Bwindi Vs Volcanoes National Park : Mountain gorilla trekking is an ultimate safari tour experience that is done in only three countries in the whole world that is; Uganda, Rwanda, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. However, Gorilla trekking is much done in Uganda and Rwanda but not so common in the Democratic Republic of Congo because has never-ending instabilities.
In Uganda, you will locate the mountain gorillas in two national parks that are; Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park while in Rwanda mountain gorillas are only found in Volcanoes National Park. Although tourists on their mountain gorilla trekking face a challenge to select the best option for a gorilla safari in Africa. Below are some of the information you need to know about how gorilla trekking is done in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in Uganda and a Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda.
Getting to Bwindi Impenetrable and Volcanoes National Park
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park can be reached through several different entry points and these lead you to the four gorilla sectors of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Whatever entry point you choose to use, reaching Bwindi Impenetrable National Park takes a distance of about 520 Kilometers and about 8 to 9 hours’ drive from Entebbe International Airport. This makes it a tiresome trip though there are great chances of visiting another tourist site like Queen Elizabeth National Park for wildlife viewing. Alternatively, you can use a domestic flight ‘Bar Aviation or Aerolink Uganda’’ from Entebbe International Airport or Kajjansi Airstrip to Kihihi Airstrip lands at 1:30 hours. The flight helps to save time for that visitors that have a short time stay during their Gorilla Safaris.
Apart from that, Volcanoes National Park is not far away from Kigali International Airport and the distance is about 120 kilometers which is a 2-hour drive from the capital city of Rwanda. Meaning, the traveling distance from Kigali to Volcanoes National Park is not tiresome and you can trek the same day you arrive in the country of Kigali provided you have a Gorilla Trekking Permit.
Although, gorilla trekking permits in Rwanda are expensive compared to Uganda’s gorilla trekking permits. Rwanda’s gorilla trekking permits cost USD1,500 per person per day and Uganda’s gorilla permits go at USD700 for foreign nonresidents per person per trek and foreign residents in Uganda pay USD600 per person per day.
More to that, travelers who arrived through Rwanda destination can use the Rwanda route to access Bwindi Impenetrable National Park because it is a short driving route compared to traveling from Entebbe or Kampala to Bwindi. From Kigali route to reach Bwindi Impenetrable National Park can be accessed in 4 hour’s drive however you cannot trek that same day because it involves border crossing thus making it a challenge during your gorilla safari in Africa, Bwindi Vs Volcanoes National Park
Cost of Gorilla Permits in Both Bwindi Impenetrable and Volcanoes National Park
The gorilla permit is issued by the government body in each country –Rwanda gorilla permits can be purchased at Rwanda Development Board ‘’RDB’’ and Uganda gorilla permits can be bought at Uganda Wildlife Authority ‘’UWA’’. The Gorilla Permits are issued for a particular date and allow access to one gorilla family. Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park has over 22 habituated gorilla families which are split into four gorilla sectors that are; Buhoma, Nkuringo, Rushaga, and Ruhija whereas Rwanda has 10 habituated gorilla families. In general, the gorilla group –is a family where the gorilla trekking experience takes place in each gorilla trekking safari destination.
One to be able to access one of the gorilla groups whether in Bwindi or Rwanda requires to have a valid gorilla trekking permit. Uganda’s Bwindi –Gorilla permits cost USD700 per person per day and Rwanda’s gorilla permits cost USD1,500 per person per trek.
Note; Gorilla Habituation Experience is also a widely incredible activity that can only be done in Uganda’s Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. It is a full-day life experience that involves researchers, park rangers, journalists, and guides and allowed four hours to spend with gorillas in their natural environments. Compared to the gorilla trekking activity which is half done activity and allowed one hour to stay with the gorilla family. The Gorilla habituation experience goes at USD1,500 per person per day the same price as Rwanda’s gorilla trekking a half-day activity in Volcanoes National Park.
Other Tourists Attractions in Both Uganda and Rwanda.
Travelers visiting Bwindi Impenetrable National Park are assured of getting a fully packaged African Safari filled with trips to different national parks like combine a visit to Kibale National Park, Queen Elizabeth National, and Lake Bunyonyi among many others. While on the other hand, you can visit Volcanoes National Park with a combined trip to other national parks like Akagera National Park or Nyungwe National Park.
Additionally, you can choose to do other activities on Uganda Gorilla Safaris or Rwanda Gorilla Safaris. Ideally, Uganda boosts with 10 national parks thus offering a variety of safari experiences which is worth it and Rwanda hosts only three ‘’3’’ national parks you can visit.
Comparison of Gorilla Trekking Accommodation Bwindi Vs Volcanoes National Park
Both Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Volcanoes National Park offer quality and comfortable accommodation facilities located within the park and all range from luxury to mid-range and budget facilities. Depending on where you can go for the gorilla trekking destination, you’re can make the best choice of the lodge that matches your wallet, Bwindi Vs Volcanoes National Park
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park –Tourists Accommodation Facilities;
With no worries, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park has excellent quality accommodations that feature good amenities that match your wants. They range from Luxury, Mid-range, and Budget; Cloud Mount Gorilla Lodge, Gorilla Forest Camp, Ruhija Gorilla Safari lodge, Mahogany Springs Camp, Buhoma Lodge, Buhoma Haven Lodge, Buhoma Community Rest Camp among others.
Volcanoes National Park –Accommodation Facilities
Lodges in Volcanoes National Park include features with quality amenities and they range from Luxury, Mid-range, and Budget; Mountain Gorilla’s Nest Lodge, Sabyinyo Silverback Lodge, Garden Place Hotel, and Mountain Gorilla View Lodge among others.
Lastly, Gorilla trekking is a magical life experience that offers remarkable and memorable moments during your safari in Africa. Whether a visit to Uganda or Rwanda, you will still get the best out of your holiday.
