Gorilla Trekking Costs
Gorilla Trekking Costs
How Much Does Gorilla Trekking Cost in Uganda & Rwanda
Gorilla trekking safari can cost from USD $1,500 per person on the budget to USD $5,000 and above for a luxury package.
The main costs of a gorilla trekking safari are the gorilla tracking permits, accommodation, transport, meals and tips, plus optional expenses like hiring a porter and flight tickets.
Gorilla trekking costs are governed by three main factors: where you go (Rwanda or Uganda), going in a group Vs private tour and the class of accommodation you are interested.
Most international visitors to Uganda and book an all-inclusive gorilla package with everything includes, this is by far the easiest route.
Here is a full information you need to know on gorilla trekking costs in Uganda and Rwanda.
How Much Does Gorilla Trekking Cost?
Most visitors use a tour operator who will arrange a driver-guide for the duration of your Uganda Tour. Typically, the driver will welcome you at the airport, take you to your lodge and accompany you to the start of the gorilla trekking point. Most of the visitors will extend their safari several days afterwards, with the same vehicle and driver.
The gorilla trek starts early in the morning with an unmissable briefing session, so you will want accommodation near to the gorilla trekking destination entrance. It is recommended that you arrive at your lodge the day before you trek and then spend a second night at the same lodge. Most accommodation options are full board.
The majority of lodges are independently owned. Some are owned by the locals, and others by international operators. Generally, locally run-establishments are cheaper. Some are commercially run, and others support local community projects. Often, high-end lodges invest in corporate social responsibility projects around the lodges. Internationally owned establishments often have more years in the business and thus give a better overall experience, at a relatively higher price.
Although your gorilla tracking permit does include a few for the ranger guides, tips are greatly appreciated. On a gorilla trek, you will find it very useful to hire a porter so should allow a fee of $10 – $20 per person plus tip.
Rwanda Gorilla Trekking Costs
A gorilla trekking permit in Rwanda costs US$ 1,500 for international tourists. At the time of writing, there are a total of 96 permits available per day. You can buy your permit up to two years in advance through the Rwanda Development Board or through a registered tour company.
Rwanda pitches itself as a high-end gorilla trekking destination, this reflects in the higher price of the permit and the bigger range of top-end accommodation. Rwanda has some sensational luxury properties and a fair number of overpriced mid-range ones, so book with caution.
Typical Accommodation costs in Rwanda.
Budget: $50-$100 per person per night based on two sharing
Midrange: $80-$250 per person per night based on two sharing
Luxury: $300-$3,000 per person per night based on two sharing
Rwanda’s gorilla trekking region is only two hours’ drive from Kigali, making the gorillas far more accessible than in Uganda. This means you can save on transport and accommodation by doing a shorter trip. It is possible to do a one day gorilla trek in Rwanda from $ 1,700 per person.
A one-day gorilla tour will start from $1,700 per person and a two-day gorilla trek costs $ 2,000 to $ 5,000 per person. These gorilla tours in Rwanda include one gorilla tracking permit, private transport, English-speaking guide, accommodation and meals. Charter plane and helicopter transfers are available at additional costs.
Travel Advice – Don’t rush your gorilla trip, just to track gorillas. You will be doing yourself and your hosts a great disservice.
Uganda Gorilla Trekking Costs
A gorilla permit in Uganda costs US$ per person. Also, there is the option for an extended “habituation experience” permit which allows approximately four hours with the gorillas, ranger and researchers and costs $1,500.
Gorilla permit holders are entitled to a day’s free entrance to either Mount Elgon National Park in Eastern Uganda or Toro-Semliki Wildlife Reserve in Western Uganda. This is an incentive for visitors to also explore the less-visited corners of the country. This fee doesn’t cover activity fees, only park entrance.
With 23 habituated gorilla families in Uganda and a maximum of eight visitors per group, there are a total of 184 permits available per day.
Gorilla tracking permits can be purchased up to two years in advance through a registered tour company. Uganda has more budget and mid-range accommodation options than Rwanda and also has a number of luxury lodges.
Budget: $50-$70 per person per night based on two sharing
Midrange: $80-$120 per person per night based on two sharing
Luxury: $300-$3,000 per person per night based on two sharing
The cheapest three-day gorilla trek will cost around $1,200 per person and will include one gorilla tracking permit, private transport, an English-speaking guide, accommodation and meals. A three day luxury gorilla safari in Uganda may cost upwards of $3,000 per person. Higher-priced tours may include flights to one of the small airstrips a half-hour drive from the gorilla trekking region.
Budget Gorilla Trekking
Although gorilla permits are non-negotiable, it is possible to cut out other costs by traveling independently. Gorilla trekking is perfect safe and is a great way to experience local culture unfiltered by the tourist industry.
Using public transport, the most accessible gorilla trekking goals are Buhoma and Rushaga in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, both of which are accessible by bush and have a fair choice of affordable accommodation. If you self-driving, any gorilla park in Uganda or Rwanda is a realistic goal.
Note: In Uganda you can only secure a permit via an authorized tour operator, but you are free to make all other travel arrangements yourself. Just be very careful that the gorilla family you have the permit for is close to where you book your lodge.