Gorilla trekking Uganda from Kigali

Gorilla trekking Uganda from Kigali

Gorilla trekking Uganda from Kigali  : Uganda is the most popular gorilla destination in Africa as it hosts half of the world’s mountain gorillas found in two national parks that are Bwindi impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park.

Uganda hosts a total of 21 mountain gorilla families with 20 gorilla families found in Bwindi impenetrable national park and only one found in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park.

Many travelers doing gorilla trekking in Uganda prefer to start their gorilla safaris from Kigali the capital city of Rwanda.

Visiting Uganda for gorilla trekking from Kigali, visitors have to fly to Kigali International airport and then connect to Uganda through Cyanika border in Kisoro or Katuna border in Kisoro to visit either Bwindi impenetrable national park or Mgahinga Gorilla National Park.

Some travelers may wonder if it is possible to come through Rwanda for a gorilla trekking tour in Uganda. The answer is yes it is possible and it is a cheaper alternative because of various reasons as discussed below.

1. Short Distance

In Uganda, gorilla trekking is done in Bwindi impenetrable National park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park both located in south western Uganda. From Uganda’s capital city – Kampala where most gorilla safaris to Bwindi and Mgahinga start from, it takes approximately 8 to 10 hours to get there.

Whereas

When traveling from Kigali City, it takes about 3-4 hours of drive to reach bwindi and Mgahinga, this means the journey is shorten thus providing the best alternative for visitors who prefer short distance drives to view mountain gorillas.

2. Save Money

Gorilla trekking un Uganda from Kigali City saves you money, between Uganda and Rwanda, Uganda has the cheapest gorilla trekking permit. Rwanda’s gorilla permit costs $ 1,500 per gorilla permit for all nationalities whereas in Uganda, the permit costs $ 700 for foreign non-residents and 600 for foreign residents.

There for visitors on a minimum budget, gorilla trekking in Uganda from Kigali will save money on gorilla trekking permit as well accommodation as Uganda has a variety of accommodation options compared to Rwanda.

Also the minimum number of days for a gorilla trekking safari experience in Uganda is 3 days from Entebbe or Kampala city, while from Kigali City the minimum number of days are 2 days minimum. If you have an early flight to Kigali Airport or If you stay overnight in Kigali City before the trekking day, you will travel to Bwindi or Mgahinga as early as 04:00 am. You will arrive for briefing at 07:00 am at the park’s headquarters.

Short gorilla trekking safari

Due to the short distance from Kigali to Uganda’s gorilla destinations that is Bwindi and Mgahinga, it is possible to book a 2 days gorilla trekking safari. On the first day of this safari you fly to Kigali International Airport and connect to Bwindi impenetrable National Park or Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. On the second day, you will carry out gorilla trekking and return to Kigali City for your flight back home.

This is however not possible if you are coming from Entebbe International Airport and you need a minimum of 3 days where by on the first day you will travel to either Bwindi or Mgahinga on a drive of 8 to 10 hours, second day you will do gorilla trekking in the thick forest and on the third day travel back to Entebbe for your departure flight.

Booking a gorilla trekking safari in Uganda from Kigali will therefore save on transportation, length of the safari and accommodation.

Visit two countries

A gorilla trekking safari in Uganda from Kigali gives you an opportunity to visit two countries that is Uganda where you will trek the mountain gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park and Rwanda where you will have spectacular views of the rolling hills as you travel to Uganda and have a Kigali city tour after.

Uganda gorilla trekking tour in Uganda from Kigali also gives you an opportunity to participate in gorilla habituation experience which is only carried out in Rushaga sector in Bwindi impenetrable National Park.

Which border crossing to use for gorilla trekking in Uganda from Kigali

 The nearest border from Kigali City is Gatuna/Katuna border which is about 2 hour’s drive, from Gatuna/ Katuna border to Bwindi impenetrable National park is about 1.5 hours. This is the ideal border to cross into Uganda if you are tracking in Ruhija and Buhoma sectors of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.

Bwindi impenetrable National Park has four gorilla trekking sectors in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park that is Ruhija, Buhoma, Rushaga and Nkuringo, the border to go through that is either Cyanika or Gatuna border depends on the sector of Bwindi impenetrable national park you would be tracking in.

Cyanika Border is another border used to cross to Uganda from Kigali City for gorilla trekking, Cyanika border is about 3 hours’ drive from Kigali. The border is ideal for border crossing if you are tracking in Rushaga and Nkuringo sectors of Bwindi impenetrable national park.

Cyanika border is also the nearest border to Mgahinga Gorilla National park.