Ultimate Guide for Budget Gorilla Trekking in Uganda & Rwanda
Budget gorilla trekking is a great way to see wild gorillas in Africa without spending too much. This can best be done in Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Budget gorilla trekking tours offer memorable experiences in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park in Uganda, or in Virunga National Park and Kahuzi-Biega National Park in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Visitors can see endangered mountain gorillas or Eastern lowland gorillas in their natural homes.
Budget gorilla trekking in Uganda
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, located in southwest Uganda, covers 124 square miles in the Albertine Rift. It is home to around 400 mountain gorillas, about half of the world’s total population. With 24 habituated gorilla families, budget travelers have a good chance to see these gentle animals in their natural environment. The park has swamps, bamboo forests, hills, and valleys.
Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, also in southwest Uganda, covers 13.1 square miles within the Virunga Massif. It has three inactive volcanoes: Gahinga, Muhabura, and Sabinyo. The park’s Afromontane forests are home to mountain gorillas, and the Nyakagazi family is the only habituated group for trekking. Because it is less visited, it is a good choice for budget travelers.
Cheap Package Holidays for Uganda
Uganda budget safaris are an affordable way to explore the “Pearl of Africa” without losing quality. Uganda has ten national parks, including Bwindi for gorilla trekking, Murchison Falls, and Queen Elizabeth. You can also visit Lake Bunyonyi and the Nile. Activities include wildlife viewing, boat rides, birdwatching, gorilla trekking, cultural tours, and camping.
Budget safaris offer affordable places to stay, from bandas to campsites. You can save more by traveling in the low season or with a group. Packages can be made to fit your needs. Camping is a good way to enjoy the wild at a low cost.
Book your cheap Uganda budget safari package below.
Why Choose a Uganda Budget Safari?
Booking Uganda budget holidays helps you save money while still getting good service. A budget safari in Uganda does not mean poor service. Budget means you spend less while enjoying quality.
Many agencies, including ours, work with service providers to give you the best prices. This helps us offer highly discounted Uganda safaris.
Sometimes our prices may seem high, but this is because we include good services to ensure a comfortable trip. Prices can change, but traveling in the low season can make your safari cheaper with discounts and last-minute deals.
National Parks to Visit
Uganda has ten national parks worth visiting:
- Queen Elizabeth National Park
- Kidepo Valley National Park
- Murchison Falls National Park
- Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
- Mgahinga Gorilla National Park
- Kibale Forest National Park
- Lake Mburo National Park
- Semuliki National Park
- Mount Elgon National Park
- Rwenzori Mountains National Park
You can also visit Lake Victoria beaches, Lake Bunyonyi, the source of the Nile, and many other places.
Activities on a Budget Safari in Uganda
Your budget safari can include:
- Nightlife in the city
- Beach tours
- Gorilla and chimpanzee trekking
- Cultural visits with the Batwa people
- Boat rides
- Game viewing (buffaloes, leopards, elephants, lions, zebras, antelopes)
- Bird-watching (Egyptian goose, crested crane, shoebill stork)
- Seeing hippos, crocodiles, and snakes
- Boat rides on the Kazinga Channel and River Nile
Accommodation and Transport
Accommodation in Uganda ranges from luxury to budget. Budget accommodation offers good service in a calm setting at a low cost. Food and drinks are provided based on your preferences.
We sometimes recommend camping as the best way to enjoy the wild. Bring your tent and set it up at camping sites. Camping is affordable and lets you experience the wild under the moonlight, with only your tent separating you from nature.
Budget safaris in Uganda are rewarding and enjoyable. They help you reach your destination in a different way while giving you the same level of satisfaction.
Book your safari with us, and let us guide you on this memorable journey.
Budget gorilla trekking in D.R. Congo
Virunga National Park in eastern Congo covers 3,000 square miles in the Virunga Massif. It is Africa’s oldest national park and one of the largest tropical rainforests. It also has savannahs, montane forests, swamps, and volcanic plains. Over 300 mountain gorillas live here, and there are 8 habituated gorilla families open for trekking.
Kahuzi-Biega National Park, also in eastern Congo, covers about 2,317 square miles in the southern Kivu Province. It has bamboo, equatorial, and Afromontane forests, swamps, volcanoes, and grasslands, making it rich in wildlife. It is home to around 250 Eastern lowland gorillas, with 9 families in total and 3 habituated for trekking tours.
Cost of permits
Gorilla permits are cheaper in Uganda and Congo compared to Rwanda. In Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park, a permit costs USD 1,500 per person. In Uganda, it costs USD 800, and in Congo, it is USD 400, making it more affordable for budget travelers. Congo’s permits are often available throughout the year, while permits in Rwanda and Uganda can be competitive.
