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Uganda or Rwanda for gorilla trekking?
The encounter is the same: one hour with a habituated family. The difference lies in how you reach the gorillas and what else you want to do on the trip.
Short answer
Choose Rwanda if time is short or you want a simple trip from Kigali. Choose Uganda if you have four days or more, want a choice of sectors, or want to add chimpanzees and game drives.
Side by side
| Uganda | Rwanda | |
|---|---|---|
| Parks | Bwindi Impenetrable and Mgahinga | Volcanoes National Park |
| Choice of families | Many, across several Bwindi sectors | Several, in one park |
| Journey | A full day by road from Kampala or Entebbe, or a short domestic flight | Two to three hours from Kigali |
| Best trip length | Three to ten days | Two to five days |
| Add-ons | Chimpanzees, game drives, lakes | Golden monkeys, Kigali, Nyungwe |
| Habituation option | Yes, in Rushaga | No |
Fitness and terrain
Neither country is easy. Bwindi's trails are steep and dense, while the volcano slopes in Rwanda and Mgahinga are high and open in places. Your assigned gorilla family matters more than the country, and rangers try to match families to fitness. Read how difficult gorilla tracking is.
Choose Uganda if, choose Rwanda if
| Choose Uganda if | Choose Rwanda if |
|---|---|
| You have four days or more. | You have two or three days. |
| You want to add chimpanzees, game drives or lakes. | You want Kigali, golden monkeys or Nyungwe. |
| You want a choice of sectors and gorilla families. | You prefer one park and a short, predictable transfer. |
| You want the habituation experience. | You want the shortest road journey. |
Logistics that catch people out
- Flying into Kigali for Uganda. Some travellers land in Kigali and drive to Bwindi or Mgahinga, which takes several hours. We plan the border crossing.
- Time zones. Uganda is one hour ahead of Rwanda, so allow for it when you time a pick-up or a flight.
- Visas. An East African Tourist Visa can cover Uganda, Rwanda and Kenya. Check the current fee and rules for your passport before you travel.
Sightings: what no one can promise
Trackers locate the gorillas on the vast majority of days in both countries, but no operator can guarantee a sighting. Be wary of anyone who quotes a percentage. We will tell you plainly how each park handles the rare day when a family is not found.
Both in one trip
Some travellers trek in both countries. Mgahinga and Volcanoes sit close together, and we can plan the border crossing. Ask us for a combined route.
Frequently asked questions
Which country has more gorillas?
Uganda shelters about half of all mountain gorillas, mostly in Bwindi.
Which is easier to reach?
Rwanda, because Volcanoes National Park is a short drive from Kigali.
Ready to trek? Ask for your quote.
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