Where is the Best Gorilla Trekking – Rwanda or in Uganda? This is a question we often receive in an email or in a phone-call. The answer depends on you, your likes and preferences, even what besides you want to see and to in either Rwanda or Uganda besides Primate Trekking.

Compare Rwanda with Uganda Gorilla Trekking:

Rwanda has done a terrific job in promoting its country and in particular its Mountain Gorillas which is the main-tourist draw that Rwanda has. It invites journalists from around the world to visit the Land of a Thousand Hills and they paint Rwanda, its scenery and especially its Mountain Gorillas in a positive light endearing the tiny country of Rwanda to the Travel Community around the world.

Uganda, with more of the Gentle Primate Giants than both Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of combined (480 total 880) has not done as well as Rwanda when it comes to PR and promoting its Mountain Gorillas in 2016 steps are taken, including Uganda Wildlife Authority working in Conjunction with the Association of Uganda Tour Operators promoting gorilla Trekking

The Advantages of Gorilla Trekking in Rwanda

Short Driving Distance
Golden Monkey Trekking
Volcano Climbing
Many Lodging Choices
No Visa for many Visitors – depending on country of Origin
Combine Akagera Wildlife Park and Nyungwe Forest with its Primates and Trails.
Relax and Chill Out on Lake Kivu
Cultural Add-Ons are readily available.
Better Road Conditions

The Cons of Rwanda:

Cost of Permits in Rwanda 750 usd compared to Uganda at 600 usd, 350 usd during off-season
Higher Lodging Cost around Volcanoes National Park
Limited Add-Ons – Rwanda is not like Uganda – a total African Wildlife Safari Destination
Has limited Chimpanzee Tracking
Has less daily Permits than Uganda
Elevation causes some a temporary problem.

The Pros of Uganda:

Most Mountain Gorillas in Africa -480 out of 880
More Habituated Mountain Gorillas than any other country- 12 gorilla groups habituated.
Easier Availability Gorilla Permit
Fly into Rwanda – Trek Gorillas in Uganda – 3 hour drive
Spend 4 hours with a gorilla group being habituated on an all-day trek.
Lower priced permits – 600 usd in Uganda compared to 750 usd in Rwanda
Uganda’s slow season of 450usd – April-May-November.
Lower priced Lodging including upmarket.
Have a total African Primate – Wildlife Safari in Uganda
Best Chimpanzee Tracking in all of Africa
Mountain and Volcano Climbing including both the Virunga Volcanoes and the Rwenzori Mountains Mountains
White Water Rafting, Kayaking,
Relax and Chill out on Lake Bunyonyi, Lake Mutanda, Ssese Islands on Lake Victoria
Variety of Scenery
English is used in Uganda than in Rwanda. giving
More than a Gorilla Safari Destination – Big 5 – plus Gorillas and Chimpanzees. See 5 days package here
Cultural experiences abound

The Cons of Uganda:

Long Drive times, unless one flies into Kigali and drives to Bwindi – or flies from Entebbe to Bwindi or breaks drive-times by staying a night in another park such as Lake Mburo National Park.
Road Conditions in places are in need of improvement.
In-Country Flights tend to be on the expensive side, however many take advantage of the short 1 1/2 hour flight.