uganda
Budget Gorilla Trekking in Uganda
Budget Gorilla Trekking in Uganda have subsidized trips that have had their costs reduced to fit the budgets of travelers who want to trek Uganda gorillas on a tight budget. One of the most popular activities on a safari in Uganda, Rwanda, or Congo is gorilla trekking. The gorilla trek prices, on the other hand, may appear expensive to some travelers because they lack the necessary information to help them plan their gorilla trek on a budget. Here are some things to think about when planning your budget Gorilla trekking safari to Uganda.
Gorilla trekking in Uganda is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see the incredible mountain gorillas of central Africa’s rainforests on the Virunga Mountains’ slopes and in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park. Travelers who have participated in this Uganda safari highly recommend it: no other wildlife encounter in Africa, they say, compares to the unforgettable experience of spending face-to-face time with Uganda’s wild gorillas in their natural habitat.
Mountain gorillas cannot survive outside of their natural habitats, including zoos. They only exist in two remote rainforest jungles in east and central Africa, namely Uganda, Rwanda, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. These governments guard the last remaining great apes with the zeal of a medieval king’s castle.
Best time to visit for Budget Gorilla Trekking in Uganda
When there is less rain, it is best go for your Budget Gorilla Trekking in Uganda. As a result, drier seasons are preferable for gorilla trekking because the trails are less slick. Because the dry season coincides with the high and peak seasons in Uganda and Rwanda, services are slightly more expensive. The traditional rainy seasons in Uganda and Rwanda are April, May, November, and October. During this time, some countries, such as Uganda, offer discounts on gorilla permits through the Uganda Wildlife Authority, which you should take advantage of. Lodges also reduce room rates by about 10%. As a result, the time you choose to plan your gorilla trekking excursion will have an impact on your budget. While planning your Budget Gorilla Trekking in Uganda, you should keep in mind some non-negotiable or standard prices, such as;
The Gorilla Trekking Permit
For foreign residents, the gorilla trekking permit in Uganda costs $700 per day. The permit fee for foreign residents of East African countries (Rwanda, Kenya, Tanzania, and Kenya) increased from $600 to $700 on July 1, 2022. It costs Ugx 250,000 per person for East African residents. The gorilla habituation experience permit costs $1500 for foreign residents, $1000 for East African residents, and Ugx 750,000 for locals. You can book gorilla permits with the Uganda Wildlife Authority.
As a result, when planning your budget gorilla trekking safari, first budget for the Gorilla trekking permit.
Group Gorilla Trekking on a Budget
Organizing a group Gorilla trekking group is the best way to save money. Groups enable each traveler to share transportation costs with others, significantly lowering the cost of the trek. However, for group tours, we recommend booking at least four months in advance to ensure that the entire group receives budget gorilla trekking permits. Uganda tour operators can easily help you join groups of other budget travelers, so if you are a single traveler and want to join a budget gorilla trekking group, contact us and we will let you know about the availability.
Target the low season
Plan your Uganda Gorilla trek during the low season months of March to May and October to November to increase your chances of seeing the Gorillas without spending a fortune. This is because hotels, camps, and lodges lower their prices during the low season, and tourism authorities also offer low-season discounts that you can take advantage of.
Consider using public transportation
While hiring a private vehicle and driver for your Uganda Gorilla trek can be expensive, you can use public transportation to get to larger towns closer to the trekking areas, such as Kabale and Kisoro in Uganda and Musanze in Rwanda, and from there, you can easily hire a vehicle and driver for the one day of trekking, bringing the costs down significantly.
Consider budget accommodation
In addition to the cost of the Gorilla permit, accommodation costs can make the trip expensive, so consider budget accommodation to make your trek more affordable. However, keep in mind that the quality of your accommodation can make or break your trip, so look for a budget-friendly option with the bare necessities like an en-suite bathroom and toilet, a mosquito net, and a clean environment.
accommodation while Budget Gorilla Trekking in Uganda
Trekker’s Tavern Cottages is located on the top of Ruhija Hill, with views of the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest on one side and community land on the other. Trekkers Tavern Cottages provides basic/low-cost accommodation to visitors on Uganda gorilla safaris in the Ruhija region.
Buhoma Rest Camp: Buhoma community camp is a pleasant accommodation facility located a few meters from the main entrance gate of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. This facility offers a variety of lodging options including two non-self-contained twin cottage bandas, six self-contained safari tents, and six dormitory-style accommodations and campsites. Buhoma community campsite is owned and operated by the local community and provides single, double, twin, and triple bedding. Food and beverages, fully stocked bar, Restaurant, Transportation, Parking lot, Massage, Laundry services, Mosquito nets, Shower facilities, Walking sticks for rent, Reading materials, Complimentary tea, Backup generator, Phone and laptop charging ports, Artisan craft shop and many more.
CPTH Gorilla Conservation Camp: This camp is one of the best budget options in Bwindi, offering accommodation on the outskirts of the stunning park with a breathtaking panoramic view of the top of the forest. It provides comfortable lodging for tourists, students, and researchers, with profits benefiting gorilla conservation efforts on the ground.
Ruhija Gorilla resort: It is a lodge near the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park. This lodge is owned and operated by the local community and is a popular stop for visitors tracking gorillas through Ruhija gate. The lodge is close to the park’s entrance, and guests can walk to the gorilla briefing point. Bitukura, Oruzogo, and Kyaguriro are the gorilla groups at this gate.
Nshongi gorilla resort is located in Rubuguri town, near the trekking points of Rushaga and Nkuringo. Nshongi gorilla resort offers two types of accommodation: a guest house and cottages. Guest house accommodations include self-contained rooms, double and twin rooms, and large double windows overlooking the tranquil scenic view.
Cottages are privately located and have twin or triple beds, as well as advanced mosquito nets, reading tables, seats, and dressing tables.
Wagtail eco safari camp is located in Rubuguri town, about 10 kilometers south of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in the Rushaga and Nkuringo sectors. This magnificent camp is built with local materials such as a papyrus roof, a banana fiber ceiling, a floor tightened with local stones, and impressive furniture.
Wagtail eco safari camp has four different room types: guest room, deluxe queen, junior king, and superior king.
