Uganda • Rwanda • Gorillas
Uganda vs Rwanda Gorilla Trekking: Which Is Best for You?
Mountain gorillas live in only three countries, and two of them, Uganda and Rwanda, are where almost all gorilla treks take place. Both offer the same breathtaking hour with a gorilla family, but the journey there, the cost and the rest of the trip are quite different. Here's an honest comparison to help you choose.
The short answer
- Choose Rwanda for a short, easy-access luxury gorilla trip from Kigali.
- Choose Uganda for better value, more gorilla families and a longer safari with chimps and big game.
- Choose both to cross the border and combine gorillas in one country with the highlights of the other.
Uganda vs Rwanda at a glance
| Uganda | Rwanda | |
|---|---|---|
| Main park | Bwindi Impenetrable and Mgahinga | Volcanoes National Park |
| Permit cost | Lower | Significantly higher |
| Access | Long drive or domestic flight | About 2.5 to 3 hours' drive from Kigali |
| Habitat | Dense, steep rainforest | Bamboo and volcano slopes |
| Habituation experience | Yes | No |
| Other highlights | Chimps, tree-climbing lions, the Nile | Golden monkeys, Kigali, Lake Kivu, Akagera |
| Best for | Value and longer safaris | Short trips and luxury |
Cost
Rwanda's gorilla permits cost significantly more than Uganda's, which is why many travellers choose Uganda. Rwanda focuses on high-value, low-volume tourism, with some of Africa's most luxurious lodges. Permit prices are set by each country's wildlife authority and can change, so ask us for current rates.
Access and travel time
Rwanda wins on convenience. Volcanoes National Park is a short drive from Kigali, so you can fly in, trek and fly out within a few days. Uganda's Bwindi is further from Entebbe by road, but domestic flights to nearby airstrips cut the journey. A popular shortcut is to fly into Kigali and drive across the border to Bwindi's southern sectors.
The trekking experience
In both countries, you spend one hour with a habituated gorilla family, in small groups led by expert rangers. Bwindi's rainforest is thick and often steep, which feels wild and adventurous. Rwanda's volcano slopes are more open, which can make for clearer photos. Uganda also offers the gorilla habituation experience, with up to about four hours alongside researchers. Read our Uganda gorilla trekking guide for the full picture.
What else can you do?
Uganda
A complete safari
Chimpanzee trekking in Kibale, tree-climbing lions and boat safaris in Queen Elizabeth, the Nile at Murchison Falls and adventure in Jinja. Uganda makes a full safari, not just a gorilla trip. See our Uganda Safari Guide.
Rwanda
Gorillas and more
Golden monkeys in Volcanoes, chimps in Nyungwe Forest, the Big Five in Akagera, relaxing on Lake Kivu and the clean, modern capital of Kigali, including its moving Genocide Memorial.
Our recommendation
If you have three or four days and want a seamless, luxurious gorilla experience, choose Rwanda. If you have a week or more, want better value or dream of chimps and lions too, choose Uganda. Many of our guests combine the two, or add a Kenya safari or a beach finish. See our Kenya Safari Guide for ideas.
Whichever country you choose, the moment is the same: a mighty silverback a few metres away, the forest quiet around you and your heart racing. It's a love story with the wild that you'll tell for the rest of your life.
Frequently asked questions
Is gorilla trekking better in Uganda or Rwanda?
Both offer the same one-hour encounter with mountain gorillas. Rwanda is quicker to reach and more luxurious, while Uganda offers better value, more gorilla families and a wider safari with chimps and big game.
Is gorilla trekking cheaper in Uganda or Rwanda?
Gorilla permits are cheaper in Uganda than in Rwanda. Permit prices are set by each country and can change.
Can I combine Uganda and Rwanda for gorilla trekking?
Yes. Many travellers fly into Kigali and cross the border to Bwindi's southern sectors, or trek in both countries on one trip.
Where is gorilla trekking easiest?
Rwanda's Volcanoes National Park is easier to reach, and the terrain can be more open. Bwindi in Uganda is often steeper and denser, but porters are available in both countries.
How many days do I need for gorilla trekking?
Three days is the minimum for one trek. Allow a week or more to add chimps, savannah wildlife or a second trek.
Not sure which to choose? Ask us
We plan gorilla treks in Uganda and Rwanda, and we'll help you choose the right one for your time and budget.
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