Uganda vs Rwanda Gorilla Trekking: Complete Safari Comparison Guide 2026-2027
When planning for the one in a life time Gorilla Trekking Safari in Africa and the world at Large, the Uganda vs Rwanda Gorilla Trekking big question narrows down to; Uganda Gorilla Safari or Rwanda Gorilla Safari?
Uganda and Rwanda are well known for providing Travellers with exceptional Mountain Gorilla Safaris and are considered the best places in the whole world to spot these endangered primate species in their natural habitats. Both Uganda and Rwanda pose certain differences like hiking, Gorilla National Parks, Price for Permits, Minimum Age for Gorilla Tracking and other factors pointed out in this Uganda Vs Rwanda Gorilla Trekking Comparison.
You ought to know the time spent to reach Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga National Park in Uganda with this Uganda Vs Rwanda Gorilla Trekking guide to first time travellers to conclude on whether to opt for a short Rwanda Wildlife Safari or a lengthy Uganda Wildlife Safari/Uganda Holiday Tour.
Uganda Vs Rwanda Gorilla Trekking Guide: Nirvana Safaris
Volcanoes National Park offers the only place where to see mountain gorillas in Rwanda, with its illusive 10 Habituated Gorilla Families of Karisimbi, Sabyinyo, Susa, Igisha, Agasha, Amahoro, Kwitonda, Bwenge, Umubano, Ugenda, Isimbi and the recently formed Kwisanga. On the other hand, Uganda’s gorilla sanctuaries including; Mgahinga National Park and Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, are homes to more than 19 habituated families of endangered primates. All these National parks are habitats for over 1000 remaining mountain gorillas that share more than 98% of their DNA with humans, making them the closest relatives of mankind.
Exploring Volcanoes National Park during the Rwanda Gorilla Trekking safari rewards people with the awe-inspiring moments standing before the wild primates in their natural habitat and amazing sceneries like the Virunga Volcanoes.
Gorilla tracking in Uganda is also spectacular renowned for its deeper excursion into dark jungles of Bwindi impenetrable and Mgahinga in search for the majestic creatures over difficult terrains and untrimmed dense vegetation covers. Uganda Gorilla Trekking Safari also offers Gorilla Habituation experience which is an amazing option available only in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. So powerful to make hikers spend 4 hours watching silverbacks and their families.
Where to go for Gorilla Tracking Safari in Rwanda – Places to spot Rwandan Gorillas
Volcanoes National Park:
Volcanoes National Park is a venerated natural habitat for endangered mountain gorillas located in the northwest of Rwanda. It is popular for the Gorilla Tracking Safaris and Golden Monkeys making Volcanoes National Park a must visit site for the Rwanda Safari and Primate Tracking. In its vastness, Volcanoes National Park extends to over a land size close to 160 Sq km in the Virunga
Massif where apes roam freely in the lush green forests. Most of the time, travelers to Volcanoes National Park feel the vibrant life in the jungle and observe diverse species of birds, mammals, reptile and one of the richest concentrations of the African apes. From the main capital in Kigali, Volcanoes is located 105 kilometers in Musanze District and travelers spend 2 to 3 hours to arrive at the main entrance Kinigi Gate. Afterwards, the wildlife viewing safari starts with baboons and several monkeys seen along the road to the park.
To access this Rwandan national park, each visitor must first subscribe to the Gorilla Permit issued by the Rwanda Development Board (RDB) which costs $1500. The adventure takes 8 members to watch any of the 10 habituated groups of the gorillas and spend 1 hour within the surroundings of the apes. The habituated families in Volcanoes Park include; Susa, Karisimbi, Agashya, Hirwa, Kwitonda, Amahoro, Umubano, Kwisanga and Noheli.
Most times, 450 species of birds can be seen alongside the endangered primates of East Africa and trips bring creatures like blue turacos, Rwenzori Apalis, Egyptian goose, vultures and Marabou Storks to the eyes of hikers.
Where to go for Gorilla Trekking in Uganda
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
The iconic Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is a leading destination for Ugandan Gorilla Safaris situated in Kabale District of the southwestern part. Endangered mountain gorillas make a large proportional of the undisturbed biodiversity of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park where it protects more than 500 individuals in the forests. This large number contributes to half of the last 1000 primates still surviving in their natural habitat. Uganda’s Bwindi Impenetrable Forest stand as the only place in the Africa with 19 habituated groups to witness in real life. During the trip, people have the chance to trek the families of apes such as Mubare, Katwe, Muyambi, Orugozo, Mishaya, Kyaguriro, Bitukura, Mukiza, Habinyanja, Kutu, Mucunguzi and Kahungye.
Purchasing the Gorilla Permit is directly from the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA), that is responsible for keeping the primates untouched by human activities. The ticket or permit cost $800 for foreign non-residents of the country, $700 is charged on foreign residents and $ 600 for
the low season.
Guides are offered to the lead the groups of hikers (8 members per team) through the rugged terrains, thick vegetation and the vast wilderness to find the last primates of their kind. Travellers enjoy an intimate time with the locals before the trek which is usually a dance to entertain the guests.
After the teams are made, briefed and they led into the jungles to find the majestic animals. Upon finding the primates, hikers are told to put on their masks and allowed to spend one hour experiencing the primates, also enjoying some photography without a flash.
