Uganda vs. Rwanda for Gorilla Trekking: Which Should You Choose?
If you're planning to see mountain gorillas, you'll quickly find there are two main places to do it: Uganda and Rwanda. The gorillas are the same species, the forests sit just across the border from each other, and both countries do a great job protecting them.
So which one should you pick? It comes down to what matters most to you: budget, the kind of adventure you want, and what else you'd like to see on your trip. Here's how they compare.
1. Cost: Uganda wins
The gorilla permit is the biggest single cost of any gorilla trip, and Rwanda's costs about twice as much as Uganda's. For a couple, that difference alone can pay for extra nights, a chimp trek or a lodge upgrade.
Curious what goes into the price? Read our guide: How Much Does Gorilla Trekking in Uganda Cost?
2. The gorillas: more choice in Uganda
Uganda: Bwindi Impenetrable Forest is home to about half of the world's mountain gorillas. It has more than 20 gorilla families open to visitors, spread across four areas of the park, so it's easier to get permits.
Rwanda: Volcanoes National Park has about a dozen families you can visit.
Uganda also offers something Rwanda doesn't: the Gorilla Habituation Experience. A small group spends up to four hours with a family that's still getting used to people, instead of the usual one hour. Add a note to your itinerary request if you’d like more info.
3. The trek: wilder in Uganda
Uganda: Bwindi is true jungle: thick, steep and often muddy. Guides sometimes cut a path with machetes as you go. It feels like a real expedition. Imagine yourself in the Tarzan movie.
Rwanda: The treks go through more open bamboo forest on the slopes of volcanoes, and the paths are more worn in for an easier trail.
In both countries, how long you trek depends on where the gorillas are that day. It can be under an hour or most of the day. Porters are available to carry your bag and help on steep sections.
5. What else you can see: Uganda offers more variety
Uganda packs a lot into one trip:
Chimpanzee trekking in Kibale Forest
Tree-climbing lions in Queen Elizabeth National Park
A boat safari on the Kazinga Channel, with hippos and elephants at the water's edge
Murchison Falls, where the Nile squeezes through a narrow gorge
Classic game drives with elephants, buffalo, giraffes and more
Check out our 7-Day Uganda Safari with Gorilla & Chimp Trekking itinerary and customize it in minutes.
Rwanda has its own highlights, like Akagera National Park and the Nyungwe Forest canopy walk. But gorillas plus a full safari is where Uganda really shines.
Why we chose Uganda
We built Kiro Safaris around Uganda for a reason. You get the same once-in-a-lifetime gorilla encounter for less, a wilder trek that feels like a real adventure, and a whole country of wildlife to explore once you come out of the forest.
If you have the time, Uganda gives you more of everything. Our local guides know every corner of the country, and we'll build a trip around the experiences you care about most.
