Rwanda or Uganda? Discover the best place to see Africa’s mountain gorillas

Mountain gorillas are among Africa’s most mesmerising creatures – and getting close to them in their natural habitat is nothing short of exhilarating. With so few of these gentle giants left in the wild, your options of where to go are extremely limited. Effectively, your choice is between Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda and Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in Uganda.

If you have your heart set on a gorilla trek, the inevitable dilemma is over which destination to opt for. With our key pointers, you should be able to figure out the best choice for you.

The quality of the experience

This is one area which needn’t concern you whichever choice you make. We’ve trekked to see the gorillas in both Rwanda and Uganda, and in both cases, the experience was extraordinary. At each destination, there’s a very high chance of a close encounter with these majestic creatures you’ve come to see.

That said, there are a few differences between the locations that you may want to consider. Rwanda offers the more ‘polished’ tourist experience. The roads are smoother and when trekking, there are some sensational open vistas of the volcanic landscapes to take in. Uganda is a little more rugged, with Bwindi Impenetrable Forest living it to its name – this dense vegetation is a little more restrictive in terms of views. That said, this more untamed environment is, for some, part of the immersive appeal of Uganda.

Trek difficulty

In both countries, your trek to reach the gorillas is a demanding one. But Rwanda undoubtedly offers the easiest going of the two. Here the journey can take around 1-2 hours in each direction. In Uganda, the walk can take twice this time, plus the terrain is steeper and more challenging. It’s important to remember that at both destinations the route length can vary depending on the whereabouts of the gorilla groups on any particular day.

While Rwanda is the clear winner here for those who want or need to keep the physical demands on the trip to a minimum, Uganda may still have the edge for many – the challenge and rusticity of trudging through Bwindi’s dense forest can be part an immersive part of the adventure.

Cost

This is one factor where the variation is considerable. A permit to visit the gorillas in Uganda costs $600 per person per day, while in Rwanda the cost is $1500. For many, the savings to be made from choosing Uganda make it a winner. For others, the easier, more refined experience available in Rwanda makes the bigger price tag one worth paying.

Ultimately, the decision about where to see gorillas will depend on your own circumstances and preferences. If in doubt, call us at Africa House and we’ll be happy to help you decide. We’ve taken guests to both destinations and they (along with us) have been utterly enchanted by this unique African travel experience. Whether it’s Rwanda or Uganda, the chance to see the world’s remaining mountain gorillas is one not to miss.

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