Want to experience budget gorilla trekking? Choosing the best budget gorilla tour operators in Uganda or Rwanda is a big step toward this.
Sometimes you need to cut costs so that your gorilla trekking safari in Uganda, Rwanda, or Congo does not strain your budget. This is where budget gorilla trekking becomes useful.
Feel free to contact these recommended trekking companies for an affordable experience.
Surprisingly, many people confuse this with cheap gorilla trekking, which is wrong. These are two different terms with different meanings.
Gorilla trekking is not cheap! A gorilla permit alone costs $1,500 in Rwanda, $600 in Uganda, and $400 in Congo. I will explain more about this later in the article.
I will also compare the experience in each country. The budget gorilla trekking experience in Uganda is not the same as in Rwanda or Congo.
These are all different. I will also show you the best country for a budget gorilla experience.
You should not go for a budget safari if you are planning to trek gorillas while pregnant.
Best Budget Gorilla Tour Operators in Uganda and Rwanda
I have made a good list of operators I believe will give you an affordable and unforgettable experience with the gorillas.
You can see the list here.
How Are Budget Gorilla Safaris Different from Cheap Gorilla Trekking?
Budget gorilla trekking is not the same as cheap gorilla trekking. Booking a budget safari can still give you comfortable services for a fair price. These two terms do not mean the same, but people often mix them up.
When you book cheap gorilla trekking, your operator will try to make the trip as cheap as possible. In some cases, you may sleep in tents or at the cheapest community lodges.
I recommend booking a budget gorilla safari. Some tour operators can still offer you a near mid-range experience at a budget price.
Budget Gorilla Tours by Country
As mentioned earlier, each country gives a different kind of experience. Also, not all countries are good for budget safaris.
Rwanda is not suitable for budget gorilla tours because the permits alone cost $1,500.
Congo would be a better choice, but the insecurity there has kept many tourists away. Although the Virunga Foundation said they are hiring international security for Virunga National Park, the world is still waiting to see how stable it becomes.
Uganda is clearly the best place in the world for budget gorilla trekking safaris. The permits cost only $600. That’s why many clients now book Uganda gorilla trekking safaris from Kigali.
Booking gorilla safaris from Entebbe means you will travel a long distance. You will spend between 16 to 20 hours traveling to and from Bwindi (8 to 10 hours each way).
If you book Kigali to Bwindi gorilla trekking, you will spend a maximum of 8 to 10 hours traveling in total (4 to 5 hours each way).
Factors to Consider When Booking a Budget Gorilla Tour
There are not many factors to think about when booking a budget safari. Below are the most important ones that can affect the price of your gorilla tour. I won’t talk about flights because that depends on you.
Your Travel Agency
Never make the mistake of using high-profile companies or booking through a travel agent. Big companies have strong brands and often charge very high prices. A travel agent will also want to make a profit from your booking.
The best option is to search for tour operators online. Google usually gives good results, and I recommend using it over other search engines. You can also use the recommended trekking operators.
Make sure the company you book with is based in Uganda or Rwanda. Do not book with companies based in Kenya, Tanzania, or other countries outside Rwanda and Uganda.
Local operators have lower costs and can give you better prices.
Gorilla Trekking Destination
Permits in Rwanda cost $1,500, while in Uganda and Congo they cost $800 and $400, respectively. The country you choose greatly affects your total cost.
Uganda is a great place for budget safaris. Many clients now book Uganda gorilla safaris from Kigali to save time and permit fees. You should consider this option too.
If you want to see gorillas in Rwanda, be ready to pay $1,500 for the permit. You can choose basic accommodation and reduce the number of days to lower costs.
Choice of Accommodation
Where you sleep affects your safari experience. I suggest choosing comfortable accommodation. Do not let your operator book very cheap lodges because this may spoil your trip.
After trekking, you want to relax. If the lodge is uncomfortable, your experience will not be enjoyable. Some cheap lodges have broken sinks, poor bathrooms, and other issues.
Not all budget lodges are bad, though.
Your tour company should try to get you good lodges at lower prices. Some operators can offer you a lodge that normally costs $250 at only $150, because of special contracts they have with the lodges.
This way, you enjoy a mid-range facility for a budget price. That’s a good deal.
I know about two such companies. If you contact me, I can share them with you.
Gorilla Trekking Repetitions
One gorilla trekking permit allows you to see gorillas only once. Some tourists think one permit allows two or more visits, which is wrong.
If you want to trek more than once, you must buy a permit for each encounter.
If you are on a budget, don’t trek twice or more unless you really want to. Gorilla permits are expensive.
Your Safari Car
A safari van usually costs around $100 per day, while a Land Cruiser costs $250–300 per day. This depends on the company, but the rates above are standard.
Choose a safari van, like a Super Custom, if possible. These vans can be more comfortable than Land Cruisers in some cases.
Make sure the vehicle is 4-wheel drive, not 2-wheel. Ugandan roads can get muddy, so a 4WD car is highly recommended.
Number of Days
The fewer days you spend, the less you pay. A 5–10 day safari will cost more than a 2–3 day safari.
If your main goal is to see gorillas, then booking a 2-day Uganda gorilla tour from Kigali is a great option.
Bwindi’s location near Kigali makes it easy to arrive and drive to Bwindi the same day, trek gorillas the next day, and return to Kigali.
This way, you can see gorillas in just 2 days and still stick to your budget.
Where You Arrive From
Arriving in Uganda is more expensive. You cannot land and transfer to Bwindi on the same day unless your flight arrives before 07:00 a.m.
Even then, I don’t recommend it. Imagine sitting on a flight for 6–8 hours, then driving another 8–10 hours to Bwindi. You’ll likely have to spend a night in Kampala or Entebbe and travel to Bwindi the next day.
This adds extra costs like hotel, meals, airport transfers, and more.
So, where should you arrive from? Kigali is the best option. It’s only 4–5 hours from Kigali to Bwindi with a stopover. You can arrive and travel to Bwindi the same day, saving money on first-night accommodation.
You can read more about such safaris here.
Best Country for Budget Gorilla Treks
So, which is the best country for a budget gorilla trekking experience?
Uganda should be your choice.
Bwindi is the best place to see gorillas in Africa. The park has over half of the world’s mountain gorilla population. That’s a big advantage.
Bwindi has four sectors: Rushaga, Buhoma, Nkuringo, and Ruhija. Each sector has its own gorilla families and lodges.
Buhoma is more expensive. For a budget trip, think about trekking in the Rushaga sector.
I have made a list of companies that offer good budget gorilla tours in Uganda. You can see them here.
Book your Uganda tours with these recommended Uganda tour companies for a well planned safari. Use the Voucher: UTBlog for up to 25% Discounts on Trips.
