Gorilla Trekking Bwindi vs Volcanoes National Park
Gorilla Trekking Bwindi vs Volcanoes National Park : Mountain gorilla trekking, which is only possible in three nations worldwide—Uganda, Rwanda, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo—is a well-known tourist activity. However, a large portion of this activity takes place in Uganda and Rwanda instead of the Democratic Republic of the Congo because of the country’s ongoing instability and the fact that it is not entirely recommended to travel this route for safety reasons.
Mountain gorillas can only be seen in Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda, whereas they can be found in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga National Park in Uganda. Because mountain gorilla trekking takes place in those national parks, it can be difficult for travelers to decide on the best option for an African gorilla safari. The facts included below will help you understand the concept of gorilla trekking in Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park and Uganda’s Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.
Accessing Bwindi Impenetrable and Volcanoes National Park
You can enter Bwindi Impenetrable National Park by four distinct sites, and from there, you can go to any of the park’s four sectors. 480 kilometers and 8 to 10 hours of driving from Entebbe International Airport are required to reach Bwindi National Park, regardless of the entry point you choose. This makes the trip tiresome, but it also gives you the chance to see other tourist attractions, such the wildlife at Queen Elizabeth National Park. However, using the chartered aircraft that operate flights from Entebbe International Airport of Kajjasi airstrip to Kihihi airstrip is also an option. The flight saves time for travelers who have a brief stay on their gorilla safari and lasts about an hour and thirty minutes.
On the other hand, Volcanoes National Park is only around 120 km—or a 3-hour drive—from Kigali International Airport in Rwanda’s capital city. Due to the fact that it is not taxing and you can walk the same day you arrive in the nation if you have a gorilla trekking permit, Volcanoes National Park has become a popular choice for tourists.
The Rwanda route is also an option because it is substantially shorter than the travel from Entebbe International Airport to get to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. It is challenging to go on a gorilla safari in Africa since the gorilla permit charges are exorbitant, therefore many visitors take the 4-hour trip from Kigali to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. However, you cannot go on a hike that day because it requires crossing a border.
The cost of gorilla permits in both Bwindi Impenetrable and Volcanoes National Park
The issued gorilla permits are valid for a specific period and only grant one gorilla family entrance to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Volcanoes National Park for an hour each. If you choose to go gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, gorilla tickets cost USD 600, and starting on July 1, 2020, Ugandan gorilla permits will cost USD 700.
On the other side, gorilla licenses in Rwanda are far more expensive than those in Uganda, which cost USD 1500. Due to these costs, many visitors now choose to go gorilla trekking in Uganda. Volcanoes National Park is simpler to access than Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, nevertheless.
Additionally, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park offers gorilla habituation, which costs USD 1500 and allows you to spend 4 hours with the gorillas. By comparison, Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda charges the same price for a one-hour encounter with mountain gorillas.
Other attractions in both Uganda and Rwanda
You may be sure that your vacation to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park will include tours to a variety of national parks, including Kibale National Park, Queen Elizabeth National Park, and Lake Bunyonyi, among others. On the other side, it can be challenging to combine visits to places like Nyungwe National Park and Akagera National Park when visiting Volcanoes National Park.
Additionally, unlike Rwanda, Uganda permits chimpanzee and gorilla habituation, which is not possible in Rwanda. While Rwanda only has three national parks, Uganda has ten, offering a wide range of experiences.
Accommodation in the Gorilla Trekking Bwindi vs Volcanoes National Park comparison
The best lodging options, which range from luxury, medium, to basic or budget options, are found in and around Volcanoes National Park and Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. You will be treated properly wherever you go gorilla trekking. You can select from a few of the following lodging options in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park:
Accommodations in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Gorilla Forest Camp:
About 500 meters from the park’s entrance, in Buhoma, is where you’ll find Gorilla Forest Camp. The camp provides breakfast and lunch, which are served in a public space. This camp is the one that gorilla trekkers always choose because of its remoteness from the beginning location. Visitors can view many bird species and roving monkeys from the forests that frequently pass through this area on foot.
Clouds Mount Gorilla Lodge:
A luxurious lodging establishment called Clouds Mount Gorilla Lodge is situated in the isolated Nkuringo region to the southeast of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Views of the tropical rain forest of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and the mountains in the Virunga Massif are breathtaking from the lodge. The Clouds Mount Gorilla Lodge includes a restaurant, a bar, a lounge, ample parking, a reading area, as well as other amenities including a large sitting area, squishy chairs, and showers, among others.
Mahogany Springs Camp:
Mahogany Springs Camp is one of the opulent lodging options close to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. It has a large panoramic terrace with views of the river and the forest, a restaurant, a bar, and a fireplace with two sides. The lodge offers a number of services, such as first-rate room service, a private terrace, and roomy accommodations.
Ruhija Gorilla Safari Lodge: Located in the Ruhija region, this upscale lodging establishment offers huts that were naturally constructed. The Ruhija Gorilla Safari Lodge offers amenities such bathrooms with toilets and showers, hot water bottles, storage cabins, and parking, among others.
Volcanoes Safaris Bwindi Lodge, Bwindi Travelers Motel Butogota, Buhoma Community Bandas and Campsite, Nkuringo Gorilla Campsite, and Buhoma Homestead are a few additional locations to check out in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.
Accommodations in Volcanoes National Park
Mountain Gorillas’ Nest Lodge:
This opulent lodge is situated in the Musanze neighborhood, tucked away in a eucalyptus grove. This lodge offers spacious lodging at Jack Hannah’s Cottage with a breathtaking view of the volcanoes’ flanks in Volcanoes National Park. Excellent customer service is provided by a great professional personnel at the establishment.
Sabyinyo Silverback Lodge:
The opulent resort is likewise situated in the Musanze neighborhood close to the administrative center of Volcanoes National Park. Each of the lodge’s more than 8 cabins provides a magnificent view of the undulating hills of the volcano. The lodge has a covered balcony where guests may unwind and enjoy breakfast. The lodge also features a bar and a restaurant.
Garden Place Hotel:
It is situated in Ruhengeri and offers upscale lodging to both vacationers and business travelers. The hotel is conveniently located for visitors since it is only a 30-minute drive from the airport. There are twenty-eight rooms in the motel, each with a contemporary bathroom with lots of water pressure. There is a restaurant nearby that offers a wide variety of meals of legitimate quality.
Mountain Gorilla View Lodge:
In the northern region of Rwanda, Mountain Gorilla View Lodge is close to Volcanoes National Park. The Lodge has thirty thatched and stone cottages for rent. The main lodge contains a bar and a restaurant that offers free meals.
Visitors can also check out the Volcanoes Boutique Hotel, Gorilla Solution Lodge, Hotel Muhabura, Gorillas Volcanoes Hotel, Bambou Gorilla Village, and Kinigi Guest House, among other fantastic lodges.
Mountain Gorilla View Lodge
Gorilla Trekking Bwindi vs Volcanoes National Park
Conclusion to the Gorilla Trekking Bwindi vs Volcanoes National Park
In conclusion, going on a gorilla trek is one of the unforgettable experiences that will provide you with exhilarating and daring moments while on an African safari. You will still enjoy your vacation to the fullest whether you choose to do it in Uganda or Rwanda. Additionally, the money you spend on gorilla permits helps to save the national parks and improve the conditions for Africa’s critically endangered mountain gorillas.
