Gorilla Trekking: Rwanda or Uganda?
Both countries offer an unforgettable hour with mountain gorillas. The differences are in the terrain, the cost, the travel logistics and what else you want to see.
Standing a few metres from a wild mountain gorilla is one of the great wildlife encounters in Africa. Rwanda and Uganda both offer it, and both are excellent. The right choice depends on your budget, your fitness and the kind of trip you want around the trek.
The experience is similar
In both countries you are assigned to a habituated gorilla family, walk into the forest with a guide and trackers, and spend a regulated hour with the group. Visitors must follow strict health and distance rules, and the minimum age is 15. Numbers are limited each day, so permits need to be booked well ahead.
Rwanda: easy access, compact trips
Volcanoes National Park is a few hours' drive from Kigali, which makes Rwanda the simplest option for short trips. Treks start at the park headquarters at Kinigi, and many can be reached in a morning. Rwanda also offers chimpanzees in Nyungwe Forest and Big Five game drives in Akagera, so it combines well into a one-week itinerary.
Choose Rwanda if: you want a shorter, smoother trip and are comfortable with a higher permit fee.
Uganda: more variety, usually lower permit cost
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park lives up to its name: the forest is thick and steep, and treks can be demanding. Uganda also has chimpanzee tracking in Kibale, tree-climbing lions in Queen Elizabeth National Park and the Nile at Murchison Falls, so it suits travellers who want a longer, more varied journey. Permits are generally cheaper than in Rwanda.
Choose Uganda if: you have more time, enjoy a challenge, and want other wildlife on the same trip.
Practical points for both
- Permit fees change. We confirm the current price for each country when we quote.
- Fitness: treks last from one to several hours. Porters are available and are well worth hiring.
- Season: the drier months (June to September and December to February) make trails easier, though treks run all year.
- Clothing: long sleeves and trousers, waterproofs, gloves for the nettles and sturdy boots. Our packing list covers the rest.
Can you do both?
Yes. Many travellers pair Rwanda and Uganda by road, or add a gorilla trek to a Masai Mara or Serengeti safari. Gorilla trips are planned to order, so tell us your dates and group size and we will suggest a route and price.
Planning your safari?
Tell us your dates and we will send an itinerary and price.