Gorilla Trekking Bwindi vs Volcanoes National Park
Mountain gorilla trekking is a widely known tourism experience that is done in three countries only in the world that is Uganda, Rwanda, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. However much of this activity takes place in Uganda and Rwanda and this is because the Democratic Republic of Congo has never-ending instabilities and it is not fully advised to take the route for safety reasons.
In Uganda, you will find the mountain gorillas in two national parks that is to say Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga National Park while in Rwanda they are only found in Volcanoes National Park. The fact that trekking the mountain gorillas is done in those national parks, tourist face a challenge to select the best option for a gorilla safari in Africa. Below is some of the information you need to know to get the whole idea of gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in Uganda and Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda.
Accessing Bwindi Impenetrable and Volcanoes National Park
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park can be accessed through four different entry points and these lead you to the four sectors of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Whichever entry point you use, reaching Bwindi National Park takes has a distance of 480km and about 8 to 10 hours drive from Entebbe International Airport. This makes it a tiresome trip but you get the opportunity of visiting other tourism insights such as the wildlife in Queen Elizabeth National Park. However, there is an option of using the charted planes that run flights from Entebbe International Airport of Kajjasi airstrip to Kihihi airstrip. The flight takes about 1 hour and 30 minutes and saves time for those visitors that have a short time stay during their gorilla safari.
On the other side, Volcanoes National Park is not far away from Kigali International Airport and the distance is about 120 km a 3-hour drive from the capital city of Rwanda. This has made Volcanoes National Park a tourist’s favorable option because it is not tiresome and you can trek the same day you arrive in the country provided you have a gorilla trekking permit.
Additionally, one can use the Rwanda route to reach Bwindi Impenetrable National Park because it is a much shorter route than the route from Entebbe International Airport. The gorilla permit prices are high so many tourists use the Kigali route to reach Bwindi Impenetrable National Park which is about 4 hours drive however you cannot trek that same day because it involves border crossing making it a challenge during your gorilla safari in Africa.
The cost of gorilla permits in both Bwindi Impenetrable and Volcanoes National Park
The gorilla permits issued are for a particular date and allows access to one gorilla family for just one hour in both Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Volcanoes National Park. If you decide to visit the gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, the gorilla tickets go for USD 600 and effect from 1 July 2020 the Ugandan gorilla permits will be issued at a price of USD 700.
On the other hand, the cost of Rwanda gorilla permits are much expensive than those of Uganda going out at the cost of USD 1500. This has made many tourists opt for gorilla trekking in Uganda because of these expenses. However, reaching Volcanoes National Park is easier than reaching Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.
In addition, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park offers gorilla habituation which lets you spend 4 hours with the gorillas and goes for USD 1500 the same price for 1 hour of being with the mountain gorillas in Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda.
Other attractions in both Uganda and Rwanda
When you visit Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, be assured of getting a fully packaged African safari filled with trips to different national parks such as Kibale National Park, Queen Elizabeth National Park, and Lake Bunyonyi among others. And on the other hand, when you visit Volcanoes National Park, it is hard to combine trips to other parks like Akagera National Park or Nyungwe National Park.
Additionally, one can carry out gorilla habituation and chimpanzee habituation in Uganda which is not the case in Rwanda. Uganda has 10 national parks giving you a variety to experience with and Rwanda has only 3 national parks to visit.
Accommodation in the Gorilla Trekking Bwindi vs Volcanoes National Park comparison
Both Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Volcanoes National Park have the best accommodation facilities that are near and within the park and all range from luxury, midrange and basic or budget facilities. Depending on where you go for gorilla trekking you will be served right. In Bwindi Impenetrable National Park you will have some of the following accommodation facilities to pick from;
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park- Accommodation facilities
- Gorilla Forest Camp: Gorilla Forest Camp is located in Buhoma about 500 meters from the park entrance. The camp offers breakfast and lunch which are served from an open area of the camp. Travelers engaging in gorilla trekking always opt for this camp because of its distance from the starting point. In this place, travelers get to watch different bird species and chartering monkeys from the forests that regularly pass through via the ground.
- Clouds Mount Gorilla Lodge: Clouds Mount Gorilla Lodge is a high-end accommodation facility that is located in the remote Nkuringo area in the south east of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. at the lodge, travelers can have a spectacular view of the mountains in the Virunga Massif and the tropical rain forest of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Clouds Mount Gorilla Lodge offers restaurant and bar, lounge, adequate parking space, reading area plus some amenities like a spacious sitting room, overstuffed armchairs, and washrooms with showers among others.
- Mahogany Springs Camp: One of the luxury accommodation on facilities near Bwindi Impenetrable National Park we have Mahogany Springs Camp that features expanse panoramic terrace overlooking the river and the forest, a restaurant and bar plus a double sided fireplace. Some of the amenities at the lodge include excellent room service, private terrace, and spacious rooms.
- Ruhija Gorilla Safari Lodge: Ruhija Gorilla Safari Lodge is an upmarket accommodation facility that consists of naturally built cottages in the Ruhija area. Amenities in Ruhija Gorilla Safari Lodge include toilet and shower bedrooms, hot water bottles, storage cabins, and parking space among others.
- In addition, other places to try out in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park include Volcanoes Safaris Bwindi Lodge, Bwindi Travelers Motel Butogota, Buhoma Community Bandas and Campsite, Nkuringo Gorilla Campsite, and Buhoma Homestead among others.
Volcanoes National Park-accommodation facilities
- Mountain Gorillas’ Nest Lodge: This luxury lodge is located in the Musanze district nestled in a forest of eucalyptus trees. This lodge features well-sized accommodation at the jack Hannah’s cottage with a spectacular view of the slopes of the volcanoes in the Volcanoes National Park. The place has great professional staff and client services are excellent.
- Sabyinyo Silverback Lodge: The luxury lodge is also located in Musanze district near to the Volcanoes National Park’s headquarters. The lodge has over 8 cottages all having a pleasant view of the volcanoes rolling hills. The lodge features a sheltered balcony for relaxation and having breakfast. There is also a bar and a restaurant in the lodge.
- Garden Place Hotel: It is located in Ruhengeri offering stylish accommodation to both holidays and business travelers. Visitors can easily access the hotel because it is about 30 minutes drive from the airport. The hotel features twenty-eight rooms with modern bathrooms having plenty of water and pressure. There is also a restaurant that serves all kinds of meals as well as the quality is legit.
- Mountain Gorilla View Lodge: Mountain Gorilla View Lodge neighbors the Volcanoes National Park and it is located in the northern part of Rwanda. The Lodge offers thirty cottages which are made of stones and thatch. The main lodge has a restaurant serving complimentary meals as well as a bar.
- Other great lodges that can be tried by the visitors include; Volcanoes Boutique Hotel, Gorilla Solution Lodge, Hotel Muhabura, Gorillas Volcanoes Hotel, Bambou Gorilla Village, and Kinigi Guest House.
Conclusion to the Gorilla Trekking Bwindi vs Volcanoes National Park
In conclusion, gorilla trekking is one of the magical experiences that will give you thrilling and adventurous moments during your safari in Africa. Either you do it in Uganda or Rwanda; you will still get the best out of your holiday. Additionally, the money you pay for the gorilla permits is used for the conservation of the national parks and changing the lives of these endangered mountain gorillas in Africa.
