Budget gorilla trekking tours in Uganda are low price tours offering affordable encounters with gorillas in their natural habitat. During budget gorilla trekking tours in Uganda, tourists are provided with different options of tour packages for visits to the destinations in the country where the gorillas can be seen in their natural habitat which include Bwindi national park and Mgahinga national park.
Uganda provides relatively affordable gorilla trekking tours as compared to Rwanda which has costly gorilla permits. These gorilla permits are issued by the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) and they cost 800 USD per person for foreign nonresidents, 700 USD for foreign residents and 300,000 Uganda shillings for East African citizens.
When planning the budget gorilla trekking tours in Uganda, it is important to note that the price of the gorilla permits is set by UWA and they are issued to individuals above the age of 15 years visiting Bwindi national park and Mgahinga national park.
Booking the gorilla trekking tour in advance is also important because permits get sold out for the different destinations for trekking in Uganda due to limited availability and high demand for the encounters with gorillas in the wild.
Tips on booking budget gorilla trekking tours in Uganda
Different packages are offered for budget gorilla trekking tours in Uganda and some of the tips on getting the right tour which is budget friendly include the following;
- Comparing prices from different tour operators
Different tour operators offer the gorilla trekking tours in Uganda and for the right choice, tourists can consult different companies and select one with a price that suits their preference and budget. However, it is important to choose a company which is a licensed tour operator since they are allowed to book the gorilla permits.
- Booking a group tours:
Another tip for budget gorilla trekking tours in Uganda is joining a group tour which reduces costs as expenses are shared among the members of the group.
Different Uganda tour operators organize the group gorilla trekking tours at lower prices compared to private tours.
- Travel during the low season
Traveling to Uganda during the low season or the off-peak season is another way to book a budget gorilla trekking experience.
The low season is during the rainy months of March, April, May, October and November which is a time when the price of the gorilla tours is discounted making them more affordable. Different lodges also offer a cheaper price on accommodation around Bwindi national park and Mgahinga national park.
- Booking short gorilla trekking tours
Visiting gorilla trekking destinations in Uganda for a short tour is another way to enjoy a budget safari and save money.
Instead of engaging in longer gorilla trekking tours, tourists on budget can book 3 days safaris in Uganda which allows them to travel to the national parks and engage in the gorilla trek without spending a longer period of time at the destination.
- Staying in Budget lodges
Choosing budget accommodation options during the gorilla trekking tour in Uganda is another way to enjoy a more affordable trekking experience.
It is important to book lodges closer to the gorilla trekking destinations and for tourists visiting Bwindi national park booking the lodge in the right sector for the trek is important. This makes it easy to attend the briefing which starts as early as 07:00 am at the park headquarters.
Budget gorilla trekking tour in Bwindi national park
Gorilla trekking tours in Bwindi national park are popular since it is home to a high population of mountain gorillas.
For budget travelers, it is important to book the tours to Bwindi national park in advance even if you are travelling during the low season so as to reserve gorilla permits and enjoy an experience with the gorillas in the impenetrable forest.
The gorillas of Bwindi national park can be seen in the Rushaga and Nkuringo sector in the southern part of the park and also in the Buhoma sector in the northern part of the park and Ruhija sector in the eastern part of the park.
The budget gorilla treks can be combined with Batwa community tours, bird watching experiences; guided nature walks and hikes during tours in Bwindi national park.
During the budget gorilla treks in Bwindi national park, tourists can get o the park by driving for about 8 to 9 hours from Kampala or for about 4 hours from Kigali after crossing via the Cyanika border or the Gatuna border.
Budget gorilla trekking tours in Mgahinga national park
Budget gorilla trekking tours in Mgahinga national park involve visits to the Nyakagezi gorilla family which is the only habituated gorilla group at the destination.
Mgahinga national park is also a destination which is home to golden monkeys which can be seen in the bamboo forests where tourists can also see gorillas and many other primates and bird species. Other activities apart from gorilla trekking done at the destination include golden monkey trekking and habituation, hiking, bird watching and also Batwa community tours.
The drive from Kampala to Mgahinga national park takes about 9 to 10 hours and the park can also be accessed by driving via the Cyanika border during budget gorilla trekking tours in Uganda from Rwanda which takes about 4 hours.
Best time for budget gorilla trekking tours in Uganda
The best time for gorilla trekking tours in Uganda is during the dry season when the trails in the forests where the gorillas can be seen are easily accessible. The dry season occurs during the months of June to September and also around December to February.
For budget gorilla trekking tours in Uganda, the best time for visiting Bwindi national park and Mgahinga national park is during the low season which is the time when it rains and it occurs during the months of March to May and in October as well as November.
However, throughout the year gorillas can be encountered in their natural habitat around Bwindi national park and Mgahinga national park during tours in Uganda.
