Uganda Vs Rwanda Vs Democratic Republic of the Congo for Gorilla Trekking
Gorilla trekking is an adventurous activity that involves hiking through the mountainous rainforests in search of habituated mountain gorillas for a close encounter. Mountain gorillas are in 3 countries, in the wild – that is, Uganda, Rwanda, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). Gorilla trekking in these 3 countries is among the top tourist attractions that many travelers look to experience while on African safaris.
Choosing the country to visit for your gorilla safari trip is going to be based on a couple of factors. Gorilla trekking in Uganda, Rwanda, and the DRC have distinct experiences fitting one’s budget, desired comfort, and level of adventure. While Uganda is best for affordability and diverse wildlife, Rwanda offers premium luxury and relatively easier treks, while the DRC is the cheapest of all options but has significant security concerns at the moment.
Gorillas in Uganda are in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. Rwanda gorillas are in Volcanoes National Park, while gorillas in DRC are in Virunga National Park. Kahuzi Biega National Park of DRC hosts the Eastern Lowland gorillas. Each destination promises a distinct gorilla safari: no two treks are the same, ever. Understanding the different distinctions of these three countries goes a long way to help travelers choose their preference for their once-in-a-lifetime gorilla safari in Africa.
Location and Geography
In Uganda, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is home to dense hilly rainforest cover, picturesque scenery, and lush landscapes, while Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, which is part of the Virunga Massifs, offers sweeping vistas of the Virunga mountains and volcanoes; both are found in southwestern Uganda, which is about a 9-12 hour drive from Kampala, the capital city of Uganda.
Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park is a short distance from Uganda’s border. Volcanoes National Park is part of the Virunga massif and is famous for its picturesque scenery, beautiful rolling hills, and lush greenery.
Gorilla safaris in the DRC are primarily centered in Virunga National Park, which is the oldest national park in Africa. It is in the eastern part of the DRC near the borders of Rwanda and Uganda. Virunga National Park has a stunning landscape, lush rainforest cover with bamboo, and very dramatic volcanic mountains like the Nyiragongo Mountain, which is an active volcano.
Accessibility
It is a scenic drive of approximately 9-12 hours from Kampala or Entebbe to Bwindi or Mgahinga, depending on the traffic flow and the number of stops you choose to have en route. Domestic flights are available for travelers not up for the scenic drive through Uganda’s countryside. Travelers also choose to fly into KGL and drive to Bwindi or Mgahinga because it is a much shorter drive, especially if time and the extra costs of domestic flights to Bwindi or Mgahinga would rather be overlooked.
Rwanda’s location of Volcanoes National Park makes it a more convenient choice for a number of travelers looking for gorilla trekking trips. Travelers can fly into KGL and take a short 3-hour drive to Volcanoes National Park, through the rolling hills of Rwanda. The road infrastructure is generally good as well, making it all the better choice for a number of travelers.
Traveling to the Democratic Republic of Congo for gorilla safaris, on the other hand, is a tough job: it is more complicated and less straightforward than it is the case with Uganda and Rwanda. The nearest city to the park is Goma, reached by flight or even road from Kigali. It is 1-2 hours of road drive from Goma to Virunga National Park headquarters. Multiple border crossings and special permits, as well as extra precautions because of security concerns, are in play when visiting the DRC for gorilla safaris.
Safety and Security
Uganda and Rwanda are safe for your gorilla safari, especially in the parks. Notwithstanding, taking simple precautions for your personal property is advised, especially in urban areas. The DRC, unfortunately, is not safe at the moment, especially in the Virunga National Park, which has become a hub for rebels for the past couple of years; gorilla safaris there are currently at a halt. Check for regular updates from either your embassies or tour operator before you plan your gorilla safari to Virunga National Park.
Cost of the Gorilla Safari
Oftentimes, it comes down to cost when choosing a gorilla safari in Africa, especially amongst Uganda, Rwanda and DRC. Rwanda has the most expensive gorilla trekking permit cost at USD1,500 per person, while the Uganda gorilla trekking permit price is $800 and only $400 for a gorilla trekking permit in DRC. The gorilla permit price includes price for a gorilla safari guide, ranger, and a significant portion going towards conservation efforts and the local communities, especially the host communities. Uganda offers a moderate gorilla safari cost and, in addition to safety, makes gorilla safaris here often opted for over elsewhere.
Conservation and Wildlife Protection
Conservation efforts are a top priority for all three countries. It is, however, more significant in Rwanda, where the government prioritizes protecting the gorillas with strict regulations. They have done this by heightening the price, limiting crowds, and there are also fewer gorilla groups available for gorilla trekking in Rwanda. This leaves a good number of mountain gorillas wild, leaving them as they were.
Uganda’s Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) promotes conservation through local community involvement to protect the gorillas and promote eco-tourism. Most of the revenue collected from the gorilla permits is reinvested for park conservation and local projects for the development of the communities.
In the DRC, however, significant challenges are still in place, including poaching, illegal mining, which destroys vegetation cover, and constant conflicts, all impact negatively the conservation efforts of different stakeholders.
Wildlife Diversity
Beyond gorillas, there is so much a traveler is interested in encountering while on an African safari. Uganda is famous for the great diversity of wildlife. Bwindi, apart from gorillas, hosts an array of 350 bird species, primates like colobus monkeys, and more. Mgahinga hosts golden monkeys, and the nearby Queen Elizabeth National Park has 4 of the big five animals, and one can enjoy chimpanzee tracking in Kyambura Gorge as well.
Embarking on a longer 7-10 days Uganda safari has you exploring so much more, including chimpanzees in Kibale Park and wildlife safaris and boat trips in Murchison Falls National Park, completing the big 5 animal sighting with a Ziwa Rhino tracking experience.
In Rwanda, beyond gorillas, there are golden monkeys in Volcanoes National Park, chimpanzees in Nyungwe Forest National Park, and the big 5 in Akagera National Park. Volcanoes is in proximity to all these parks, making Rwanda safaris all the more amazing, beyond gorillas.
The DRC is equally rich in wildlife. Apart from gorillas, Virunga National Park hosts the rare forest elephants, hippos, chimpanzees and a considerable array of bird species.
Accommodation Options
The accommodation options vary across the 3 countries. While Uganda’s Bwindi and Mgahinga parks have many options of luxury, mid-range and budget camps and lodges, Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park has options ranging from luxury to budget-friendly hotels and lodges near the park.
The facilities are often modern with considerable amenities to make your stay all the more enjoyable. On the other hand, however, there are very few and almost basic accommodation options in Virunga National Park despite a few upmarket lodges and hotels, especially in Goma.
Best Time to Visit for Gorilla Trekking
Across all three mountain gorilla countries, the best time to visit for gorilla trekking is in the dry season from June to September and January to February, when the trails are easier to maneuver. Chances of rain falling are considerably low but not ruled out. Nevertheless, you can gorilla trek throughout the year as per your availability.
Conclusively, gorilla trekking is an amazing activity that you can best do in either Uganda or Rwanda. Wait for the security situation to stabilize in the DRC for you to plan on visiting the Virunga National Park. Get in touch with us to plan your ultimate gorilla safari trip throughout the year.
