Our Rwanda Gorilla Trekking Journeys

Rwanda gorilla trekking journeys

EBS Tours-Rwanda Gorilla Trekking Journeys

Rwanda Gorilla trekking journeys are one of the most popular in East Africa besides wildlife safaris.

And  that being mentioned, you can only see this gorilla race of the Mountain Gorilla in just 3 countries on Earth. Besides Uganda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo the most popular destination to see gorillas from their natural habitat is Rwanda.

Rwanda’s prime adventure activity is a trek to see the famously kown Mountain Gorillas in the tropical forests of the Virunga Mountains.

Almost most of the tours in Rwanda include a mountain gorilla trek and of course being the highlight of any traveler visiting Rwanda, we would love to give some insights about bespoke gorilla trekking journeys to Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park.

The park being so close to the country’s capital city, (Kigali City) it gives tourists with plenty of opportunities to see gorillas even those who travel on a short notice. From Kigali city, it only takes 3 hours of driving to Volcanoes National Park which means you can be able to see gorillas in just a day which is not possible in other country’s in case you are just driving.

Gorilla trekking journeys to this wild gem of the country can start from 1-3 days depending on the travelers interest however, there’s plenty more to see and do in Volcanoes National Park besides gorilla treks. Our packages always include another trek to see golden monkeys which can also be seen from the virunga massifs.

A permit to see gorillas in Rwanda is slightly expensive than that of Uganda and Congo but it’s worth it anyway. To pay $1500 of the permit to meet face to face with these gentle giants in their natural where a silverback male protects it’s family with all that he has is every tourist’s dream!

We have bespoke gorilla trekking journeys to see gorillas in Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park which are affordable and authentic for you to explore our wild-lands.

Check-out some of our gorilla trekking trips and our team are always available to answer some of your questions 24/7.

 

Is Uganda or Rwanda better for Gorilla Trekking?

Is Uganda or Rwanda better for Gorilla Trekking?

Could be a hard task choosing if it is Uganda or Rwanda better for gorilla trekking?, well we go an extra-mile to give our clients a go to when choosing where they should track gorillas from by putting down some of the tips they should know in each destination where gorilla trekking is mainly done from.

Best Destination for Gorilla Trekking?

5 days gorillas of Uganda
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

Well as the saying goes that trekking to see gorillas in their natural habitat is an absolute “life changing experience” tour operators would need to give vast options and notes to tourists before finalizing their trip to go and see gorilla so that they meet their expectations.

Mountain gorilla trekking can be done in only three countries on earth and those being just Uganda, Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, it is quite a hard for someone from Europe to choose which destination they can take as the best for gorilla trekking.

Gorilla Trekking in Uganda| Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

If it has always been your dream to see the giant grate apes in your life, then Uganda’s Bwindi Impenetrable forest should be on your bucketlist. It is home to half of the world’s population of mountain gorillas and with almost more than 15 habituated gorilla families which can be trekked on a daily, it is one of the most popular gorilla tracking destinations in the world if not the most popular.

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, is located on the edge of the virunga mountains just close to the border of Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Because of gorilla tracking rates in Uganda which is US$700 a permit and it is way too cheaper than that of Rwanda, most travelers fly into Rwanda and track gorillas in Uganda. It takes just about 2-3 hours of driving from Kigali to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park or even Mgahinga gorilla National Park.

Comparing a journey from Uganda’s Entebbe International Airport to Rwanda’s Kigali International Airport, it’s easier to drive 2 hours from Kigali than driving close to 10 hours from Entebbe. Well that depends on gorilla tracking only.

Gorilla Trekking in Rwanda| Volcanoes National Park

Rwanda’s most iconic protected area is undoubtedly “Parl el nationale des volcanes” home to both Golden Monkeys and Mountain gorillas, it is an adventure haven for primate tracking safaris.

Volcanoes National Park is home to more than 10 habituated gorilla families which can be trekked daily but seeing gorillas in Rwanda is different to Uganda’s in terms of costs. A permit to see gorillas in Rwanda goes for US$1500 per person.

Volcanoes being close to the city of Kigali, it makes it easier or people who travels ona short notice. You can see gorillas in just a day of arriving in Rwanda unlike Uganda unless using a flight.

Ultimate Gorilla Tracking Safaris in Uganda and Rwanda

11 day uganda and rwanda safari

Ultimate Gorilla Tracking Safaris in Uganda and Rwanda

Looking for that ultimate gorilla tracking safaris in Uganda and Rwanda here are some of the things you can do to have an amzing experience on your visit to see the beautiful endangered creatures that call the Virunga mountains their home.

Gorilla tracking is undoubtedly one of the most done wildlife activity in Africa however, they have a restricted area where one could trek on foot to see them in their natural habitat. Africa is so huge with it’s thick green rain forest that inhabits these beautiful creatures and the area is called the Virunga Massif.

ultimate gorilla tracking safaris in uganda and rwanda
#gorillatrackingsafari

Where do mountain gorillas live? Ultimate gorilla tracking safaris in Uganda and Rwanda

On earth gorilla tracking can only be done in only three countries of Uganda, Rwanda and Congo in East Africa. Mountain gorillas being a high altitude residents, it is without doubt why they chose to leave in the Virunga mountains. If anyone would want to experience this life changing adventure, they will have to visit one of those three countries mentioned above.

