Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi Vs Virunga National Park

If you’re planning to see mountain gorillas in Africa but can’t decide between Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi Vs Virunga National Park, let’s compare them to help you choose. Both parks have mountain gorillas, so your experience will be great no matter which one you pick. But there are differences to consider.

Accessibility:

Getting to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park and Virunga National Park is easier through Kigali. Kigali is a convenient starting point for both parks. Before, going to Bwindi used to be a long journey from Entebbe International Airport, taking about 9-10 hours. But now, it’s much faster. You can land in Kigali, use the East African Tourist Visa (which lets you visit both countries), and then go gorilla trekking in Bwindi. However, you’ll have to cross borders to reach both parks.

Lodges:

Both parks offer different types of lodges—budget, mid-range, and upmarket. Bwindi Impenetrable National Park has some super-luxury lodges that meet international standards. These lodges provide excellent services and are among the best in Africa. For example, there’s the Gorilla Sanctuary Forest Camp and Buhoma Lodge. Virunga National Park, on the other hand, has fewer lodge options compared to Bwindi.

Vegetation and Trekking Experience:

In Virunga National Park, the mountain gorillas live in the Virunga hills, where bamboo is the main vegetation. In Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park, the gorillas are in a tropical rainforest with many different types of trees and plants.

Gorilla Families:

Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park has more gorilla families available for trekking than Virunga National Park. Bwindi has 19 habituated gorilla family groups, which means there are 152 gorilla permits available every day for trekking. In Virunga, there are only 8 gorilla families open for trekking, meaning there are only 64 permits available daily. This makes it easier to get permits in Bwindi, especially during peak season.

The Best Gorilla Trekking Experience

When it comes to seeing gorillas in their natural habitat, Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park and Virunga National Park in Congo both offer amazing experiences. There isn’t a big difference between them. In both parks, you have a very high chance, about 98%, of seeing these incredible apes during your trek. So, whichever park you choose, you’ll get to see gorillas up close. However, there’s something special about Bwindi: it offers a Gorilla Habituation Experience. This means you can spend even more time with the mountain gorillas. This experience is unique to Bwindi and allows you to spend four hours with semi-habituated gorillas, guided by trackers and researchers. In comparison, normal trekking usually gives you only one hour with the gorillas.

Affordability

If you’re looking for an affordable gorilla trekking experience, Virunga National Park in Congo might be the best choice. The cost of a gorilla permit here is cheaper than in Bwindi. This price difference is because of the policies of the two countries, Congo and Rwanda. Congo wants to attract more travelers to its gorilla tourism after facing insecurity for a long time. In Virunga National Park, during the high season months (Mid-December to Mid-March and June to October), a gorilla permit costs $400 per person per trek. During the low season months (Mid-March to Mid-May and Mid-October to Mid-December), it’s even cheaper at $200 per person. This permit allows you to spend one hour with the mountain gorillas.

On the other hand, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in Uganda has slightly higher permit costs. For foreign non-residents, the permit costs $800 per person per trek. For residents, it’s $700 per person. But there’s a special rate for East African Citizens (from Uganda, Rwanda, Tanzania, Kenya, Burundi, and South Sudan) which is $77. However, starting from July 1st, 2024, to June 30th, 2026, there will be some changes in permit costs. For foreign non-residents, it remains at $800 per person per trek, but there’s a new rate for the Rest of Africa at $500 per person. Despite the cost, this permit also allows you to spend one hour with the mountain gorillas.

Safety and Security

When it comes to safety, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park stands out as the best choice for gorilla trekking. Both Uganda and Congo have faced insecurity issues in the past, especially near the borders of these parks and in DR Congo. There have been conflicts and even an Ebola outbreak, which affected gorilla tourism for many years. However, Uganda has made significant progress in managing these situations. Now, it’s much safer and more stable for gorilla trekking compared to Congo.

During your trek in Bwindi, you’ll be accompanied by armed and well-trained rangers. Their job is to protect you from any potential danger, whether it’s from wild animals in the park or from any unrest in the area. This ensures that your gorilla trekking experience is not only exciting but also safe.

Choosing Your Gorilla Trekking Experience with Iconic Africa Safaris

When you go gorilla trekking in places like Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park or Virunga National Park, the distance you’ll walk to see the gorillas depends on a few things. First, it’s about the gorilla family you’re assigned to. Some families are closer, so you won’t have to walk as far. But if you’re up for a longer walk, you can ask for a family that’s farther away. It’s important to tell the park authorities what you prefer on the day of your trek. However, keep in mind that even if you ask for a shorter walk, the gorillas might decide to move, which could mean you end up walking more anyway.

Best Times for Gorilla Trekking with Iconic Africa Safaris

Both Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park and Virunga National Park are open for gorilla trekking all year round. But because they’re in tropical areas, it can rain at any time. The best times to go trekking are from June to August and from December to February. During these months, there’s less rain, and the forest isn’t as slippery, which makes it easier to walk. If you go during March to May or November, there’s more chance of rain. But the good news is, some lodges might offer discounts on accommodation during these rainy months.

In simple words, when you choose to go gorilla trekking with Iconic Africa Safaris, you get to decide how far you want to walk to see the gorillas. If you prefer a shorter walk, you can ask for a family that’s closer. But if you’re feeling adventurous and want a longer trek, you can request a family that’s farther away. Just remember, the gorillas might move, so be prepared to walk more than you planned.

As for the best time to go trekking, it’s from June to August or December to February. During these months, there’s less rain, and the forest isn’t as slippery, which makes the trekking experience more enjoyable. If you go during the rainy season, from March to May or November, there’s a higher chance of rain. But some lodges might offer discounts on accommodation, so you can still have a great experience while saving some money.