Save Big By Gorilla Trekking In Congo

Gorilla trekking is the tourism face of Uganda and Rwanda. These two countries have taken the public image over the Democratic Republic of Congo’s political instabilities to their advantage. Uganda has positioned itself as a budget to midrange gorilla trekking destination while Rwanda has positioned itself as a luxurious gorilla trekking destination.

Rwanda has taken the initiative to sponsor Arsenal the English-based football club with a “visit Rwanda” tag on the arm of the Arsenal jersey. In the English premier league where Arsenal features, there is a potential audience reach of up to 4.7 billion people on the face of the Earth.

Silverback Mountain Gorilla

With such a mileage through the Arsenal football club, the Democratic Republic of Congo is often undersold. Most at times, the only time the Democratic Republic of Congo features in the international media is in regard to the game rangers who have passed on, or the stories of rebels.

It is uncommon for media to share spell-bounding wilderness experiences in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Unless you are fond of documentaries, it might be very hard to find out what the Democratic Republic of Congo has to offer in terms of tours and travel.

Cost Of Gorilla Trekking In Uganda

All gorilla trekking locations are near Rwanda-Uganda borders. This places these locations of Bwindi impenetrable forest national park and Mgahinga gorilla national park in 10 hours nonstop drive from Entebbe international airport. To fully enjoy your gorilla trekking trip in Uganda, you must consider a minimum of two days.

A gorilla permit in Uganda will cost you US$700 for a foreign non-resident and US$600 for foreign residents. East Africans are charged UGX 250,000 per permit. There are no longer low season permit discounts in Uganda.

Your gorilla permit in Uganda covers; park entrance fees to your gorilla trekking sector in either Mgahinga gorilla national park of Bwindi impenetrable forest national park, ranger, tour guide, conservation fees, one hour with the mountain gorillas, and government taxes.

The average expenditure on budget accommodation per day in Uganda is US$50 while the average expenditure on budget transport per day is US$100.

Without considering the plane tickets (US$500- US$2400) and airport transfers (US$15 –US$150); Your gorilla trekking budget in Uganda might be around US$1000. That budget would cover transport to the gorilla trekking location, gorilla permits, and accommodation.

However, the budget shot up a little bit higher or drop lower than US$1000 depending on the adjustment in the transport means and accommodation.

Cost Of Gorilla Trekking In Rwanda

A gorilla trekking permit in Rwanda is US$1500. Unlike Uganda that has two gorilla trekking locations, Rwanda only has one gorilla trekking location; Volcanoes national park.

The permit covers; park entrance, ranger, tour guide, park warden, conservation fees, one hour with the mountain gorillas, and government taxes. Rwanda gorilla permit does not cover; porter fees, meals, accommodation, transport to volcanoes national park, Rwanda visa fees, and any other expenses

The average budget in Rwanda covering meals, transport, and accommodation per day is around US$280 per day. This will get you good budget accommodation, a good car for self-drive, meals, and fuel. With all that put into consideration, the trip might cost you around US$1780 for one-day gorilla trekking or US$2000 for a two-day gorilla trekking trip in Rwanda.

Please note; these rates perfectly fit in a budget category but it is very possible for them to go a little beat lower or higher depending on where you choose to sleep, and which car you choose to use on your gorilla trekking trip in Rwanda.

Cost Of Gorilla Trekking In Democratic Republic Of Congo

The democratic republic of Congo has a total of eight national parks. Of all these national parks, Virunga national park is the most popular national park. The park extends to Uganda and Rwanda.

The Uganda side of the same park is known as Mgahinga gorilla national park while the Rwanda side of the same park is known as Volcanoes national park.

Unlike Uganda and Rwanda, gorilla trekking in Congo is quite different. Their gorilla permit goes for US$400. This is US$300 less than that of Uganda and US$1100 less than that of Rwanda. For anyone considering a budget gorilla trekking trip in Africa, Virunga national would be the best option. Let break down what it takes to go gorilla trekking in Virunga national park

Self-drive is not an option for now when it comes to gorilla trekking in Virunga national park. The whole gorilla trekking package is organized by Virunga national park; ranging from transport, accommodation, and meals. However, it should be not that these fees are not covered in your gorilla trekking permit.

Virunga Gorilla Trekking Permits, Transport, And Accommodation

The good news about gorilla trekking in Virunga national park is; you can clear everything from transport, VISA to the Democratic Republic of Congo, gorilla trekking permit, and accommodation from the “visitvirunga.com” website.

For anyone who is already on a road trip from Uganda, or Rwanda, you can leave your car at a hotel in Goma, then take a taxi to a location where the park team will handle everything else.

There is always a misconception about the security of Congo. But it should be noted, no tourist has ever died in Virunga national park. You will always have a team of rangers with you when you go gorilla trekking in Virunga. It is very secure to go gorilla trekking in Virunga national park.

On average, your gorilla trekking trip in the Democratic Republic of Congo will cost you less than US$1000 without considering the costs of getting you to Goma when your gorilla trekking journey to Virunga national park will start from.

With all these three gorilla trekking locations in perspective, when you consider gorilla trekking in Virunga national park, you save a big deal. You can visit Uganda national parks, as well as Rwanda national parks before proceeding to Virunga for gorilla trekking.

Alternatively, tourists usually fly in through Rwanda, then transfer to Goma by taxi. From Goma, they proceed to go gorilla trekking in Virunga national park. After gorilla trekking in Virunga national park, you can have the car delivered to you at Goma or Rwanda- Democratic Republic of Congo. It is from there that you can begin your self-drive trip through Rwanda and then to Uganda.