Bwindi vs Mgahinga Gorilla Trekking: Which Safari Experience Is Better?

Mgahinga Gorilla National Park and Bwindi Impenetrable National Park are the two gorilla trekking national parks of Uganda preserving over 500 mountain gorillas. This huge number consists of more than half of the existing mountain gorillas in Africa found in the Virunga Volcanoes of Rwanda, Uganda and D.R Congo plus the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park. Nirvana Safaris Ltd unfolds the Bwindi Vs Mgahinga gorilla trekking comparison as a guide to the perfect choice of Uganda Wildlife Safari to undertake.

Uganda gorilla trekking safari takes people to the Impenetrable jungles of East Africa looking for an opportunity to spot the majestic giants inhabiting the misty mountains. However, many travelers are left in a dilemma trying to choose the best place to host the trek for gorillas in Uganda. Both Bwindi and Mgahinga can equally satisfy the desires of visitors for a Gorilla safari in Africa with their untouched rainforests, Virunga Volcanoes (Gahinga, Karisimbi, Muhabura, Bisoke), silverbacks and gorgeous landscapes.

Most Mountain gorillas in Africa are found in Bwindi, “about 500 Gorillas,” compared to the 30 apes in Mgahinga. Both gorilla experiences in Uganda are worth the time, money, and challenging trek to find the 20 habituated families of gorillas in Bwindi and Mgahinga. Gorilla trekking permits to any of the primate sanctuaries cost $800 for foreign non-residents, $700 for foreign residents plus Ugx 300,0000 for citizens of East Africa, directly paid to Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA), which conserves the last remaining creatures and keeps the home unbothered by human encroachment. Expect a humbling gorilla encounter, an unforgettable hour standing among a family of large African primates, who are forced to walk out of the forest. Despite the one hour allowed to watch the endangered primates, sadness glooms the faces of travelers as they leave the forest due to the high degree of emotions felt around the primates.

Comparing Gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga-Which one is better?

 

A) Bwindi Gorilla Trekking; Number of Habituated Gorillas, Permits Available & Nature of the trek

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is widely known as the best Gorilla trekking destination in Uganda and one of the top places for gorilla safaris in Africa. The park offers different trekking experiences suitable for travelers looking for easy, moderate, or challenging hikes through the rainforest. Gorilla trekking in Bwindi is organized according to age, fitness level, and personal preference, allowing children above 15 years, adults, and elderly travelers to enjoy the adventure comfortably.

Depending on the allocated Gorilla family, visitors can trek through the different sectors of Bwindi, including Rushaga, Buhoma, Ruhija, and Nkuringo. Each sector offers unique scenery, different trekking conditions, and unforgettable encounters with mountain gorillas in their natural habitat.

To take part in gorilla trekking in Uganda, every traveler must secure a gorilla permit from the Uganda Wildlife Authority. Gorilla permits are limited and should be booked in advance, especially during the peak safari seasons. Uganda offers both regular gorilla trekking permits and gorilla habituation experience permits. The regular Gorilla trekking permit costs USD 800 for foreign non-residents, USD 700 for foreign residents, while East African citizens pay UGX 300,000.

Habituation Pass purchased with $1500 to spend 4 hours standing with mountain gorillas and studying them.

Recently, the Low Season Permit has been put in place to boost travel in the months from March-May and October to November. Watching gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest is something one cannot miss. It is flooded with majestic giants in all its sectors of Ruhija, Rushaga, Buhoma and Nkuringo. This is the only Gorilla national park in Africa with 19 habituated families for people to trek and spend one hour taking photos of the dominant silverback, and the rest of the Gorilla Family.

These are the Bwindi gorilla families according to the sectors where Travellers can spot them;

Buhoma Sector;

1. Mubare Gorilla Family (8 members)
2. Habinyanja Gorilla Family (12 members)
3. Binyindo Gorilla family
4. Kanywanyi Gorilla Family
5. Muyambi Gorilla Family (6 members)
6. Katwe Gorilla Family (7 members)
7. Rushegura Gorilla family (12 members)

Ruhija Sector;

1. Bitukura Gorilla Family (14 members)
2. Orugozo Gorilla Family
3. Kyaguriro Gorilla Family (20 members)
4. Mukiza Gorilla Family (11 members)

Nkuringo Sector;

1. Nkuringo Gorilla Family
2. Christmas Gorilla Family

Rushaga Sector;

1. Nshongi Gorilla Family (it’s one of the largest in the park, which was once at 36 gorillas)
2. Kahungye Gorilla Family

Mgahinga Gorilla Trekking: Nature of the experience, Gorilla Families Available & Permits

Mgahinga National Park, named after “Mount Gahinga” one of the Virunga Volcanoes is admired for the less hectic hikes in search of the African gorillas. It sits in the district of Kisoro and is contiguous with Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park and the Virunga National Park in the Congo.

