Starting your Uganda gorilla trekking tour from Kigali is undoubtedly the best way for you to connect to Bwindi or Mgahinga by road to see mountain gorillas. While most gorilla itineraries begin from Entebbe/Kampala, traveling by road from Kigali to Bwindi or Mgahinga National Park comes with enormous benefits.
First, looking at the distance/number of hours one can spend, setting off from Kigali to Uganda for gorilla trekking is by far a time saving alternative. It takes you between 4 and 5 hours’ drive from Kigali capital to reach Bwindi or Mgahinga meaning, even as short as 2 -3 days, it is possible to arrange an unforgettable gorilla trip for you. This also makes it the most favorite alternative for visitors with limited time but have a desire to interact with Uganda gorillas.
Starting your gorilla trip from Kampala/Entebbe means you will spend 8-9 hours driving up to Bwindi or Mgahinga. It is perfect for guests who can stay long hours driving.
A gorilla trip starting from Kigali also allows you to enjoy a double gorilla trekking experience. You can travel to Volcanoes National Park in Ruhengeri, trek gorillas and also cross to Uganda.
Before traveling to Uganda to trek gorillas, there is a chance to explore Kigali city with the local guide. The Kigali city tour includes exploring key sites within the heart of the city like Kigali/Gisozi memorial site where you get a deep insight into the 1994 Rwanda genocide.
The 1994 Rwanda genocide is unusual historical event that still rings in the minds of most Rwandese. It was during around 1994 when nearly a million lives were lost due to civil war between the Tutsis and Hutus. Other places to visit within Kigali include Kimironko market, the Niyo Art gallery, presidential palace and more.
How to get to Bwindi and Mgahinga from Kigali
You can visit any of the two parks for gorilla trekking starting from Kigali. The two important border points that lead to Bwindi or Mgahinga include Cyanika and Katuna border. Crossing via Cyanika border is perfect for trekkers who desire visiting gorillas in the Southern sectors of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park –Rushaga and Nkuringo. Still from Cyanika, you can easily connect to Kisoro to Ntebeko in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park to start your gorilla trekking adventure.
Katuna border crossing offers easier access to the Northern (Buhoma sector) and Eastern (Ruhija) gorilla trekking sector of Bwindi.
Gorilla trekking costs
Looking at the cost of gorilla permits, Uganda is a budget-friendly gorilla tour destination. Currently, valid gorilla permits in Uganda cost USD 800 for foreign non-residents, USD 700 for foreign residents and shs. 300,000 for East Africa citizens/Ugandans. Rwanda is a high-end gorilla destination with gorilla permits issued to visitors at USD 1500 per person.
Gorilla trekking in Uganda
While in Uganda, Bwindi and Mgahinga National Parks are home to over half of the world’s remaining 1063 mountain gorillas. These are the 2 parks in Uganda where you can find mountain gorillas in the wild.
Bwindi has the largest number of habituated gorilla families/groups. These include Nkuringo, Nshongi, Busingye, Habinyanja, Rushegura, Bweza, Bitukura, Mishaya, Oruzogo, Christmas, Kyaguriro, Mubare, Kutu, Rwigi, Mucunguzi, and others. In Mgahinga, there is only one group to visit which is Nyakagezi group and this is visited by a maximum of 8 guests per day.
By traveling from Kigali to Uganda, trekkers have wide opportunities of visiting more gorilla groups. You can track gorilla families from different sectors in Bwindi alone or combine gorilla trips in Bwindi and Mgahinga Gorilla NP.
Explore more
Addition to gorilla trekking experiences, there are several other opportunities that allow trekkers to explore Uganda more. There are many other parks that can easily be accessed from Bwindi or Mgahinga and include Queen Elizabeth National Park –home to unusual tree climbing lions. Queen Elizabeth Park offers exceptional game drives, boat cruise, birding, chimpanzee tracking, balloon experiences, lion trekking and more.
Kibale National Park –the premier primate trekking destination. At Kibale, you have plenty to explore from primates to floral species. This 795sq.km rainforest park protects 13 species of primates (the red-tailed monkeys, blue monkeys, l’hoest monkeys, Uganda mangabeys, pottos, vervet monkeys, olive baboons, black & white colobus monkeys, chimpanzees); 375 species of birds, butterflies and diverse floral species.
What to pack
The essential items to consider on your Uganda gorilla trekking tour include insect repellents, a good camera free of flashlight, long-sleeved shirts, daypack, waterproof hiking/trekking boots and should be lightweight, bottled water, snacks, a sweater, a rain jacket, a hat, sunscreen, first aid kit, and others.
Best time to travel to Uganda for gorilla trekking
The dry season is with no doubt the most ideal period to explore Uganda gorillas. This is from June to September, December to February –the months of the year characterized by low or no rains.
Where to stay
Bwindi and Mgahinga all feature wide range of accommodation choices for guests to retire for the night. These comprise of budget, midrange and luxury options –they include among others Mount Gahinga Lodge, Buhoma Lodge, Mahogany Spring Lodge, Ichumbi Lodge, Rushaga Gorilla Havens Lodge, Nkuringo Bwindi Gorilla Lodge, Ruhija Gorilla Safari Lodge and more.