Ultimate gorilla tracking safaris in Rwanda

Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda is one of the most visited for a gorilla tracking trip in East Africa, seeing gorillas from here is almost guaranteed though it’s not as you would expect it to be easy somehow. Visitors here have to first immerse themselves into the thick green covers of alpine vegetations to meet the gentle giants in their natural habitats. A permit to see gorillas in Rwanda is a bit expensive compared to Uganda and Congo but it’s worth it. It goes for US$1500 Per permit, per person and it lasts for a single trek.

Ultimate gorilla tracking safaris in Uganda

The highlight for every traveler visiting Uganda is to see gorillas in their natural habitat. The country is so gifted with two different destinations where you can see these great apes unlike Rwanda or Congo.

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is home to almost half the number of the remaining mountain gorilla population on Earth and that only gives you a hint that to see gorillas from here is almost a guarantee.

A permit to see them here goes for US$700 Per permit per person and it lasts for a trek. Incase of tracking to see them again, one has to pay the extra amount of US$700.

In Uganda gorillas can also be seen in Mgahinga gorilla National Park however from here it’s not always a guarantee to see them because the park only has one habituated gorilla family.

For gorilla tracking packages, checkout our pages.

Explore Uganda

gamedrive safari

Explore Uganda|Best Time to Visit Uganda 2022-2023

The country located East of the African continent is among those worth a phrase Explore Uganda.  Blessed with effortless virgin beauty with almost everything a traveler would wish to have on the bucket list. It’s one of the unknown destinations in terms of a safari but with almost the same potential as those most known destinations even though in Uganda its different in its own way.

Exploring Uganda| Diversity of The Country

The country so green with its vast abundance of lush flora and fauna,rolling hills and mountains found all over the country’s wide-sides, Uganda remains among those destinations one needs to explore on an Africa safari.

The country has over 20 National parks and wildlife reserves which you can combine for a safari. Most tourists who visit Uganda opt to do gorilla trekking which is the highlight of a Uganda tour but the country has a lot to offer besides seeing only gorillas in their natural habitat. Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga gorilla National parks are the only destinations where gorilla tracking can be done in Uganda.

SAFARI IN UGANDA | Explore Uganda

For safari kind of people, Uganda’s wide range of Savannah parks is an opportunity for many tourists visiting the country because they have a wide range to choose from. Most travelers combine these National parks to get broad and wide experience of wildlife viewing and some of them choose to do short safari tours for example, a safari to Uganda’s Murchison Falls National park for starters can be done in 3 short days just if you combine it with Rhino trekking at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary.

The Murchison Falls National Park is one of the most famous parks in Uganda and it’s not often left out for Uganda’s visitors. Wildlife viewing here is in plenty because the park is home to about 354 birds species which makes it a popular destinations for ornithology and besides that it is also home to 79 mammals with 4 members of the African Big five animals.

The Murchison Falls National park is where the world’s most powerful waterfalls are found and it is here where the mighty River Nile forces itself into a narrow 7 meters gorge and drops down 45 meters into the Albert Nile. A trip to this world wonder is one of the many life changing scenes you can ever have on a Uganda safari.

Besides wildlife viewing in a safari vehicle here, most often tourists who visit Murchison Falls National Park, their highlight is a boat trip to the bottom of the falls. This is 17 km cruise down on the mighty River Nile to the point where the Murchison falls drops down.

Explore Uganda

Queen Elizabeth National Park | Explore Uganda

Often known as the “medley of wonders” the beautiful Queen Elizabeth National Park is actually the most visited of all parks found in Uganda. The park located south of Kampala city, about 410 km which makes it about 6-7 hours of driving through the scenic landscapes of the country.

Queen Elizabeth National Park wasn’t actually the park’s name not until the former Queen Elizabeth of the great Britain visited Uganda in 1954 and this park formerly known as Kazinga National Park and they decided to name it Queen Elizabeth. The park is home to about 600 of all Uganda’s bird species, 97 mammals with 4 members of the African big five animals and among them are the rare “Tree Climbing Lions” in the southern section of the park (Ishasha).

Most tourists visit this park because of it’s scenic potential especially for wildlife photography. The Rwenzori mountains borders this park in every corner so tourists can enjoy the spectacular beauty of the so called mountains of the moon even without a single step into them.

The park is also dotted with beautiful crater lakes which makes the destination even worth a visit.

Best Time To Visit Uganda.

Uganda can be visited all year round because of its stable climate which often favors travelers to travel any time of the year but besides all that, there’s of course that specific time of the year which is better for almost anyone.

First of all, from March-May and September-December its rainy seasons in Uganda and East Africa and from June-August and December-February are dry seasons. Most tourists visit Uganda in high/dry seasons and the parks are almost crowded everyday. During the low seasons that is wet season when it’s raining in East Africa, most of the tourism activities are discounted and its actually the best time to view the wildlife in their natural habitat.