The tour in Mgahinga is worth the time invested in it and creates memorable moments as hikers stand with the “Nyakagezi Gorilla Family”. More to this sanctuary, Mgahinga unfolds the Nyakagezi Gorilla Group, the only habituated family living in its impenetrable bushes. Trekking the group starts early in the morning as the team is made up of 8 members and given range guides to lead it to the jungle. Out of the 30 Mountain gorillas in Mgahinga, 19 of them have undergone habituation to get used to humans, whereas 11 are wild creatures implying that they would charge at a person, although such incidents are very rare.

Just like Bwindi, Mgahinga gorilla experience is possible after one has acquired a Gorilla Permit to see the Nyakagezi Family. Securing the permit can done through a tour operator in East Africa like Nirvana Safaris Ltd. The “Normal Trek” costs $800 for foreigners from abroad and $700 for foreign residents of Uganda. There is no gorilla habituation carried out in this area as the case in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest

 

Other activities to do in Mgahinga National Park besides Gorilla Trekking Safari Uganda

Golden monkey Tracking

Mgahinga is beyond the hidden East African Apes that many Travellers want to observe over the rugged terrains and the dense vegetation. This destination puts on a show of the finest African wildlife safari moments unseen in other popular national parks. Its unique beauty has made it to be the place where “Silver meets Gold”, describing the existence of Silverback gorillas and endangered golden monkeys of East Africa.

The Golden Monkey is an endemic species of monkey that is trekkable just as the Mountain Gorillas of the Virunga Volcanoes. Golden monkey trekking is another eye catching adventure to bless hikers with a full hour standing among the shimmering primates. The team of golden monkey trekkers moves with experienced guides who have full knowledge about the creatures. This exploration is a walk into diversity bringing several wildlife, unseen before plants and scenic landscapes to the eyes of hikers.

Hiking Mount Gahinga

Mount Gahinga is a must visit-site around Mgahinga, located at the border between Uganda and Rwanda. It is of the legendary Virunga Mountains, the seven volcanoes and 3 countries of East Africa including Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

The best time to engage in the hike to Mount Gahinga is after finishing the Gorilla adventure to spend one hour with Nyakagezi Family.

 

Possibility of finding gorillas, Bwindi Vs Mgahinga

Treks in both parks are a little physically challenging; one needs to be a little fit before going on this Uganda gorilla safari Experience. That means that permit bearers have to be ready to hike across steep and rugged terrains to trace of their assigned Mountain Gorilla Family group.

Mgahinga is found in the Virunga highlands close to the Rwandan border however, it is much easier to trek compared to Bwindi. Its Nyakagezi Group is found on the lower altitudes which may not be very difficult as those in Bwindi Forest. Trekkers would find problems if the Nyakagezi crossed into the nearby Volcanoes National Park, some things that has not happened in the last decade since 2015. However, Bwindi gives a variety of options and diverse Uganda gorilla tracking alternatives to reward trekkers interested in visiting Buhoma, Rushaga, Ruhija and Nkuringo.

Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park  Vs Volcanoes National Park gorilla trekking in Rwanda

These are the two most popular national parks for African gorilla trekking safaris, Bwindi andRwanda’s Volcanoes National Park. The protect more than 500 mountain primates under the Rwanda Development Board (RDB) and Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA).

Volcanoes Park is the best gorilla tracking destination housing 10 habituated families like Karisimbi. The time allowed to visit the animals is 1 hour during which they can be photographed without camera flashes turned on. Enjoying life changing moment comes after paying for the Rwandan gorilla permit costing $1500 for a foreign non-resident of the country. Choose Volcanoes for an easier trek that will not wear you out much during this experience in East Africa’s volcanoes Gorilla trekking Experience.

Bwindi is a good choice for a budget friendly tour to observe endangered primates in their natural land. Such creatures tend to free since they are not in captivity, and are fond of being in constant motion. The average time to find gorillas is between 30 minutes to 6 hours depending on their location. After meeting the group, 1 hour is the maximum time to watch the creatures going about their daily activities. To watch the humble silverbacks, the adventure comes after paying at most $800 in case one is a foreign non-resident. $700 for foreign resident and 300,000 Uganda shillings for East Africans.

Frequently Asked Questions about Gorilla Trekking in Rwanda and Uganda

What is the nearest gorilla national park to reach?

Rwanda’s Volcanoes is the nearest national park for Gorilla trekking about 2 to 3 hours from Kigali City. It means those visiting the park can start their journey immediately after landing at Kigali International Airport (KIA).

How many habituated gorillas are in Bwindi?

Bwindi Park is home to at least 19 habituated groups of gorillas. Exploring the groups in their natural habitat is legal after purchasing a Gorilla Permit through the Uganda Wildlife Authority, which conserves their home.

How long does Gorilla trekking take?

For those travelling to Rwanda or Uganda for the African gorilla trekking, it is important to know that it takes 30 minutes to 6 hours searching for the creatures. It includes the 1 hour allowed to witness the wildlife after head back to the reception point for travelers.