How much does it cost to go for gorilla trekking in Uganda?

How much does it cost to go for gorilla trekking in Uganda? : The remarkable and adventurous gorilla trekking experience is one of the most sought for African safari activity, gorilla trekking in Uganda in Uganda only done in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park.

The cost for gorilla trekking in Uganda is determined by several factors as detailed below

Gorilla trekking permits

A gorilla trekking permit is a very important item for the cost of a gorilla trekking tip to Uganda and there is no room for negotiation as its price is fixed and is issued by Uganda Wildlife Authority.

Currently, a gorilla permits in Uganda costs US$ 700 for Non – foreign residents, US$ 600 for Foreign residents and UGx 250,000 for East African Community residents.

A gorilla permit offers you one hour in the presence of the gorillas in their natural habitat, the permit includes park entrance, fees for guides and security personals that is armed rangers and guides who escort you during the gorilla trek.

A gorilla habituated experience permit costs US$ 1,500 and this includes spending four hours with the gorillas as well as receiving a detailed history from trackers and researchers.

Accommodation

On a Uganda gorilla trekking safari, you need accommodation for 2 nights from Kampala City or 1 night from Kigali City. Gorilla treks takes about 30 minutes – 9 hours depending on the gorilla family you are trekking, typically you will spend a day in the forests of Bwindi or Mgahinga looking for mountain gorillas.

In Bwindi impenetrable national park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, accommodations range from budget, midrange and luxury and there prices vary considering the season. Uganda experiences two safari seasons that are the low season (March to May and October to November) and the high season (January and February, June to September and December).

Most budget lodges in Bwindi and Mgahinga charge between US$ 50 to US$ 100 per night and luxury lodges and tented camps charge from US$ 400 per night.

Accommodations in Bwindi impenetrable national park include volcanoes Bwindi Lodge, Sanctuary Gorilla Forest Camp, Buhoma Lodge, Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge, Mahogany Springs Lodge among others.

Accommodations in Mgahinga gorilla national park include Mount Gahinga Lodge, Mucha Hotel Kisoro, Traveler’s rest hotel- Kisoro, Amajambere Iwacu Community Camp and Kisoro Tourist Hotel.

Mode of transport

Two modes of transport that is road and air means of transport are used to get to Mgahinga Gorilla National Park and Bwindi Impenetrable National Park from either Kampala or Kigali City.

The mode of transport you use to get either Bwindi or Mgahinga for gorilla trekking determines the cost of your safari.

By air

Using road means of transport, you can reach Bwindi or Mgahinga from either Kampala or Kigali City.

From Kampala or Entebbe, it is a drive of about 9-10 hours to Bwindi impenetrable national park using several routes including

Kampala to Kabale to Kanungu to Buhoma
Kampala to Ntungamo to Rukungiri to Kihihi to Buhoma
Kampala to Kabale to Ruhija
Kampala to Kabale to Nkuringo

To get Mgahinga Gorilla National Park from Kampala or Entebbe is also a drive of about 9-10 hours.

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park can also be reached from Kigali City, travelers have to fly to Kigali International airport and connect to Bwindi or Mgahinga via Cyanika border in Kisoro or Katuna border in Kabale. The journey takes about 3 to 4 hours of drive.

Traveling to Bwindi impenetrable national park and Mgahinga gorilla national park make the cost of your gorilla safari relatively safari though it is costly in regard to time spent while driving.

By air

Traveling to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is the fastest way to reach the park for gorilla trekking.

Domestic and chartered flights to Bwindi or Mgahinga are offered from Entebbe International Airport or Kajjansi airstrip to Kihihi, Kisoro and Kayonza airstrip.

It is a flight of one hour and 30 minutes from Entebbe to Bwindi or Mgahinga.

For travelers flying to Bwindi’s Buhoma or Ruhija trailheads in the north of the park, the closet airport to use is Kihihi or Kayonza airstrip.

Alternatively, if you are traveling to Rushaga and Nkuringo sectors of Bwindi, Kisoro is the best airstrip to fly to.

Kisoro Airstrip is also used for flights to Mgahinga Gorilla National Park.

In conclusion, the longer your trip across the Uganda. Then mountain gorillas will become just part of your longer adventure and just a fraction of the overall cost of the safari.