What is the cheapest way to see gorillas in Uganda?
All along gorilla tracking has been a sought-after activity that has caught the eye of many tourists who travel to East Africa, particularly in Uganda and Rwanda. Gorilla trekking is an exceptional adventure that brings humans closer to our planet’s most impressive creatures. It offers a great opportunity to witness the wonderful world of the gentle giant apes (gorillas) in their natural habitat. The gorilla tracking activity is a bit strenuous and exhausting but so thrilling and adventurous.
In the same activity, one gets to see a variety of other wild species like birds, plants, and other mammal wildlife. In Uganda, mountain gorillas are found in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga National Park which both lie in the south western region of the country. Gorilla trekking is a high-priced undertaking as compared to other activities. this is because it comes along with other unavoidable costs like, the cost of obtaining the gorilla tracking permit, transportation costs, meals, flight tickets, and accommodation among others.
Cheapest way to see gorillas in Uganda? Interested in seeing the endangered mountain gorillas in Uganda in the cheapest way possible, book a gorilla trekking safari in the low season with budget accommodation to properly minimize the costs. A cheap gorilla trekking safari will bring you to Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo in East and Central Africa since their gorilla permits are relatively cheaper compared to that of Rwanda. In Uganda, how cheap a gorilla trekking safari is can not only be determined by the price of the gorilla permit but also other factors such as the accommodation rates, transportation costs, and number of days of the safari among others. A gorilla permit in Uganda goes for 800 USD which is cheaper than its neighboring country Rwanda where it goes for 1500 USD per person thus making a gorilla trekking safari to Uganda cheaper already. A budget traveler interested in a budget gorilla trekking expedition should consider taking up a few of these tips.
Cheapest way to see gorillas.
Though gorilla permits have a fixed cost of $800 in Uganda, a traveler can participate in the gorilla tracking activity without any inconvenience if one makes good use of the following tips.
Visit the gorillas in the low season.
The low season in Uganda is commonly the rainy season that runs in the months of April, May, November, and October. In this period, some hotels, lodges and camps tend to offer accommodation at discounted rates. At the same time, service providers prefer renting their vehicles at lower costs than leaving them packed and rusty because of not being in use. Trekkers are advised to use this advantage to make a safari as any savings on travel expenses can boost your journey.
The cheapest way to see gorillas in Africa, Uganda inclusive, is by taking a gorilla trekking safari during the wet season. Also known as the low season, this season is characterized by constant rains and fewer travelers. It runs from October to November and from April to May.
Unlike the dry season, during this time the numbers are scarce hence it is possible to get a discounted gorilla permit to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park or Maghinga Gorilla National Park. Since the numbers are fewer, most of the hotels and lodges also offer discounted accommodation to attract customers therefore ensure to book cheap lodges in 1 of the 4 sectors of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park which are Rushaga, Ruhija, Buhoma, and Nkuringo or in Mgahinga National Park since all these places have accommodation in budget, mid-range and luxury.
After getting a discounted gorilla permit and budget accommodation, consider taking short gorilla safaris such as a 3 days Uganda gorilla trekking safari or a 4 days Uganda gorilla expedition as they are cheaper, and opt for road safaris other than fly-in safaris since they are cheaper and thus minimized costs.
Recommended Uganda gorilla trekking and wildlife packages
Visit Queen Elizabeth National Park which is among the first National parks to be conserved in 1952 and take 3 days wildlife Safari
Visit the Mountain Gorillas in Bwindi and Later Relax on the Bunyonyi Safari resorts and enjoy a boat cruise on lake bunyonyi
5 Days Gorilla & Wildlife Safari to Explore the Best of Queen Elizabeth National Park & view the mountain Gorillas in Bwindi.
5 Days Wildlife & Primate Safari offers the best view of the Wildlife Creatures during the Game drives in parks ,Watching the Primates.
Discover Uganda with 7 Days mega Uganda Safari Adventure Trips offered by Cheap Rwanda Safaris to View the Gorillas,Chimps,wildlife and many more
All inclusive 7 Days Gorillas Chimpanzee & Wildlife Safari Bwindi forests Uganda gives you affordable Gorilla Treks, Wildlife Safari
Explore the chimps in Kibale National Park in Uganda with the best viewing of other primates and nature walks in Fort portal District
Experience the short wildlife Safari to Murchison Falls of 3 Days with the best Game Drive and watching the Lions,Giraffes among others
Look out for cheap accommodations.
Accommodation is one of the notable factors to be considered when planning a gorilla tour. Considering a low-priced accommodation enables you to see the gorillas cheaply. Look out for accommodations with basic requirements like an adjoining bathroom, toilet, mosquito net, and a relatively clean environment. There are many cheaply rated, friendly and well facilitated accommodations near the parks. These are some of the budget accommodations in Bwindi and Mgahinga National Parks.
Bwindi Guest House – Budget
Karungi Camp –Budget
Nshongi Camp –Budget
Mutanda Lake Resort – Midrange
Travelers Rest Hotel — midrange
Buhoma Community Rest Camp
Sanctuary Gorilla Rest Camp.
