Budget Gorilla Trekking from Kigali: How to See Gorillas for Less

The cheapest way to see mountain gorillas when you fly into Kigali is to cross the border into Uganda. A gorilla permit for Bwindi Impenetrable National Park costs US$800 for international visitors, against US$1,500 in Rwanda, and the southern part of Bwindi is only about four and a half hours by road from Kigali. You see the same mountain gorillas, in a group of no more than eight people, for the same hour. This guide explains where the saving comes from, what you give up for it, and how to keep the rest of the trip affordable.

What makes it a budget gorilla trek?

Almost all of the difference is the permit. Rwanda priced its permits high in 2017 to limit visitor numbers and fund conservation. Uganda chose a lower price for the same experience. The rules on the trek are the same in both countries: a maximum of eight visitors per gorilla family per day, one hour with the gorillas once you reach them, and a minimum age of 15.

A few other costs are lower on the Uganda side too:

• Lodges: the villages near Bwindi’s southern trailheads have simple lodges and community-run guesthouses at a fraction of the price of the luxury lodges around Volcanoes National Park.
• Low-season permits: in April, May and November, Uganda’s permit drops to US$600. These are the rainiest months, but the gorillas are there all year.
• Shared costs: with your own vehicle and driver-guide, the transport cost is the same for one traveller or six, so a small group pays much less each.

Rwanda or Uganda from Kigali: the numbers

Mgahinga is closer to the border, but with a single gorilla family its few daily permits sell out quickly. Bwindi’s southern sector has more families, so permits are easier to find for your dates.

How the trip works from Kigali

1. Day 1: drive north-west from Kigali past Musanze to the Cyanika border (about three hours), complete Rwandan and Ugandan formalities, then continue through Kisoro to a lodge near Rushaga or Nkuringo.
2. Day 2: morning briefing with Uganda Wildlife Authority rangers, then your gorilla trek and one hour with the family.
3. Day 3: drive back to Kigali, arriving in the afternoon.

Our 3-day budget gorilla trek from Kigali to Bwindi follows this plan with a private vehicle and driver-guide.

The costs to add up

When you compare prices, compare the whole trip, not just the permit:

• Gorilla permit: US$800 or US$600 per person, paid in full when it is booked.
• Visas: a Uganda e-visa costs US$50 and must be applied for online before you travel. If you also need a Rwanda visa, the US$100 East Africa Tourist Visa covers Rwanda, Uganda and Kenya together. Many nationalities pay nothing for the Rwanda visa; see our visa guide.
• Vehicle and driver-guide: three days instead of one or two, including fuel for the longer drive.
• Accommodation: two nights near Bwindi, plus Kigali nights either side if your flights need them.
• On the day: an optional porter at the trailhead, and tips for rangers, trackers and your guide.

For most travellers the permit saving is far larger than the cost of the extra day, especially for two or more people sharing the vehicle.

What you give up

• Time: the trip takes three days, and two of them are mostly driving. If you only have one or two days, Rwanda is the better choice; see our 1-day trek from Kigali.
• A harder trek: Bwindi’s forest is dense and steep, and treks are often longer than in Rwanda. Hiring a porter helps a great deal.
• A border crossing: you need a valid Uganda visa, a passport valid for six months, and time for formalities at Cyanika. Check whether you need a yellow fever certificate for Uganda; reports differ, so carry yours if you have one.
• Less flexibility: Uganda permits are paid in full when booked, so settle your dates first.

Ways to save even more

1. Travel in April, May or November for the US$600 permit and lower lodge rates.
2. Share the trip. Travelling as a group of four to six divides the vehicle and guide cost.
3. Choose a simple lodge near the trailhead rather than a high-end one.
4. Book early. Cheaper permits are popular, and the southern sector fills first in the dry months.
5. Skip the extras you do not need. The four-hour gorilla habituation experience costs much more than a standard trek.

Is a budget gorilla trek right for you?

It suits travellers who fly into Kigali, have three days, and want to see gorillas for the lowest total cost. It suits less well if you are short on time, want the shortest possible trek, or would rather spend the saving on a luxury lodge in Rwanda. If you are an African citizen or resident, compare the resident rates in both countries; Rwanda’s reduced rates can make it the cheaper choice.

Not sure which way to go? Send us your dates and we will compare both options for you, with permit availability, before you book anything.