What Country Provides the Best Option for Seeing the Mountain Gorillas? – Comparing Uganda and Rwanda

This is quite a tricky question since they are all-mountain gorillas living in the forest. Almost same environment

Comparing Uganda to Rwanda

It is not a good idea to compare the two since Uganda has more wildlife than Rwanda. Besides the mountain Gorillas, you can visit Murchison falls, or see other primates in Kibale Forest National Park.

If it’s about the costs, please note that; Gorilla permits within Rwanda were recently increased up to $1500 per individual and then in Uganda, they go each for $700

The permit offers you an hour with gorillas in a group of 8 people. In case you are threatened by the price look at it from this point of view that you’re contributing to the conservation of mountain Gorillas and as a form of thank you, they will reward you with an hour in the midst observing and enjoying their company

Keep in mind that just 80 people are allowed to see the gorillas in their natural habitat each day.

Because their habitat is very fragile, every time you walk in their forest you leave a footprint. In conclusion, Uganda is the best place to see Gorillas

Where can you see Mountain Gorillas in Africa?

You can have the chance to see gorillas in Uganda, Rwanda, and Congo. However, note that gorillas are mainly divided into;

  • Mountain
  • Lowland

Others are a couple of sub-species in that. We suggest Rwanda, Uganda for views of the mountain gorillas, and the republic of congo the lowland Gorillas.

It’s also possible to find mountain gorillas within the DR of Congo however due to instabilities within the country, it has been challenging in some areas

Some tourists think that you can find gorillas even when you opt for safaris in Tanzania, this is wrong, however, Tanzania and Kenya can be a great addition to your safari tour, especially during the great wildebeest migration where herds of animals cross the Mara river into Serengeti plains

Generally, the lowland gorillas are smaller and brownish-gray for coats and a distinct brown ridge, whereas the mountain gorillas are the most uncommon primates in the entire world with less than 800 surviving in the African wilderness. On the contrary, there are more than 100,000 lowland gorillas just in the republic of Congo

Where to go for Gorilla trekking in Uganda?

Uganda has 2 sections for gorilla safaris namely, Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park.

In total there are 18 gorilla groups or families and you can only track only one group a day

Bwindi Impenetrable Forest has 17 gorilla groups making it the best place or park where you can see the gorillas in the wild.

Bwindi an ancient forest has 90 mammal species, 11 primates including the black and white colobus monkeys

Bwindi Gorilla Trekking Groups

Ruhija trek: with Gorilla families, mukiza, oruzogo, Bitukura and Kyaguliro

Buhoma Trek: Habinyanja, Katwe, Mubare, Rushegura,

Nkuringo Trek: Christmas Nkuringo, Bushaho

Rushaga Trek: Kutu, Bikingi, Mishaya, Bushigye, Kahungye, Rwigi, Bweza, Nshongi Mucunguzi

Mgahinga Gorilla Family

In Mgahinga Park, you can track the Nyakagezi group which is surrounded by the slopes of Virunga Volcanoes, Mt Muhavura (4,127m) mt Gahinga (3,474 m) Mt. Sabinyo (3,645m)

Packing list for Gorilla Tours in Africa

Waterproof hiking boots

Day pack

Insects repellents

Lightweight rain jackets

Poncho

Camera

Binoculars

Bottled water

Boots: hiking boots,

Gloves, old pair of gardening gloves

Long pants or trousers

Energy snacks

Trekking Uganda Safaris Ideas that Involve Seeing Mountain Gorillas