorilla trekking in Uganda follows a standardized procedure, ensuring a consistent and well-regulated experience for everyone. Each gorilla trek starts at 8:00 a.m., so you will have to wake up early to arrive at the park headquarters. While at the latter, a short briefing is done to ensure that you understand the guidelines of gorilla trekking. The park offers a seasoned tracker to guide you into the forest to locate a habituated family. Armed rangers also accompany you.
You will trek on the rugged gorilla trails until you meet the habituated gorilla family. Viewing time once you meet the gorillas is 1 hour. An entire gorilla trek from beginning to end lasts for 2-6 hours. This depends on where they nested yesterday, and also on your walking speed. After seeing them and even capturing them on your camera, return to the start of the trek. Here, you will attend a debriefing. You will also be awarded a certificate for this accomplishment.
Cost of gorilla trekking in Uganda?
All gorilla trekking tours in Uganda offer uniform experiences but are priced differently based on visitor category. There are 4 official visitor categories recognized in Uganda: foreign non-residents, foreign residents, Rest of Africa, and East African Community citizens. Foreign residents are charged USD 800, foreign residents are charged USD 700, and USD 500 for the rest of Africa. All citizens within the East African Community are charged UGX 300,000.
Why Uganda stands out for gorilla trekking?
Half of the world’s mountain gorilla population is found in Uganda. Remember, mountain gorilla trekking is only offered in 3 countries worldwide: Rwanda, Uganda, and Congo. Uganda, being among them, offers a unique opportunity to meet them. At least 22 habituated gorilla families exist in Uganda. The majority of these are available for gorilla trekking daily. This offers visitors the best chance of securing a permit to track gorillas.
With no less than 2 destinations sheltering mountain gorillas in Uganda, visitors can choose where they can enjoy this adventure. Mgahinga and Bwindi National Parks are blessed with distinct terrain, landscapes, biodiversity, and cultures, offering visitors a variety of activities to do. Gorilla permits are also relatively more pocket-friendly compared to the permits in neighbouring Rwanda. This ensures that people from different financial backgrounds can enjoy tracking gorillas.
Why track gorillas in Uganda with Monteero Safaris?
Monteero Safaris is based in Uganda, offering seamless, expertly guided tours and travel experiences in the country and beyond. Our tour packages are the best with gorilla trekking tours tailored to suit your budget, preferences, and schedule. We also have the finest driver guides with a lot of experience regarding East Africa’s natural wonders and transportation routes. Your travel is generally informative and full of fun.
Monteero Safaris does not stop at offering Uganda gorilla tracking tours. We go beyond that, exploring East Africa’s natural wonders, including wildlife safaris, cultures, beaches, and others. We combine gorilla trekking with tours in Rwanda, Kenya, Tanzania, and Zanzibar etc. We support ecotourism and initiatives by the local communities that help in preserving gorilla habitats to benefit the local communities.