Even though the wet seasons ain’t recommended, there are actually the best time of the year for adventure kind of tourists to visit Uganda. A lot of experiences can be seen during these hard times when on a Uganda safari.

 

Preparing for a trip to Uganda

preparing for a trip to Uganda

Preparing for a trip to Uganda

You are preparing for a trip to Uganda the pearl of Africa. But you are looking for someone who can arrange a customized itinerary with an opportunity to view as much wildlife as possible.

Yes, you need a genuine tour operator who can assist you. How can you do it?

Briefly, let’s ponder on the days of Christopher Columbus.

What does Christopher Columbus has to do with planning your future trip to Uganda?

Well, imagine you are a sailor hundreds of years ago. And like Christopher Columbus, you wanted to travel to a new destination you have never been to. Let’s say from Europe to Africa.

How would you travel there?

You can’t draw a map of the sea. It all looks the same.

You can’t rely on GPS, only the compass was around.

And you can’t really see where you’re going, because the trip would take months.

So, back in those days, the only real way you could get anywhere safely, and on time, was by being able to navigate with the stars…

You’d wait for the stars to come out, and then you’d look for the North Star (Polaris).

And that’s what humans did for centuries…

If you wanted to travel a long distance, you’d need to read the stars and use the North Star as your guide.

But those that didn’t know how to read the stars – often got themselves and their crew lost. Or worse – they got shipwrecked.

And it’s the same today.

If you want to travel to a new destination…

If you want to go to Africa for the first time…

You need to use the North Star as your guide.

Learn To Use The North Star For your travel plans

Do you want to visit Uganda one day?

Do you want to see rare wildlife such as mountain gorillas, golden monkeys, chimpanzees, lions, leopards…..

Whatever it is that you want to do – you’ll need your North Star to get there.

And when it comes to planning an African safari, I believe the best ‘North Star’ you can have: is to deal with a genuine tour operator, tour guide, tour consultant or recommendation from a friend.

There are so many travelers who have visited Uganda, so you can always find helpful reviews on TripAdvisor.

You just want to see gorillas, but have no idea of other things to do. It’s the tour operator/ consultant who will put together a compelling itinerary that is also priced competitively. You will be glad to have followed their advice regarding the lodges and things to do. It will be a memorable trip. It would still be a good safari even without the gorillas, but of course the gorillas are always the icing on the cake.

Taking the above into consideration will get you ready for a trip to Uganda.

Here are simple steps to prepare for your trip to Uganda

 Make your travel reservations/ bookings ahead of time

Booking your activities and accommodation can easily be done online with a tour operator. If you want to visit Uganda for gorilla tracking or any other activity, try to book your trip in advance. Let’s say you are looking for a customized itinerary. And would love to try out different things such as hiking, wildlife viewing, rafting, chimp trekking, and boat trip to see hippos and crocodiles. These are different things that need to be put together.Therefore, contact a genuine tour operator for ideas to help plan your next vacation at least 3-5 months or even a year in advance. It’s possible to book gorilla permits, accommodation for that period and know how much does it cost.

Visas for Uganda travelers

Apply for a visa to Uganda and there are 3 ways to do so. You can fill and submit an application online at Ugandan immigration website, go to the country’s embassies and high commissions abroad or get it on arrival at Entebbe airport or other entry points.

Vaccinations

For any trip to Uganda, an International certificate of yellow fever vaccination is required. This document verifies that you have

Take a pocket Wi-Fi device with you

A Wi-Fi device is an essential item because in Uganda free Wi-Fi is limited. Although there are tour guides who offer free Wi-Fi to their clients, there are times you will need your own. Especially if you are self-driving, it can be difficult navigating routes and finding specific locations. Google maps can be helpful and saves time.

Read travel guide books, blogs for inspiration

There several Uganda travel experts on the internet for instance the Ugandan tourist, Uganda uncovered, Diary of Muzungu. I encourage you to always read more on Uganda forum on TripAdvisor to look at opinions of people who have traveled to Uganda before.

Top attractions

 Weather, seasons and when to visit Uganda

Uganda lies across the equator with warm tropical climate and can be visited any time of the year. However, the country experiences two seasons, the dry and the wet season. The dry season occurs between December to February and June to September. This is the peak season and attracts many tourists. There are fewer rains and so you will find it easier to do gorilla tracking and chimp trekking into forests.

What to pack

Take an extra bag

When and where to go, map and itineraries

Exchanging local currency in Uganda

Even though Uganda is still a cash-based society, exchanging money now days is easier due to much acceptance of international ATM cards and credit cards.Plan to exchange your cash at Entebbe airport when you arrive or in Kampala city where there are several forex bureaus such as at lugogo Shoprite mall and grand imperial hotel. Exchanging cash at forex bureaus does not incur costs and you get better rates than in banks. Be sure to exchange enough cashto cover up your expenses.

Book recommendations

Brandt Travel Guides for Uganda

Lonely Planet – essential travel guide to Uganda

The culture smart series Uganda

Public transportation

If you want to use public transportation from one place to another, you can book tickets for buses online. Ugabus app can be helpful once you arrive in Uganda.