Cheapest Way to see-Gorillas in Uganda
Cheapest Way to see-Gorillas in Uganda : Gorilla trekking is one of the most exciting and thrilling safari activities in Africa and is a highlight safari activity in Uganda, most of the Uganda tours include a visit to the gorillas and compared to other safari activities in country, gorilla trekking is relatively expensive provided that just a gorilla permit costs US $ 800 per person per trek.
As a traveler are you wondering how you can see these magnificent creatures on a budget, yes it is possible to keep your gorilla trekking as affordable as possible and here are the tips on how to do it.
Ways To See Gorillas In Uganda
- Visit Gorillas During Low Season
The best time to trek mountain gorillas in Uganda is during the dry seasons when there is less rain, therefore drier season months of June to early September and December to February are good for gorilla trekking in Uganda as the trails are less slippery. However, the drier season coincides with high and peak seasons in Uganda and Africa at large making services such as accommodations slightly expensive.
Low seasons in Uganda are the traditional rainy seasons of April, May, November and October. During this period, some Uganda safari lodges, hotels and camps tend to offer discounted rates of around 10% which you should take advantage of.
Also, during this time of the year, service providers pack their vehicles and would prefer to keep the machines working for lower pay than let them rust away.
Any savings on travel expenses can boost your journey allowing you to enjoy gorilla trekking and other activities on the same trip. In the low seasons you are guaranteed to get good rates on accommodation and transport, also it is easy to secure a gorilla trekking permit making it a good time for budget travelers.
- Consider Budget Or Midrange Accommodation
In addition to the gorilla trekking permit cost, accommodation costs at the Uganda gorilla parks that is Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park can make your gorilla trekking trip expensive.
Accommodation options ranges from luxury, midrange and budget accommodations which are charged different.
Therefore if you are planning to travel to Uganda and you intend to see gorillas in the cheapest way, it is good to consider budget or midrange accommodation for your Uganda gorilla tour to become affordable.
Note that the quality of accommodation can make or break your Uganda gorilla safari experience.
Therefore it is very important to consider budget friendly accommodation with minimum basic requirements like en-suite bathroom and toilet, a mosquito net and clean environment.
Some of the best budget and midrange accommodations in Bwindi include
- Gorilla Mist camp – Midrange
- Haven Lodge Buhoma – Midrange
- Agandi Eco-Lodge – Midrange
- Buhoma Community Reset Camp – Budge
- Trekker’s Tarven Cottages – Budget
- CTPH Gorilla Conservation Camp – Budget
- Ruhija Gorilla Friends Resort – Budget
- Consider Short Gorilla Safaris
Another cheapest way to see mountain gorillas in Uganda is to cut down on the number of days of your gorilla trekking safari. For example, in case you had planned for 7-10 days gorilla trekking tour, you can reduce it to 3 days gorilla trek to make your Uganda gorilla safari more affordable.
We offer short Uganda gorilla safari which range from 2 to 6 days which will be more affordable.
- Opt For A Group Gorilla Tour
The amount of money you spend while on a gorilla safari is increased manifold, if you are planning to travel instead going with a group.
For example, most accommodation rooms in Uganda accommodation two guests on sharing basis and this how the owners determine their profitability per night.
If you are traveling on your own, then the revenue from the second person is lost and so most properties will charge you a premium which is referred to as “single supplement” to make up some of the difference.
When you travel in group, you will be eligible for group discounts as you will be on sharing basis.
Besides sharing accommodation costs, you share costs of transport and the safari guide.
We offer many affordable group gorilla trekking safari to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Parks which are among the only 4 mountain gorilla destinations in the world.
- Avoid Domestic Flights In Favor Of Road Trip
In Uganda, domestic flights are fairly reasonable costing around USD 250 for a one-way flight from Entebbe to Bwindi or Mgahinga. But it is cheaper to travel by road, though you have to be comfortable with the long distance. From Entebbe to Mgahinga or Bwindi, it is a drive of approximately 8 to 10 hours.
- Start Your Uganda Gorilla Trekking Tour From Kigali
To reduce the cost of gorilla trekking in Uganda, book a Uganda gorilla trekking tour starting from Kigali – the capital of Rwanda. This is because Kigali City and Kigali International Airport are situated close to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park.
Start your safari from Kigali City, it is possible to do a 2 days – 1 night Uganda gorilla safari.
By contract, coming from Kampala – Uganda’s capital or Entebbe City – home of Entebbe International Airport, you need to set aside at least 3 days and 2 nights for a Uganda gorilla safari to allow for the 8 to 10 drive to Bwindi or Mgahinga.
Where Is The Cheapest Place To See Mountain Gorillas?
The cheapest place to see mountain gorillas in the world is Virunga National Park found in Democratic Republic of Congo, but due to the insecurity occurring in the park this is off the list of destinations to visit for gorilla trekking. Gorilla permit in Virunga National Park costs US$ 400.
The gorilla trekking permit in Uganda costs US$ 800 and Rwanda US$ 1,500.