Booking a permit
It is best to book your permit through a registered tour company. These companies can help check for permit availability and can recommend budget accommodation and transport options. Budget travelers can get affordable transport to and from the parks, with experienced guides who know about gorillas and their habitats.
How to trek gorillas on a budget
To keep costs low, stay in budget lodges instead of mid-range or luxury options. Each sector of Bwindi, as well as Mgahinga and Virunga, has budget accommodation, including camping in Virunga for cheaper stays.
Consider booking shorter tours to save money. For example, a 3-day gorilla tour in Bwindi or Mgahinga will cost less than a 10-day combined gorilla and wildlife safari in Uganda or Congo.
The budget lodges close to gorilla trekking destinations include:
Rushaga Gorilla Havens Lodge
This lodge is located near the Rushaga trailhead in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, only 10 kilometers from Nyanamo trading center in Kisoro district.
Rushaga Gorilla Havens Lodge offers many services for visitors’ comfort and convenience. The lodge has spacious and stylish rooms with modern facilities, including bathrooms, comfortable beds, and private balconies with views of Bwindi Forest.
The lodge has a restaurant that serves local and international meals, a fully stocked bar, and a relaxing lounge area for guests to unwind after gorilla tracking.
The lodge can also organize gorilla tours, birding tours, cultural visits, and hiking tours.
Ichumbi Hotel, Kisoro
Ichumbi Hotel is known as a comfortable home for travelers visiting Bwindi and Mgahinga Gorilla National Parks. It offers single and double rooms with options for full board, half board, and bed and breakfast.
Facilities include a spa and health club, a swimming pool, a restaurant, a bar, and a beautiful surrounding environment. The hotel can also arrange activities like gorilla trekking, nature walks, cultural tours, and birdwatching.
Travelers Rest Hotel
Travelers Rest Hotel is located on the edge of Kisoro district, near the borders with Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo. This budget-friendly hotel has 12 well-furnished rooms suitable for travelers on gorilla trekking tours.
The hotel has a restaurant and bar with a large fireplace for guests to relax in the evenings, a swimming pool, and parking space. It offers views of the Virunga volcanoes.
Activities include gorilla trekking, Batwa community visits, village walks, bird-watching, and sightseeing.
Bakiga Lodge
Bakiga Lodge is located in the Ruhija sector of Bwindi, only 10 minutes from the trailhead. The lodge offers comfortable accommodation in 12 self-contained cabins overlooking a valley and the forest.
The lodge has single, double, and twin rooms, each with private balconies and ensuite bathrooms. It has a restaurant, bar, and lounge area. Bakiga Lodge is eco-friendly and collects rainwater for guests to use.
The lodge can also arrange gorilla trekking, birdwatching, and community visits.
Ride for a Woman Guest House
This budget and midrange guest house is located near the Buhoma sector, close to Bwindi headquarters. It has 12 traditionally furnished units that give guests an authentic Ugandan experience.
Guests can enjoy the sound of the Munyanga River while relaxing.
The guest house has a restaurant offering tea and coffee all day. Guests can join activities such as basket weaving, gardening, and cooking local meals. Other tours include birdwatching, biking, and cultural visits.
Bukima Tented Camp
Bukima Tented Camp is located in Rumangabo, Democratic Republic of Congo, near the trailhead in Virunga National Park, making it convenient for budget travelers.
Guests stay in platform tents with bathrooms that provide clean water, and warm water is available for bathing. The camp offers views of Mount Mikeno and Nyiragongo volcano and has a restaurant serving meals.
Visitors can also enjoy views of terraced farmlands and birdlife. Some tents have double beds, while others have twin beds.
What to Pack for Budget Gorilla Trekking
- Refillable water bottle
- Binoculars
- Sunglasses
- Camera with extra batteries
- Wide-brimmed hat
- Hiking boots
- Rain jacket
- Energy snacks
- Gloves
- Long-sleeved shirts
- Long trousers or pants
- Small waterproof backpack
- Gaiters
- Insect repellent
- Warm sweater
When to Travel for Budget Gorilla Trekking
The best time to travel to Uganda or the Democratic Republic of Congo for a budget gorilla trekking tour is during the low season.
This makes the adventure more affordable since accommodation rates are often lower than in the high season.
The low season falls during the rainy months of March, April, May, October, and November. This is also a good time for travelers who prefer a quieter gorilla trek, as there are fewer visitors in the parks.
It allows for a more peaceful and personal experience with the gorillas while enjoying the green surroundings.
