Uganda and Rwanda are the two leading gorilla trekking destinations on the African continent. Wondering how to choose between these two countries? Here is what you need to know about gorilla trekking in Uganda and Rwanda.
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There are only three countries in the whole world where you can find mountain gorillas in their natural habitat. That is Uganda, Rwanda, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. However, due to continuous civil unrest in the Democratic Republic of Congo, many people are often left to choose between Uganda and Rwanda.
One important fact about mountain gorillas is they are only found in two places in the whole world; Bwindi impenetrable forest national park and the Virunga conservation area shared among Uganda, Rwanda, and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
In Rwanda, the Virunga conservation extension is known as Volcanoes National Park. In Uganda, the Virunga conservation extension is known as Mgahinga gorilla national park while in the Democratic Republic of Congo, the Virunga conservation area for the gorillas is known as Virunga National Park.
With the above at the back of your mind, it is very easy to assume that Uganda and Rwanda share the same gorillas. There is some truth to that but most of the gorillas are permanent residents in each country. There is a difference between Volcanoes national park gorillas and Mgahinga national park gorillas.
Price of Gorilla Permits in Uganda Vs Rwanda
A Ugandan gorilla trekking permit for $700 for foreign nonresidents. Foreign residents are charged $600 for a gorilla trekking permit. In order to qualify for a foreign resident gorilla trekking permit, you need to have a Ugandan work permit. The gorilla trekking permit for East Africans is Ugx 250,000.
A Rwanda gorilla trekking permit goes for $1500 for foreign nonresidents. $500 for foreign residents and Africans outside the East African community. East African gorilla trekking permits in Rwanda go for $200 per permit.
Uganda offers a better rate for foreign none residents while Rwanda offers a better gorilla permit rate for Africans outside the East African community and foreign residents.
Gorilla Habitats in Uganda and Rwanda
Uganda has two gorilla national parks; Bwindi impenetrable forest national park and Mgahinga gorilla national park. Rwanda only has one gorilla national park; Volcanoes national park. Mgahinga gorilla national park shares the same Bamboo type vegetation with Volcanoes national park while Bwindi impenetrable forest is generally a tropical rain forest.
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is larger than Volcanoes national park at 331 square kilometers and 160km respectively.
Distance to the Gorilla Parks In Uganda Vs Rwanda
From Kigali city, it’s 2hrs a drive to Volcanoes National Park making it one of the most easily accessible National Parks in Rwanda. On the other hand, it’s a 7-8hrs drive from Entebbe to Bwindi impenetrable National park or Mgahinga gorilla national park.
Volcanoes National Park is among the parks situated in Virunga crescent. Other parks include Virunga National park in the Democratic Republic of Congo. BINP lies in southwestern Uganda on the edge of the Rift Valley. Its mist-covered hillsides are blanketed by one of Uganda’s oldest and most biologically diverse rainforests, which dates back over 25,000 years and contains almost 400 species of plants.
Which Country Has More Gorillas
Uganda has more than half of the gorilla population in the whole world. This implies that Uganda has more mountain gorillas than the Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda combined.