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Planning Uganda Gorilla Safaris from Rwanda

Planning Uganda Gorilla Safaris from Rwanda

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Take a flight to Kigali-Rwanda and drive and have a chance to get up close to a group of mountain gorillas. Gorilla treks in Uganda from Rwanda is relatively affordable as gorilla trekking permits are only obtainable at $600 for foreign non-residents, $500 foreign residents and shs.250000 for East African citizens. Even when Uganda Wildlife Authority has hiked rates for gorilla trekking permits to $700 per person for foreign non-residents, $600 foreign residents and Ug.sh. 250000 for East African citizens; Uganda still remains a relatively affordable gorilla destination in Africa compared to Rwanda where gorilla trekking permits are obtainable at $1500.

From Kigali to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, it takes you about 4-5 hours depending on the driver’s speed and mechanical condition of the car rental. To get to Uganda from Rwanda, you will drive across the following border areas;

Chanika border

Visitors on gorilla safari to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park can drive via Chanika to Kisoro district. This is the easiest entry point to Uganda for tourists on gorilla trekking tour.  This border area allows you also to reach Rushaga area which is in the southern part of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. The gorilla families to trek in Rushaga region include Mishaya, Kahungye, Busingye, Rwigi, Mucunguzi, Kutu, Nshongi, Bikingi and Bweza. It is also possible for you to trek other gorilla families like Oruzogo in Ruhija region in eastern side of Bwindi National Park. If your plan is to trek mountain gorillas in Mgahinga National Park, you will spend nearly half an hour from Chanika border.

Katuna border

This is also popular as Gatuna border and features as the nearest entry point to the northern side of Bwindi National Park. Visitors from Kigali can drive via Katuna border area to Kabale then connect to Buhoma areas in the northern part of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. At Buhoma region, the gorilla families to trek include Mubare, Habinyanja, Katwe and Rushegura gorilla family.

Requirements for border crossing

To cross to Uganda from Kigali for gorilla safari, you need valid documents. Some of the key travel documents you need to be able to cross from Rwanda to Uganda for safari include valid visas, passport, medical letter and many others.

Why go for gorilla safari in Uganda from Kigali

Gorilla trekking is one main reason why thousands of travelers flock to Uganda for a holiday. It features not only as safest destination but also the most affordable gorilla destination with gorilla trekking permits costing $600 per person even when rates are due to rise to $700 in July 2020. In Rwanda, to trek mountain gorillas, you need $1500 to secure gorilla permit!

Besides, you have a chance to also embark on gorilla habituation experience where 4 hours are given to you to have a face to face encounter with mountain gorillas unlike an hour while on gorilla trek.

Packing list for gorilla trekking

The essential items to consider in your gorilla trekking packing list include long sleeved shirts, waterproof hiking boots, hat, insect repellents, pants, sunglasses, gardening gloves, waterproof daypack, rain jacket or poncho, walking stick which you can find at your lodge or park headquarters.

Best time to book for gorilla safari

Visitors on gorilla safari to Uganda should book for their tour at least 4-6 months before the actual trek. You can get in touch with our reservation team and we shall reserve for you a gorilla trekking permit. The dry season is usually considered the best time to embark on gorilla safari. The dry spell in Uganda begins in June, July, August, September and December, January, February. But it is possible for you to trek mountain gorillas even during the wet season which begins in March, April, may and October, November.

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