Tips for Planning a Perfect Double Gorilla Trekking Tour in Uganda and Rwanda For First Timers
Going for a Double Gorilla Trekking Tour in Uganda and Rwanda is the ideal way to encounter Mountain gorillas in two of the most iconic gorilla trekking locations in Africa Bwindi Impenetrable National Park or Mgahinga National Park in Uganda & Volcanoes National Park-Rwanda and have an ultimate Gorilla Trekking experience in Africa.
For many travelers, it’s so challenging to plan a double Gorilla Trek In Uganda and Rwanda starting from deciding on which of the two is better to securing permits and the experience itself. Here are our quick tips and guidelines for planning a double gorilla trekking tour in Uganda and Rwanda.
Where Should I visit first if am to do a Double Gorilla Trekking Tour In Uganda and Rwanda?
A double gorilla trekking tour in Uganda Rwanda gives visitors an ultimate African primates Safari experience as they get to encounter the mountain gorillas in both Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Volcanoes park with both habituation and normal gorilla watching experiences. However, many visitors find it hard to decide which one of the two primate destinations they should visit first while on their primate vacation trip as those who choose to do Gorilla Trekking in Uganda first say that they are worried that they might get tired while trekking the gorillas in Bwindi which might compromise their trekking activity in Rwanda.
From experience, we think it does not matter whether one does a gorilla trek in Uganda first or Vis vasa. Visitors can do double Gorilla Trekking in Uganda and Rwanda by starting with any of the two destinations depending on the availability of Gorilla permits and best flight connections available.
However, visitors must note that we highly recommend that you start your double gorilla trekking tour in Uganda and Rwanda from Kigali-Rwanda unless you have other activities to add on your tour while in Uganda. This is because there is a short drive from Rwanda to Bwindi (4 Hours) than from Entebbe to Bwindi or volcanoes(Approximately 10 Hours). Activities you can add on in Uganda include chimps tracking in Kibale Forest National Park or a visit to the savannah parks of Queen Elizabeth National Park or Murchison Falls National Park.
How to do Double Gorilla Trekking in Uganda and Rwanda
Visitors can do double Gorilla Trekking in Uganda and Rwanda by either flying direct into Kigali International Airport, stay on tour for a minimum of 3-6 Days and then fly back home from Kigali International Airport or visitors can fly direct into Entebbe International Airport, do other safari & gorilla trekking activities in Uganda Parks and end with a Gorilla trekking experience in Rwanda later flying out of Kigali International Airport.
What is The Best time to Do a Double Gorilla Trekking Tour In Uganda and Rwanda
Tailored double Gorilla Trekking tours in Uganda and Rwanda are organized throughout the year as all the two countries enjoy a pleasant climate with average temperatures of 25°C and cool nights most of the times. The rainiest Months in Uganda and Rwanda are March, April and May with shorter rains in October and November. Therefore, choosing the best time to do a double Gorilla Trekking to in Uganda and Rwanda depends entirely on you and the time you have available to travel.
What Else Can You Add on Your Double Gorilla Trekking Tour In Uganda and Rwanda?
Before or After your Double Gorilla Trekking experiences in Uganda and Rwanda, you can add chimpanzee trekking in Uganda/Rwanda or visit the savannah parks of Queen Elizabeth national park, Murchison Falls National Park, Akagera national Park-Rwanda or Lake Mburo National Park in Uganda. You may even add white water rafting in Jinja, boat excursions on Lake Bunyonyi and Golden Monkey tracking. You may also decide to add great migration migration safari in Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater or decide to stay by the beaches of Zanzibar, Lake Kivu or Lake Victoria.
Is It Possible to Do a Road Trip from Uganda to Rwanda and Vice Versa?
Yes, it is possible to do a road trip between Uganda and Rwanda through Katuna or Chanika border respectively. From Kigali or Kampala, one connects to these border points through Kabale town or Kisoro Town. The journey from Kigali to Kampala is long at approximately 8 Hours. Please note it is only 4 hours from Kigali to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park via the Katuna border while from Kampala to Volcanoes national Park it is Approximately 12 Hours via Chanika border point.
Where is Gorilla Trekking done in Rwanda and Uganda?
In Rwanda, Gorilla Trekking is done at Volcanoes National Park which is located in the far northwest of Rwanda and home to the endangered mountain gorillas in the rich montane vegetation of bamboo forests and open grasslands while in Uganda Gorilla Trekking is done in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga National Park in South Western Uganda 10 Hours from Kampala and 4 Hours from Kigali Rwanda and the trekking can be done all year around though the dry Months of June, July, August and September all through to October.
Unlike Safari activities fees which can be booked or paid on spot, Gorilla Permits to see gorillas in Uganda and Rwanda have to be booked/purchased at least 2 years in advance. Gorilla Permits in Rwanda cost 1500$ for Foreign nonresident, 500$ for the foreign resident and 200$ for the East African Citizen While in Uganda, Gorilla Permits cost 800$ for Foreign nonresident, 700$ for the foreign resident and 300,000UGX for the East African Citizen
Why book your Double Gorilla Trekking and Safari Tour with Engabi Tours and Travel?
Engabi Tours and Travel is an experienced local East African Tour Operator with intimate local knowledge about Gorilla trekking and game park safaris in Uganda, Rwanda, Tanzania and Kenya. We are also highly rated and recommended on TripAdvisor.
Recommended Combined Uganda and Rwanda Gorilla Trekking Tours:
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