How much does a gorilla safari cost?

knowing your budget range is always crucial when planning a safari to Africa. The Question of ” how much a safari may cost” is one that is unavoidable. For travelers who want to go gorilla trekking, the first question is how much does a gorilla safari cost?

How much does a gorilla safari cost? – The cost of a gorilla safari varies depending on the type of gorilla safari you would like to undertake which is either budget, standard or luxury. The cheapest gorilla cost for a 3 days trip is about USD 1100 of course depending on the number of people for a budget trip and about USD 2000-4000 per person for a luxury trip depending on the number of people.

Each gorilla safari has a different cost depending on your interests, especially for accommodation, means of transport, and the number of days you plan on spending on the tour. Uganda gorilla trekking safaris and Rwanda gorilla tours definitely have different costs just from the fact that the gorilla trekking permit for the two countries are sold at different prices.

A mountain gorilla trekking permit either in Uganda or Rwanda isn’t the general cost of a gorilla safari but the permit alone is costly.

Mountain Gorilla trekking

Uganda gorilla trekking permit 

Foreign non-residents require US$ 700 for each gorilla permit in Uganda. Foreign residents require US$ 600 for each gorilla permit in Uganda. East African residents require UGX 250,000 for a single gorilla permit.

For foreign non-residents, it will require US$ 700 to purchase a gorilla permit. Foreign residents will require US$ 600 to buy a gorilla permit. East African Residents will still be able to purchase a gorilla permit.

Which country is better for gorilla trekking, Uganda or Rwanda? – How much does a gorilla safari cost?

Both Uganda gorilla safaris and Rwanda gorilla tours offer lifetime experiences. Since we plan gorilla safaris, we know best and here we do not offer a conclusive view on whether you should take a Uganda gorilla safari or Rwanda gorilla trekking safari. We give you an insight into what it is like to trek gorillas in both countries such that you can choose what is best;

Uganda is home to more than half of the world’s remaining mountain gorillas. It hosts the single largest gorilla population without about 19 habituated gorilla families in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.

In Bwindi forest tourists who would also love to learn more about gorillas can undertake a gorilla habituation experience that can’t be found anywhere else. In Uganda still, tourists can trek mountain gorillas in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park.

The disadvantage of the Uganda gorilla habitats is that they are distant from the national airport and therefore require a long drive on a safari vehicle to get to the park. It’s about 470km to reach Bwindi and this lasts more than 8 hours therefore, you need a whole day to reach the park and another to return.

Rwanda is home to about 10 habituated gorilla families in the Volcanoes National Park which is the only habitat to these elusive giants in the land of a thousand hills. Trekking gorillas in Rwanda costs US$ 1500 for a permit.

Though expensive than Uganda, Rwanda has more to do with the gorilla conservation history that travelers love to engage with. The famous primatologist Dian Fossey, did her research in Rwanda and a research center was established there. Visiting this research center helps us learn more about gorillas and the conservation story as well.

Volcanoes National Park is a favorable trekking destination since it’s just 2 hours from the airport which is not the same as other national parks. This is an advantage to those travelers who want to take a short trip like a 1 day and 2 days gorilla safari.