Prices become cheaper when one opts for camping.
Avoid traveling as a solo traveller
Traveling in a group helps to reduce costs because it involves sharing expenses like accommodation and transport. When you travel alone, revenue from the second person is lost and the possessors will charge you a premium. When you move as a group, you incur lesser costs for the safari, guide and rental fees for the transportation vehicle. So, when you looking for cheaper trekking safari costs, always join others in a group to minimise your expenses.
Give thought to short gorilla trips.
Another way to see gorillas cheaply is to reduce the number of days of your tracking safari. If you had planned for 5 or more days, you could reduce to 3 or 2 or even 1 to cut costs. When you contact a recognized Safari operator like Active African Vacations, you will have a proposed itinerary for your budget safari.
Start your trip at a destination close to the tracking park.
When going to track in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, the cheapest starting point for your trip should be Kigali, Rwanda’s capital.
This is because Kigali International Airport is close to Bwindi whether you use air or road transport. If you travel by road from Kigali to Bwindi or Mgahinga National Park, you can track participation in gorilla tracking and return home the same day or have a 2-day, 1-night trip.
Unlike when you use road transport from Entebbe, you need 8-9 hours on a drive. At times you may have to make a night stopover to avoid getting so exhausted. This may lead you to have 3daysand 2 nights trip.
Avoid using domestic flights.
When planning to see gorillas cheaply, avoid using domestic flights because they will increase your budget. Costs are reduced when you use road transport from Entebbe to Bwindi. You will take more hours on the voyage, but it is more adventurous. You can also use road transport and start your trip from Kigali via Chanika border then drive to Bwindi forest national park or Maghinga National Park.
The role of the tour operator is to help design an appropriate itinerary in line with your budget. Some companies operate offline, so you need to be extra careful when making a choice. Firstly, read through the reviews of the company whether good or bad then find out the legality of their operation. In Uganda, find out if they are registered with the Association of Tour Operators (AUTO). The tour company will help you to purchase a gorilla tracking permit, book the accommodation and organize transport at an affordable cost. So to enjoy a budget-friendly gorilla safari, look no further than Active African Vacations, the best tour operator company in Uganda.
How to book a gorilla permit in Uganda.
Gorilla permits are issued by the Uganda Wildlife Authority and can be obtained by booking through a recognised tour agent who will contact UWA to know the availability and then book for you a permit. Alternatively, to book a gorilla permit by yourself, contact the Uganda Revenue Authority through email, website, or by phone. Talk to the reservationists to find out their availability. They will provide a form that you need to fill out and then transfer the funds to their account. Upon receipt of the money, they will book the permit. When you arrive in Uganda, report to UWA offices with identification documents, pick up your permit and proceed to the park. You should book your permit 3-6 months before the tracking date to avoid any inconveniences.
Gorilla tracking rules and regulations
The Uganda Wildlife Authority, as the tourism body in Uganda, set up rules and regulations as a means to protect and conserve mountain gorillas and allow tourists to visit and learn about them while in their natural habitat. Knowing the conservation measures and procedures will help you have a wonderful stay and the best gorilla-tracking experience. Before you set off for the activity, consider the following:
All trekkers must attend a briefing at the park headquarters before tracking activity. This will enable them to know the rules and procedures to be followed when in the jungles.
A maximum number of 8 people are allowed to visit the gorilla family a day. This helps to reduce the exposure of human infections to gorillas.
For a person to participate in the gorilla tracking activity, he/she should be 15 years and above and should possess a tracking permit issued by UWA.
A trekker discovered with a common cold or symptoms of any infectious disease should not be allowed to trek.
Listen attentively to the rangers and guides while in the forest. Avoid making noise as this will scare the animals and get deep into the jungles.
If you get any attacks or bites from insects or safari ants, inform the rangers who will provide a remedy.
Avoid dropping rubbish or any useless containers of parked food in the forest. You should also avoid eating in the presence of gorillas and ensure that you pick up all food droppings to ensure the safety and health of these animals.
Avoid clearing the vegetation as this may scare the primates Let the rangers do it where necessary.
Avoid smoking in the forest as this may lead to fire outbreaks that lead to the destruction and death of some wild creatures.
Maintain 7 meters from the endangered mountain gorillas at the time of tracking. When the gorillas decide to approach you, move slowly backward to avoid making noise. If movement fails, crouch down to show that you are calm. This will prevent the primates from being aggressive.
Follow the orders from the rangers on when to start taking photos, be calm, and use fleshless cameras to avoid irritating the gorillas.
For one to have a successful tracking expedition, follow the guidance of the rangers and guides and make good use of the one hour allocated for interaction with the gorillas
Best time for gorilla safaris in Uganda.
Uganda experiences two seasons, the dry and wet season. The dry season that runs from June to September and December to February is considered the best time for tracking gorillas because the tracking routes are not slippery, and the primates can easily be spotted. However, one can travel in the rainy season especially if you are a budget traveller because the accommodation costs are a bit low which attracts more tourists.
