If tracking mountain gorillas is on your bucket list, you’re in for one of the most awe-inspiring wildlife experiences on the planet. Standing just metres from a family of wild gorillas in their natural habitat is unforgettable, but with several options for where to go, how do you choose the best place for gorilla tracking? We’ll compare Rwanda, Uganda, and the DRC, so you can weigh up the pros and cons of each.
Spoiler alert: we’re partial to Rwanda, but all three locations have their unique appeal.
Rwanda: Volcanoes National Park
The Pros:
- Ease of Access: If you’re looking for a more straightforward and luxurious experience, Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park is hard to beat. Kigali International Airport is just a two-hour drive from the park, making logistics simple and reducing your travel time significantly.
- Safety: Rwanda is one of the safest and most stable countries in Africa. Its infrastructure, roads, and overall security are excellent, making it a stress-free option for first-time Africa visitors. You can track gorillas in the morning and be back at your luxury lodge or Kigali for dinner.
- Exclusive Experience: Gorilla families in Rwanda are closely monitored, and permit numbers are capped to ensure a low-impact experience. Group sizes are limited to eight people per family, meaning you’ll have a more intimate, less crowded encounter with these magnificent creatures.
- Larger Gorilla Families: Rwanda is home to some of the largest habituated gorilla groups, giving you a better chance to see a variety of behaviours and interactions.
- Luxury Options: Rwanda has invested heavily in tourism, and it shows. From high-end lodges to top-notch guiding services, you’ll be travelling in style. If you want a premium gorilla tracking experience, Rwanda is a great choice.
The Cons:
- Price: Rwanda charges $1,500 for a gorilla tracking permit—the highest of all three destinations. It’s an investment, but considering the conservation efforts and exclusivity, it’s well worth it for many travellers.
- Tougher Terrain: The terrain in Volcanoes National Park can be steep and challenging, but for most fit travellers, it’s entirely manageable. It adds to the sense of adventure!
Uganda: Bwindi Impenetrable Forest and Mgahinga National Park
The Pros:
- Cost: Uganda is often regarded as the more affordable option, with permits priced at $700. This can make a significant difference for budget-conscious travellers looking to tick gorilla tracking off their list without breaking the bank.
- Scenic Trekking: Bwindi Impenetrable Forest is a UNESCO World Heritage site, and the lush, dense forest offers a beautiful backdrop for your trek. It’s a remote and immersive experience, and you’ll feel like you’re stepping into the heart of the wild.
- Diverse Habitats: Uganda offers two gorilla tracking options: Bwindi, known for its dense, jungle-like terrain, and Mgahinga, which is more open, with bamboo forests and clear views of the Virunga volcanoes.
- Other Activities: Uganda offers a variety of other wildlife experiences, including chimpanzee tracking in Kibale Forest and safaris in Queen Elizabeth National Park. It’s a great option if you’re looking for a broader range of activities beyond just gorilla tracking.
The Cons:
- Longer Journey Times: Getting to Bwindi from Entebbe Airport is a bit more time-consuming. You’ll need to fly or drive for several hours. While the journey is scenic, it does require a little more patience than the quick drive to Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda.
- Harder Treks: The forest in Bwindi is dense, and the terrain can be tougher to navigate, making the treks more physically demanding than in Rwanda. It’s not for the faint-hearted, but the reward at the end makes every step worthwhile!
Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC): Virunga National Park
Full disclaimer – we’re yet to visit the DRC (coming soon…) so this one is from our own research rather than firsthand experience. Please review FCDO advice before travelling anywhere but especially if considering travelling to the DRC.
The Pros:
- Price: The DRC offers the most affordable gorilla permits at around $400, which is a major draw for budget-conscious travellers.
- Adventure Factor: If you’re an intrepid traveller looking for an off-the-beaten-path experience, the DRC is the most rugged and wild option for gorilla tracking. Virunga National Park is Africa’s oldest national park and offers some of the most dramatic landscapes.
- Volcano Add-On: Virunga is home to Mount Nyiragongo, an active volcano. Combine your gorilla trek with a once-in-a-lifetime hike up to see the world’s largest lava lake—perfect for thrill-seekers!
The Cons:
- Safety Concerns: While Virunga National Park is a stunning location, it has a more complex safety situation due to ongoing regional instability. Always check current travel advisories and be aware that access to the park can be restricted at short notice.
- Accessibility: Travelling to Virunga is more complicated. The park is often accessed via Goma, which is a less-developed and more remote area compared to Rwanda or Uganda. It’s not as straightforward to get to, and you may face additional logistical challenges.
- Basic Accommodation: While the experience is certainly raw and authentic, the accommodation options are not as luxurious as those in Rwanda or Uganda, which might be a consideration for some travellers.
So, Which Is the Best?
If you’re after a luxurious, safe, and exclusive experience with minimal travel time, Rwanda is the way to go. Its safety record, larger gorilla families, and premium lodges make it an unbeatable option, despite the higher cost.
For those looking for a budget-friendly, adventure-filled option with beautiful scenery and diverse activities, Uganda’s Bwindi Impenetrable Forest offers excellent value and a chance to see gorillas in a less polished but equally rewarding environment.
If you’re the kind of traveller who thrives on off-the-beaten-track adventures and doesn’t mind roughing it a little, the DRC’s Virunga National Park is an unforgettable, wild experience—just make sure you’re comfortable with the safety risks. Make sure you’re aware of the FCDO advice (or government advice from whichever country you’re travelling from).
Wherever you choose to go, gorilla tracking is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. It’s tough to top the thrill of looking into the eyes of a mountain gorilla in the wild—it’s an encounter you’ll never forget.