Cheapest Way to See Gorillas in Uganda or Rwanda (5 Tips):
Gorilla trekking is indeed an expensive adventure, but did you know there is a Cheapest Way to See Gorillas in Uganda and Rwanda while still getting the same incredible experience?
Discover our top 5 tips for budget-friendly gorilla trekking experience, from affordable permits to savvy travel hacks, and make your dream adventure a reality without breaking the bank.
To see gorillas, one needs to go gorilla trekking—an activity that involves walking and hiking through dense and mountainous forests of Bwindi, Mgahinga and Volcanoes in the company of experienced rangers.
What makes gorilla watching an expensive activity is the combination of conservation efforts for mountain gorillas, the high cost of permits, transportation expenses, accommodation, and the duration of the trip. In this guide, we’ll break down each of these factors to share our tested tips for the cheapest way to see gorillas.
Tips for Cheapest Way to See Gorillas in Uganda or Rwanda:
Travel During the Low Season
Traveling in the low season is the most affordable or cheapest way to see gorillas in Uganda and in Rwanda. Travelling is categorised into 2 seasons, i.e., the peak season in the months of June to September and December to February, and the low season, also known as the green season, experienced in the months of March to May and October to November.
While you can travel to Uganda or Rwanda throughout the year to see the mountain gorillas, we highly recommend traveling in the low season so as to spend less.
This is because there is usually no crowding in the parks, and most services, including accommodations, offer low-season discounts, which are not available when there is crowding in the parks during peak seasons and prices are usually high.
Consider Budget Accommodation.
Other than the cost of gorilla permits, high accommodation costs can make your gorilla trekking adventure an expensive experience. Therefore, we recommend sleeping in budget-friendly accommodations with the minimum basic requirements that are close to the park.
Since the main purpose of the travel is to encounter the rare primates, there is no need to spend a lot on hotels and lodges. Saving money on accommodation is our other tested cheapest way to see gorillas.
Volcanoes National Park, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park have accommodation facilities for all types of travelers i.e., budget, midrange, and luxury. Budget accommodations will help you cut the cost of your entire safari.
Recommended Budget Accommodations for Gorilla Trekking:
In Bwindi;
- Ride 2 a Woman.
- Bwindi View Bandas.
- Ruhija Gorilla Friends Camp.
- Rushaga Gorilla Camp.
- Buhoma Community Rest Camp.
In Volcanoes;
- Muhabura Hotel.
- Kinigi Guest House.
- Villa Gorilla.
- Urugano Virunga Palace.
- La Palme Hotel-Musanze
Join a group of Travellers.
One of the cheapest ways to see gorillas in Rwanda or Uganda is by traveling in a group, you can either join scheduled group tours or mobilize your friends or family to join you on the gorilla safari.
Joining a group of travellers going on a gorilla trekking experience means you are going to share the costs of accommodation, transportation, and other services involved in the tour, apart from the gorilla permit, which is usually a standard price.
Book Shorter Gorilla Tour Package.
Booking shorter gorilla safari itineraries is another cheapest way to see gorillas in the sense that the shorter the safari itinerary, the lower the cost (including accommodations, meals, and transportation, among others), and vice versa.
You can book our 3-day Gorilla Trekking Bwindi Safari, where you will travel to Kisoro for a short but remarkable gorilla trekking excursion.
Other Short Gorilla Tours you may Consider:
Use Public Transport.
Transportation is one aspect that increases the cost of a given safari in terms of hiring a private safari truck and a tour guide. Therefore, to cut down on these costs significantly, we recommend using public transportation.
With public transport, you will get to major towns near these gorilla parks, such as Ruhengeri in Rwanda, Kisoro, Kabale, and Kanungu in Uganda and then hire a vehicle for a one-day gorilla trekking activity in Bwindi or Mgahinga.
How to see gorillas on a budget?
Book permits during the low season, choose budget accommodations, and consider trekking in Uganda where permits are cheaper.
Is Gorilla trekking cheaper in Uganda or Rwanda?
Gorilla trekking is generally cheaper in Uganda due to lower permit costs.
Where is the cheapest place to see mountain gorillas?
Democratic Republic of Congo offers the cheapest permits for gorilla trekking compared to Uganda and Rwanda. Although, due to volatility of Congo, the cheapest option is Uganda.
How much does a gorilla safari cost?
A 3 day gorilla trekking safari in Uganda can cost somewhere from USD 1,380 depending on budget and group size. Permit costs range from $700 to $800 in Uganda and about $1,500 in Rwanda, plus additional expenses for travel, accommodation, and guides.
