Gorilla Treks: Comparing Rwanda and Uganda
Gorilla Trekking is a fascinating adventure and arguably one of the most incredible wildlife experiences in Africa. It is possible to trek gorillas both in Uganda and Rwanda, both destinations offer amazing gorilla trekking experience, but while the gorilla species are the same, the logistics, costs, and experiences differ.
This blog gives you all the information you need to know so as to determine which experience might be best for you!
Rwanda and Uganda: What is the same?
Species: The mountain gorillas in both countries are the same
Trekking: The duration of treks will vary and are never guaranteed. Your trekking time depends on the gorilla’s location and where they spent their previous night. Sometimes the animals will be sedentary and other times they may be on the move. The difficulty of your trek can never be predicted.
Interaction: Once with the gorillas, interactions are one-hour in length
Group Size: Both countries offer treks in small groups of 6-8 travelers. At the time of writing, the group size in Uganda and Rwanda is 8 trekkers. Please ask your consultant for the most recent information, as these numbers do change and in the past have been set at 8 am.
Landscape: while the landscape will differ, both countries offer stunning scenery with much to offer.
Best Time To Go: Trekking is a year-round activity. However, for the best possibility of weather, December through February and June to October is the best time.
Additional Options: Both countries offer opportunities to add on a traditional safari and or chimpanzee treks are available to bot Uganda and Rwanda.
What is The Difference?
The main difference in the experience leading up to your one hour with the gorillas depends on your trek into the forest and the location of your accommodation. This can vary greatly and the options are plentiful.
Starting Locations: Uganda offers several different starting points for your trek (Buhoma, Ruhija, Nkuringo and Rushaga). You will choose one of these areas at the time of booking, based on where you stay. Also, there is an option to trek more than one of these areas, speak to your consultant if you are interested in combining two of these locations and they can recommend the best logistics. In Rwanda, the treks start at the same park headquarters and will be assigned a gorilla family on the morning of the trek.
Permit Prices: As of 2025, gorilla permits in Uganda are $ 800 per person, per trek, whereas the gorilla permits in Rwanda are $ 1,500 per person, per trek. In low season, Rwanda offers a discount on gorilla permits for guests who also spend time in Akagera National Park.
Accommodations: Rwanda offers more luxurious accommodation options than Uganda. Rwanda has a range of beautiful boutique hotels to high-end luxury lodges all of which are excellent options. However, it ultimately comes down to personal preference about accommodations, food and service, since the gorilla trek is sure to be amazing no matter which location you choose.
Uganda on the other hand has a variety of accommodations ranging from budget, midrange to luxury thus accommodation all the visitors of any budget.
Guiding: In Rwanda, you are required to have a driver-guide with you for the duration of your stay in the country, unless you take a helicopter – the most scenic and more fun option, or you drive yourself which we do not recommend. If you travel to Volcanoes National Park via a helicopter, your guide will meet you at the airstrip for a seamless experience. In Uganda, you can book accommodations without paying additional rate for the driver-guide.
Trekking Difficulty: Generally trekking in Uganda is known for being more challenging, the forest of Bwindi is called impenetrable for a reason. Also, the elevation profile in Uganda is steeper in most areas when compared to Rwanda which is more below. Rwanda and Uganda both offer flexibility in trekking difficulty (easy, medium and hard) to suit your preferences. Although it cannot be guaranteed, you can request an easier or harder trek on the morning your permit is assigned to a family. In both countries, you can expect to be hiking anywhere from 6,000 ft to 8,400ft above sea level. You Tour consultant will walk you through the various trekking options and the merits of each.
Infrastructure: Rwanda takes a lot of pride in their infrastructure and has invested heavily in their road and has some of the most well-kept roads in any of African country. While in Uganda, most of the roads are dirt and at times can be bumpy. You can look at this as part of the adventure, but it is something to keep in mind.
Golden Monkey Treks: Rwanda offers golden monkey treks in the same location as gorilla treks, while Uganda offers its golden monkey treks in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, where there is also one habituated gorilla family. At the time of writing (2025) golden monkey trekking permit costs $ 100 in both countries per person, it is very common to add this amazing primate experience to gorilla trekking experience.
Clients love golden monkeys as they tend to get a little closer and are often more playful than the gorillas. Take note that the golden monkey trek in Uganda can be difficult, it is normal to hike 5 hours to see them and can be more difficult than the gorilla treks in Uganda.
Unique Trekking Opportunity: combining two different trekking regions in Uganda offers a unique option. For those who are really adventurous between Nkuringo and Buhoma, a walk will take about six hours, but it is a very interesting experience.
Another options is trekking the Buhoma Sector one day and then also trek the Ruhija Sector, both offer different trekking terrain and no two gorilla families are the same. There is great diversity in the experience by trekking two different sections.
Uganda Gorillas
Uganda’s Bwindi has four trekking locations, home to several different gorilla families.
Note: You that you may end up driving to the start of your trek after you are assigned a gorilla family depending on their location that day. Each family can be visited by 8 tourists per day.
Habituated Gorilla Families in Bwindi include.
- Buhoma in the northwest: 5 gorilla families
- Ruhija in the northeast: 4 gorilla families
- Rushaga in the southeast: 8 gorilla families
- Nkuringo in the southwest: 3 gorilla families
Also, there is one gorilla family in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. This park is on the back side or North Slope of the hills that form Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda. In other words, the gorillas in Mgahinga are actually closer to the Rwanda Volcanoes National Park’s headquarters than they are to Bwindi, roughly about six miles.
The Mgahinga Gorillas can be in direct contact with the Rwanda families as they occupy the same Virunga volcanoes.
Rwanda Gorillas
In Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park, there are 12 habituated gorilla families. Note there is only one park headquarters in Rwanda. You may end up driving to the start of your trek after you are assigned to a gorilla family, but your focus should be booking the accommodations of your choice and asking how far your lodge is from park headquarters. The rest of the logistics area bit simpler in Rwanda.
What is The Best Option for You?
The best option for you will depend on your budget, accommodation preference, where you are arriving from, your fitness level, and your ability to handle the uncertainty of not knowing how long your trek will be and what type of sighting you will have with the gorillas.
However, no matter which country you choose, gorilla trekking is an amazing experience and is not to be missed!
