Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi Vs Volcanoes: Which National Park is Better (10+ Differences)

Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi Vs Volcanoes National Park: What’s Your Pick For Your Next gorilla trekking safari? – If you’re trying to decide between Uganda’s Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park and Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park because of your interest in gorilla trekking, the comparison of the two that follows is based on our knowledge and experience and should help you make your decision. The truth is that your mountain gorilla trekking experience will be very similar whether you visit Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park or Volcanoes National Park. Gorilla trekking in Bwindi vs. Volcanoes National Park can be compared on a number of factors to help you decide where to book and travel for your gorilla trekking experience.

Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi Vs Volcanoes: Which National Park is Better

In terms of Vegetation and trekking experience

Gorilla Trekking in Rwanda’s – Volcanoes National Park

The mountain gorillas of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park live in a tropical rain forest with a wide variety of trees and flora, in contrast to their bamboo-dominated habitat in Volcanoes National Park. Given that gorillas in Volcanoes National Park are located in the thick forest, it is considered that they are easier to observe due to the kind of foliage, making it easy to snap clear images in comparison to Bwindi.

In terms of accessibility

When deciding between Volcanoes National Park and Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, choose the former. Gorillas can be observed with ease in a short amount of time, and the travel from Kigali to Volcanoes National Park just takes a few hours. There’s simply no denying the truth of this statement. Gorilla trekking in Bwindi was formerly avoided by many since the journey from Entebbe International Airport took 9-10 hours. However, we can now offer excursions to Bwindi that depart from Kigali, reducing the travel time to just 4-5 hours. The East African Tourist Visa (which covers both countries at once) makes it possible to fly into Kigali and then travel on to Uganda for a cheap gorilla trekking experience. Even Rwandan travel agencies are promoting Bwindi instead of Rwanda as a tourist destination.

In terms of Lodges

While hiking in either park, you can stay at one of several lodges ranging in price from cheap to luxurious. If you’re looking for high-end accommodations on par with those found in other international destinations, Volcanoes National Park is your best bet for gorilla trekking. Some of these lodges, including Bisate Lodge and Singita Kwitonda Lodge in Volcanoes National Park, are regarded as some of the greatest in Africa and the country. Bwindi, on the other hand, is the greatest option for people on a tighter budget, as it has a wide variety of lodges to select from, with prices ranging from $30 to $100 per night, depending on the package you choose.

In terms of Gorilla families

There are more gorilla families available for trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park than there are in Volcanoes National Park. Due to the high number of habituated gorilla families in Bwindi (there are 16), 128 gorilla permits are issued daily. Due to the fact that there are 12 gorilla families in Volcanoes National Park, only 96 gorilla permits are issued per day. This makes Bwindi a more convenient option for gorilla trekking than Volcanoes National Park, particularly during the busiest months of the year.

In terms of the best gorilla trekking experience

The truth is that your end-of-the-trek experience is not very different whether you visit Volcanoes National Park or Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, both of which are home to mountain gorillas. You have a 98% chance of seeing gorillas in either Volcanoes National Park or Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, so it doesn’t matter which park you choose to visit. A gorilla habituation permit costs $1500 per person and allows you to spend 4 hours encountering the semi-habituated mountain gorillas under the guidance of trackers and researchers, as opposed to the standard 1 hour spent trekking with them. This experience is only available in Bwindi forest.

In terms of affordability

Gorilla Trekking, Uganda | Wildlife Photography | Bwindi Impenetrable Forest

Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park is a significantly more affordable option for viewing gorillas than Volcanoes National Park. Uganda and Rwanda have different policies, which is the primary cause of the pricing discrepancy. Uganda is trying to pitch itself as a cheap vacation spot, while Rwanda wants to attract wealthy tourists. Is time spent with gorillas still the same in terms of both experience and duration? For the same USD$1500, you can spend up to four hours in Uganda with the mountain gorillas during a gorilla habituation experience, rather than spending the day in Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park. Where to go gorilla tracking: Bwindi or Volcanoes?

A one-hour encounter with the mountain gorillas in Uganda’s Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park costs $700 per foreign non-resident, $600 per resident, and $70 per citizen of East Africa (Uganda, Rwanda, Tanzania, Kenya, Burundi, and South Sudan).

An hour-long encounter with the mountain gorillas of Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda costs $1500 for non-resident foreigners, $500 for foreigners who are permanent residents of the country, and $200 for citizens of East African countries including Uganda, Rwanda, Tanzania, Kenya, Burundi, and South Sudan.

In terms of distance

The length of your hike will vary depending on which gorilla family you are assigned to visit in one of the national parks. A gorilla’s placement in a family in either Volcanoes National Park or Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is determined by the individual’s level of interest and fitness. If you wish to request a shorter excursion, for instance, the park rangers need to know that you want one on the day that you begin your hike. The same applies for a hike of moderate or greater length. While they will do their best to pair you with a family that takes fewer steps, the actions of the gorillas themselves can alter your experience. If the gorillas decide to move further away from you as you search for them, for instance, you will have to walk even further.

Best time for gorilla trekking

Which is better, gorilla trekking in Bwindi vs Volcanoes? While gorilla trekking is possible in both parks year-round, visitors should be aware that the tropical rain forest they are visiting is subject to rain at any time. Low rainfall and less slick forest conditions make June through August and December through February the optimum times to go gorilla tracking. However, some lodges offer discounts if you happen to travel between March and May or November, when there is a larger risk of rainfall.

Why book your Gorilla trek in with Kabira Safaris & Tours Africa

Kabira Safaris is proud to offer individualized safari packages. It’s staffed by hardworking, reliable people. Our expert tour consultants will respond to your questions within 30 minutes. These professionals will assist you in organizing your trip, answering any questions you may have, and reserving any necessary services in advance. You can choose from a variety of Mountain Gorilla Safari Packages, including the 2-day Gorilla Fly-in Safari, 3-day Gorilla Fly-in Safari, and 4-day Gorilla Fly-in Safari to either Volcanoes National Park or Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Gorilla trekking in Bwindi vs Volcanoes National Park? Feel free to get in touch with us about it!