When talking about gorilla trekking, two destinations always stand out as undisputed, and these are Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Volcanoes National Park. Gorilla trekking refers to encountering mountain gorillas in their natural environment and spending an hour with them. This gorilla trekking emphasizes navigating the dense forest canopies along relatively invisible trails and through steep and rugged terrain. Therefore, before choosing the ideal destinations, it is better to understand the basics of gorilla trekking since it’s no walk in the park, but a complete adventure.
Choosing between Bwindi and Volcanoes is always a very hard decision for any visitor planning to embark on a gorilla trekking experience to choose between these destinations. Unquestionably, both Bwindi and Volcanoes are unique gorilla destinations that have been tested and approved as incredible gorilla habitats.
Therefore, suggesting one at the expense of the other is also a defeating phenomenon for most visitors. This is why, through this article, visitors can have a public and insightful understanding of each particular gorilla destination. The article will focus on the distinctive differences between gorilla trekking in Bwindi vs gorilla trekking in Volcanoes. Still, before going into the distinctive differences between these gorilla destinations, it is important to first identify them on a broader scale, as seen below.
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
In the misty hills of the Kigezi highlands and the terraced steeps of Kisoro, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park emerges as an undisputed marvel. A giant habitat for the gentle giants, the mountain gorillas that move silently in the overgrown canopies of Bwindi. Sitting close to the border with Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo, Bwindi forms an extension of the gorilla habitats. It is divided into four gorilla sectors of Buhoma, Ruhija, Nkuringo, and Rushaga.
Each hosts several gorillas, and altogether ranks Bwindi as hosting the most mountain gorillas in the world, with over 460 individuals. This gorilla habitat is a UNESCO World Heritage Site recognized in 1994 after threes of establishment. It is over 331 square kilometers in size with incredibly dense vegetation and steep slopes. Its flora selection dates back over 25,000 years, making it a unique heritage forest.
Volcanoes National Park
The province of Musanze, in the heart of Kinigi village, Volcanoes National Park, announces its complete dominance as a gorilla destination. This park is Rwanda’s most popular destination, followed by Akagera National Park. From hosting the mountain gorillas to paving a home for the great Dian Fossey, Volcanoes is a place of history and the birthplace of gorilla conservation across the region. This park is located in the northern region of Rwanda, bordering Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo. The park’s conservation efforts over the years have increased the number of these gorillas to over 300.
What are the differences between gorilla trekking in Bwindi and gorilla trekking in Volcanoes?
Now that you have an insightful understanding of the gorilla destinations, let’s dive straight into the details of the distinctive differences between gorilla trekking in the two mentioned gorilla destinations.
The cost of gorilla trekking permits
The most distinctive difference between gorilla trekking in Bwindi and in Volcanoes is the cost of the gorilla trekking permits. A gorilla permit is a document that permits visitors to access the gorilla destination for a gorilla trekking experience.Bwindi Impenetrable National Park has slightly cheaper costs for permits compared to Volcanoes National Park.
A gorilla trekking permit in Bwindi costs USD 800 for foreign non-residents, USD 700 for foreign residents, USD 500 for visitors from the rest of Africa, and UGX 300,000 for East African citizens. Permit prices in Volcanoes National Park cost USD 1,500 for foreign non-residents, foreign residents, and the rest of Africa cost USD 500, and citizens USD 200.
Vegetation in the gorilla destinations
It is safer to say that Bwindi and Volcanoes have very distinct vegetation zones, although the terrain is relatively similar. Bwindi Impenetrable National Park has an afro-montane tropical dense rainforest vegetation, characterized by dense canopies and undergrowth. Volcanoes National Park, on the other hand, has a lighter version of a forest with a mixture of montane and bamboo forests.
Gorilla trekking experience
The gorilla trekking experience is measured by its difficulty of the experience. This difficulty is a result of different factors, such as terrain steepness and vegetation cover. Bwindi offers a more challenging experience with high altitudes, dense vegetation, thick jungles, and very steep terrain. Such factors make this trekking experience very challenging and the best for adventurers and nature lovers. Volcanoes National Park offers a lighter experience with relatively dense but navigable vegetation and clearer sightings.
Number of mountain gorillas
There is no doubt that Bwindi Impenetrable National Park takes the lion’s share when it comes to the number of gorilla families compared to Volcanoes National Park. Bwindi is the leading gorilla destination in hosting the most mountain gorillas, totalling over 460 gorillas. Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park hosts about 300 gorillas, following Bwindi as the second gorilla destination in terms of harboring many gorillas.
Gorilla families
With Bwindi having the largest number of gorillas, it inevitably has the host gorilla families. An estimated 50 gorilla families are in Bwindi, and over 26 families are habituated and available to be trekked. Volcanoes’ gorilla families are close to half of the habituated families in Bwindi, with just 12 habituated families available for trekking.
Conclusively, deciding between Bwindi and Volcanoes for a gorilla trekking experience depends on a visitor’s expectations and preferences. Therefore, these gorilla destinations have a distinctive way of identification. If such a decision is hard to make, visitors also combine these destinations on one safari for a double gorilla trekking experience. Contact us at Monteero Safaris for a memorable experience.