Gorilla trekking in Uganda is one of the most sought-after experiences for travelers visiting the country, especially for those coming to Uganda for the very first time. And it is not just the hype. Trekking through the forests of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park or Mgahinga Gorilla National Park and finally encountering mountain gorillas in their natural habitat is an experience that is well worth the effort. Uganda’s gorilla trekking takes place in these two national parks, with Bwindi divided into four main trekking sectors: Buhoma, Ruhija, Rushaga and Nkuringo.
The challenge for many travelers, however, is that gorilla trekking in Uganda can seem expensive compared with a beach holiday or an ordinary wildlife safari. This is mainly because a gorilla permit is required to take part in gorilla trekking. For a foreign non-resident, the standard Uganda gorilla trekking permit is US$800 per person, while Rwanda’s gorilla permit is US$1,500. Uganda also has a current low-season gorilla permit rate of US$600 for April, May and November, subject to availability.
The permit alone is therefore a significant part of your travel budget. However, the permit is not the only expense involved in a gorilla trekking trip. Accommodation, transport, meals and other travel costs can all increase the overall price.
So, the question keeps popping up: what is the cheapest way to see gorillas in Uganda?
Although “cheap” is relative, the tips below should guide you towards achieving your dream of seeing gorillas in their natural habitat without going beyond your budget, whether you are planning to go gorilla trekking in Uganda, Rwanda or the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Target the Low Season
One of the best ways to reduce the cost of your Uganda gorilla trekking safari is to target the low season.
Planning your gorilla trek during the lower-demand months can give you better opportunities to find reduced accommodation rates and other travel deals. In Uganda, April, May and November are currently designated low-season months for the discounted gorilla permit rate, with the permit reduced to US$600 for qualifying foreign non-resident visitors.
The lower season can also be useful for budget travelers because hotels, camps and lodges may reduce their prices to attract visitors. However, it is important to check the applicable permit and accommodation rates for your exact travel dates before booking.
The trade-off is that these months can bring more rain, and the forest trails may be wetter and muddier. Gorilla trekking can last between approximately two and seven hours, so travelers should be prepared for changing conditions in the forest.
If your main priority is keeping the total cost of your gorilla safari down, being flexible with your travel dates can make a meaningful difference.
Consider Budget Accommodation
Besides the cost of the gorilla permit, accommodation can make your trip considerably more expensive. It is therefore worth considering budget accommodation if your goal is to find the cheapest way to see gorillas in Uganda.
You do not necessarily need to stay in an expensive luxury lodge to enjoy a memorable gorilla trekking experience. There are budget-friendly guesthouses, camps and lodges around the different gorilla trekking areas, including Bwindi and Mgahinga.
However, it is important to remember that the quality of your accommodation can make or break your trip. Consider a budget-friendly place that provides the basic requirements you need, such as:
A clean and comfortable sleeping area
An en-suite bathroom and toilet where possible
A mosquito net
Clean surroundings
Meals or access to nearby meals
Reasonable proximity to your gorilla trekking briefing point
Choosing accommodation close to your trekking sector can also help reduce additional transport costs on the morning of your trek.
Bwindi’s four sectors—Buhoma, Ruhija, Rushaga and Nkuringo—have different accommodation options, so it is worth choosing your lodge based not only on price but also on the location of your assigned trekking sector.
Use Public Transportation
It can be costly to hire a private vehicle and driver for your gorilla trek, especially if you are traveling alone or as a couple. One of the cheapest ways to reduce your transportation costs is to use public transportation.
You can travel by public means to larger towns nearer to the gorilla trekking areas, such as Kabale and Kisoro in Uganda, and from there arrange local transportation to your accommodation and the trekking area.
Mgahinga can be reached by road via Kabale and Kisoro and a daily bus service is available for travelers who are not using private vehicles. You can then arrange additional transportation from Kisoro to the park headquarters.
For Bwindi, you can go through Kabale, Kisoro, Kihihi and other nearby towns depending on the trekking sector. Some approaches involve winding and unpaved roads, and you will need a 4WD vehicle for certain routes, particularly around the southern Rushaga and Nkuringo sectors.
Public transportation therefore has the potential to bring your costs down significantly compared with hiring a private safari vehicle and driver for the entire journey.
The trade-off is convenience. Public transport takes longer and may require changing vehicles or arranging local transport for the final part of your journey. For travelers whose priority is the cheapest way to see gorillas in Uganda, however, this can be a worthwhile option.
Join a Group Gorilla Trekking Tour
Joining a group gorilla trekking tour is another practical way to reduce the overall cost of seeing gorillas in Uganda.
When you travel as part of a group, costs such as vehicle hire, driver-guide services and other logistical expenses can be shared among travelers. This can make the overall cost per person considerably lower than arranging a private gorilla safari.
This is particularly useful for solo travelers, who would otherwise have to carry a larger share of transportation and other fixed costs.
We offer scheduled group gorilla trekking tours to Bwindi in Uganda and Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda, and you can join one here.
Choose Uganda for a More Budget-Friendly Gorilla Trek
If you are comparing gorilla trekking destinations, the permit price is one of the first things to consider.
For foreign non-residents, Uganda’s standard gorilla trekking permit is currently US$800, while Rwanda’s permit is US$1,500. Uganda’s low-season rate of US$600 applies during April, May and November under the current UWA tariff arrangements.
This means that travelers with flexible dates may have an additional opportunity to reduce the cost of their gorilla trekking experience in Uganda.
Keep the Gorilla Trek Short and Focused
If your primary goal is simply to see mountain gorillas, you do not necessarily need to arrange a long safari around the trek.
A shorter itinerary focused mainly on gorilla trekking in Uganda can help reduce the cost of additional accommodation, meals, transport and activities.
For a budget-conscious traveler, the basic plan can be as simple as traveling to the gorilla trekking area, spending the necessary night or nights near the trekking sector, undertaking the trek and then returning.
The key is to avoid adding unnecessary nights or activities if your primary objective is to see the gorillas while keeping your budget under control.
So, What Is the Cheapest Way to See Gorillas in Uganda?
There is no single trick that eliminates the main cost of gorilla trekking because the permit is a fixed official charge. Instead, the cheapest way to see gorillas in Uganda is to reduce the costs that you can control.
You can make your gorilla trekking safari more affordable by:
Traveling during the low season, particularly April, May or November when the applicable discounted gorilla permit rate is available.
Choosing budget accommodation rather than expensive luxury lodges.
Using public transportation to reach towns such as Kabale or Kisoro and arranging local transport for the final section of the journey.
Joining a group gorilla trekking tour so that transportation and other shared costs are divided among travelers.
Keeping your itinerary focused on the gorilla trek instead of adding unnecessary nights and activities.
Choosing accommodation close to your trekking sector to minimize additional transportation costs.
So, there you have it. If you are looking for the cheapest way to see gorillas in Uganda, Rwanda or Congo, the above tips should be helpful. Gorilla trekking is a significantly costly adventure, but careful planning can help you control the expenses around the permit without sacrificing the experience of seeing mountain gorillas in their natural habitat.
And should you need further assistance planning your affordable gorilla trekking safari in Uganda, please contact us.
Experienced webmaster and copywriter with 16 years of experience in the East African tourism industry. Jerome possess excellent knowledge about gorilla trekking, wildlife safaris, chimpanzee tracking, and accommodations across major destinations in East Africa.