Mgahinga National Park
Mgahinga National Park is a conserved area in Kisoro, southwest of the Ugandan capital city, Kampala. Despite being the smallest national park for Uganda Safari tours (33.7 km 2 ), this Mgahinga National Park sanctuary brings primate trekkers to their dream safari to be within 10 meters before the apes. There is a small population of the creatures living inside the impenetrable forest of Mgahinga National Park which hosts 30 individual gorillas with 19 trekkable during the Gorilla Safari tours.
The Park gets its name from the iconic Mount Gahinga, one of the Virunga Mountains at the border between Uganda, Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo in East Africa. This high rising volcano is trekkable and allows climbers to stand at altitudes ranging from 2,227 m to 4,127 m above sea level. It is also a good site to track the endangered Golden Monkey, an endemic primate to this part of the African continent. This attraction has crowned Mgahinga as the place where “Silver meets Gold”, Silverbacks and Golden monkeys that are trekked during the Primate tracking tours.
During this unforgettable time in the Pearl of Africa, people can visit the “Nyakagezi Gorilla Family”, the only group that has been habituated by the Uganda Wildlife Authority and permits to see this group reach USD 800 for foreigners from abroad and USD 700 for foreign residents living within the Ugandan boundaries.
Price of Rwandan Gorilla Permits: What is the cost of a Rwanda Gorilla Permit?
The cost of Gorilla Trekking permits in Rwanda is $1500 per Visitor to spend one to several hours watching the rare primates of the montane vegetation and misty mountains of East Africa. Despite the high cost of the permits, the experience is worth it all. Being surrounded by a troop of Mountain Gorillas is an awesome moment that will not leave your mind even decades after living in Volcanoes National Park.
Permits apply to people who are allowed by law to hike with the endangered silverbacks. The legal age to engage in Gorilla Trekking is 15 years. All persons under this age are considered minors and cannot be permitted to enter the most popular wildlife safari destination in the country.
Issuing of the Gorilla permits is done by the Rwanda Development Board.
Cost of Uganda’s Gorilla trekking Permits: What is the price of the Permits for Gorilla Trekking adventures?
Gorilla Trekking Adventure permits in Uganda cost $800 for foreigners staying abroad, $700 for the foreign residents and 300,000 Uganda Shillings for the citizens from the countries of East Africa per Traveler planning a trip to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla Sanctuary.
To get the permit, the money is paid directly to Uganda Wildlife Authority, the body that has been instrumental in raising the population of more than 600 of the gentle giants in the forests. However, the traveler can also use trusted Tour Agents and companies to acquire the permits.
The Best Time to do Gorilla Trekking in Uganda & Rwanda
Just like all the African Wildlife Tours, the best time to go to Uganda’s Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park is during the two dry seasons happening every year. The longest period of the “High Season” is from June to September and many Gorilla Trackers storm the area to see the wildlife. If at all a Traveller misses the June-September wildlife marathon, another period worth considering is between December and February. Visitors can spend Christmas in Africa witnessing the beauty inside Volcanoes Park, Mgahinga Gorilla National Park and Bwindi Impenetrable Forest.
Bear in mind that there is exploration of the Gorilla Sanctuaries and the national in East Africa all year round. This implies that wet season travel is possible which blesses travelers with reduced rates at lodges, low season permits and less-crowded parks.
Minimum Legal Age for Gorilla Trekking in Rwanda
Rwanda’s legal age for Gorilla Tracking is 15 years and anyone from 0-14 years is considered
Legally inappropriate to take part in the Gorilla Trekking experience. This minimum age was set by the Rwanda Development Board, which has been assigned with the task of keeping the natural habitat of silverbacks from being destroyed by human encroachment and boosting their numbers.
Minimum Legal Age for Gorilla Trekking in Uganda
In Uganda, the minimum legal age to participate in the Gorilla Trekking Tour is 15 years under the laws set by the Uganda Wildlife Authority. It means that children from 0 to 14 years are not allowed to hike through Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga Park.
Moreover, families trying to do African Holidays with minors may not fully do this adventure as a whole as only the adults and children above 15 years will be allowed into the jungle.
How to get to Volcanoes National Park for Gorillas
Volcanoes Sanctuary is easily accessible for visitors from Kigali City as it is located 105 kilometers in the Musanze District. Getting to this park can be done by either air or road transport. It takes about 2 to 3 hours to drive to the national park from Kigali, the main capital using a 4×4 vehicle.
This means Travellers going on the Gorilla Trekking safari in Rwanda can start off immediately after landing at the Kigali International Airport and enjoy the holiday of a lifetime. Rwanda is also renowned for providing high end luxury Gorilla trekking experience thanks to a high number of 5 star lodges in the Volcanoes National Park.
How to get to Uganda’s Bwindi and Mgahinga
There are two ways of getting to the world capital of Gorillas; Bwindi Impenetrable and Mgahinga National park. The commonest method is the road that starts from Entebbe or Kampala heading southwest of Uganda. The drive to Bwindi or Mgahinga lasts 8-11 hours driving from Kampala through Masaka and Mbarara. Trekkers get an opportunity to stop at the Equator, take photos and have breakfast at the nearby cafe at 0 o latitude. Continue towards Kabale and Kisoro.
Air transport is the quickest means that will make you have a short safari in the country. Flying starts from the Entebbe International Airport to Kihihi Airstrip in Kisoro. There are a number of chartered flights to hire and get to the sanctuaries in time. Booking can be through a recognized travel agent like Nirvana Safaris Ltd.
Book with us today for the once-in-a lifetime Rwandan Gorilla Trekking Safari in Volcanoes National Park or Ugandan Gorilla Tracking in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. We will help you organize the best accommodations, vehicles, and even continuing safaris in the region